Entertaining guests requires skill that looks quite effortless when viewed from the Instagram accounts of the hosts. When looking at the pictures of people serving lattes to their guests lounging comfortably on linen sofas that were impeccably cleaned by the owners, it can feel like “it’s as simple as that.” However, when you start looking everywhere for the towel at 11 PM and discover that your guest bathroom still smells of damp disappointment, you know it can be worse. It does not have to be that way. Just follow a few steps, and your visitors will feel comfortable.
First, there has to be a decent sleeping arrangement. Although the ideal situation would be to offer them your guest bedroom, sometimes people can do without it. An air mattress that will provide them with enough comfort such as SoundAsleep Dream Series can be purchased if you do not have a guest bedroom. In any case, you have to be prepared with clean sheets because no one likes to sleep in old ones that smell whatever you had used last year. A good night’s sleep will definitely make them forgiving for the rest of the visit.
Bathroom is the area where you either ruin the whole visit or get the game. Remove the unnecessary items that occupy the space and keep everything useful for your guests in the drawers. You have to check whether there is a roll of toilet paper, and, even better, put another one on the counter just in case. Put the stack of clean towels somewhere where they can see them. You can also put a basket with travel size toiletries in case your guests have forgotten something.
In regard to food and drinks, you should not wait until they tell you what they want. People are usually polite and rather willing to starve themselves rather than ask you for something. Put a pitcher of water and some glasses right in their room. Make sure your fridge is full of easy-to-use products that they will find useful for the breakfast such as yoghurt, fruit, and coffee. In case you really want to take care of your guests, try to ask them about any possible allergies and dietary restrictions before the visit so that you do not have to search for gluten-free snacks for them.
Here is one step that will make you different from all other amateurs: give them a key or the door code. With that, you relieve your guests of the necessity to ask for permission each time they want to enter the place. This gesture shows your trust towards your guests and desire not to control everything. It gives your guests a freedom to move around as they like.
All in all, the most important thing is to relax a little bit. Your nervousness will pass on to your guests, and you both will sit on the couch pretending to have fun. You should prepare yourself to unexpected situations such as burned toast and your dog stealing the shoe. Relax and just order a pizza in case you did not manage to prepare something tasty.