8 Hosting Mistakes Not To Make Before Overnight Guests Arrive

Hosting overnight guests is a big undertaking. Sure, having people over for a dinner party is stressful, but it’s fleeting. When preparing to host overnight guests, you have to think more long-term, and consider all the nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned, stocked, or spruced. Or hidden! When it comes to prepping your home and planning for a stress-free stay for both your guests and yourself, it’s easy to overlook certain important details, and there are certainly things to avoid in order to prepare yourself for easy, breezy hosting success.

While overnight guests will surely be appreciative of your efforts and forgiving of any oversights—as long as they don’t make any of their own etiquette mistakes, of course—a Southern host doesn’t stop there. Have the best hosting experience, and perhaps even be more excited to have overnight company again soon, by avoiding these 8 things not to do before overnight guests arrive. 

Leaving Behind Last-Minute Shopping

You might think that you’ll surely have time to stop by the grocery store during their visit, but hosting overnight guests is a full-time task. Make sure you have any essential items—such as coffee creamer, eggs, snack foods, wine if desired, and more—so that you are not caught in a bind later on. It will help you be able to be present with your guests, but also eliminate stress of not being prepared for meals and other situations that might arise. 

Letting Clutter Stick Around

It’s only natural for people to take in their surroundings, therefore the best finishing touch you can do before overnight guests is eliminating clutter. While clearing off surfaces, such as the kitchen counter and any tables, are a no-brainer, don’t forget that sometimes guest rooms can become places to put things when we don’t need them. Check your guest rooms for clutter in drawers and closets, as well as in the bathroom and bedside tables. You don’t want guests finding any stashed items! Have a bigger project in mind to start well beforehand? Check out our 31 Days To A Clutter-Free Home.

Not Double-Checking Bathrooms

Guest bathrooms can be out of sight, out of mind, during your everyday life. However, it is easy to forget to check to make sure that there is sufficient toilet paper or towels. At all costs, you want to avoid your guests having to awkwardly request them at, occasionally, unfortunate times. Moreover, it’s always a good idea to stock the bathroom with miniature hygiene and toiletry essentials—the travel section at drugstores make the perfect place to find them. Lastly, always make sure there is shampoo and conditioner in the shower for overnight guests who likely won’t bring their own. 

Forgetting To Ready Your Pets

Hopefully, any overnight guests are pet lovers like yourself. Help your furry friends put their best foot—paws?—forward by making sure they are groomed and cleaned before any overnight guests arrive. If your pet is rambunctious, consider putting them up and waiting to introduce them when the situation is calm, especially if older folks will be showing up. If you will be putting your pets in a separate room for part of your guests’ stay or more time than usual, stock up on special treats to reward them. They’ll thank you for it!

Embarking On a Big Chore

It might seem like the day before overnight guests arrive is the perfect time to start reorganizing the pantry, rearranging the garage, or decluttering your closets. Or polishing the good silver! However, why put unnecessary pressure on yourself to have it fully finished before they arrive? Or worse, if something comes up and you’re unable to finish, you risk having a mess to frantically shove in cabinets upon their arrival. Moreover, it is never advised to start any sort of project during overnight guests’ stays, even if the duration is for multiple days. No need to add extra mess!

Not Considering Allergies or Preferences 

Sometimes, in the hurry of getting the house cleaned and meals planned, it’s easy to forget to cater the stay to the overnight guests themselves. If you’re very close to your guests, it’s likely you might know of any allergies to foods or pets, as well as general preferences on meals. If you are slightly more unfamiliar with your guests and their needs, make sure to ask ahead of time, so that you are not left unprepared and having to react in real time to any changes. 

Packing Your Schedule

When thinking ahead of your guests’ stay and your own personal schedule, resist the urge to schedule out every minute, or to schedule yourself away from the house too much. Sure, life can be busy, and you might have responsibilities with work or family that cannot be pushed aside. But do try to make yourself available to your guests for both hosting and spending time together. On the opposite end, while your guests might appreciate a tentative schedule of their trip, make sure there is ample down time for recovery. People don’t get as bored as you might think! 

Overlooking Little Details

When having a dinner party, we tend to think of all the little things that make a host’s home stand out, from flowers and lit candles to fresh hand towels and appetizers at the ready. When overnight guests are coming, we sometimes can push those aside while preparing more for the “long haul”—such as washing sheets and stocking toilet paper. Trust us, nothing makes guests feel more welcome and comfortable upon arrival than prioritizing those same special details and keeping them going throughout the trip. A bedside candle supplied with matches and bowls of mixed nuts set out in the afternoon go much farther than you might anticipate in terms of hospitality. For more suggestions, check out our Best Hosting Tips Our Southern Grandmothers Taught Us.