With Christmas just days away I thought readers might be interested in some wonderful Holiday Hosting Tips by Hampton Hotels.
Stay tuned after the tips to learn how you can win a FREE NIGHT STAY right here on this blog. 🙂
There’s so much about the holiday season that is exciting, but if you’re hosting guests for the holidays, it can be stressful and overwhelming…even for the most seasoned hosts!
For that reason, Hampton has partnered with entertaining expert, Jenny Steffens Hobick, to celebrate little holiday moment makers by providing “Hamptonality” to travelers this holiday season. Whether staying at the local Hampton or with family and friends, Hampton and Jenny are here to help hosts create those lasting moments that everyone looks forward to around the holidays – reuniting with family, reminiscing about the past, and partaking in general holiday merriment!
Here are just a few of Jenny’s holiday hosting tips for this holiday season, which will help hosts create lasting memories for their guests and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Tip 1: Be the best OFF-SITE host ever…
Let’s be honest. You love your friends and family, but cramming everyone into your house for days at a time can be stressful and add to your already lengthy holiday host to-do list! If you simply don’t have enough room to host all of your holiday guests or you just think everyone would be happier with their own, comfortable space, consider booking them at your local Hampton. With more than 1,900 locations, Hampton is the perfect place to stay no matter where your guests may be traveling from.
Tip 2: Surprise your guests with welcome treats
I always like to make sure my guests know how excited we are to have them for a visit by surprising them with a little treat when they arrive. One of my favorite ways to greet them is with something personalized with their name on it, like a decorated sugar cookie or a festive welcome sign. I love staying at Hampton Hotels because they take a similar approach. They often add a personal touch for a guest’s stay by offering a favorite local snack or fun local item when guests check in.
Tip 3:Be prepared with lots of snacks
We all get a little grouchy when we’re hungry – adults and kids alike! Anticipate those moments by having snacks planned for afternoons and before dinner to keep everyone happy. Be sure to include fresh options like fruit and crunchy veggies, along with filling cheeses and more decadent treats so you have something for everyone!
Tip 4: Post the plan
I post a schedule for everyone to see so they’ll know what to expect during their stay. Don’t overbook your guests, schedule plenty of free time for them to do their own exploring or relaxing. Channel your local Hampton front desk concierges and be your guest’s hometown concierge by providing them with a list of activities to do in the area.
Tip 5: Make time for exercise and fresh air
We all feel better with some fresh air in our lungs. I’d be lost without my daily exercise to clear my head and invigorate my spirit. Invite your guests on a walk with hot coffee (or hot cocoa!) and everyone will feel refreshed! Suggest an evening stroll through your local neighborhood to check out the holiday decorations. Guests at Hampton can also get energized and make time for a workout as most locations boast fitness centers and swimming pools.
Tip 6: Make time for resting
The holidays can be very exhausting – especially for your guests who have traveled near and far. Make sure to schedule down time for resting in the afternoons or early evenings. An afternoon nap can feel like an indulgent treat for exhausted guests.
Tip 7: Plan a daily ritual
I like our guests to feel like they’re on vacation, so after our big breakfast, I let them explore during the day, then invite everyone to meet up for an “at home happy hour.” I play holiday music, have a game for the kids, and the adults can enjoy some nice wine and cheese while everyone swaps stories from the day.
Tip 8: Plan one special night for the adults
The holidays are really all about the kids, but it can be really nice for the adults to get some time for themselves, too. Hire a babysitter for the night for the children (or let the grandparents take over), so the parents can enjoy a special night out on the town. Everyone (even the kids!) will appreciate a night of freedom.
Tip 9: Big breakfasts
Serving a big breakfast in the morning seems to make everyone happy! When we host guests, I prepare big bowls of fresh fruit for nibbling on in the morning, and then make some fresh waffles because really, who doesn’t love waffles?!? Hampton offers a free, hot breakfast every morning with fresh-baked waffles – the perfect thing to get your day started!
