Being a house guest for the weekend made me think of all the times I’ve been the host. Did I make my guests feel as welcome as JJ made me feel? I know I spent the week before my guests came cleaning like a mad woman, even dusting the tops of door frames, but did I really prepare for them so they would feel welcome?
If you have a bedroom and bathroom that your guests will be using it’s important to make sure they are really clean. Also, make sure there is an extra blanket, sometimes guests are colder than you are but don’t want to ask for another blanket.
Stock their bedroom and bathroom with everything they will need. If the television in there takes some maneuvering to get it to work, write the instructions on an index card and put it with the remote.
The bathroom should have everything they need in easy to find places, or point out to them what’s in the drawers so they don’t feel like they are snooping looking for aspirin or a washcloth.
Give them a tour of your home when they first arrive and point out anything they might need, like the coffee maker or snacks.
Have an agenda but be flexible. Plan some fun things but also give them some time alone. When you are on vacation you are looking forward to some down time and if you host plans every second you go home feeling like you never went on vacation.
This down time should include a space of their own. If your guests will be sleeping in one of the kids bedrooms make sure your child gets everything she will need out of the room before hand.
If they will have a rental car make sure they have a map and a list of things that are close by, convenience stores, grocery stores, movies, malls, as well as golf courses and restaurants.
Realize that your guests do not want you to entertain them every minute they are with you. Let them explore the city or just sit in the sun and read. After all, they are on vacation.