We’re covering the topic of hospitality and so far we’ve covered the pre-hospitality heart check, what hospitality is and isn’t, Biblical examples of extending hospitality when personal circumstances are less than perfect (poverty, infertility, tough marriage, sickness).

Today I want to share a readiness checklist for overnight hospitality and a few of my favorite things.

(I’m going to link to some favorite products on Amazon, but you know my philosophy: use what you have, and make do. You can make a great cup of coffee on the stovetop with a ten dollar French press just as well as you can with a fancy coffee maker. But if you are in the market for some of these items, these are products I’ve used and loved. They’ve made long term hospitality easier on me and my guests.)

Readiness Check List

1. How many guests will we be hosting? For how many nights?
   1. Have I provided appropriate, clean, and comfortable sleeping arrangements for our guests and their kids?
   2. If I am putting kids/people on the couch, am I sure that no one of the opposite sex will be walking through that area? Is the space private enough and appropriate?
   3. Have I provided extra blankets in case they are cold?
   4. Do we have nightlights in the bathrooms and hallways in case they need to use the facilities in the middle of the night?
2. Do our guests have any food allergies?
3. Do I know how many meals they’ll need me to provide?
   1. Ask about their plans. Oftentimes they’ll make plans for a day trip out, or to meet local friends for dinner.
   2. If they’ll be doing day trips, offer to pack a lunch or send a snack.
4. Check the atmosphere of the home.
   1. Does the air smell clean and refreshing?
      1. If you have animals, check the litter box. Lint roll any cat or dog hair that you may be used to. Vacuum any area that animals sleep.
      2. Do your hand towels and sponges smell clean? How about your bedding/linens?
      3. Are there any unpleasant or strong odors? Common culprits: wastebaskets, garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerator, microwave, toilet “area”(especially if you have little boys!) Address that and air out the house.
      4. If there has been sickness in the house, disinfect doorknobs, handles, and surfaces.
   2. Is the home generally clear of clutter and orderly?
      1. Look for what catches your eyes. We often get used to our own “visual noise”.
      2. Use laundry baskets to temporarily “house” projects you are working on unless you plan to work on them while you have guests. Tuck them out of sight.
   3. Is it welcoming?
      1. Tuck away any breakables for guests with children. This helps the mother to relax.
      2. Add cozy throw blankets over the backs of chairs or in a basket nearby.
      3. Light an unscented candle.
5. Set apart towels, washcloths, and soap for your guests. I usually put them on the end of the bed with one of these tiny squares of French guest soap.
6. Set out snacks, fruit, candy, protein bars, etc…in a basket on the counter so they can help themselves without having to ask.  Make sure they know where drinking glasses are kept in case they want a drink.
7. Get your laundry done before your guests come in case they need to use your machine. (Missionaries on furlough often travel from place to place and do have clothes to launder.)
8. If your guest has children, plan to place age-appropriate toys, games, and books in common areas for them to enjoy.  Always check with the parent first before offering videos, video games, or electronics to children.
9. If you have long term guests, write out local information (restaurants, attractions, areas of historic significance) and your own personal schedule so they’ll know what to expect and when you’ll be home. Have an extra house key so they can come and go.
10. Plan ways to spend quality time with your guests around meal times, board games, cheese platters ;), or evening Bible reading and prayer.

Favorite Products

Here are a few of my favorite products.

1.  Waffle Maker. I tend to make waffles for our guests the first morning after they arrive. Waffles are perfect because they can be made to order on the first day of travel when everyone is getting up at different times. I use this recipe for the batter. It’s WORLDS better than pre-packaged mixes:

Waffle Recipe (from the old Betty Crocker Cookbook)

2 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ¾ cups milk

½ cup vegetable oil

Mix wet ingredients. Fold in dry ingredients just until incorporated. Use greased waffle iron.

I usually serve them with fresh strawberries or blueberries, whipped cream, maple syrup, and butter. It’s easy and yummy. I also usually have sausage or bacon pre-cooked that can be reheated in the micro.

2. Ninja Coffee Bar.  You already know how much I love my Ninja coffee bar. It’s easy to use and for a moderately priced machine, makes excellent coffee. Of course, you can make great coffee in a French Press, but this is a great machine if you want people to be able to help themselves day or night. ( I use Starbuck’s Morning Joe because I prefer strong coffee.)

3. Electric Tea Kettle. I use this thing three times a day. I love that with a touch of a button, your tea water is ready in a minute. I have this one that changes color when it’s hot and shows you how much hot water is inside. So convenient for guests!

4. French Milled Mini Guest Soap. I love these high quality tiny French soap squares! They are the perfect size for an overnight guest!

5. Shark DuoClean Cordless Vacuum. Ok, I vacuum every day and sometimes several times a day. I’ve only had two vacuums in my life that I’ve loved: The Eureka Mighty Mite ( a cheaper version of the Oreck Super Delux, which my mom has), and this cordless vacuum. Because it’s cordless, it’s as easy to grab as a broom. At night, when my guests go to bed, I clean around without any big to-do with this vacuum.

6. Evening Mocha Candle from Warm Glo Candle Company. This is one of my favorite scented candles. This smell reminds me of home–and of my mother’s home! It has a cozy look and is rolled in ground coffee.

7. Tiny Spoons for mid-day tea or coffee. These are just so sweet on the side of your cup.

8. Cloth Napkins. I’ve almost completely switched over to using cloth napkins at meal times. They are more cost-effective than buying paper napkins and more elegant. True Story: I was VERY concerned that switching to cloth napkins would become a chore–like *flashbacks* to the nightmare of washing cloth diapers–(HAHA–NO!) but I’ve been pleasantly surprised that they are no big deal. They are like folding a facecloth, and they are just so much prettier than paper. I usually find mine at Savers or other thrift shops for 4/$2. I only buy them when I can find 8 of a kind. I’ve found that solid colors are more versatile, but I’ve never been known to pass up a set of pretty April Cornell prints. 😉

9. Vintage Dishes. You guys know me. I can’t pass up pretty transferware. Vintage dishes pair well with Dollar Tree white dishes and make the table look like someone cared and prepared. If I can find 8 or more matching salad plates at a thrift shop, I’m all over that!

10. Cheeseboards or slates. You know I’m a huge cheese board fan. They are so elegant, unfussy, and fun. In the past, I’ve shared my favorite cheese board combinations, my key lime cheese dip recipe, my holiday cheese ball recipes and the like. Yum!

What products do you love for hospitality? What helpful plan ahead genius tricks do we need to know about? Share your ideas in the comments!