Tip 10: Stock up on extras
Don’t forget to stock up on extra necessities like shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, contact solution, and other toiletries that guests tend to forget! Take a cue from your local Hampton and anticipate everything that your guests may need and put a basket chock full of products right in their bathroom or bedroom.
Tip 11: Make your home “help yourself” friendly
Guests oftentimes feel like they are “in the way,” so make sure that your home is “guest-friendly” before they arrive. Set up a refreshment center that is available to them daily – coffee in the mornings, bottles of water to take for the day, portable snacks to have at home or on the road, etc. Make a list of local area “hot spots” with their phone numbers and websites that they can easily reference and tack it on the refrigerator. Make a few sets of spare keys, so that people can easily come and go as they please. Basically, be their “at home” concierge.
Tip 12: Plan fun games
The best memories over the holidays are when everyone is relaxing, laughing and having a great time. You can help orchestrate these moments by planning fun games in which everyone can participate. You can host an Ugly Sweater Contest, A Christmas Carol Sing-Off, or Gingerbread House Competition during one of your “at home happy hours.”
Tip 13: Celebrate past holidays
Another sure way to have everyone in stitches is to get out old home videos and pictures. Everyone will love reminiscing about past holidays… the bad clothes and questionable hair styles always make for great holiday conversation and laughs. Perhaps dig up some old holiday photos of your guests and use that as their “personal touch” when they arrive at your home for their stay.
Tip 14: Make your guests do some work
Make your guests feel useful by asking them to help with tasks you know they’ll enjoy. Give your mother-in-law the ultimate compliment by asking her to help you make her famous chocolate pie for dessert. If you’re hosting young nieces, ask them to help make the table decorations because they’re such great crafters. It’s a great compliment to your guests to make them feel like they are PART of the activities, rather than just spectating.
Tip15: Prepare!
Do as much preparation in advance as you can. Plan menus around recipes that can be made ahead of time – freezer-friendly, one-dish meals like lasagna, or a hearty-braised beef stew are great options when serving a crowd. Run a supermarket sweep a few days before for toiletries. Do your own laundry before guests arrive, so that the washer and dryer can be available for them, if necessary. The ultimate holiday hosts know that being prepared is the absolute best way to make your guests feel welcome in your home because you can actually enjoy them while they are there!
These are AWESOME tips! I actually printed this list out and tacked it on our corkboard in the kitchen. I might not use all the tips every time, but I will utilize a lot of them.
I’ve stayed at a Hampton Hotel several years ago. I was very pleased with my stay. Not only was the room clean and comfortable, but the price was nice too. They are usually mid-priced hotels.
There are over 1,900 Hampton Hotels including Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton. Hampton Hotels are also found in 14 countries and territories, so you can have the same comfort even when you are far from home.
During my stay (I stayed for two nights) I found the Hampton employees to be very accommodating. They were happy to answer my questions and attend to my needs (like more bath towels when I needed them after I used my bath towels for the pool). Their friendly service and clean, comfortable surroundings is what the Hampton Hotels refers to as “Hamptonality”. Hamptonality is all about “celebrating the little moments that make a big difference”.
Hamtonality is based upon these five tenets:
Unexpected delight
Being anticipatory
Sharing a compliment
Providing a moment of humor
Showing empathy
That means the brand cares about their guests and sees them as more than just bodies occupying their rooms.
Hampton’s 50,000+ Team Members are committed to make your stay enjoyable and providing guests with excellent customer service.
Aside from excellent customer service, Hampton Hotels offer guests great amenities such as FREE Wi-Fi, a delicious hot breakfast (fresh made waffles!), multi-unit Power Cubes and their signature Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed®.
If you are hosting out of town guests this holiday season I’m sure that it lends it’s self to added stress. Let’s face it, the holidays can be stressful enough without having to worry about who is going to sleep where and how you are going to fit everyone comfortably in your home. Not to mention you will want to make sure your home is clean, warm and inviting for your guests.
