7 Ways to Make Overnight Guests Feel at Home for the Holidays

We all have those to-dos that pile up—straightening up bookshelves, fixing a door that creaks just a little too loudly or giving the inside of the refrigerator a thorough wipe down. Use your guest’s arrival as an excuse to tackle those nagging needs. A single morning spent doing things as small as dusting blinds or cleaning mirrors makes a world of a difference.

A hungry guest is not a happy guest. When entertaining, I always make sure the fridge is full. More importantly, I set goodies out in plain sight so no one has to ask for anything. A tray of local delights placed on the island in my kitchen means no one has to ask for a mid-day treat. Tip: Don’t forget to leave mugs next to the coffee maker, too.

When the temperatures at our upstate place dip well below freezing during the holidays, it feels luxurious to tuck into a super layered bed. Every one in our house has it all—sheets, a blanket, duvet, throw, and lots of pillows (it’s my signature). Before the seasonal frost forms on the window frames, I swap the summer percale for Boll & Branch’s undeniably soft organic, sustainably sourced cotton flannel. It’s a nostalgic look and undeniably comfortable.

It's uncomfortable living out of a suitcase. You'll make guests feel so much more welcome if you offer an overabundance of storage space. Clear out the guest room closet and prepare two or more drawers in a dresser. Do the same in the bathroom, even if it’s shared. Something as minimal as a bit of shelf space and an available toothbrush holder goes a long way. Make sure to point these spots out to your guests so they don’t have to snoop around awkwardly.

Offering a hotel experience in the bathroom is a must for overnight guests—particularly if they’re using it to prep for a holiday soiree or two. Start with new towels with a luxurious look and feel. The oversized plush bath sheets from Boll & Branch are made of organic cotton and big enough to completely envelop your body. Leave a neatly folded set at the end of the bed or on a chair in the guest room. Offer a curated set of toiletries—indulgent soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, face washes, and toothpaste. Oh, and just like a hotel does, swap in fresh towels daily.

Showing visitors how to use the house is both a concierge-level service and a way to make them feel that your home is theirs. Upon their arrival, take time to do a walk-through so you can note things such as where you keep water glasses or your coziest reading nook. Demonstrate how to work devices, like the thermostat for their room. Another thing I like to do: Leave a piece of paper on their dresser with essential details, like the WiFi password and garage code. If guests will be coming and going, I leave a house key here too.

Rather than sitting around wondering what our guests might like to do, I prefer to schedule some low-key activities that feel special. For example, when the ponds freeze over and the fields go white, we love to sled and snowshoe on the property. Then, when toes start to tingle from the cold, we wrap ourselves in big, chunky throws and cozy up by the fire with a glass of wine or whiskey. Creating these special moments for guests is the best way to make them feel part of the family.