How to Prepare for Hosting Overnight Guests During the Holiday Season

Hosting overnight guests during the holiday season can be one of the best parts of this time of year and with a little planning, you can make it one of the most satisfying experiences for both you and your guests.

Whether it’s your first time hosting or you’re a seasoned pro, these thoughtful guest room ideas, simple tips, and cozy extras go a long way.

From clean sheets to a handwritten welcome note and everything in between, here’s how to be a good host that your guests will remember long after their stay.

It’s nearly time for the holiday slowdown, and if you’re the one hosting for the holidays, you’re probably juggling all the last minute preparations that come along with it, including how to get ready for family visiting (or friends).

Sure, it could be as easy as making sure your air mattress doesn’t have a giant hole in it, but your overnight guests deserve more!

Something as simple as a welcome basket, ensuring you have guest bedroom essentials, and asking yourself what to put in a guest bathroom that you yourself would like to have if you were traveling is all it takes to make your house be mentally rated as 5-star rather than comparable to the nearby Motel 8. 

I’m currently in the thick of all of this as my husband’s best friend and family are coming from Philadelphia to spend time with us this holiday season. As I think about tips for hosting, I figured I’d share some guest bedroom essentials with everyone here that I’ve cooked up myself or seen others do that I thought were so cute and caring.

I also threw in a downloadable freebie for a customizable guest room welcome note so keep scrolling!

Best Tips for Hosting Overnight Guests

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Add Power Strips to Every Guest Room Side Table

If your overnight guests are anything like me, they’ll want to know where they can plug in their phone almost immediately upon arriving. Google Maps or your airline app on your phone just sucks that battery life.

Don’t make your guests struggle with finding outlets or reaching them when they do. I’ve had to move around bulky furniture so many times just to access a single outlet that already had a lamp and a TV plugged into it. 

How to Share Your WiFi Password Like a Pro

Do me a favor. Stop what you’re doing right now, go find that tiny shred of paper in your kitchen cabinet with all your WiFi details on it, and either write it on a notecard properly or type it up on your laptop, print it out and put it right on the dresser or nightstand of your guest bedrooms.

And if you have any security codes to your house or neighborhood, add those, too. Oh and guess what, I made my own little customizable template which you can download at the end of this page!

Don’t Forget These Little Things: Extra Pillows, Blankets, and More

They may or may not use them, but depending on the comfort level of who is staying with you, they might not want to be an inconvenience by even asking you to be able to hang up their coat, dresses, suits, etc.

Have the hangers at the ready for them and throw them a casual “‘let me know if you need more!” when you leave them to settle in. 

Shop all guest bedroom finds

Write Instructions for Your Guests

Got a smart TV with four remotes? A fireplace? Even automatic blinds? If there’s anything with a remote, write up a little guide for them so they don’t have to kick themselves at midnight for not being able to turn on their favorite wind down show once you’ve already tucked away for the night.

For instance, our blinds are pretty unique in how they work and need a hefty tutorial, so I always try to anticipate our guests’ needs with a how-to.

Leave out Blanket Options for Your Guests

Some people sleep hot, some sleep cold. Like I mentioned, most of these types of needs tend to come up once everyone has gone to bed so do your people a favor and give them options so they don’t have to ask.

You can either leave them out on top of the bed or even on a side chair or the dresser to make it optional, or put them neatly in the closet (with an extra pillow or two, too). 

Provide Warm Supplies

Since we’re on the subject of people’s temperature needs, if you live somewhere it gets cold, never underestimate the gesture of warmth. Especially at night.

A heated blanket or heating pad in a guest room will also make you less anxious about whether the heat is on high enough for everyone’s comfort.

Give yourself the gift of a worry-free mind when it comes to the thermostat by this simple act. 

Make Sure Each Room has a Trash Can

This is such a simple thing that’s often overlooked but can add to the comfort of your guests so they don’t have to go out of their room in the middle of the night to toss something.

Tissues, contacts, snack wrappers (keep reading), cotton balls…whatever it is, people’s trash needs don’t disappear just because they’re staying in someone else’s house. 

Provide Toiletries for Your Guests

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, extra toilet paper, maybe even face wash. Our guest bathroom always has a stash of hand towels, shampoo, and even a backup toothbrush.

Leaving out extra towels and extra toilet paper is one of those small gestures that always pays off. We all forget something, so it’s nice as a guest to not freak about having to hit up the Walgreens after a harrowing journey so you can have fresh breath in the morning.

As for melatonin, some guests have trouble sleeping in new places (me) and this is a safe bet to include in your toiletries offering. 

Provide Guests with a Snack Basket in Their Room

It helps to know their tastes (or limitations). And when I say “basket,” no you don’t have to go out to Michael’s to buy something new, unless that brings you joy, then go for it. Even a shoebox wrapped in pretty paper or a tray laid with goodies works.

A comfort basket on a small tray is such a thoughtful touch and makes the space feel like a hotel room. Have a mix of crunchy, salty, sweet, nutritious and indulgent so your guests have a variety of snacks to choose from throughout their stay.

Don’t forget to top it off for them after a few days. 

Supply Reusable Water Bottles

Snacks = thirst. Tap into your favorite hotel mini bar experience and leave out bottles of water. Or, better yet, have a reusable water bottle for them to use throughout their whole stay so they feel comfortable refilling whenever they need to. 

For short stays, things like bottled water and a soft throw blanket help the space feel cozy without being overdone.

Holiday Hosting Checklist for Overnight Guests

If you’re hosting a weekend guest in a small home, every little thing matters.

• Trash can, alarm clock, and a nightlight
• Fresh clean sheets and extra pillows
• Bath towels, hand towels, and extra toilet paper
• Power strip with USB outlets near the bed
• WiFi password printed or written out
• Snack basket with granola bars and favorite foods
• Reusable or bottled water, carafe of water
• Lip balm, toothbrush, and herbal tea
• Soft throw blanket and optional heated blanket
• Welcome note with morning coffee or orange juice

FAQs

Alright, how ya feeling now? I know it might sound like overkill, but making friends and family and all your guests feel at home makes you feel good, too. You can even offer a simple ritual like tea in the living room at the end of the night. It’s a great way to unwind together.

Being a good host is as easy as a few thoughtful deeds and gestures (and giving your guests what they need so they don’t have to ask you a million questions). It’ll save you both, trust me. Good luck, and enjoy your holidays to the fullest.