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Reluctantly hosting family during the holidays? Or perhaps you've taken the plunge in posting an Airbnb listing? Either way — deep down — you want to impress your guests.
The last thing you want is for a guest to be secretly mortified by something they find at your place, whether it's a mascara-stained pillowcase or an empty roll of toilet paper. But there are some easy precautions to take that you may not consider during your everyday life.
Since moving to New York City in 2011, I've hosted lots of friends and thought about allll the ways I could be secretly scarring them for life with my home.
Here are some simple ways to ~make it nice~ for your guests:
1. If you can't let them into your place, leave your spare keys in a secure but obvious place like this combination lock.
2. And loop in neighbors so they aren't calling 911 on a strange family who's letting themselves into your house.
3. Pack up your valuables so guests (and especially their kids) can't access your heirloom jewelry, prized Fenty highlighter, whatever!
4. Establish whether or not guests can bring pets, lest someone bring a cat that's going to stir up your allergies for a month.
5. Post your Wi-Fi info within sight, like on the fridge or on some wall art that won't mess with your decor scheme.
6. Assemble a list of emergency numbers and other helpful info, like the closest dog park or your fav pizza place that delivers.
8. Stash some blankets in a nearby closet or casually on furniture as an extra layer in case they aren't used to your home's average temps.
9. And clear a little space in said closet so they have room to hang their coats and clothes during their stay.
10. While we're at it, you should double check that you have enough towels.
11. Decant generic toiletries like body wash and shampoo into sleek, labeled bottles so they won't have to use your luxury brands because they "forgot" theirs.
12. And set out a simple toiletries organizer (loaded with cotton balls and swabs) so they can feel at home without cluttering up the vanity.
13. Don't forget to put enough toilet paper in the bathroom they'll be occupying.
14. Now that you're in the bathroom anyway, remember to clean it! Especially if it's a guest bath. (They're easy to overlook during routine cleaning sessions.)
15. Once the guests arrive, tell them point blank about any places they're *not* allowed that you couldn't bar from access. Like maybe that haunted basement?
You bidding your friends adieu after their lovely visit:
BTW if you wanna use these tips on hosting some ~new~ friends, you can get started with Airbnb here.
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