8 Must-Haves for Overnight Holiday Guests
You don't need a guest suite to host in style.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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