Summer time means vacation time! Beach huts, oversized hats, tan lines and freshly squeezed lemonade! What more could you need? Besides a million bucks and an Academy Award, that is.
But while that's all peachy and nobody wants it to end, it's time to face the facts: Summer is already coming to a close. I know, I know! I didn't want to say it, but really there was no way avoiding it! The days are getting shorter and our sleeves slightly longer.
To me this means that most of you will already have returned from your holidays and have returned to your everyday routine.
As is the case for me. It's been silent here for a while, because yes, I too have been skinny dipping and sipping mimosas. Or something similar.
Back in the (much too) familiar pace of things, this year, I have come up with the best way to brave the daily grind; to remedy those daily-routine blues, that post-vacation syndrome.
Have friends and family over. Like, constantly.
Sounds exhausting I know. And truthfully, it is. But it also gives you the best excuse to clean the house regularly and thoroughly (Three cheers for productivity!) and an opportunity to do all those touristy things in your home town you have been putting off since you moved there! It also takes your mind off of your work schedule, because you’re really much too busy playing the tourist guide.
And since those house-sharing websites are all the rage right now, we already know that visitors really just want a cozy little nook where they can make themselves comfortable. Minus the room service charges, ridiculous check-out hours and terrible bathroom lighting. So they will shower you with love in return.
After all, there's no place like home. Even little girls from Kansas with pigtails and puffy sleeves know that! Though they have to get lost in tornados to figure it out.
Luckily, all we need is a stable internet connection to know what's what.
Speaking of internet connections, the number one thing you - as a host - will be asked to provide in your newly established bed and breakfast is a functioning WiFi password. Because duh. So to cleverly avoid this question - and because it's freaking adorable – why not display said password in a picture frame?
Exactly. There is no reason not to.
So here’s everything I would recommend placing on a host-of-the-year guest tray for all those buddies you have looking for a late-summer get-away:
1. Fresh flowers, of course. If you want your guests to feel at home you need to show them that you care and that you are capable of keeping things alive.
2. Everyday essentials. Meaning chocolates and some bottled water. Gum and tissues are highly recommendable also.
3. So your guests don’t feel like you’re babysitting them, give them their own key to your place. This allows you both to go your separate ways every now and then without restricting yourselves to certain meeting times and places.
4. But just in case, equip your guests with a list of helpful phone numbers. We don’t want anyone getting lost in the clubs at 3am.
5. Post-clubbing sleep can be a tricky thing, especially when the sun is already coming up. So why not throw in a sleeping mask? I’ve heard there are those who just happen to be light sleepers also. So either way, a mask should help with sleep deprivation.
6. Beauty essentials. I like to add shampoo and conditioner, some body lotion and facial cream, soap, hair spray and dry shampoo to the mix. A just-in-case toothbrush is always a good idea too.
7. Really this should be number one on the list, but there’s no going back now: Display your WiFi-password so that you’re guests understand just how important their well-being is to you.
To make the display, simply print off the password in ornate writing of your choice and cut the paper to size. Then stick it into the frame like you would a picture.
Don’t forget to lay out clean towels too and to adapt the content of the tray according to you guests’ needs.
Some other suggestions of mine include:
- a water bottle
- a subway map
- keys to your (spare) bike
- a list of recommended sightseeing destinations
- good-night tea
- magazines for some light reading
- mints
- a scented candle
- spare phone charger
Happy hosting!
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