This week I am having multiple sleepovers.
I usually don’t like to spend the night at other people’s homes (“Yes, I know it would save on the cost of your event if I could sleep on one of your church member’s couches, but call me crazy, I have a hard time sleeping with people I don’t know…”) but this week is an exception.
Tomorrow, I will be at the home of one of my old San Jose friends, Arlean, whose husband happens to be to MIC (man in charge) of sales to the ABA market (that is places like Barnes and Noble, Borders, etc.) for my publisher, Harvest House. Arlean is like Martha Steward without the bitter – we are going to have a good time.
But tonight I am at Judy’s house . Ah… Judy and her husband David bought a big beautiful home in Grants Pass OR so that people in ministry could have a place to come and crash and recoup. I love Judy’s home, but I love Judy even more .
Judy knew that I was going to arrive while she and David were at bible study, so looked what I walked in on:
I mean – come on!
Warm soup (so yummy), oyster crackers, and a welcome note. I felt so loved.
When I grow up, I want to be like Judy – making people feel welcome in my home.
So here is my questions for you:
1. How have other people made you feel welcome in their home.
2. What do you do to make other people feel welcome when they are over at your house? This could be members of your family, or people who are visiting.
I would love some ideas – and y’all are just so creative – share your wisdom!
Lots of ideas on my blog. Nice to “meet” you, Kathi!
I somehow missed this request. I love to make people feel welcome. Fist, as Sarah said, we clean, open curtains, make things smell fresh, etc.. I do what some others suggested by creating a welcome basket with all the essentials they may need while staying with us. I also try to find out what they like to eat and make sure we have it on hand so they can have a favorite meal or snack. I loved reading everyones ideas. Thanks!
A spiritual gift I am blessed to have is the gift of hospitality. Our home is always open to others, whether it be for a cup of coffee, dinner, party or short term living. The way I make people feel at home is to tell them it is their home. I will show them where things are and then let them treat it like they were at home. I am married to a man who feels the same way, so he doesn’t freak out if he comes home and people are there. He’s hosted a Monday night bible study in our family room for about 10 years:) We were going to downsize after our children grew up and left “the nest”, but instead built a bigger home that allows us to open our doors for people who need a place to stay short termed.
Okay, here’s a twist…what not to do:
I’m usually good at getting all the guest stuff ready before guests arrive. However, with two little kids at my feet I once forgot to change the bath linens before my inlaws arrived (clean freaks, I must add). Seeing how there were multiple towels in the bathroom (I had different guests the night before) my mother-in-law just assumed they were for them. I was mortified to find out she was using “used” hand and bath towels. Ugh. I weighed my choices and decided her ignorance was bliss, and knowledge would make her skin crawl. But, I promise…if you ever stay here, I’ll make sure the towels are clean!
Camie two comments above and I have a similar style!
When guests come to our home I not only like to have the house as ready as possible but also their clean towels laid out on the bed. I like to make a basket of toiletry items and I always tuck a note in the basket explaining that our home is their home and we are SO glad they have come to stay with us. Lately I’ve had my children “write” most of the note, and then I add the grown up version!
Too sweet…
I purchase those tourist information books at local tourist spots at put them on the bedside table. Guests get to see some of the special sights nearby and find places they might like to visit.
My aunt came all the way from N.Y. to visit and I created a guest basket for the bathroom with all the necessary toiletries as if she was in a hotel: lotions, shampoo, bubble bath, toothpaste, etc. I tied a cute bow with a note welcoming her. I used travel sized packets so she could take them home with her. Fresh flowers in a vase by her bed also added a nice touch.
well – I guess we try to make people feel at home by preparing our home ahead of time – first we clean (because let’s face it – a clean home IS more welcoming). Second, we light candles with natural scents to make the house smell good. Third we open ALL the curtains (OR turn on all the lights) because lit houses feel warmer. Fourth, we try make sure the temperature is comfy – no one wants to be too cold or hot. Fifth, we have drinks and snacks ready – in case of hunger and thirst. Sixth – we meet our guests (even if they are “just family” at the door with hugs and kisses and smiles (for who DOESN’T want to be WELCOMED???) and last, we let love cover a “multitude” of sins – who needs to feel like their kids or their behavior is weird – if it is – well, sometimes mine is too – so I can overlook it . . . there you go. 🙂 love you!
sarah
We are lucky and have a guest room…so that’s all set up for the guests with a clock radio, reading lamps, extra blankets…and we put current magazines in there…sometimes paperback books !
In the bathroom there is a cute basket filled with the little sample soaps, shampoos, conditioners…like a fancy hotel. We make sure to have plenty of fresh towels in there, too. I also tell them to make themselves at home for snacks and drinks ! We do try to incorporate their food faves into our menu as well 🙂 We set up the coffee maker so in the morning all anyone has to do is push the ON button…and have coffee mugs out.
We love having our family and friends come stay with us. With a small home, and 3 young children it was very stressful at first. Here are some things I have learned.
1. Kids don’t mind camping out in your bedroom on sleeping bags.
2. Fresh towels, fresh soap, toothpaste, hairdryer, mouthwash, and plenty of toilet paper are greatly appreciated.
3. We make our favorite family meals while guests are in town. (I know the recipes like the back of my hand, and no disappointment from the kids)
4. Let the little stuff go…don’t stress if laundry isn’t getting done, or the cereal bowls didn’t get put away.
5. Enjoy your time with your guests. Play some card games, have a dance party with the kids, host a talent show (silly talents like touching your nose with your tongue) and everyone must participate.
We love having guests in our home, and I hope they leave feeling rested and loved. It isn’t the things that make them feel that way, it is you and the love you show them!
I am looking forward to the responses as well. We have the challenge of family cross-country, who comes and visits for a week (or more, yikes) at a time. I love hosting, but we have no guest bedroom and 3 very young children. When my in-laws came for the holidays, they decided to stay for 10 full, long days. As I tried to figure out how on earth we were going to make it work, with them sleeping on a mattress in the living room for 10 days, I simply couldn’t figure out a way to help them feel comfortable. We finally decided that the best way we could make them feel comfortable was to treat them (and ourselves) to a hotel down the street for their stay! That way we were all rested, they had a place to put their belongings, and were not awakened by our kids each morning at the crack of dawn. For my sanity, it was the best money we could have spent for that length of time. : )
I have one cardinal rule at my house – pretend it’s your house.
I show my “guests” where everything is and give them free reign. Hungry for a snack? Go dig in the fridge or the pantry. Thirsty – grab a glass and have at it. Sure, you can wander around barefoot. You’re only a guest at my house long enough for me to say, “Come on in.”
Don’t get me started. 🙂
From August 1, 2008 to August 1, 2009, my family (hubby, 3 young girls) and I went to 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks. http://52zoos.com
We stayed with 31 families for 44 nights. (7 hotels) 17 of those families we had never met before EVER. (we met through my blog)
It. Was. Awesome. We met the most incredible people. Generous. Hospitable. Loving. Wonderful.
We have a whole passel of new, lifelong friends now with plans to have them here and to visit them again. In fact, I’m heading way down south in 3 days and staying with one of them.
We’ve moved 10 times in 12 years, and it has only been in this last house (we’ve lived here over 3 years) that we’ve had lots of overnight guests. It’s such a blessing and such a great way to get to know people on a deeper level.
I can’t wait to hear what everyone else has to say. ALL of our family (on both sides) live within a 20 min drive of our house so we don’t have overnight guests. But we do have dinner guests! To make them feel more at home I try to incorporate their known faves into the meal or the activities. Chocolate lover? Then we will have a choc dessert or at least some choc candy in a bowl to snack on.