Entertaining: 8 Tricks to Become the Perfect Host
Whether you have friends or family visiting for a week or weekend, make them feel at home by following these simple suggestions
Welcoming guests into your home can sometimes cause undue anxiety, as clutter is bundled away and sofa beds are hastily pulled out, but it needn’t be stressful. Take the hard work out of hosting by following these super-simple tips. They’re all quick and easy (perfect for a busy host) and are guaranteed to make your visitors feel welcome – a win-win situation that will leave more time for fun and games.
Make like a boutique hotel
Lovely bed linen, with plenty of plump cushions, and a tray complete with a few thoughtful items, such as chocolates, a newspaper or a carafe of water, will elevate your guest room to five-star status.
Discover 10 ways to get the boutique hotel style at home
Lovely bed linen, with plenty of plump cushions, and a tray complete with a few thoughtful items, such as chocolates, a newspaper or a carafe of water, will elevate your guest room to five-star status.
Discover 10 ways to get the boutique hotel style at home
Spa up your bathroom
Nice toiletries and fresh flowers are a thoughtful addition to a bathroom. Make sure you include moisturising cream as well as hand wash, and lay out plenty of fluffy towels.
Nice toiletries and fresh flowers are a thoughtful addition to a bathroom. Make sure you include moisturising cream as well as hand wash, and lay out plenty of fluffy towels.
Fashion a home from home
A relaxed vibe in your home will put guests at ease. Stacking interesting books and magazines on a coffee table will invite feet-up browsing, while a bowl of sweets will turn time away into a treat.
A relaxed vibe in your home will put guests at ease. Stacking interesting books and magazines on a coffee table will invite feet-up browsing, while a bowl of sweets will turn time away into a treat.
Stock up on groceries
Planning meals and stocking up ahead of time will reduce stress and allow you to focus on the more fun elements. It’s also worth asking about any allergies or preferences, so you can ensure there’s something on hand to suit every visitor.
Planning meals and stocking up ahead of time will reduce stress and allow you to focus on the more fun elements. It’s also worth asking about any allergies or preferences, so you can ensure there’s something on hand to suit every visitor.
Fire up a cosy atmosphere
In winter, there’s little more welcoming and instantly relaxing than a lit fire. In the summer, flickering candles will create the same calming ambience – and add gentle scent if you choose – to make road-weary travellers feel at home.
In winter, there’s little more welcoming and instantly relaxing than a lit fire. In the summer, flickering candles will create the same calming ambience – and add gentle scent if you choose – to make road-weary travellers feel at home.
Dress with fresh flowers
Fresh flowers add a special note – and they don’t have to be fancy. Simply pick a single stem from your garden and pop it in a jam jar for a sweet welcoming touch. Peonies, hydrangeas and roses are all beautiful and add delicate scent.
Browse artful ways to display fresh flowers
Fresh flowers add a special note – and they don’t have to be fancy. Simply pick a single stem from your garden and pop it in a jam jar for a sweet welcoming touch. Peonies, hydrangeas and roses are all beautiful and add delicate scent.
Browse artful ways to display fresh flowers
Provide hanging space
Being able to unpack always makes a break more relaxing. If your guest room doesn’t have space for a wardrobe, a few well-placed wall hooks will provide space for hanging clothes and towels. Don’t forget to add a few empty hangers, too.
TELL US...
How do you make guests feel welcome in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Being able to unpack always makes a break more relaxing. If your guest room doesn’t have space for a wardrobe, a few well-placed wall hooks will provide space for hanging clothes and towels. Don’t forget to add a few empty hangers, too.
TELL US...
How do you make guests feel welcome in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Even one extra set of coats and shoes can overload a hallway, so plan in advance. If possible, free up a few hooks on a coat rack and clear out a cubby hole. Giving guests their own spot will make them feel welcome, as well as ensuring order reigns.