How to Make Your Houseguests Happy

Maybe you live a few hours away from close friends and relatives and the distance is too far to drive in one day. If they want to enjoy a holiday or party, they need to stay for the night. If your home is large enough, with a guestroom or some other sleeping quarters, here is a way to make your houseguests happy to come back again and again.

Things You'll Need

• Extra household supplies
• Fresh linens
• New toiletries
• Extra food
• Lawn games, movies, party games

Instructions

1. The little things do count the most. Think about being away from home and needing a private place for a comfortable sleep. If you expect people to sleep on the floor, you are better off putting them up in a local hotel. Even children should have a couch or cot to sleep on in an undisturbed room.

2. Fresh towels, linens and toiletries are the basic essentials. If you can give the guest his own towel set, sample bottles of soap, shampoo and toothpaste, he will be happy. A woman would love a small bottle of scented lotion and hair conditioner as well. When you stay at hotels, collect as many unopened sample bottles as you can and store them away for guest visits. Some drug stores also sell sample-sized bottles, but buy them on sale as they are pricey.

3. If you are lucky enough to have a guest room, do something special like leaving fresh flowers from your garden on the dresser or a basket with little gifts for them. This could include candies, dish towels, fancy soaps, candles or notepads. Just this little extra touch can delight some guests for the whole weekend.

4. Take their dietary restrictions into account when you prepare menus. If they don't eat meat, provide a vegetarian alternative. If she is a diabetic, have sugar-free foods or an angel cake in addition to the sugar-filled varieties. If there is a special food your friends prefer, like shrimp cocktail, buy it frozen in advance if you can.

5. The night before the guests arrive, use a checklist to ensure you have done your preparation work including changing bed linens and towels. Doing any food prep ahead of time will give you more time to spend with them. Keep an Excel spreadsheet for reference so you need not "reinvent the wheel" each time visitors stay over.

6. When they arrive, receive them warmly and invite them to help themselves to any food or drink you have available. Tell them about your meal plans and timetable. Make sure they understand they are free to walk about the house and grounds at any time. Ask each guest to think of what you can do to make her stay more pleasing. If you get a response, act on it if possible

Tips & Warnings

• Try to relax and enjoy your company. You deserve to enjoy your happy houseguests.