July 2010 - Trophy Mom Diaries

This is the invitation we’ve chosen to invite our guests to our Reaffirmation ceremony. It is probably nicer than our original wedding invitations but reaffirming our vows in Christ is important to us. I think it deserves to be celebrated. Don’t you?

Currently, we plan only a dinner (with no dancing or entertainment) for our reception. Is that bad? We just can’t justify the expense. We are already married and we want the focus to be on our vows. Our guests will be members of our church family, a select number of neighbors and family members (if they choose to attend).

Of course we will book a photographer. This is something we want to remember, always.

I haven’t tried on my dress yet. Cross your fingers that I fit into it.

I have a confession: I love having overnight guests! I just love it! I especially love preparing for overnight visitors. It just brings out the Martha Stewart and Emily Post Wannabe out of me. Luckily I’m married to a man who also enjoys hosting people at our home, so I have had many opportunities to try to improve my techniques.

Here are some ways we prepare our guest room for visitors. I hope they inspire and encourage you to promote hospitality and graciousness in your own home.

Let your first impression be one of hospitality

Whether you have a dedicated guest room, a dual-purposed room, or a make-shift guest room you can still make a great first impression. One of the things I like to do is put fresh flowers in the room. It doesn’t need to be a professional arrangement. It is actually better if it is not. I sometimes grab flowers from the yard or local grocery store to make into my own bouquet and then I add: a little fruit bowl, bottled water and a note welcoming our guests. No matter what type of guest room you have make sure that you take the time to put away the clutter, clear the dust bunnies and leave an impression that says, ‘Welcome to our home‘ instead of, ‘Well, I guess I can stick you over here to sleep.’

Little touches can make a big impression

The smallest details can sometimes send the biggest message and just make a person feel special. I cannot tell you how many people comment on the cute little way I flower the tissue in the box. Sometimes people don’t even want to take a tissue out, although that is silly! The point is, tissue is something that should be available to your guests, so having some in their room is thoughtful; arranging the tissue in the box decoratively is gracious. I wish I could say I thought of this myself, but the truth of the matter is that they do this in hotels all the time, and even though I’m paying for the room, it still makes me feel special. Folding the corners on the toilet paper is also another simple touch that leaves a big impression as is making a more complicated fan (though it does waste toilet paper).

Remember: Days start and end in the bathroom

Your guests will start and end their days in the bathroom you offer them. For this reason I like to make sure our guests have a bathroom that helps them to start and end their day properly. The first thing I do is make sure it has all of the essentials: soap, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, toothpaste, extra toilet paper, extra tissue, fluffy clean towels & washcloths, tea and coffee, blow dryer, hamper and waste paper basket. Since we anticipated frequent house guests when we built our home we also took things a step further (because we had the room) and included a tub for soaking, and a steam shower. Those are obviously not a requirement, but are lovely if you can offer them.

Even house guests need to retreat sometimes

Even house guests need to get away from it all sometimes so offer your guests a place that they can retreat to for a little privacy. Chances are you’ll appreciate having a little of your own from time to time as well. Guest room essentials include: comfortable bed, sitting chair, luggage rack, closet with hangers, dresser or drawer space for folded clothes, a television, cable box, wi-fi, telephone, alarm clock radio/iphone/pod dock station and desk area. Extra touches that will always be appreciated include: hotel safe, ironing board, iron, extra blanket and pillows, local attraction brochures or guidebooks, and map.

Do you have any tips to add? How do you welcome guests into your home?