Is a special friend or relative coming to stay at your house during the holidays? Give them the VIP treatment! Put together an assortment of goodies to welcome them and make them feel at home. A welcome kit doesn’t take a whole lot of time, effort, or expense on your part, but it’s such a thoughtful way to greet them when they arrive!
Fill your welcome kit with some basic necessities, as well as some fun and interesting stuff they’ll love. You can pick up travel-size bottles at Walmart, use the toiletries you’ve stockpiled from hotels, or even promotional items you collected at the last convention you attended. Don’t forget a card with your Wi-Fi name and password written on it!
Depending on whether your guest is male or female, the contents of your welcome kit can be girly (chocolates, slipper socks, an issue of Real Simple) or masculine (beef jerky, disposable razors, the newest issue of Car & Driver). If a couple will be staying with you, you can mix and match. As an added item of interest, include a souvenir, beverage, or food that’s native to your area. Something fun like a stuffed animal, game, or comic is also a nice touch.
Keep in mind, this doesn’t have to be an outright gift as they don’t need a bunch of extra things to try and fit into their suitcase. But they will be happy to see that you’ve thought of them by having a bunch of supplies on hand in case they forgot something, and to use as they wish. Not only will they be delighted to find an item they forgot to bring; they will be especially grateful if the airline misplaced their luggage with all their toiletries.
Arrange all the stuff in a basket, bucket, bag, box or bin and place it in the room where they will be sleeping. Keep a basic welcome kit in the closet for future use and re-stock it as needed for other guests, or use the remaining items yourself on your travels. In a hurry? Amazon.com has ready-made convenience kits for men and women!
Basic Necessities
- bottle of water
- snacks (candy, nuts, granola bars, dried fruit, goldfish crackers, juice box, beef jerky)
- small flashlight
- comb/brush
- soap/body wash
- shampoo/conditioner
- toothbrush/toothpaste
- dental floss
- mouthwash
- lip balm
- hand cream
- first aid kit
- sewing kit
- pain reliever packet
- tissues
- bath towel
- wash cloth
- wet wipes
Bonus Items
- breath mints
- chewing gum
- ear plugs
- sleep mask
- bath robe
- throw blanket
- charging cable
- city map/state map
- menus from local restaurants
- brochures of nearby attractions
- list of events happening around town
- current issue of your community newspaper
- magazines/small books/Bible
- pen/pencil/notepad
- postcards/stamps
- small toys/games
Also include a special gift for your guest to take home with them like a souvenir or small locally made gift ($10.00 or less) such as a t-shirt, keychain, ornament, etc.
Nice Extras
You also want to make your home welcoming for your overnight guest. Here are a few tips:
- Clean and de-clutter the room or space where they will be staying.
- Scrub the entire bathroom including toilet, sink, tub/shower, and floor.
- Place nightlights in hallways and bathrooms they will use at night.
- Make sure their sheets/blankets are freshly laundered, not stale-smelling.
- Have a nice set of towels for each guest (bath towel, hand towel, washcloth).
- Provide hanging space in a closet or on an over-the-door hook.
- Clear off a table or surface where they can set things.
- Have an outlet available where they can charge their mobile devices.
- Make their room smell nice with an air freshener or scented candle.
- Put an essential oil diffuser, poo-pourri, or odor eliminator in the bathroom.
- Provide a lamp or soft lighting in their room.
- Place an alarm clock in their room.
- Place a mirror in their room.
- Stock extra toilet paper in the bathroom.
I guarantee your visitors will appreciate your extra efforts to make them feel comfortable and welcome! Maybe they’ll even give you five stars!
Do you have any tips or ideas for how you make your home more welcoming for overnight guests? Leave a comment!