Rather than worry about making your out of town guests comfortable, why not consider setting them up at one of the many Hampton Hotels properties? Your guests will feel welcome and comfortable – just like they would in your home. It’s a great way to ensure that everyone has a comfortable place to sleep (who wants to sleep on a sofa bed, air mattress or cot?). Plus your guests will enjoy the freedom of being able to come and go without worrying about waking you up at night or in the morning.
If you plan on visiting out of state family and friends this holiday season, why not consider staying at a Hampton Hotel instead of your family or friend’s home? That way you don’t have to worry about them having to find comfortable places for you to sleep. Instead of worrying about that you can simply enjoy each others company. After all, that is the whole reason why you are visiting them in the first place.
If you would like to learn more about Hampton Hotels and/or find a location near you or where you plan on visiting, visit www.Hampton.com.
You can also check out Hampton Hotels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even YouTube.
Mom Trends is hosting a Twitter party on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 10:00 AM (PST) / 1:00 PM (EST). The hashtag is #HamptonHoliday. They will be giving away free night’s stays at Hampton Hotels. You must be 18+ to win. For more information and to RSVP visit – http://www.momtrends.com/tag/twitter-party/.
A night (or two) stay at a Hampton Hotel would make a great gift too – especially for a couple who would like to go on a romantic getaway. 🙂
Hampton Hotels would like to give a lucky reader a FREE NIGHT STAY! Hampton will send the lucky winner a “Be My Guest” card which entitles the bearer to (1) free night stay at a Hampton location.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on December 22, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and me how you would use the free night stay? Would you use it for yourself (where do you plan on going?) or would you give it to a friend or family member?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.
Kimberly
*Compensation was provided by Hampton Hotel via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hampton or Momtrends.
Mary Beth Elderton says
Hubz and I would use this when we visit my SIL who has very little space at her home.
Aliyah Weinstein says
I don’t know where I would go because I haven’t been planning a vacation because of the cost; but if I won a free night in a hotel I’d probably plan a trip to San Francisco!
Seyma Shabbir says
I would use it for me and my family! Take a road trip to DC!
Geoff K says
I’d probably use it myself since I will be staying overnight at hotels on my drive to visit my family over the holidays (it’s quite a trek!).
Adrienne Gordon says
a night for when we are traveling on vacation
Margaret Smith says
I would use it when traveling to visit my Dad in So. Carolina.
Hedy @ Penny for my Thoughts says
I’d go somewhere fun.
Elena says
I would use it when we travel to San Francisco
Lauren says
Overnight with my husband in NYC!
Stephanie V. says
my birthday is coming up and no plans so would use it to go somewhere
Debbie Jackson says
I would use it when we go to Coralville to visit family
latanya says
I would use it for my husband and I
Christine says
I would use it for me and my family.
Thanks for the chance!
Melissa M says
I would use it for vacation this summer when we go to Gatlingburg.
Christine says
I follow you on BlogLovin’.
Ann Fantom says
If I won, I would take my husband and daughter to NYC.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
I’d Use It For My Husband And Myself For A Day Of Relaxation
alicia k (Petite Pilates Pixie) says
i would use it for myself on a business trip
Marilyn says
we’re going on a cruise soon and this would come in handy!
Mary Happymommy says
I would use it for myself when I go to Florida.
Leah B says
I would use it so that my inlaws could come and visit when our baby is born in January!
Serena Powell says
My sister and I have been wanting to go on vacation, so that’s what I would end up using it on. Also, I am following on Bloglovin.
stephanie says
this would be great for vacation
deb c says
I love their glazed Bavarian cream donuts
Cynthia C says
I would use it for a road trip with my girlfriends.
debbie says
I would give it to my son, so he could visit a friend.
D SCHMIDT says
I would use it for a family member coming to visit me soon!
Jennifer Rote says
I’d use ot for a night away from my crazy home/family.
