Comments on: How to Be a Gracious Host

By: Les

Les — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:43:45 +0000

One thing I have always done is to have a matching set of towels ready before my guest(s) arrive. After we have eaten and it is getting time to get ready for bed, I show them the towels, already laid out in the bathroom, and let them know the towels are for them. I always include 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 wash cloths for each guest.. People seem to appreciate this.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:05:26 +0000

I recently visited friends in the USA. By and large all the points made regarding both guest (me) and host obligations were met. However, on one occasion I was tired (probably some jet lag also I am 60) and didn’t want to watch TV in the evening but go to bed early. I was criticized for not being a good guest. I said that they were not being a god host putting an obligation to do something that I didn’t want to do when it had no impact on them in not watching TV. If they had gone to trouble to get a film or something I would have made the effort but plain TV, I just felt that the host had the duty to make me feel at home and that was not the case. Who is correct?

By: Barry

Barry — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:49 +0000

Great article. Also make sure the guest’s sleeping area has some basic conveniences like an alarm clock, a lamp next to the bed, night light in the hallway to prevent nighttime accidents, good window shade, extra blanket, etc.

In preparing for a guest, I think it is a good idea, before they arrive, to use the guest bathroom yourself to shower and get ready for the day. You will probably find problems doing this and be able to correct them. You might find that the shower head is broken or the electrical socket doesn’t work or a towel rack is needed, etc. It is hard to notice these things unless you actually go through the process of using everything. And be sure there is plenty of spare toilet paper in there. Nobody wants to have to ask for that in the moment of need.

Also remember that you are not just hosting a person, but all their stuff, too. Make some room for their stuff. If you can clear out some drawers and some closet space and surface area on dressers just for them to use, it will help them settle in much better. If your coat closet is jammed, pare that down. And they will need some space in the bathroom. A way to keep their stuff organized and accessible is always a major issue for a guest.

By: Fotios

Fotios — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:07:27 +0000

Definitely good timing on this article. Having recently moved into a townhouse in a touristy area (right outside DC), I’ve been having more houseguests who come into town to visit me, but also the city. A few things I’ve learned :

– If you have a guest bathroom, keep some basic items in there. If it’s not in your main bedroom, guests might be more apt to look in the medicine cabinet (or use whats on the counter). Some things like Advil/Tylenol, Tums/Pepto Bismol, bandaids can really save a night. It’s the worst feeling when you think a guest is having a bad time, only to find out later they had a headache, but didn’t want to impose on you.
- If you will be at work with your guests at your house, make sure they know how to operate your super fancy TV/Entertainment system. Also make sure they have the password to your wireless network, or maybe let them know they can use your computer to check email or whatnot.
- Have some visitor guidebooks or brochures around, so that when they get in, they can look over some things. Also, when your guests do these activities, you can put a post-it note in the book commenting on it.
- If there is public transit in the area, have a few pocket maps around. Bonus points for circling your stop on the map and explaining how the ticketing or schedule works

By: Virilitas

Virilitas — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:23:51 +0000

I like Sean Sentenn's suggestion, above, about having good drinks on hand when hosting. Let's be honest: sharing a drink (or two) together helps us bond with guests and get along better.

By: April Braswell

April Braswell — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:16:44 +0000

@MPS - How wonderful. Indeed, understanding and communicating those differences is essential for long term marriage happiness and filial relationships over the long haul. It is all within the purview of the host, is it not? If you INVITE them, then they are your guests, and there is no imposition. Of course, communicating the EXTENT of the invitation, essentially communicating boundaries, and being upfront about that in a tactful fashion is best. Don't you find doing that helps to avoid hurt feelings? Formalized invitations, those in writing, i.e. on Crane's bonded paper, are SO helpful that way. So and so request the pleasure of your company for the Thanksgiving Holiday, Tuesday, November 25-Friday, November 28. And of course, they are family. So, sometimes they will then book their travel to fly out of the airport furthest away late Friday night actually Saturday morning. And we all live with it then don't we? :) On the chick front, we LOVE being greeted with roses at the airport and will often have GUEST ROOM accoutrement. Little baskets of STUFF in the guest bathroom. Scented soap, lotion, toothbrush, STUFF. Some of which will be totally girly and some of which will be appropriate for our MALE guests. All the best, April Braswell Online Dating Expert, Romantic Relationship Coach, Romance Coaching Online Dating Sites Review, Internet Dating Sites Guide

By: Sean Sentenn

Sean Sentenn — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:19:34 +0000

Whenever guests are visiting our house my wife and I always make sure to have a few bottles of good booze and a special bottle of wine available to offer on the evening they arrive. For booze we make sure that we can mix a great Manhattan, shake a good martini, and of course offer an elegant scotch. For wine I recommend something with some age and a great story; “we found this little gem on a tasting trip in Mendocino, Ca. The vineyard was surrounded by redwoods. We’ve been saving it for a special occasion”.
Offerings like these signal that their visit is a special occasion much better than rummaging around in the fridge for a stray beer or two day old bottle of Charles Shaw.

By: steph

steph — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:46:45 +0000

Here’s my suggestion: if you have precocious little boys, set up plenty of playdates at OTHER kid’s houses during the guest’s stay. You can always return the favor later and it will be relaxing not to have to exhaust yourselves trying to keep the kids from setting the house on fire.

By: cory huff

cory huff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:03:48 +0000

I love hosting. I love cooking for people. It’s probably one of the things I do best. For my birthday party, I cooked brats and had a root beer tasting party. I did all the cooking and loved it a ton.

Hosting and going out of your way to serve is a great way to build lasting friendships. I love it!

By: MPS

MPS — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:32:27 +0000

My wife and I struggle with the hosting thing. I come from a family where we like to impose on each other and we are always happy to host guests at our house. My wife, on the other hand, comes from a family where they don’t like to impose so it is common for family members to stay in hotels when they visit. I think it is good for guest to not impose too much or expect to be housed for weeks but I also would like family to feel welcome and want to visit us.