With the Holiday Season upon us, we will all probably be guests of someone or will have guests staying with us.  If relatives or friends are planning on visiting you anytime of the year, make them feel welcome by doing a few special things that will make them more comfortable while being away from their homes.

It will not only make them feel special, but let them know that you were thinking about them, and want them to have an enjoyable stay.

I've stayed thousands of nights away from home and boy does it make a difference when your hotel or host provides special touches.  So think boutique hotels which lend a more personal touch to their guests when getting your space ready.

Sometimes guests just want to retire to the bedroom just to relax or be alone for a while.  It makes it much more enjoyable if there is more than just a bed in the room.  Pamper your house guests with some of these suggestions.

Here are a few tips and ideas to use year round:

Lets start in the bedroom.

• A place for them to set their luggage for unpacking and then a place to store luggage.
• A small bowl of potpourri, or scented diffuser (not too overpowering, and be aware of people that are sensitive of scents).
• A place for their belongings.  Make sure drawers and closets are cleared out with plenty of hangers, even the ones with clips on them.
• Fresh new linens, not your leftover mismatched ones.  (I love fluffy comforters with duvet covers).
• New comfortable pillows.  (This is my biggest pet peeve.   I've had to sleep on some of the worst pillows in some of the finest hotels.  Hotels seem to skimp on the pillows unless they are feather, and I'm allergic to them, and I don't like the way they flatten down, so I carry my own.  It can really make or break your stay, and your guest may not feel comfortable telling you your pillows are like bricks or flat as pancakes).
• A comfortable mattress. (Another pet peeve.  Again, hotels skimp on this main event in the guestroom.   I can not tell you, how many horrible mattresses I've had to sleep on, and I'm not talking low budget hotels, I'm talking 4 & 5 star luxury hotels.  If you don't have have a reasonably good mattress, buy a memory foam topper- I like the 4" thick one.  They are very reasonably priced, and make a world of difference)  Brad Pitt (Yes, the actor) says the perfect combination for a bed is a pillow top mattress with a tempur-pedic topper.  And Brad can afford the best, this is what I had, before Brad came up with this combo and it it heaven!
• Extra pillows and blankets in the closet.
• Robes hanging in the closet.
• If it's summer and you don't have a ceiling fan, provide a small tabletop fan, especially if you don't have air conditioning.
• Bottled water and glasses for their first night.
• Fresh flowers on the dresser or nightstand.
• A lamp to read by.
• A few interesting books and magazines and a deck of cards.
• A dish with some candy or mints.
• A nightlight so they don't stumble around in the dark.
• A box of tissues.
• A small notepad with pen.
• A comfy throw to use if wanting to take a nap, or just to cover up without getting into the bed.
• A basket or plastic bag with pull ties in the closet to put dirty clothing items in.
• A TV and radio if possible.
• A clock with an alarm.
• A telephone.
• Internet access if possible.
• And if you have the room, an iron and ironing board in the closet comes in handy for those wrinkled clothes.
• Eye Patches & Ear Plugs. (this may be over the top for some, but if your room is extremely sunny, or noisy from road noise and they are used to a dark quite room, they will be extremely grateful). 
• And for the ultimate, provide a small coffee pot and cups with condiments. 
• And if you really want to add something extra special, especially if it's a couple, provide a bottle of wine, glasses and opener.

In The Bathroom:

• An amenities basket with shampoo, lotion, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, Q-tips, cotton balls or pads, razors  and small items they may have forgotten.
• Basic medicine like aspirin, Tylenol, Rolaids and some band aids.
• Fresh plush bath towels, face towels, washcloths and spa type bath rug for shower and tub.
• If multiple people are using the same bathroom, provide a basket of nicer dinner napkins as an option as not to spread germs.
• Hair Dryer.
• Also, if multiple people are using one bathroom, provide disinfectant wipes and spray, as not to spread germs and wipe down counters and toilets after use, or before use.
• Fresh soap (still in wrapper).  Pump soap next to sink.
  If they enjoy baths, impress with an assortment of bath salts, fizzes, oils and bubbles.
• Small disposable or real glasses for brushing teeth.
• Extra rolls of toilet paper (Extra soft 2-ply).
• Air Freshener spray.
• A Box of tissues.
• Eye make-up remover cloths or a set of washcloths guests can use.
• Night light.
• Magnifying Make-up mirror.
• Toilet plunger. (Hopefully the one item a guest will not need to use!)

I don't recommend candles.  They are great, but I've known people that have gone off and left them burning when going to sleep or leaving the house.  Way to risky!

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Cindy Bryant is the owner of Redesign Etc. Home Staging & Redesign Specialist in Houston, Staging Your House To Sell By Professional Home Stagers! Our goal is to get your home sold for top dollar in the most cost effective way!

Contact Cindy today for a Home Staging Consultation.  Please visit our website for more information.

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