This post is brought to you by Hampton Hotels via MomTrends. All opinions are my own.
Are you stressed out over the holidays? I'm doing pretty well at the moment, but it hasn't sunk in yet that I will be hosting almost a dozen people in my home next week.
The plan is for everyone to come over super early for Christmas breakfast. I've invited a few family members to stay with us, but now I'm questioning that logic with everything else that I have going on. I'm slowly realizing that I can still be hospitable without hosting guests overnight ... especially since we don't even have proper guest bedroom!
It think it would be much easier (on everyone!) if they just stayed at the Hampton down the street 🙂
Hampton knows how overwhelming it can be when we accept friends and family into our homes over the holidays— that's why they partnered with entertaining expert Jenny Steffens Hobick and put together a list of "Hamptonality" Hosting Tips for creating lasting holiday memories {without all the stress}.
Be the best OFF-SITE host ever…
Let’s be honest. You love your friends and family, but cramming everyone into your house for days at a time can be stressful and add to your already lengthy holiday host to-do list! If you simply don’t have enough room to host all of your holiday guests or you just think everyone would be happier with their own, comfortable space, consider booking them at your local Hampton. With more than 1,900 locations, Hampton is the perfect place to stay no matter where your guests may be traveling from.
Surprise your guests with welcome treats
I always like to make sure my guests know how excited we are to have them for a visit by surprising them with a little treat when they arrive. One of my favorite ways to greet them is with something personalized with their name on it, like a decorated sugar cookie or a festive welcome sign. I love staying at Hampton Hotels because they take a similar approach. They often add a personal touch for a guest’s stay by offering a favorite local snack or fun local item when guests check in.
Be prepared with lots of snacks
We all get a little grouchy when we're hungry - adults and kids alike! Anticipate those moments by having snacks planned for afternoons and before dinner to keep everyone happy. Be sure to include fresh options like fruit and crunchy veggies, along with filling cheeses and more decadent treats so you have something for everyone!
Make time for exercise and fresh air
We all feel better with some fresh air in our lungs. Invite your guests on a walk with hot coffee (or hot cocoa!) and everyone will feel refreshed! Suggest an evening stroll through your local neighborhood to check out the holiday decorations. Guests at Hampton can also get energized and make time for a workout as most locations boast fitness centers and swimming pools.
Make time for resting
The holidays can be very exhausting - especially for your guests who have traveled near and far. Make sure to schedule down time for resting in the afternoons or early evenings. An afternoon nap can feel like an indulgent treat for exhausted guests.
Plan one special night for the adults
The holidays are really all about the kids, but it can be really nice for the adults to get some time for themselves, too. Hire a babysitter for the night for the children (or let the grandparents take over), so the parents can enjoy a special night out on the town. Everyone (even the kids!) will appreciate a night of freedom.
Big breakfasts
Serving a big breakfast in the morning seems to make everyone happy! When we host guests, I prepare big bowls of fresh fruit for nibbling on in the morning, and then make some fresh waffles because really, who doesn’t love waffles?!? Hampton offers a free, hot breakfast every morning with fresh-baked waffles – the perfect thing to get your day started!
Plan fun games
The best memories over the holidays are when everyone is relaxing, laughing and having a great time. You can help orchestrate these moments by planning fun games in which everyone can participate. You can host an Ugly Sweater Contest, A Christmas Carol Sing-Off, or Gingerbread House Competition during one of your “at home happy hours.”
Celebrate past holidays
Another sure way to have everyone in stitches is to get out old home videos and pictures. Everyone will love reminiscing about past holidays... the bad clothes and questionable hair styles always make for great holiday conversation and laughs. Perhaps dig up some old holiday photos of your guests and use that as their “personal touch” when they arrive at your home for their stay.
Prepare!
Do as much preparation in advance as you can. The ultimate holiday hosts know that being prepared is the absolute best way to make your guests feel welcome in your home because you can actually enjoy them while they are there!
Hampton is all about helping hosts maximize their hospitality during the holidays with tips inspired by Hamptonality. So, what exactly is Hamptonality?
