It's officially Holiday Season! Whatever that looks like for you and your family, there are a lot of preparations to make. If you'll be hosting family or friends in your home, we've compiled a list of items to supply in your guest room to make their stay as comfortable as possible.
Note: Reject the expectation that you're setting up a total AirBnB suite. Supply what is within your means and makes sense for the guests you expect. The main goal is that your loved ones can relax and rest here, but it is not up to you to provide for their every need.
basic room needs
You're a savvy homemaker and you've probably already outfitted your bedrooms with these things, but they bear mentioning just the same.
Waste basket: Because obviously.
Clothes hamper: Your guests can throw dirty clothes on the floor if they want, but at least you provided a more civilized option.
Electric fan and space heater: Everyone's sleeping atmosphere is different. With a fan and heater provided, your guests can customize their overnight temperature.
Extra blankets and pillows: If you can swing it, provide varying blanket weights and pillow densities for your guests to choose from.
Empty dresser drawers: Your guests don't have to live out of a suitcase if they don't want to.
room setup
Nightstands: Keep some Kleenex easily accessible (and make it look cute with a box cover!). In the nightstand drawers, supply some hand sanitizer, a pair of scissors, a pad and pen, and a couple of coasters.
Charging station: Find a convenient location—whether on a nightstand or dresser top—to outfit a dedicated electronic charging station and provide a couple of the basic cords.
Welcome card: If this is your favorite niece and she visits you often, you don't have to go through the formality of hand-writing a welcome note. However, it's always nice to leave your home's Wifi info and a few emergency phone numbers on a card, just in case.
Snacks and drinks: Again, you're not going for AirBnB-level set-up, but you do want your guests—whoever they may be—to feel comfortable. What is the easiest way to feel comfy (besides a mound of cozy blankets)? Water and snacks (to enjoy snuggled under aforementioned cozy blankets). If you've already supplied your guests with water bottles and some trail mix/granola bars/etc, you have eliminated one reason they could have for waking you up at midnight when they need something. Win-Win.
closet and bathroom
Closet: Give your guests a couple of feet of hanging space in the closet and supply hangers. (If your guest room closet is full beyond belief and there's no way it's getting cleaned out before the holidays, invest in a small hanging rack like this one, and reach out to Simplified after the end-of-year craziness dies down for a declutter day.) Provide a luggage stand to make suitcases more easily accessible, and keep a small steamer on the shelf in case clothing wrinkles just can't be ignored.
Bathroom: Of course you have extra towels available in the cabinets. You could also supply a dedicated hair wrap and hair dryer. Make sure the guest have their own plunger and air freshener. Provide some basic medications—Tylenol, stomach meds, bandaids and Neosporin—and some basic toiletries—floss, Q-tips, a small tube of toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner—and some feminine products. Last but not least, ensure there is a night light available, because no one likes to get up the in the middle of the night and stub their toes on anything and everything on their way to the bathroom.
make it homey
For some extra homey touches, consider adding a neutral-scented candle—like clean cotton or eucalyptus—and a trinket dish to corral small jewelry. If there's room, supply a full length mirror, either hanging on the back of a door or standing at a charming tilt in a corner. If the windows don't already have blackout curtains, consider mounting some (especially if the holiday lights in your neighborhood are as bright and cheery as ours!). Install a wall hook or two or three to keep jackets, damp towels, and small bags off the floor.
extra credit
Greenery: Nothing says "Hello, welcome, you are loved" like fresh flowers. But if you can't manage something live, a couple of faux succulents artfully arranged around the room still simulate a restorative connection to nature.
Sound machine: For old souls who need to go to bed while other family members are still awake and playing board games. *raises hand*
Reading material: Encourage your beloved family members to wind down each evening with a physical book (instead of a screen) by supplying some whimsical reading material. Supply a few options to appeal to a wide range of interests, whether it's a coffee-table style book of nature photos, an anthology of Sherlock Holmes or Calvin and Hobbes, a book of gentle poetry or prayer, or a traveller's guide to your city.
This list is not meant to put even more pressure on you during this season. However, we believe in hospitality, and that anticipating the needs of your guests is itself a real gift. Your generosity will be remembered and treasured long after the green bean casserole and pumpkin pie are devoured.
And I wasn't kidding about reaching out to us to help you get your guest room closet organized. Email Whitney at hello@simplifiedaustin.com to schedule a free consultation, and we'll help you get your home ready for the holidays. The green bean casserole is up to you, though.