Accommodating overnight guests

Entertaining isn't always just about hosting an evening of cocktails and appetizers or presenting your home as the meeting place for the next holiday celebration. Entertaining also extends to welcoming guests for a night or more when certain conditions warrant an overnight stay.

There are many different reasons a guest might need to stay over for a night or two. Perhaps a relative from afar is visiting, and you've spared him or her the expense of paying for a hotel. Some friends may need a layover spot between traveling. Some hosts prefer to err on the side of safety when a party gets a bit too rowdy by offering a place to crash for the night.

Whatever the reason for hosting an overnight guest, there are different steps you can take to make sure the person feels comfortable staying in your home. Be courteous to his or her needs, even if it infringes on your own comfort for the time being.

* Have a private area for sleeping. Some guests are content to crash on the couch for a night, but the courteous host will offer a better place in which to retire. Not every home is equipped with a spare bedroom, but there are ways to make existing spaces more comfortable and private. Offer your own room for the time being, seeing as you will have full run of the rest of the house and know the comings and goings of daily routines. Otherwise, ask one of the children to bunk with another and prepare his or her bedroom for your guest. If you have an out-of-the-way den or office, you may be able to set up a futon or fold-out sofa there for your guest.

* Keep special linens on hand. You probably want to make a good impression, and that involves making the bed with crisp, clean sheets and blankets. Keep a set of guest linens in a bag with a sheet of fabric softener or a little potpourri sack to ensure the sheets always smell fresh. Now is not the time to drag out those old floral sheets that have seen their share of wear and tear.

* Have extra grooming essentials at the ready. Guests look to the special accommodations at hotels to feel comfortable. These are often sample-sized bottles of shampoo and mouthwash, or even an extra toothbrush. It's easy to overlook essentials when you're packing in haste. Therefore, be the perfect host or hostess by offering a gift bag full of some toiletries and other necessities. A nice, new face towel and wash cloth may be appreciated as well.

* Tailor the menu for your guests. You're likely going to break bread with your houseguest, so be sure to ask which foods they like and if there any that are best avoided. Have some snacks available so guests can help themselves.

* Free up the spare bathroom. If yours is a home with two or more full bathrooms, set aside one solely for your guest. Sometimes it can be embarrassing or uncomfortable for guests to shower in the family bathroom. Having a bathroom set aside specifically for guests can make the stay even more enjoyable.

* Find out which creature comforts your guest desires. Some people like to sleep with an eye mask to block out the light. Others like to watch TV alone in the evening. Some may need a fan or a white noise machine to drift off into slumber. See if you can accommodate your guest further by catering to any special preferences they might have.

* Leave pockets of personal time available. Some hosts or hostesses feel that they're being accommodating by planning a full itinerary. However, some guests would simply enjoy some quiet time alone. Be sure to pepper the stay with moments of group activities but also some chances for guest and host alike to spend some time alone.