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 !

Fine to ask people who are travelling by car - tell them why as they're close family and they'll completely understand.

If anyone is travelling by public transport and especially if they're flying try to allocate what you have spare to them as obviously it's far easier to bung towels in the car than fit extra in if limited to 8kg on a budget airfare or for anyone dealing with changes of train/ bus especially if they're carrying presents and wrangling children too. Anyone flying will probably end up buying towels on arrival and leaving them with you as that'd be cheaper than paying for extra luggage.

I think it would be fine to ask OP.

It is fine. We often take bedding for the kids when we stay at somebody else’s house - just take their duvet and pillow with us straight from their bed. Makes it so much easier for the host after we’ve left and we don’t mind at all. Why would we? They often do the same when they come here. They are coming to you for the company and to spend time together, not for your towels.

I'll be happy to bring towels and bedding if necessary.
Don't be embarrassed they are your family anyway.

Personally I'd buy towels and wrap them up as Xmas presents then tell them that they have to use them if they want a shower/bath whilst there. That way they can have nice new towels and it's just an extra gift (assuming you do adult gifts).

It’s fine. I have a friend who does this and asks me to bring bedding too. (because she has a septic tank and wants to minimise use of her washing machine) and it’s no problem at all.
I quite like using my own stuff.

Good idea- in fact you’ve inspired me to message my incomings and ask them to bring towels.

I always take towels when visiting relatives. There is no need for them to be washed after each use but if I use theirs they would need to be washed before anyone else could use them.

I have also on occasion taken bedding, again to save on their washing, this was when they had a lot of guests staying for Christmas. Took kids sleeping bags too.

Great idea! Then they will have to take them back and launder them themselves!

I doubt anyone would object, but I often wonder why guests do not ask about such things either. Would you like us to bring our own towels? It's no problem, just wondered if that's ok with you?

Guests need to pipe up too!

I wouldn't have any issues with you asking us to bring our own towel. When we travel we take our own towels anyway I also take my pillow.

@speakout - You own 30+ towels?! May I ask why?
That seems like an insane amount of towels!

We have about 10-12 towels in total including guest towels, but that’s only as we have people staying quite often, if I didn’t then yes I’d ask if they could bring their own.
Even offer to wash then if they’re not keen on taking wet towels home.

My DM brings her own towel anyway without asking as she doesn't want us to have to wash a towel after one use.

Yanbu I wouldn't mind at all and if you have a full house people shouldn't expect to treat it like a hotel

Don't sweat it OP.
Quick text, 'Sorry, I don't have any spare towels so can you bring your own with you. Thanks and see you all soon. Can't wait!'
Job done!

Garlicinyoursoul

Five adults, three attend the gym regularly, so a couple of showers a day for us sweaties.
We don't share towels but use each towel a couple of times before washing. Hand towels are shared- used in kitchen/bathroom and toilet and changed daily.
So 5 people with two towels each in use, plus three hand towels,=13 towels. Takes a day or two to wash and dry each towel, so double quantities required. PLus a couple in reserve, and for guests.
I don't think it is excessive.

@hellsbellsmelons

Perfect message to visitors. I do this too, and your message is great!

I don't think visitors mind too much, they may just not think straight sometimes and may need a bit of a nudge.

I'd happily take my own towels. I'd hate to think someone had gone and brought some on my behalf for a one off. Don't worry about it OP

Wouldn't bother me at all and I would be using public transport. Only would be a slight issue if I was flying with presents too but even then I would manage rather than a host buying new

YANBU. We have a lot of family staying for Xmas and those living closest have been asked to bring bedding for their kids.
I just don’t have enough duvets for everyone (even after borrowing some from friends).
It’s not caused any drama - they’re travelling by car & have room.
Plus, if I’m cooking for 16, the least someone can do is save me washing a couple of extra sets of bedding on Boxing Day.
We’re not a hotel and neither are you 😉

they are close family, just say you don't have enough towels/pillows/whatever could they bring theirs. although if they were not driving I would pop out and buy some so they didn't have to lug them on the train/bus.

I wouldn’t mind at all. In the past I have been asked to take pillows, duvets and even a saucepan when staying at other people’s houses.

We’re not a hotel and neither are you

^ this, people feel more comfortable in a relaxed homely environment especially if they can help/contribute.

I would be fine with this. DH has a problem with buying too many towels when they are sale.

Whenever I'm
Going to stay with family I always ask 'shall we bring bedding & towels?' (Unless public transport in which case I just offer towels)

Sometimes they say yes, sometimes no. I'd be entirely happy to be asked to bring towels. Especially if I knew my hosts had a house full of guests- plus it guarantees a clean towel!

Please don't be embarrassed, we have been asked by close family to bring towels and bed linen, and also which meal we should be providing food for and cooking. When we arrived , there was no soap in any bathroom, nor towels or soap in any communal toilet. So asking a couple of guests to bring their own towels is nothing.