Being an overnight guest in our home is always welcomed but there are times that our overnight guest could be more considerate of the hospitality given. The reality is even when you are welcomed into a home, you are coming into a home that has set patterns and also expectations. To keep the tension or the atmosphere in check here are 6 Ways To Be An Amazing Overnight Guest.
Before Arrival Confirm Invite
Amazing overnight guests confirm invite
Probably my number one tip for ways to be an amazing overnight Guest. Confirm your arrival before knocking on the door. It is so important to make sure plans have not changed due to an emergency at your host home. Also, just to confirm the time of arrival to where your host can prepare meals or be there to welcome you.
This is also the best time to talk about if your travel plans have changed, Such as late arrival, early arrival, or even extended time needed at the host home. Upfront and open communication make your time in your host home be pleasant.
House Rules Apply to Guest Too
Amazing overnight guest follows house rules
House rules apply to guests too. Another way to be an amazing overnight guest is to follow the house rules just like the host family follows. This can look different in each home. Just like confirming your trip details with your host, open communication of what is expected while staying in the home is important. Here are a few suggestions to ask your host to find out expectations.
- Is there a specific time that you (the Host) like to retire to bed?
- Is TV or Music allowed into the evening hours? This is question is great if you don’t have a tv in your room.
- If pets are in the home you might find out these questions. Are the pets allowed on the furniture? Are the pets allowed to go out alone in the back yard? Can the pet have treats or snacks that we are eating?
- Is there anything in the kitchen or refrigerator that is off limits? This is good to ask if the host welcomes you to freely use the kitchen. Ds
All of these questions can be asked in just a normal conversation and not drilled right when you get there. The main point of this tip for being an amazing overnight guest is too don’t come into the home and disrupt the home by changing their patterns of life. Become a part of their home.
Pick Up After Yourself
Amazing overnight guest picks up their stuff
Simple right? Not for everyone. When you are drinking a beverage in the family room, don’t leave it there when you are finished. Place the beverage in the sink or better yet, the dishwasher. That is a small example but you get the point.
Many of our overnight guests are people that work outside of an office and travel with their computers and planners. I love to offer them a place to work but usually, it is at the kitchen table or maybe a comfy chair in the living room. My husband has a home office but usually, it is a working office for him on a daily basis. It is always a blessing when it comes to dinner time or time for us to gather in the living room that we are not having to work around a mobile office.
Be mindful of your items and when you are not using them, put them in your bedroom or designated space. This will make your host happy and they will remember you as an AMAZING overnight guest.
Are you identifying with the 6 Ways to Be an Amazing Overnight Guest so far? You have 3 more ways that will make you a legend in your host’s eyes.
Clean Your Bathroom Before Leaving
Amazing overnight guest cleans the bathroom
Clean your bathroom before leaving. After you get settled into your space, check the bathroom and see if there is cleaning supplies in the cabinet or closet. If not, ask the host where you can find the supplies. 9 times out of 10 they will say don’t worry about it. I know this because I am the host that says that.
If the host insists that you not clean your bathroom before you leave, do the basics to make it easier on the host.
- Wipe the sink out. Clean out hair, toothpaste, etc.
- Wipe mirror free of your toothpaste splatter
- Take tissue or cloth and wipe toilet down. Don’t wipe inside bowl with a cloth. Look for a toilet wand to use.
- Make sure tub or shower drain is free of hair.
- Put all your soiled towels and washcloths in laundry basket or if not provided, place inside tub / shower floor.
Make your Bed & Pick Up Your Room
Amazing overnight guest makes their bed
Does this sound like your mom? Thankfully this is what your mom was training you for all your life is how to be an Amazing overnight guest. Along with many other things. But making your bed before you leave and picking up the trash or thrown bed pillows makes the room look well cared for. I love my bed to be made every day.
I am sure your host is going to wash the sheets after you leave but if the host doesn’t have time to do it quickly, the room will look put together and neat until they get to that task.
If you want to ask the host if you can strip the bed before you leave you can. Just like cleaning the bathroom, the host is more likely to say just leave it and they will get it after you leave. Making the bed and getting the room back in order will be a pleasant surprise for the host and not make them feel rushed to do the laundry.
C Boarding Group has a great article on how to make a bed. It is easy to follow and I totally love using this method.
Say Thank you
Amazing overnight guest says thank you
This is the final tip for How to Be An Amazing Overnight Guest but it is not last because it is not as important. It is last on my list to share with you because it is probably one of the most important ones. As you have read up to this point, you are helping the host keep their home the way the host likes it or feels it should be run. But this tip is one that is given to the host in a special way.
There are several ways to say thank you that will leave a lasting impact on your host.
- Just say Thank You. This is the most simplest but you can’t replace spoken words.
- Write a note and leave on your bed, on the kitchen table or somewhere that your host will see quickly after you leave.
- Send a flower arrangement to your host the day you leave with a thank you.
- Leave a gift card for a meal out or a coffee.
- Bring a gift with you such as something that is unique from your hometown or area.
Saying thank you is probably the most important of the 6 Ways to Be an Amazing Overnight Guest. This is one that you don’t want to forget.
You can be an AMAZING OVERNIGHT GUEST
Just taking these 6 ways to be an amazing overnight guest, will create an atmosphere with your host that your host will open their doors for you anytime you are able to return to their home. It will also create a friendship that can go deeper and deeper because respect and care are happening with everyone being thought of.