Family staying over for Christmas - any nice touches to make their stay special?

[NorkilyChallenged]

Right, we've never hosted Christmas before (not even Christmas dinner) but have lots of extended family (7 adults, 1 child) staying for 4 nights and travelling quite far to do so.

We've done all the normal organising, but I really want them to have a lovely time and to show that we appreciate them travelling and having Christmas away from their own home comforts (I know I'd prefer to be at home myself). I'm wondering if there are any ideas for nice touches to make their stay v special & "Christmassy" (whatever the hell that means...). Especially for the adults (3 generations so something needed for all ages).

Thanks for any ideas, feel a bit clueless and disorganised!

A wrapped small box of chocolates on each pillow before they go to bed on christmas eve may be nice.

Other than that, let them make themselves feel at home.

a few hot water bottles?

that always makes me feel cosy!

if they want to help you out with the dinner, let them. I feel a lot better about being in someones house if I can help out, either cooking or cleaning. I know some can take it as an insult but those who know me just leave me to it.

How about making them a little stocking each. Put a few decorations in their room/rooms. Choccie on the pillow. Is a little tea tray in their room practical (maybe if you have a travel kettle). Like everyone else says, let them feel at home & show them were everything is so they can help themselves whenever they want.

Thank you all, some good ideas. Had wondered abt little box of chocs or a stocking so might try something like that then.

DP is v territorial about the kitchen & he's doing all the cooking so can't help with that ;) but hot water bottles genius suggestion, will figure out where I can get some!

Some mineral water bottles and glasses in their rooms.

A cup to put their toothbrushes in and somewhere to hang their towels.

Preferred usual breakfast cereal/spread.

A break from everyone, by means of a small errand e.g. Get some milk.

Tell them where spare loo rolls and towels are.

Offer washing machine.

Try and be a relaxed host, the most welcoming of all.

Hope you have a lovely time, I am sure your guests will. You sound very attentive.

Agree with the others about water, chocolates, towels etc. in their rooms.

Also, give everyone the chance to get a bit of time to themselves. Do you have somewhere that could be a 'quiet room' with magazine, papers etc. and the chance to get away from the noise and madness that can be Christmas. Give people the chance to go for a walk, go to the pub, potter in their rooms and then join up for 'communal stuff'?

I would also be clear about mealtimes. Nothing worse than people expecting lunch at 12pm to find that you weren't going to bother with lunch as dinner is at 3pm!

Find out whether there are any particular TV programmes that your guests were hoping to watch in peace!?

OP - make sure you get a bit of time to yourself as well - it is tiring hosting Christmas and you deserve a couple of hours off too!

You are very nice OP. I am thinking of turning the radiators off in the vistor's rooms and giving them the towels that have gone scratchy so that they might decide not to come again. In my defence it will be the 15th year that its my turn to have all of DHs family

I like to make cosy hamper I add a soft blanket, slipper socks, two whisky glasses a little hip flask with whisky or sloe gin. Pack of cards. Seasonal book I bought a lovely edition of Night before Christmas or Chistmas Carol depending on age. Then a jar of easy shortbread fingers buy finest Tesco fingers drizzle with chocolate when set pop into a small kilner jar.

As you have been such a great host I would do yourself a little hamper to recover !.

Wheat bags might be easier than hot water bottles. Just heat in microwave.

Older generation seem to like flowers in room, so how about poinsettia ?

I wish I was going to yours OP

I did little stockings for PIL once when they came for Christmas and MiL cried - it was the only one she'd ever had. Was lovely. I agree with just seeing what really matters to people - even if it's just a TV show someone doesn't want to miss.

I must admit I am more with webwiz.

Your post has really made me think... perhaps I should be nicer?

I could be nice if it was a one off but through a combination of geography, house sizes and the fact that my older two DD's are at university and want to be at home it "makes sense" for people to repeatedly come to us.

I think I may go to the OPs instead and leave them all to fend for themselves -there's lots of stuff in the freezer that I've prepared ahead and enough mince pies to feed a small army (or one very greedy FIL). I need a bah humbug hat rather than a christmas one

Can I mention the loo thing too. It's quite tricky when everyone has lots of rich food to balance the toilet needs of large groups. Make sure there's air freshners or candles and plenty of loo rolls and things to prevent embarrassment. I have a twat of a boyfriend who thinks he does me a favour by letting me go first and then rushes in straight afterwards...

You are going to have quite a houseful! Stock the bathroom(s) with a few spare toothbrushes, wipes, deodorant, shampoo, flannels etc. in case anyone has forgotten anything. Have plenty of magazines/coffee table books. Let them know your proposed itinerary of mealtimes etc. and be easy going if anyone wants to deviate a bit. Have a bottle of your very favourite tipple stashed away and look forward to indulging when they are all gone.

Anyone who stays with us for Christmas always has a stocking. Tangerine in the toe, chocolate coins, v old fashioned but nice. It's fun to find a few fun things to include.

Give people a feel for what you have planned - the shape of the day, so they know roughly what time to expect meals, what activities are likely, any going out, other guests so they know what to wear. Plenty of towels, loo roll in bathroom, etc. Agree about having spares of basic toiletries and supplies. Offer loan of hairdryer/straighteners if female guests. Ask if there is anything they particularly would like to do/watch etc and let them use the phone if need be (though these days much less likely as everyone has mobiles). Check (if possible before they come) if there are any allergies or violent dislikes. If they ask if they can bring something, let them and suggest a small, practical contribution e.g. cheese for after meal, etc. If doing walks, make sure they are suitable for all members of the party, not just the youngest and fittest.

When we have guests, DH and I sit down before they come, go through the menu plan and activities and roughly work out who is going to be doing what - avoids confusion, makes things run smoothly. We try to do as much as possible in advance to minimise kitchen stress.

What a thoughtful host you are.

In addition to all the above, could I suggest you have extra stocks of painkillers, indigestion and wind reducing tablets, cold remedy, ointment for minor burns, etc. You could include a child's painkiller too. There is nothing worse than suffering pain and discomfort, and not having anything at hand. Let your guests know you have the stuff and where it can be located.

agree with all of the above - would also add having freshly laundered bedding and towels in their room for them

Perhaps also include a book or magazine in their stocking - gives an excuse for them to take some time for peace and quiet if they need it iyswim!

sorry - my post should have said 'extra' bedding - ie a blanket or a throw - i'm quite sure you already intended their bedding to be clean!!!