What does this say to you ?

[trinder]

I recently went to stay with friends (of friends) and they had made a lot of thoughtful gestures to make me feel welcome. I drink water from the tap because I think it's pretentious and wasteful to buy bottled water when the stuff out of the tap is good enough. However I KNOW they did not know this and I therefore though it a very kind and considerate gesture. to put a couple of bottles of water on my bedside table.
I will be having similar people to stay soon. I do not know them particularly well but I definitely want them to feel welcome. Should I turn the bed down?

[boboff]

Ummm.

Relax it's Christmas!

Do what you want to do, doing nice things for people is fun, do it for yourself, and not them, if it makes you feel good. It's a win win, as what ever you do it's a bonus, but do relax, you'll be better company for it, enjoy,

[Thomzo]

It's nice of you to think about your visitors' needs. Sadly, not everyone does so. Little things make all the difference.

Make sure there are extra pillows and blankets and that your guests know where they are and that they can use them.
Provide them with somewhere to hang clothes. If you can't make space in a wardrobe then a hook on the back of the door and a few hangers will do.
Offer them use of hairdryers, show them how to use the shower, show them where the tea, coffee, mugs, glasses, juice etc are kept and tell them to help themselves. Maybe a few biscuits in their room in case they get peckish during the night.

Ok, so maybe the last one is wishful thinking.

Alternatively, just be yourself and enjoy their company.

Zoe

[Pumpkin&Piglet]

I think turning the bed down can be a bit formal and there are plenty of other things you can do to make them feel welcome. It's all about opinion. Their objective ought to be just to appreciate whatever it is you choose to do to try and make them feel at ease.

[trinder]

thanks to thomzo I am glad to say that by the time you had posted they had been and gone. It was good to know (in hindsight) that I had - Introduced then to all animals who live indoors. Asked then to keep their bedroom door shut ( explaining that I like to keep one room completely animal free so that anyone with an allergy is ok (ish) showed them how to use the shower (it is unique) and told them this is my bedroom - the door is always open so that cats and dogs can move around at liberty but added that my room is en suite - ( so we wont meet outside any bathrooms) shown them where tea etc.. can be found and told them to get on with it not expect service ( in a nice way) i.e get up as early as you like and feel free to make your own. They were really nice and it was very relaxed. Also thanks to others who also offered calming suggestions

[Pumpkin&Piglet]

Glad it all went well