I’m a coffee-first-thing-in-the-morning type of person – me, you, and millions of others, right? Coffee can be a favorite and essential start to the day for a lot of folks so here’s a tip – have a couple options on hand to be prepared for their unique coffee order. I just hosted friends who I knew didn’t do dairy, so I had some Milkadamia as an option. Some suggestions of things to have on hand would be whole milk (if someone adds cream to their coffee, they’ll likely be fine with whole milk) and one option for a non-dairy milk like oat, soy, or almond, plus sugar incase they do a sweetener.
I was impressed years ago when my mother-in-law visited and removed hangers from the outside pocket of her suitcase. That’s prepared! Most people probably don’t think ahead this way, so having a few hangers on hand for a guest to hang their jacket, a dress, or an outfit reserved for a nice dinner can make your guests feel more at home. And they can leave their suitcase tucked away until they pack for their return.
I have a cousin in Chicago who works at a dentist office and every time I visit, there is a new toothbrush and mini toothpaste set out for me in the bathroom. It is the sweetest gesture and I have replicated it with visiting guests by setting out mini shampoos, a travel soap (so easy to find in the travel size section of the drug store), and simple things like hand cream. I stock up on these items and love putting together curated welcome boxes for friends when they visit.
Living in San Francisco in the early 2000s, I had friends and family stay with me regularly on a bed made up of yoga mats and extra blankets in my kitchen because it was the only extra room in my studio. When you are in a small space, hosting can be extra stressful. With small spaces, doing little things like carving out a corner where a guest can keep their suitcase can be helpful. Have a guest crashing on your sofa? Add a small bud vase of fresh flowers on a coffee table nearby to create a welcoming and tranquil space for them.
When traveling, a lot of planning goes into meals, but when you’re not in your own home, it can be harder to plan for the snacks in between. Stock up on things like chips and salsa, granola bars, hummus and carrots, grapes, fresh fruit, and trail mix so you have options to offer between your dining excursions or meal plans.
Speaking of snacks, have a treat to share with your guest from a favorite local business. In San Francisco, this would be an It's It in the freezer for an afternoon dessert. In Tucson, I go for baked goods from Beyond Bread, especially if it is King Cake season. Or, if I'm lucky and my mom has recently made a loaf of her cranberry orange bread, that is a favorite treat I share.
Think of anytime you have traveled and stayed with a friend and how much you enjoyed that experience vs the humdrum atmosphere of a hotel room. I've stayed with close friends in Oakland whose neighborhood I adore with coffee shops three minutes from their home. Close friends in Chicago have the best front porch to hang out on and I have memories of listening to records and sipping tea on the porch in the evening. Anytime I stay at my mom’s, she always has specialty teas for the morning. It is so nice to be comfortable in someone’s home and your guests will feel the same - they came to see you after all! They will be happy to be with you, thrilled to be on vacation, and grateful for these little (but oh-so-big) gestures you did to make them feel at home.
7 tips for things you can do to prepare to host a houseguest. These tips are easy, inexpensive, and are little things that add up to make your guest feel extra comfy in your home.
Welcome! I'm Amanda and I'm so glad you're joining me here. Have a look around at some of my hosting tips and favorite recipes.
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