One of the best things about the holiday season is stuffing a favorite pair of flannel pjs in a weekender and hitting the road. It’s the time of year many of us find ourselves en route to the in-laws’ cabin, the favorite cousin’s home, or the old college friend’s apartment. Quality time aside, staying overnight is also a great opportunity to show love to the people you care about, and even to charm that future mother-in-law. Before writing this story, I broke out my old 16th edition copy of “Emily Post’s Etiquette” to brush up on my good guest graces. Though it’s probably time for me to invest in a newer edition (“Don’t use the telephone without permission,”) the vast majority of Emily’s advice still rings true today. We took inspiration from her (and added in a few ideas of our own) to create this modern list of ten easy ways to be a great guest this holiday season. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure that you’ll be invited back, again and again. Happy holidays!
1. Communicate your schedule clearly before the visit begins.
Let your hosts know not only when you will arrive, but when you plan to depart as well. If you intend to take them out to dinner, or have other social or business obligations during the visit, communicate those plans clearly so they can arrange their schedules accordingly.
photo by collage vintage
2. Leave the pets at home.
We know. EVERYONE who meets Fluffums him loves him — we would never argue that. But it’s best to avoid asking if you can bring pets with you as overnight guests. There are a myriad of reasons, from allergies to incompatibility between animals, that it’s most considerate to make other arrangements for your pet while you are staying in someone’s home.
image via pinterest
3. Arrive bearing gifts.
It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, but a small hostess gift (and maybe a little something for the kids) shows that you’re appreciative and have been looking forward to the visit. A bottle of wine, cute box of note cards, or even a small potted succulent are all great hostess gifts.
image via pinterest
4. Ask before you instagram.
You should always ask before sharing photos of someone’s home (and especially their children) on social media. Some people may prefer to keep their home life private.
dresses by bonpoint for ladida
5. Adapt to your host’s sleeping schedule.
When it comes to bedtimes and mornings, try your hardest to get on the same schedule as your host. You don’t want them having to tip-toe around their own home because you’re still sleeping in, or losing sleep at night because you’re banging around the kitchen.
image via cb natural living
6. Use coasters.
What’s the easiest way to never be invited back to someone’s house? Leave a ring on a piece of furniture. Always use a coaster and if you can’t find one, ask for one. Don’t grab a nice coffee table book and use that instead.
glimmer ring coasters from anthropolgie
7. Always make the bed.
Ask your hostess what she’d like you do with the sheets on your bed. She’ll undoubtedly say, “Oh just leave it. Don’t bother with it — I’ll wash them later.” But you should STILL always make the bed! And if you want extra bonus points, take the sheets off first and fold them neatly at the foot of the bed, then make the bed up anyways.
aerin lauder’s toile bedroom by the mendelson group
8. Leave the bathroom cleaner than you found it.
It takes two seconds to wipe down a counter and make sure there’s no toothpaste in the sink. Make sure that trash is in the trash can, and dirty towels are hanging or in a hamper before you leave your friend’s home.
bathroom designed by amber lewis
9. Never overstay.
This is probably the most basic rule of being a great house guest. Make sure you and your host have communicated clearly about the length of your stay and stick to the plan. As a host, there’s nothing worse than feeling completely out-of-control of your own home and schedule because you have a guest who just won’t leave. Arrive on time and leave on time as well. It’s the best way to make sure you’ll be invited back again!
mason bag by sole society
10. Don’t forget to say thanks!
Of course you’ll say “thanks” in person when it’s time to leave, but it means even more to follow up a day or two later and let your host know what a great time you had. If you stayed with a close friend or family member, a simple text or email will do. But it’s never wrong (and always lovely) to send a hand-written thank you note after a wonderful weekend.
Happy holidays!
photo by kathryn mccrary
FAQs
Tips of being a good guest when you go for sleepovers
- Carrying your personal effects. ...
- Be helpful. ...
- Agree on how long you are supposed to stay. ...
- Learn and respect boundaries. ...
- Be initiative and avoid secluding yourself.
Definitely Do:
- Make your visit short and sweet. ...
- Bring your own toiletries.
- Make your bed and clean up after yourself. ...
