By: Melanie at Parenting Ink

Anne @ CatsGoShopping.com 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

Love this article! I absolutely love having people from out of the country stay over at our place. We’re members of the hospitalityclub.org and that’s how we get to meet lots of fascinating people from around the world.

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Knittinchick 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

I love the coffee idea. As a bit of a coffee fiend, I always miss it when I’m away. I love it when people keep up their regular schedule and let me know what it is (both as a guest and a host) so I can plan accordingly.

A few other things in people’s rooms that are appreciated:

*pad of paper and pens

*transit maps (if they don’t have a vehicle)

*garbage can

In the guest washroom, I usually have a small pill bottle of tylenol and some antihistamines in case they feel under the weather… it helps to not have to announce to everyone that you have a headache! ... See all content Hide content

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Libby H 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

also, in the big group situation, doing lots of meal prep ahead of time, will free you up to actually spend time with your guests!

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Libby H 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

I have learned some things the hard way: My husband had a college buddy come visit, and the same day Friend arrived, Husband sprained his ankle, leaving me to entertain Friend. awesome. I knew Friend some, and he is a very laid-back, flexible guy, but I learned it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan.

Fast forward to last New Year’s, when 12 of us come together every year from across the country. Last year was our turn to host since I was 8 months pregnant and knew we wouldn’t be able to attend unless we hosted. We packed them into our little house, and I planned ahead for meals and a few loose activties. It went SO well! Almost everyone told me that that year was the best one yet! A little planning can go a long way!

We’ll see what happens this year, since there will be three new little ones and a new spouse added to our growing group! ... See all content Hide content

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Marcia Francois 3 months ago on Wordpress

I love love LOVE having guests. However, now that my twins are here (4 months old) the guest bedroom is the babies’ room and my study is a study/ guest bedroom. My mother came to stay for a month when they came home from NICU and after a few days I found myself moving the computer into our entrance hall to give her some privacy.

As others have said, I make boundaries very clear (help yourself; I only do supper for everyone) and we don’t let people (except my mother) stay for longer than a week. I just start getting antsy and want my space back

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Wilma Ham 3 months ago on Wordpress

When my children were young we had overseas guest all the time.

You have to relax and make sure you do your own thing as well.

Setting boundaries and agreements in place has been great if they stayed for 3 months. That kept teh whole place in integrity and manageable.

Sit down and ask them what their plans are and what they want to see and how.

Make a plan and tell them the house rules as well, NOT that those has to be stringent and done in a sergeant major tone but it is easier for everybody when they know.

As for Melanie, just ask them what their plans are so you can arrange your plans according to theirs.

Being prepared is the key, debriefing after the guests have gone and then correcting what was not working has helped me enormously.

It has been fun so far and they kept coming back and sending friends as well, so boundaries are not off putting but work.

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Tabitha 3 months ago on Wordpress

My mom is our most frequent houseguest so I have learned about her preferences. She needs an illuminated alarm clock to check the time during the night, she brings her own hand towel but likes a fluffy bath towel, she gets up earlier than us so I pre-set the coffee maker and set out ready-to-eat breakfast foods to tie her over until breakfast and she loves to flip through my newest magazines. I stock up on flavored water and popcorn condiments, too, becasuse she enjoys them. I like to surprise her with fun, new toiletries to try, too–she loves to use a new body wash or lotion while she’s here. I keep my manicure, pedicure and facial supplies handy, too, so she can pamper herself if she finds the time!

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BabyCheapskate 3 months ago on Twitter

BabyCheapskate Fave: Hosting Overnight Guests: 10 Easy Tips To Help Your Visitors Feel Welcome http://bit.ly/JztGt

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uberVU - social comments 3 months ago on Wordpress

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by simplemom: New on Simple Mom: Hosting Overnight Guests: 10 Easy Tips To Help Your Visitors Feel Welcome http://bit.ly/1d1i1u…

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WinaliteHealth 3 months ago on Twitter

Hosting Overnight Guests: 10 Easy Tips To Help Your Visitors Feel ... http://bit.ly/3OqTBx

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Melodie 3 months ago on Wordpress

Basically, be the hotel you’re not allowing your friends to stay in! I remember how much I loved going to stay with my dad and step-mom. Even though they only lived a half hour drive away going to their house was like a getaway as a teenager and young adult. There were always towels neatly folded at the end of my bed and usually a little treat on top, like an oyster shell with a chocolate in it or a tiny handmade bar of soap with a twig tied onto it with raffia. I find this is what I do now too. Now that I have a family of my own they’ve downsized their guestroom welcome to the folded towels, but even that is a nice touch.

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Caroline Starr Rose 3 months ago on Wordpress

One of the nicest experiences I’ve had as an overnight guest was staying with some friends during Hurricane Gustav. We left our home near New Orleans, and after two days in another Lousisiana town (which flooded and had no electricity), we moved on to Memphis. Our friends welcomed us in such a gracious, comfortable manner. It was wonderful!

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Julie 3 months ago on Wordpress

Thanks for re-posting this. I wasn’t reading/ writing blogs a year ago. I really love the idea of allowing guests to help. I can often be a bit of a martyr with guests and do everything for them, even when they do offer to help.

I was wondering whether you think it is appropriate to invite guests to stay overnight if you don’t actually have a spare room for them (so they need to sleep on the fold-out lounge). My 18 month old has just moved into her “big girl’s bed” in our spare room. We can’t have anyone in with her as she doesn’t cope well with being disturbed. My husband’s (much younger) brothers stay on our lounge a lot and this hasn’t bothered me, but it did feel a bit funny when one of my old university friends came to stay last weekend. I felt bad that a woman in her 30s couldn’t really have any privacy… almost offered to have her sleep in with me and put my husband on the lounge!

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Angela Mills 3 months ago on Wordpress

I love these ideas. I have all these great ideas stored up for when we have guests someday. I need to get over that my house is small and invite someone to stay over! We’ve mostly only had unexpected guests that come at the last minute, so maybe I will have a little bin in my closet for those times. Once again, thanks for the great ideas!

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simplemom 3 months ago on Twitter

New on Simple Mom: Hosting Overnight Guests: 10 Easy Tips To Help Your Visitors Feel Welcome http://bit.ly/1d1i1u

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