How to Make Guests Feel at Home - Holiday Entertaining

Not only do I like to entertain guests around my table, but I also like to have guests stay at the house. Both here and in Italy, I have a houseful during holidays, and of course, all summer long on the Italian Riviera.Making your guests feel at home is an art form. The secret to entertaining is to always make your guests feel special. Be gracious, be kind, and be caring, and your guests will always feel welcome and at home. There are some easy tricks that make visitors feel really special.Here are a few easy ways to make guests feel at home that I'd like to share. I love tricking out our guest room with little extras.Trick out the guest room:

1. Make sure the sheets are soft, well laundered, fresh, crisp, and pretty.
2. Place flowers, books, and magazines on the side table.
3. Put out a brand new scented candle, and don't forget the matches.
4. Have plenty of pillows and blankets in the closet.
5. Place a couple of bottles of water in the room.
6. Make sure you go over how the television works.
7. Show guests where the temperature controls are, especially if guests are on a different floor from where you are.

Trick out the bathroom:

1. Place fresh soap in the shower/bath.
2. Put out plenty freshly laundered towels, lots of them.
3. Put out some fresh flowers.
4. Have a basket filled with extra toothpaste and tooth brushes.
5. Have a hair dyer on hand.
6. Have shampoo and conditioner in the shower and make sure they are filled.
7. Hang a freshly laundered robe available for guests to use.

Have snacks and food available in a self serve situation:

1. Make your kitchen available for guests to help themselves.
2. Have plenty of fresh fruit in a large bowl on the counter in the kitchen.
3. Have a self serve coffee station. I personally love a Nespresso machine in the guest room or kitchen for guests to make themselves a cup in the morning.
4. Cookies are a nice touch.

The most important tip is to check out the guest room and the guest bath before your guests arrive. Make sure you have everything on hand for guests. Once guests depart, don't forget to replenish. Everything should be full, fresh, and attended to in your guest room. It's just like running a hotel; the most important thing are the details. Your guests will be comfortable and happy, and that's what it's all about. Happy Holidays and enjoy of all your house guests.Photos from Better Homes and Gardens  Styled by me, Photography Rob Brinson, Edmund BarrKitchen Photo from Coin Cafe Pour La Masion