Laura says
I would love to travel to tennesee to spend time with my sister and her family!
gala says
I will use it during our annual trip across the country
Kim H says
I would use it for myself and my husband. We both need a night alone together. It doesn’t even matter where we go
Tammy S says
If I won I would use it for myself and my husband. We would take a weekend away just the two of us and go to the beach. Sounds perfect!
Carolyn says
Hubby and I would use. We might do a one night stay or try to do a weekend getaway by adding and extra night. We will find someone to go!
Cynthia R says
would use a free night stay for a trip to washington dc, we’ve been wanting to go for awhile.
Kathleen says
i would use it as part of a weekend getaway to pittsburgh, pa
kport207 at gmail dot com
Kim Henrichs says
I would use it for an overnight trip up into Maine!
Joni Mitchell says
I would so use it for myself
Michelle Weaver says
We would use it so a friend could come visit us.
steve weber says
I would use it for new years eve, I would use it with my girlfriend.
Jessamine D. says
I would use this for me and hubby when we go on a trip. 🙂
Jessamine D. says
Bloglovin follower.
melikegarfield says
I’ve had good experiences with Hampton. I would use it for me and my partner for New Years Eve.
Alexa B. says
i would use it in town and enjoy a romantic weekend stay with my husband.
Mary Casper says
i would use it as a getaway for me
Beth W says
I’d use it for myself and boyfriend so we can get away for a night
BusyWorkingMama says
I’d use it when going to stay with my inlaws.
Carolsue says
I would use it to stay in Ontario, California to visit my daughter.
Carolsue says
I follow you on Bloglovin as MsCarolsueA
Amy W. says
I would use it for a weekend getaway for my husband and I.
Jenn says
I would use it take my husband on a surprise weekend away. Just the two of us. It’s been years.
Teresa says
I would use it myself to stay overnight when I make the two and a half hour drive to visit my son in college.
BettyI' says
I would give it to my husband – he needs to visit family in Seattle.
Julia says
We would use it for our family when we take a weekend trip this winter
Denise L says
I’d use it to go visit my brother in law and his family in NC. My son is 4 and they haven’t met him in person yet!
Denise L says
I follow on Bloglovin!
Shanda Enriquez says
My husband and I never got a honeymoon, I would love to use it as a night away for our 1 year anniversary!
amy deeter says
i would use it when we go down to daytona beach in a couple of months.
CJ Godfrey says
I would use this for myself. I need to get away!
robyn paris says
i would use this to take my daughter somewhere
robyn paris says
i follow you on bloglovin
deana c says
I would use it to take my family for an overnight!
Tammy Shelton says
We would use it for a weekend stay when we go to Disney World.
jennay green says
i would love to use it as a get a way for me and the hubby, maybe use it in denver, co
Sadie B. says
I would use it for my family when we go on vacation.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
We’d take a quick trip to Columbus, to visit the American Girl store!
Jenn says
I stumbled this giveaway. http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/6F4e41/www.shescribes.com/2013/12/holiday-hosting-tips-hampton-hotels-giveaway-ends-122213-hamptonholiday.html/
Sherry Lykins says
I would ues it for my husband and I!
Dawn K. says
My hubby and I would use it for a night away. 🙂
Candice says
I would save it and use it for our next hockey trip.
Sarah Hall says
I would use it myself when I travel to see my daughter and her family.
Whitney @RambleSAHM says
We would stay in Branson and I would use it for Hubby and I to stay the night away.
carol says
I would use it for when we have to stay overnight before going on our cruise
danielle Marie says
i would probably use it for a weekend trip to northern california. it is so beautiful up there.
kathy dalton says
I would use it myself for a date night
Nicole Larsen says
I’d use it for an overnight date night with the hubby
Mariaelena Dominguez says
I’d use it when we go visit the in laws
Jennifer Dunaway says
I’d use it for my family vacation.
jennifer says
I would use it for a night away with my husband for our 5th wedding anniversary!!!
