Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Homemaking Tip—When Company is Coming


Our family is headed to Seattle tomorrow for one last bang before everyone heads home. We’ll do Seattle things during the day and on Friday night attend an All (Military) Service Academy Ball with Ty. We’re leaving early in the morning and Ty’s date is staying with us tonight. I just asked Ande, “Did you put out a towel on her bed?”

“Yes. And a washrag.”

“How about a mint?”

“Yup.”

“Did you put out a little lotion, shampoo and soap?”

“Not yet.”

In the summertime we add a flower. It’s just a little thing, but it’s our way of saying, “Thank you for coming to visit. We hope you feel welcome.”

What do you do when company is coming?

11 comments:

Janiece said...

I love it!

What do I do? Wash the sheets.

Elizabeth said...

Loved your last newsletter, you are totally good enough for a rerun!

michelle said...

That's adorable, Jane. I usually just wash the bedding and put out clean towels, I'll have to step it up!

Deidra said...

Visitors are lucky if the air mattress is blown up before they get here. (But usually it's my parents, deciding last minute to stay with us). But if I know before hand, I love to leave a treat on the pillow, make sure the alarm clock is there and in working order and leave a water bottle.

My mom is great at making us feel welcome. During the summer we always get an arrangement of fresh flowers, and sometimes my dad loves to fold the end of the toilet paper into a point. Over Christmas, we each got a childhood decoration in our room, along with a tree decorated with a theme. It made me feel home for the holidays!

Alisa said...

Oh I love your steps to make someone feel welcome! I have in the past made sure that our guests had their own clean towels, and I sewed a ribbon on the edge so that all of our kids knew not to use it. But I love the idea of the mints and a flower!

Jill said...

That's such a thoughtful thing to do.

Donna Chapin said...

Jane,
I always feel welcome in your home, and I think your little chocolate and flower is a very nice touch. Have fun this weekend.

Kim Sue said...

I feel sure that people feel instantly at home in your home!

Nikki said...

Oh! That is so neat. I'm going to do that too. I remember once visiting my parents and my mom set out a bag of Reisens chocolates with my quilt for my bed. I thought it was so cool like I was a special guest.

Anonymous said...

Jane, you are ever the over-achiever. When company is coming, I try REALLY hard to clean the bathroom. If that gets accomplished, I guess I figure they can grace it with their own toiletries. Maybe this year I will surprise someone with your style of hospitality . . .

Emma J said...

Wow - I missed too much this past week or so! Love this idea and loved the pictures throughout your holiday. You do have a gift for making a home and enjoying life!