“Your holiday guests are not so concerned with the fluffing of their pillows and the thread-count of the sheets. Over the holidays, your guests’ primary focus is spending time with you. So prep first, then relax and enjoy. Do what you have to do to get ready for their arrival. Clean the house, make the beds, stock the fridge, then take a deep breath and enjoy their company,” said Leslie Gonya, Innkeeper of Inn Port Bed & Breakfast and Suites in Dayton.
Preparing meals ahead of time will reduce time away from your guests.
“The first thing I recommend is have a lot of the cooking finished before their arrival. If you choose recipes that freeze well, then all you have to do is prepare the final touches when they are visiting. That keeps you from having to spend so much time in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning,” advises Mike and Debbi Sowder, Innkeepers of Whispering Oaks Bed and Breakfast in Eaton.
After their long journey, your guests will need a place to rest their heads. Welcome your guests to your home by preparing their room with thoughtful touches.
“A clean, well-organized home is key to helping guests feel welcome. In the room where they are sleeping, have fresh linens on the bed and several clean towels available for their use. Also keep beverages and snacks convenient for them,” Sowder said.
MarthaStewart.com recommends keeping your guests’ diet restrictions in mind; if your guests are vegetarian or have any food allergies, stock your pantry with suitable snacks and plan meals with appropriate choices.
Highlighting your town’s hotspots will offer entertaining options for your guests.
“Prepare a list of points of interest, special attractions, restaurants and shopping areas that are nearby so they can venture out on their own in case you are not available to entertain,” Sowder said. “We also give our guests a local map of our community.”
Giving your guests time to just be also is important for a successful visit.
“Part of what we do at Inn Port is to do everything possible to set the stage for a comfortable, relaxing stay for our guests. One piece of advice I can offer holds true whether you are an innkeeper or hosting a house full of family members: give your guests privacy and space,” Gonya said. “When family comes to town, the natural inclination can be to plan every minute of their stay from arrival to departure. Family members, as well as you as the host/hostess, need space and time to themselves, too. A little bit each day keeps everyone happy. Time to read, nap, watch television, or go for a walk: this means you will enjoy your ‘together time’ all the more.”
Remember, just because you are the hostess doesn’t mean you have to do everything by yourself. If you are relaxed and having fun, your guests will, too.
“Let others pitch in, accept help when it is offered, and don’t be afraid to ask for it if you need it. Some of the best sharing can take place while clearing the table, doing the dishes or chopping up vegetables,” Gonya said. “Finally, you may be the most accomplished chef, but when possible, plan for an evening where you go out as a family, and let someone else take care of you around the dinner table.”
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