Organized Living

Overnight Company: The Gracious Host’s Checklist

Here’s a handy checklist for hosting guests overnight, beginning with basics and working up to optional niceties you can provide given the time:

• A comfortable place to sleep. A guest bedroom is great, but a comfortable couch or air mattress is fine. Make up the sleeping area with fresh sheets and a pillow or two. Fold a comforter, afghan or extra blanket at the foot of the bed or couch. A reading light is a nice touch.
  
  
• A clean bathroom. Also, provide a fresh set of towels for your guest’s use only (bath towel, hand towel and washcloth).
  
  
• A welcoming smile and relaxed attitude. Hospitality and good manners, above all, simply mean making someone feel at home and comfortable.
  
  
• Privacy and time to relax alone. Your guest may be tired but too polite to excuse himself or herself from your company. Ask if they would like a nap, or simply quiet time during their stay. If their sleeping quarters are in a shared space such as a living room, offer a bedroom for quiet time.
  
  
• Easy access to a place to recharge a cell phone and plug in a laptop computer should be pointed out to your guest. They may find a tabletop space convenient or necessary.
  
  
• A place to hang up clothes, and a spot for stowing a suitcase.
  
  
• Breakfast food and morning beverage of their choice. Ask the night before if your guest will be able to stay for breakfast, and if they prefer coffee, tea or some other morning beverage. Try to have on hand basic breakfast offerings from which they can choose. If you must leave for work or school before your guest, leave them a note with simple instructions on where they might find things. Set out a plate, mug, glass, utensils and napkin for their convenience.
  
  
• If your guest is from out of town and unfamiliar with the area, a map of the town or neighborhood is a thoughtful convenience to provide, along with suggestions of favorite eateries, coffee shops, and attractions.
  
  
• Optional niceties: a small vase of flowers and a glass of water at the bedside. Also consider a tray or basket of specialty toiletries with their towels: razor, shower gel, powder and/or guest soap and hotel sized mouthwash.
  
  
• Inquire about allergies. If pets are an issue, keep pets out of their sleeping area (a good rule of thumb, anyway, unless your guest is particular fond of animals and requests their company at night).