Expecting Someone?

Summer house guests on their way?  You should do something nice to make their stay a little bit more memorable.  Little things go a long way with a guest who is staying over and the easiest way to come up with ideas is to think back to your favorite hotel stay and recall the tiny touches that made it so special.  Maybe it was just a chocolate on the pillow or a sewing kit in the closet. Whatever it was, do what you can to make your home like a hotel.  

There is a difference between necessities and niceties.  Fresh soap in the shower is a necessity but flowers beside the bed are a nicety.  Co-ordinating hangers in the closet and a bottle of water beside the bed are necessities but a cd player with a few of your favorite cds and a detailed street map of your area are niceties.  See my list below for more suggestions:

Necessities Niceties

Fresh and Clean Sheets Lavendar sachets 

inside the pillows

Bottle of water Fill a carafe with 

beside the bed water and lemon

Food and snacks A basket of local 

in the kitchen delicacies in the guest room

A few books in the room Your favorite new books 

wrapped as a gift  

Lamp beside the bed Candles beside the bed

 with a monogrammed 

box of matches

A set of clean towels A robe behind the door

A friendly greeting A welcome basket with 

upon arrival a map & camera

A warm goodbye A send off gift 

(framed photo, photo

 album or memento)

Memories of a good time A travel kit with 

a Sudoku book, pencil & 

Snacks

Most importantly: Enjoy your guests and have fun!  Play together, cook together, dine together but also give your guest some alone time too.