8 Must-Haves for Overnight Holiday Guests

You don't need a guest suite to host in style.

By: Erica Reitman

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Something that tends to go hand-in-hand with the start of the holiday season is the arrival of out-of-town guests. As we all get ready to host friends and family, it's time to run through the items that you’ll need to make sure that your guests have a stress-free stay at your house.

Spare Key

Photo by: Mark and Graham

Mark and Graham

A spare key to your house is, of course, a must. Put the key on a chic, tassel keychain and don’t forget to pass along any necessary alarm codes. If there are any special instructions (the door jiggles or the back gate doesn't work), don’t forget to pass those along, as well.

Mark and Graham, $49

Luxe Toiletries

Photo by: Malin + Goetz

Malin + Goetz

Make your guests feel like they’ve checked into a boutique hotel with miniature toiletries to use during their stay. This selection from Malin + Goetz has items with fresh, gender-neutral scents.

Malin + Goetz, $30

Comfy Air Mattress

Photo by: Amazon.com

Amazon.com

If you don’t have a spare guest bedroom, a comfy air mattress should be a priority. This SoundAsleep air mattress has more than 10,000 reviews on Amazon.com, and most of them are gushing with praise. The mattress blows up to mirror the full-size of a standard mattress, includes a pump and a storage bag.

Amazon.com, $120

Household Instructions

If your guests will be spending some time on their own, it’s always helpful to give them a rundown of all of the special instructions they’ll need during their stay. These might include: tips about the electricity or water pressure in their bedroom/bath, notes about your pets, special instructions regarding appliances and anything else that will help make their stay a little easier. Write them down in a pretty notebook, and leave it on the dresser or bedside table in their bedroom.

Amazon.com, $15

Cozy Robe

Photo by: Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

Make your guest feel like they're staying in a luxe hotel with this plush robe. Choose a larger size so it will work no matter who is staying. If you tend to have guests often, you might even want to keep two robes on hand.

Pottery Barn, $95

Candles

Photo by: Bloomingdale's

Bloomingdale's

Another lovely addition to a guest bedroom is a beautiful, seasonal candle. When picking out a candle, try to choose a neutral, lighter scent, as everyone responds differently to scents. Then, include a pretty set of matches nearby.

Bloomingdale's, $26

Snacks

Snack Food Gift Basket

Help friends avoid any last-minute entertaining fiascoes with a thoughtful dry goods dessert basket. Gather an assortment of finger food-style desserts, then present them in clear bags and glass containers. Should extra guests show up to holiday gatherings, the recipient will have more than enough dessert options to end the night in good spirits.

Try to find out the sorts of things that your guests enjoy eating and create a little snack basket for them before their arrival. You can leave this in their bedroom or keep the items in your kitchen so your guests can easily grab what they need. If you’re unsure what they like to eat, try some simple granola bars, fruit or nut packs.

Fresh Sheets

Photo by: Parachute

Parachute

Even if your guests will be sleeping on an air mattress, you’ll want to have some fresh sheets on hand for them. These 100-percent cotton sheets come in a variety of colors, sizes and patterns.

Parachute, $149

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