For those of us that open our homes to friends and family for the holidays ... here are some simple suggestions. Even if your "guest room" is in the family room, basement or one of your kids are giving up their room ... make your guests feel welcome and special!

• Some level of privacy is needed. Make sure there are changing areas and if using a kids room, have them pack a suitcase and make an adventure out of keeping their room off limits for a few days.
• Keep an old comfy bath robe hanging on the back of a guestroom door (amazing how many people forget theirs!)
• Also keep a supply of slipper socks handy
• Leave an extra quilt on the end of the bed
• Use lots of pillows, put a small bag of fresh lavender or oil on a cloth inside pillowcases. Kids love stuffed animals!
• Use nightlights! They help guests find the bathroom in the middle of the night. I give kids their own little flashlight!
• Have a bedside lamp that can be reached without getting out of bed.
• Provide reading materials at bedside (for kids too)
• Provide a basket of toiletries ( I save free samples, hotel shampoos and travel size items) Don't forget to have paper cups in the bathroom.
• If your guests are on medications, give them a safe place to keep them ... out of children's reach

Last of all, I give my guests a tour of the house ... pointing out the location of bathrooms, extra toilet paper, towels and even the toilet plunger! I show them around the kitchen, the drinking glasses, beverage supplies, silverware drawer and trash can.

If they are an early riser or late-nite T.V. watcher ... they get a tutorial on making coffee and using the T.V. remote.

Have plenty of snacks available.

The goal is to make your guests feel welcome and at home ... and for you to enjoy their visit!

- Beckie