Hostessing Tidbits

Submitted by: Rochelle Alberti

One thing we do when we are welcoming guests is to give them a tour of everything from the kitchen to both bathrooms so that they KNOW where everything is...and make sure they feel comfortable to ask or help themselves to anything they need.

I also like to have a large basket with towels that we only use for guests (so they are nice and soft and fluffy) in it with little extras like soap, shampoo, etc (just in case they forgot theirs) on their beds. I also like to have cut flowers in their room.

I keep the basket assembled so that if we have "surprise" guests...we are ready...and I keep dried flowers in the guest room at all times so that even if we get a surprise...the room is welcoming..and also use those flowers for when people come who I know have allergies to fresh flowers.

I also do NOT keep the guest bed made up with sheets...but make it up as needed..that way the sheets are fresh and crisp and don't have little spiders that have made themselves comfy under the covers....but I do keep them (the sheets) for the guest room stored in the closet in the guest room with lavendar sachets (or Yardley of London soap) and then make up the bed fresh when they come. Since making up a bed doesn't take much time, I can excuse myself and do it quickly when a suprise guest arrives...and, of course..the bed is ready and waiting for expected guests.

I also keep a little clock on the bedside in their room so that they do not have to worry about the time and ask me to wake them....if they are staying for church, I gently let them know what time we leave for church and let them make their waking arrangements based on that information.

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