The 5 Tenets of Hamptonality are:
- Unexpected delight
- Being anticipatory
- Sharing a compliment
- Providing a moment of humor
- Showing empathy
With over 1,900 properties totaling more than 186,000 rooms in 14 countries and territories, Hampton Hotels is part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company. Each Hampton hotel features comfortable surrounds and complimentary amenities like daily hot breakfast (with fresh-baked waffles and hearty oatmeal!), On the Run breakfast bags (M-F in US), high-speed internet access in all guestrooms and coffee and tea in the lobby.
Connect with Hampton Hotels online at www.faceboook.com/Hampton, http://twitter.com/Hampton, +Hampton, http://www.instagram.com/Hamptonality or www.youtube.com/Hampton.
Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Hampton Hotel via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hampton or Momtrends.
Lindsay McCain
Have plenty of toilet paper and towels/rags.
kim kihega
Always be prepared! If your having kids over, put away things you don't want them touching. And, have activities for the young ones to so they dont get bored.
amy deeter
always be prepared.stock up on supplies needed
Margaret Smith
I like to make my guests feel at home. I tell them to feel free to help themselves and ask if they need something.
Geoff K
I love to make a playlist of holiday music featuring guests' favorite artists and genre, put out lots of holiday treats in the guest bedroom, and put scented oil and candles in their room to add a festive air.
Serge B
I keep holiday music on softly too!
Stephanie Galbraith
Relax... you make others uptight when you are.
rod jackson
Our guests are close family but special touches, great food and entertainment make them know they are home.
Elena
My tip is to stock up on snacks and drinks
tammy shelton
Keep a sense of humor.
Stephanie V.
make them feel welcome - fresh flowers, lots of food and drink
robyn paris
always make sure you give them their own linens and toiletries
Jason Vaughn
Have a one bedroom apartment so you don't have to deal with them.
debbie
Have something for them to do during a down time. Puzzle books, special teas or coffees, etc.
Nicole Newby
Honestly, having 2 bathrooms in my townhome is a life saver.
Mary Beth Elderton
I always try to make sure I have everyone's favorite drinks on hand--sodas, coffees, teas.
Cindy Merrill
Be aware of any special dietary needs your guests may have- for example, Sugar free treats are nice to have available; a lot of folks I know have diabetes.
Cynthia C
Prepare meals ahead so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests.
stephanie
have a alot of snacks
Katherine
Go simple and let everyone have a little space to themselves
wild orchid
My tip is to make sure their room, and bathroom, is spotlessly clean.
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D SCHMIDT
My best tips are to make sure you have adequate bed linen, towels, food and hygiene items for your guests to feel at home.
Suzanne K
plan some of their favorite foods for meals
Ann Fantom
My tip is to make dishes that can be pre-made so you can spend more time with your guests.
Mary Happymommy
Have board games on hand to entertain guests.
Katie Roch
My tip is to leave a welcome basket in the guest's room with some travel essentials and a treat.
Jennifer H.
I have lots of my guests favorite food and drinks.
Danielle
Have plenty of food and coffee
Elizabeth J
Plan day trips for them to enjoy some of Austin's great attractions.
Kenny F
plan a head
Jacob
Try to have something in stock that will be comforting to them; like a favorite beverage or snack.
Melissa M
We always have fresh soft towels and sheets
Melissa Giannopoulos
Have lots of food!
Seth
Be sure to have a variety of beverages to appeal to everyone's preferences.
Allie
Make them feel comfortable
Jennifer
Ensure the kitchen is spotless! Everyone spends time in the kitchen.
CJ Godfrey
My tip is to prepare them a goody basket upon arrival and fill it with toiletries and incidental items. I may also include brochures of interesting things to see around town.
HilLesha
Attitude is everything when you have guests - stay jolly and upbeat! Also, make sure there are various forms of entertainment to keep them entertained. Don't want any bored guests!
Kelly D
My tip is to stock up on some of their favorite snacks ahead of time.
harolde
Keep it simple, don't stress.
Crystal W
I just got back from a vacation where I stayed with friends, and it was a good reminder that you don't always need to have something going on, sometimes guests just need some quiet time to relax!
Tricia Andrews
I make sure everyone has some down time so no one gets too tired from being overscheduled.
Sarah Hall
I try to make them feel at home so they can relax and enjoy themselves. They can take off their shoes and put their feet on the coffee table and I'm fine with that.
Sarah Hirsch
make them feel welcome by making sure all their needs are met
Jennifer Dunaway
Make sure you take time for yourself so you don't get over whelmed.
