Gracious Hosting

Ever since I can remember my mother has been hosting parties and cocktail events galore! Needless to say she has become quite the pro and since then, I have learned a lot from her. I know many of us are well versed on how to be a gracious hostess at a dinner party but sometimes we forget the important things when hosting an over-night or weekend house guest simply because we don't do it as often. So here are my simple tips to being a gracious hostess!

In your guests room have a luggage rack set out and ready for your guests luggage. If you don't have one, they aren't too pricey and you can find them at places like Bed Bath and Beyond. That way your guest will have something to rest their luggage on and stay more tidy!

Have fresh towels available for your guest. Either lay them on the end of their bed where they can easily be seen or in a basket or hanging in the bathroom.

In the bathroom, have plenty of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shave gel, etc. I think a cute idea is to gather hotel shampoos from all of your various travels and put them in a basket, that way the guest can use the shampoo you provided or they have options if they don't like the type you've provided. It's also always good to have several extra tooth brushes on hand just in case! You can never be too prepared and a guest always appreciates a gracious, well prepared host/hostess!

If you're not a drinker and your guest is, chances are you are going to have to make a stop at the liquor store. Stock up on whatever you know your guest likes to drink and make sure you have the appropriate glasses to serve the drink in. If you know your guest isn't a drinker but know they enjoy diet coke or perrier, have those and other options on hand.

Most people rely on their cell phones now-a-days to wake them up in the mornings but there is nothing that annoys me more when I'm in a room and I can't see a clock. Especially if I wake up thinking it's 10am and get out of bed to check my phone only to find out it's only 6am. Keep an alarm click where it's visible. Your guest will appreciate it.

Make breakfast. I know I am guilty of not eating usually eating breakfast, and I certainly don't cook up bacon, eggs, and pancakes every morning, but when you have guests, make that extra effort. If you know your guest doesn't get up for breakfast or doesn't care for breakfast then at least make a pot of coffee and set out some fruit, yogurt, granola, etc.

Have fresh flowers. There is something about fresh flowers that makes a house seem a little brighter and more lively!
Another fun option is that if your guest is a first time visitor, make a little gift basket for them to take home. Put things in there that will remind them of their trip and where you live. For example, Pittsburgh has Heinz Ketchup so a bottle of ketchup would go into the basket. What do you do to prepare for a house guest? Don't forget to enter my Smathers and Branson needlepoint headband giveaway! You get to choose the headband! Have a fabulous day!
Yours,
sCe