How To Have Guests When You Don’t Have a Guest Room

Tomorrow is a day our family has been looking forward to.  We have friends coming to visit for a week, from the Philippines!

A.C. has been a great friend to my husband and I since before we were married.  In fact, he gave my husband a nudge toward me and said “What’s wrong with you, dude?  Go get that girl!!” or something along those lines:)  He stood in our wedding 13 years ago, and just last year, my husband had the privilege of flying to the Philippines -where A.C. and his family are missionaries- and standing in his. He found an amazing woman who loves God, loves him, and has a beautiful little girl who is my girls age.  He has been a priceless friend to us, and what makes this visit even more exciting is we get to meet his new wife and daughter.  Yay!

I want them to be as comfortable as possible in our home, and I have takes some steps to help make that happen before they get here.  I personally believe that it is possible to make guests feel comfortable, loved and welcome even if we do not have an extra guest room/ bathroom.  I know this because we have stayed with friends and enjoyed every minute despite having to share the space we are in.

We do not have a fancy guest room, so we are having them stay in our basement.  Our basement is carpeted and furnished, it is a large family room area where we watch movies and exercise. It will provide them with plenty of space, and with a few little touches, I think it will feel welcoming. I thought about all the different things a hotel room offers to make ones stay more comfortable, and tried to provide the same for them, as best as I could.

We have a queen size, elevated air mattress for A.C. and his wife.  I have an area in the basement that they can store it during the day to get it out of the way.  For their little girl, I have a foam mattress that is comfortable but portable, just in case she would want to move it to my girls rooms for a “sleepover” as they get comfortable around each other.

Here are some things I am hoping will make their stay comfortable:
~A basket of individual snacks, just in case they get the midnight munchies
~Magazines for reading and relaxing
~A basket of travel size toiletries-toothpaste, lotion, mouthwash, band aids, Tylenol, etc.
~A rolling, portable rack for them to hang clothes on.
~A Big screen TV for A.C.’s sports viewing pleasure
~Video games
~Iron & Ironing board handy, in the laundry room right off the basement
~A fan, it is pretty cool down there, but it might help block the noise of us walking around up here!
~A basket of rolled up towels & wash clothes
~A full length mirror
~A clock
~A basket full of toys and things to do for their daughter
~Extra blankets
~A pen & notepad
~A table and chairs for their laptop

I have my favorite coffee on hand, and all kinds of meals and snacks planned.
I really can’t wait to see them, and since we will be busy having fun with our friends this week, I may not be able to post as often.  So if you wonder where I am…I’m with my guests!