10 Key Tips: How To Prepare For Guests This Labor Day
Guest preparation made simple with award-winning security savings, fun, and your favorite Arlo Sale.
Guest preparation made simple with award-winning security savings, fun, and your favorite Arlo Sale.
Labor day is one of the best long weekends of the year for a reason — and it’s fast approaching. What better way to celebrate another fabulous summer season than hosting guests? Toast years of friendship by the water, play with the kids beachside, and make even more memories with Arlo.
When it comes to hosting at home, it’s all in the details. From fresh flowers to fluffy towels, you’ll want to get the house ready before guests arrive.
As you soak up the last few summer sunsets, here are 10 key tips for guest preparation this Labor Day.
Summer calendars can fill up quickly. Be sure to invite guests early so you — and your guests — can plan ahead. For friends flying in from out of town, give at least three months notice so they can save on airfare.
Safety comes first whenever you are welcoming guests. Make sure all the household essentials like lightbulbs, batteries, and smoke alarms are up to date and functioning reliably. You should also test all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Don’t have an established home security system? No problem.
Invest in Arlo’s Home Security System for added peace of mind. Enjoy award-winning protection for your entire home with 24/7 Professional Monitoring. Customized tilt detection lets you know to check in when a window or garage is opened. Plus, reliable smoke alarm listening gets you emergency help when a smoke alarm is triggered.
The last thing you want is unexpected visitors. Have a way for guests to formally RSVP so you know how many people you will be hosting. For larger events, you’ll want a clear head count — and how many plates you need to prepare.
Make a Facebook event, build a Paperless Post email invitation, or keep it classic with hard copy invitations.
Inventory your bathroom and pantry supplies. Make sure you have enough toiletries, extra blankets, and extra pillows for all of your guests. Pro tip: Arrange travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the guest bathroom to make guests feel right at home.
If you’re missing anything, order what you need online with time to spare. Not home to accept your packages? Never miss a delivery thanks to a wireless doorbell that can detect deliveries in seconds.
The Essential Wired Video Doorbell can easily see a package on the ground. A front door-optimized 180° viewing angle and HDR video quality makes sure you never miss a package. Get notifications when motion is detected, and view live video on your phone.
Hosting people at home? That last thing you need is to feel rushed cleaning up your living room hours before guests arrive. In the two weeks leading up to hosting, clean the rooms where your guests will spend the most time.
First, clean up the clutter. Then, vacuum the floors and mop. Don’t forget to declutter the entryway, basement, and other common spaces, too.
If you’ve got a big RSVP list, it can be hard to keep track of guests coming and going — especially if you’re wrapping up cooking in the kitchen. Options like the Arlo Go 2 let you see, speak, and even hear from visitors remotely.
Receive a video call when your doorbell is pressed so you never miss a visitor. Plus, if you’re unable to answer the door, guests can leave a voice message that you can listen to whenever you’re ready.
Don’t forget to write down all necessary household instructions. When it comes to hosting at home, inform guests of all the important information. How do you disarm the security system in the living room? Can you give guests a custom code they can use to arm the system themselves?
How can they monitor security cameras or the Arlo essential suite of video doorbells? Beyond the Wi-Fi password and where to find the toilet paper, don’t forget to train house guests on how to use the existing security system.
Plus, don’t forget to tell them where to hide a spare key. (Spoiler: It’s not under the mat.)
If you have guests from out of town, plan a couple of excursions that you can do together as a group. Is there a new coffee shop you love in the neighborhood? A museum exhibit you’ve been meaning to try out? Think about what guests might want to do when they visit.
If you have to work on the weekdays they’ll be in town, don’t forget to offer advice on activities when you’re not around. Buy local paper, magazines, or recommended websites with listings of your hometown’s attractions. Provide Google Map directions if your guests are driving in.
The most important part of preparing for guests? Peace of mind. Be sure to make your guests feel comfortable and safe with a warm welcome. Before you welcome guests into your home, shop the Arlo Sale to save on all of your big security essentials. Keep a close eye on your property with a home security system and accessories. Let house guests in remotely with the Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, and monitor your backyard with the Ultra 2 Wireless Security Camera.
What are you waiting for? Close your work laptop, grab a glass of wine, and let’s prep the guest room.
