How to Make Guests Feel Welcome Over the Holidays

Think like a guest

The easiest way to prepare for visitors is to spend a few minutes in their place. Sit on the bed or sofa where they will sleep, open the drawers, look for a place to put a suitcase and try to find the light switch in the dark. You'll quickly notice the small things that make a stay easy or awkward.

You don't need a dedicated guest room to make someone feel welcome. A tidy corner of a study or a well-prepared sofa bed can feel just as thoughtful when the details are right.

Start with fresh bedding

Clean, fresh bedding is the single most welcoming thing you can offer. Wash sheets and pillowcases shortly before guests arrive, and give the duvet or quilt an airing if it has been stored away. Offer two pillows per person if you can, one firm and one soft, since everyone sleeps differently.

Lay out a set of fresh towels on the end of the bed or on a chair, so guests don't have to ask where to find them.

Add an extra blanket

Guests often feel the cold more in an unfamiliar house, and many won't want to ask for more bedding. Leave an extra blanket folded at the foot of the bed or on a nearby chair. The cream striped fuzzy plush throw in this edit has a soft, fuzzy ribbed texture that makes a neutral bed feel instantly cozy, and it is lovely for layering over the bed or curling up on a slow evening.

Clear a drawer and some hangers

Living out of a suitcase for a few days is tiring. Empty one drawer and free up a section of wardrobe or a few hooks with several hangers, so guests can unpack properly. Even a small space tells them they're expected and that their stay matters.

Make a spot for luggage

Suitcases have a way of ending up in the middle of the floor. Clear a corner, a bench or the space beside a chest of drawers where a case can sit open without getting in the way. A small folding stand or a sturdy stool works well if you have one.

Water and a small lamp

Two small things make a big difference at night: a glass or carafe of water and a light guests can reach from bed. A small bedside lamp means no one has to cross a dark room to find a switch. A gentle glow can also help a new room feel calm. The flickering LED flameless candles in this edit give a warm, flickering candlelit glow in smoky glass with no open flame, and their remote and timer make them easy for guests to switch off from bed.

Share the house information

Write down the things guests usually need to ask about and leave the note on the nightstand: the wifi name and password, where to find spare towels and toiletries, how the shower works, which mugs and snacks they're welcome to, and roughly when the house wakes up and goes to bed. A short, friendly note saves everyone a little awkwardness.

A nice touch for guests who traveled

If your visitors have come a long way, a small travel-comfort gift for the journey home is a thoughtful extra. The ProGlobe 4-in-1 luxury travel set includes a memory-foam neck pillow, a fleece blanket, a contoured sleep mask and earplugs, all packed into one bag, and suits long-haul flights, road trips and frequent flyers.

In the end, guests remember how they felt more than how the room looked. Fresh bedding, a warm layer, a little space and a few clear answers go a long way. Prices and availability change, so check the current price at the retailer before you buy.