- Offer to help out, especially in the kitchen (unless your host objects).
- Be adaptable. ...
- Show that you're enjoying yourself.
Ask you guests if they have anything they want anything specific to eat or drink while they stay with you. Have coffee, tea, milk, water available. Stock other staples that you think your guest could need or want & have them easily available. Also, to make things easy, have a meal plan before the guests arrive.
How can I be a good long term guest? ›
Help Your Host When Needed, But Don't Pester Them
- Clear dishes off the table and clean them or place in dishwasher.
- Turn off the TV and lights when leaving a room.
- Keep your living space neat, even if you're living out of a suitcase.
- Buy groceries for yourself or replace anything you've been given.
Plan a movie marathon: Choose a series of movies or a saga that all guests like and that suits guests' age (Harry Potter, Star Wars…). Board games: Prepare a selection of board games for guests to play together. Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Party & Co or Trivial Pursuit are always a success in a sleepover.
What is the role of a good guest? ›
Being a good guest starts before you arrive. Reply to any invitation as promptly as you can. (If you can't accept, say so early.) The answer to any invitation is yes or no; you don't have to share issues with how you'll get there, babysitters/parking/travel/what you'll do with Granny and the dog.
What is a perfect guest experience? ›
In order to ensure that the hotel is able to respond to the guests' expectations, the establishment must: Offer a personalised experience. Provide instant assistance. Ensure internal operations management is seamless. Digitise standard services.
How do you make guests feel special? ›
The foundation of making guests feel special lies in personalised communication. Addressing guests by their names without overdoing it, remembering their preferences, and acknowledging special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries can leave a lasting impression.
How can I be hospitable to guests? ›
Smile , be there , help ,smile, listen, be careful, be helpful, be nice , be friendly, be empathetic. A hospitality industry should make the guest feel welcomed by very first step guest take into their property.
What is the 3 night rule for guests? ›
There's a rule about how long guests should stay that she often quoted… Fish and guests, she liked to stay, smell after three days. We remember this rule when it comes to cooking; we also remember it when it comes to guests. Three days is a perfect long weekend to catch up with friends.
"When and where possible, try to stick to your normal routine, which may include daily exercise, consistent mealtimes and sleep/wake times, and pre-sleep activities like meditation." And, you know, maybe limit your stays to three days, four if you're really pushing it.
How do I host an overnight guest? ›
Must-Haves for Hosting Overnight Guests in your Apartment
- Create a Coffee Station. ...
- Buy Eye Masks and Earplugs if Noise or Light Is an Issue. ...
- Leave Fresh Flowers in the Area Where They're Staying. ...
- Keep Your Guests Well-Fed (Without Stressing Yourself Out) ...
- Consider Hiring a Cleaning Company.
"When and where possible, try to stick to your normal routine, which may include daily exercise, consistent mealtimes and sleep/wake times, and pre-sleep activities like meditation." And, you know, maybe limit your stays to three days, four if you're really pushing it.
How to behave in someone's house? ›
I would suggest the following:
- Always pick up after yourself. ...
- Help with either preparing or cleaning up after meals. ...
- Don't start any arguments and if the host and hostess start arguing with each other, gently get out of the way… ...
- Don't invite friends unless the host or hostess has invited you to bring someone else along.
There are no hard and fast rules about the right age for sleepovers: some 6-year-olds might be ready to sleep away from home, and some 11-year-olds might not be. So parents need to assess each opportunity individually.
What is the best age for sleepovers? ›
Dr Coulson said there is no set age or statistic to suggest how old your child should be before they can go to a sleepover, but he recommends at least eight-years-old. "But preferably 10 or 12 - the older your children are, the less likely they are to get into trouble," he said.
What age do sleepovers stop? ›
There is no age limit for sleepovers. Especially when there's a friend coming from far away or even out of state, that could be considered a sleepover. Where else would the friend stay otherwise? The activities may change over time, especially as they get older.
How to be an easy house guest? ›
Respect the Host's Space
Bring only what you need, which will fit into a guest room, and then make sure it all stays there. You're not staying in a hotel, so don't treat your friend's home like one. A good rule of thumb: When you're not in your room, it should look like it did when you arrived.
