To ask guests to bring their own towels

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I feel I may bu here but I realised today that I haven't enough spare towels for guests who are close family coming to stay one night Christmas/Boxing Day.

I've no idea what they'll think but was going to ask if they can bring their own to stay on Christmas night. Feel a bit embarrassed to ask but otherwise have to dash out now and get some and just got back from horrendous town shopping... plus £££ when we never have guests ever normally !

yanbu

YANBU. Just drop them a text and ask them. As a guest I totally wouldn’t be offended (although I guess it might be trickier if they’re flying in on a budget airline with limited baggage allowance).

Sounds fine to me. For myself, I'm not really a performative host at the best of times, and my friends and relatives are quite down to earth. Seems minimal trouble for them and eminently sensible.

Nothing embarrassing about it! DP always takes a towel everywhere, even posh hotels... Just text them so they can add it to the packing list.

Just ask them. I’m sure they’ll be fine about it.

They are close family. Just make sure what you have is clean.
I have no idea how many towels you normally have but put a clean towel in the bathroom, and give the guest one, and hope for the best.

Alternatively, tell them the truth and say you don't have any could they bring one each.

You'll end up getting towels every Christmas from now on.

Sounds perfectly sensible and practical to me.

Assuming not flying, as mentioned above.

If they have any sense, they will see how senseless it is to buy new towels, that you won't otherwise need, just for your visit.
I'm guessing they're nice, sensible people? Probably glad you weren't too embarrassed to ask!

I always take one, having stayed places where used towels get warmed up on radiators. Ewww!

Not a problem - just ask them to bring some. I'm staying with my sibling over Xmas and, though I know they have enough towels, texted to check if I should bring one - just from the view point that it's the kind of thing you might forget in all the Christmas prep chaos and if they didn't have them clean, there's no reason for it to be something else for them to have to do when I can just throw one in my case.

All I'd say is, if your guests are coming via different modes of transport ask someone who's driving rather than someone who's getting public transport.

I’d buy some towels. I know it’s a pain but how long have you known you had guests? Unless you will never have guests again - or you can’t afford it - it’s worth having a few spares lying round.

If they are flying it may be trickier, but otherwise just drop them a text to say that you have realised you haven't got enough towels for everyone and can they please bring their own towels for overnight with them.

I always take one, having stayed places where used towels get warmed up on radiators. Ewww!

And given to guests?

I always bring my own towels, wash cloths, and my pillow, and pillow case too, now I think about it... even for an overnight.

I have a funny neck and it clicks if my pillow isn’t just right.

TheNamesActuallyGoldilocks

Yes. A used (by someone else) bath towel that had been warmed up on a radiator. They'd probably wiped their arse anf fungal feet on it after a shower.

Fine, as long as they are in a car and don't have to bring the extra bulk on public transport.

and not anf

The way you just explained it sounds very unoffensive. If my host told me those circumstances, I would not only cheerfully bring a towel, but I would be more mindful about pitching in in other ways.

Not embarrassing at all.

One Christmas I asked guests to bring 3 plates (had bought an extra dinner set but still ended up 3 short).
DH family, when they stay, take up all beds then a couple of extra blow ups so I always ask them to bring a couple of pillows.
Towels is not a big ask. Don’t worry about it.

I’m not really sure what the big deal is

Hey guys.. I don’t think I have enough towels for all, do you mind bringing your own please x

Done

It’s fine to ask them to bring towels as long as baggage isn’t a problem for them. I wouldn’t want to ask if they are having to use public transport, but if they’re coming by car it’s not a problem.

I carry my pillow on public transport / planes under my arm. Your own pillow is handy for getting some shut eye on a flight too. I put a fluffy extra pillowcase on it when travelling and whip that off when I’ve arrived.

Towels roll up small in your wheelie bag. No reason to assume you’ll need a door to door stretch limo service, or can’t figure out public transport with them.

I don’t think it’s unusual to bring towels. Who has a huge amount of storage for once a year items anyway?

I wouldn’t worry op.

I would have no problem at all with bringing a towel (& bedding come to that) and would much rather you ask than went out & bought some.

I wouldn't dream of asking guests.

How many towels do you have OP?

I keep large quantities- I pick them up cheaply from charity shops, some still have shop labels on them.
All in great condition.
A super hot wash and good to go.
I usually have 12-15 bath towels, and 15 hand towels on my shelves.

I always take towels unless I'm staying at my parents. I wouldn't mind you asking. I look me my big bath sheets no small towels that l often get offended.