Here’s the question asked by Julie, who’s new to HomeExchange:
“New to HomeExchange, I’ve arranged my first home swap!
What are your tips for making guests feel as welcome as possible?
What do you appreciate when you’re staying at someone’s home? What don’t you like?”
What advice would you give Julie to welcome her first guests the best way possible?
I’ll start: for me, the most important thing is to think of these people as friends and welcome them as such. I want them to feel good in my home and feel truly welcomed. So of course, I’ll tidy up my apartment, maybe make some space in the closet, but I’ll also leave them a little welcome note and a small gift (I usually go for good locally made chocolate). And of course, I’ll leave them my little welcome guide with everything they need to know about the apartment, as well as my favorite local spots, etc.
I always like my guests to feel welcome too, of course. I always leave them something to welcome them, often everything for Dutch breakfast, but sometimes I (also) offer them a meal they can easily make, if they have to come from far. We make our home clean and tidied up, but I never remove personal items such as posters, decorations, pictures, etc. For me, a bonus point of HomeExchange is that you actually get to live in someone’s home. They may not have the same taste as you do (in fact, it wouldbe rare to find a host with exact the same taste! ), but the factthat there are personal items makes my stay better. After a day trip, we really feel like returning home.
Sometimes, newbies ask if they should remove personal items. My (personal) answer is always: no!
I do always make room in kitchen cupboards and clear out a freezer and most of the fridge. I always leave some items in the fridge that we always have in stock and tell guests they are free to use them.
I also clear out a place where they can put their things in the bathroom.
I always ask if they want us tomake room in our wardrobes, because they are very full and it’s hard to do. However, if they really like us to do that, we put clothes away to make space.
We don’t need room in wardrobes ourselves, but we do like room in the kitchen and fridge and freezer.
I always give my guests personal tips on what to do in the area, based on their interests, ages and how far they like to travel to do or go to things.
Ialso have a list of (almost) everything in my home and how it works which is in alfabetical order. Guests don;t have to read everything, but they can look things up when they need to. I also send it digitally so they’ll be able to look it up digitally if they want to.
We also make a WhatsApp group with guests, so they always can send a message (or in emergencies, call) if they want to ask something.
), but the factthat there are personal items makes my stay better. After a day trip, we really feel like returning home.