How To Make Guests Feel @ Home

Recently a very good friend of mine suggested that I put up a post on how to entertain guests! In a land where we say "Athiti Devo Bhava" meaning "Guest is God" it is very important to take good care of guests and be hospitable, small things can go a long way in making guests feel at home.  When we have guests who stay over here are some of my suggestions to make them feel at home

• First allocate a clean room with a comfortable sleeping bed. Please ensure that the bed sheets are all fresh and there are enough pillows.  (If there is a child ensure there is a one for the child too)
• Depending on the time of the year please keep comfortable quilts or blankets for all of the guests.
• If you have a cupboard space for the guests, its good. Else atleast empty one of the shelves and atleast one drawer and let the guest use them. Ensure that the cupboard has hangers to let guests hang out their clothes.
• Keep some basic toiletries (toothpaste, body wash, face wash, talc, lotion and shampoo) in the rest room that the guest uses. Also keep some clean towels (both bath and face ones) in the shelf. Let them know once they arrive that the toileteries in the wash room are for them and they can use whatever they want from their shelf. (Once a guest on mine didnot use them thinking it belonged to us.
• Always keep a few extra bathroom slippers handy so that the guests can use it. I usually keep one gents and one ladies extra at my place always.
• Keep a bed side table with a reading lamp. Also keep some magazines for them to read.
• If possible provide a television connection in the guest room, as many guests might want to watch their own set of television programs.
• Ensure that you have a mosquito repellant in case there are a chances of mosquitoes hovering around in the night.
• Keep a bottle of water by their bed side.
• Keep a small table for the guests to keep their bags or suitcases.
• In case you have to leave them alone and go out for some work, please show them your pantry where there is a stock of some snacks. Also show them the things that they might need to make a quick cup of tea or coffee.
• Try to cook atleast one meal after knowing the preferences of the guest. Also find out if they have any allergies or aversions to any sort of food.

 I hope I have been able to articulate whatever came to my mind. In case you have any other tips please do share.