Tabathia B
To try to stock up on a variety of snacks to please different types of guest
Elizabeth Owens
Have their sleeping space done up as nice as your can.. Plenty of pillows, blankets, etc. It makes a nice difference to the guests!
Beth R
I keep the guests involved in planning the schedule, as well as preparing meals, so they feel less like guests and more like a part of the family.
Carla Pullum
Have a nice goodie bag which includes a bottle water! Some cookies too homemade! Merry Christmas!
kathy dalton
I want my guests to treat my home as their own and enjoy themselves
Iliana Blair
Give them a tour of the town and take YOU out to dinner
Michelle Weaver
Know what kind of snacks and board games they like!
carolyn
Always leave maps or tickets to local attractions
Kathleen
have plenty of food and snacks
kport207 at gmail dot com
Sonya Morris
I always try to prepare a delicious meal for guests.
McKim
Be flexible. Remember it's not forever - they will be gone soon.
Holly C.
I always make a music playlist including artists that I know everyone enjoys 🙂
Tammie Venne
make sure you have plenty of free space
Carol Mclemore
To have plenty of food and drinks.
Lauren
Enjoy time with your guests!!
Brittney House
Plan ahead and make sure to have plently of food for everyone.
Teri
make ahead food and freeze
Erica C.
Always have clean sheets and extra snacks.
Jake B
Make good drinks for them 😉
Melissa L
Don't forget the wine!
alicia k (Petite Pilates Pixie)
stock up the fridge with their favorite foods
Cori Westphal
My best tip is to ask for help! Don't be the one doing all the work. Your guests don't really expect to be pampered. Ask for help with the dishes, touching up bathrooms, cooking. Others can help!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Robin
We try to have food available and a fresh bed handy
Susan Smith
I have the guests involved in planning the schedule, as well as preparing meals.
Jennifer Reed
My tips for hosting guests over the holidays is one I read recently.. make your guest feel welcome by having them help out with projects.
Trisha Burgess
Have a schedule ready to entertain without stress!!
joseph gersch
my tips is to get some nice fluffy bedding for them
kim
I make little gift baskets of body wash shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes and little things like that I think it starts the visit off right and makes people feel at home
Theresa D
I like to have a few group activities planned and also a list of local attractions that guest might be interested in visiting on their own.
Sherry Lilly
snacks, movies and info about the area
katie k
have some toiletries and snacks bed-side so no one needs to ask! they are always used up but i know my guests would have never asked for anyhting 🙂
Theresa
Stock the bathroom with their favorite toiletries!
Melissa Mazzur
I try to find out what authors they like and soaps, snacks and drinks so we can have them on hand
Karrie Millheim
Have everyone bring a dish to make less cooking
John Joseph
Be ready for them. food wise know what they eat ect and if any medical conditions know what they cannot eat.
tina reynolds
keep lots of snacks/finger foods on hand
Tracy Robertson
I always insist that overnight guests help themselves to anything they want to eat or drink at any time. It should be obvious, but if I stay at someone elses house I feel like I am stealing if I grab a soda when my hostess is asleep if they hadn't told me to help myself, LOL! So I'm always sure to drive home the point for them to make themselves comfortable.
Stephanie Larison
Make sure they have enough common things that are needed...towels, toilet paper, drinks.
Candie L
I would say to make sure you have plenty of bedding. I stayed somewhere recently and we had to hunt blankets (childs sleeping bag) just for me to be comfortable. Thank you
Rebecca Lock
Make sure they have plenty of room for all of their stuff and make sure they are comfortable. Provide extra blankets and towels in a convenient location. Have a basket of little toiletries available in the bathroom.
Angela Killingsworth
Remeber that these are the moments in life that matter the most! Enjoy! LOVE!
David
Guests are like fish, they start to stink after three days! Be nice, they'll leave eventually!
Kim Parrott
Make guests feel as though your home is their home - there are many special things that aren't hard to do to accomplish this!
jeanette h.
Plan ahead and stock up on everything you will need.
Karen Gonyea
Stock up - ON EVERYTHING .... Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Paper Products, Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Snacks, Beverages.
Trisha McKee
Prepare ahead of time so you can enjoy your guests.
Michelle C
Have plenty of snacks and good movies to watch.