Karen says
Would probably use it for myself and hubby, a little night giveaway. Even just a short drive away would be a nice getaway.
Tracie Trump says
My hubby and I would us it to go to Orlando, my fb is T Michelle Trump
Jennifer H. says
My kids would love a quick getaway over break.
joseph gersch jr says
i would stay in philly to visit friends
joseph gersch jr says
follow bloglovin jtwark
Laura F. says
I would use this myself. I would stay at the Hampton Gardens Inn Outer Banks/Kitty Hawk.
Theresa D says
I would use the free night for a overnight stay with my husband in Mystic, CT.
Theresa D says
I follow you on BlogLovin.
Jacob says
We use it in Dallas, TX. My wife and I spent out honeymoon at the Hampton there and love it
Marcia Goss says
I would use this for a weekend getaway for me and my husband.
Crystal says
I’d either use it for a night in New Orleans the next time I drive to Florida (it’s a great halfway point!) or for friends/family who come to visit!
Crystal says
I follow on Bloglovin – CrystalW07
Brittney House says
I would use it for a girls night with my two best friends. We were thinking about taking a road trip to vegas.
Nicole Newby says
I would use it for myself and my husband. Get a babysitter for the night, enjoy some alone time!
BILL HOFF says
A night out in downtown Indy
Kenny F says
plan a vacation
Beth R says
I would use it for a girl’s getaway.
Karrie Millheim says
I would use it to visit Disney
Linda Kish says
I would give it to my son and DIL so they could stay near Disneyland and enjoy two days there instead of having to drive home.
Jamie N says
I would give it to my mom because she deserves a night away!
Jean Marie says
I would use it for a much need getaway!
Jean Marie says
Following on Blog Lovin’!
Theresa says
I would save it for when our power goes out (which it does 3 times a year for days on end). We always have to get a hotel by the end of the 2nd day of the power being down.
thomas ticknor says
This would be used for a stay while driving up to Michigan.
thomas ticknor says
Follow on Bloglovin
kim says
My next trip is to my sons parents weekend at college and there is a Hampton Inn right next to the College I would use it for that trip
kim says
I follow you on blog lovin
Chrissy (@CrashBeauty) says
I would use this for myself and quite honestly as a night to go sleep somewhere where there are no screaming children. Oh how amazing a sound night of sleep would be.
Mark M says
Who won’t need a rejuvenating getaway after the holidays?
Timmy Deeter says
i would use it with my family when we go to florida
Susan Smith says
I would use it to visit my family in Omaha.
Susan Smith says
follow you on Bloglovin Susan Smith
Breanne says
I’d use it for a getaway
Seth says
I would use it with my wife to celebrate our 1-year wedding anniversary.
Lisa Garner says
I would use it for a weekend getaway with my children.
Allie says
I would use it for my family to go to Baltimore
Candie L says
We would use it for an overnight stay in Branson so we could do some shopping and other fun stuff. Thank you
Janice Cooper says
I would give it to my friend who is going on a family vacation next year
Sami says
It would be for the family!
Sami says
Follow on Bloglovin! Jordan James
Cori Westphal says
This would be a much needed night away with my hubs! We never make time to get away, just us!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Jennifer says
I’d use it for a weekend getaway with my husband!
Samantha says
We would use this to goo to NYC for a weekend. We’ve been wanting to go!
tina reynolds says
I would use it for hubby and I for a little weekend getaway
Rachel Ellis says
I would use it for myself next time I visit my dad. My dad lives an hour away so it would be great to be able to stay in town longer.
Rachel Ellis says
I follow on bloglovin. bloglovin.com/racheljeramie
Richard Hicks says
I would use it this coming summer when I visit Myrtle Beach!
Richard Hicks says
I follow you bloglovin Richard Hicks
Richard Hicks says
I shared on fb
https://www.facebook.com/richard.hicks22/posts/519687204795999
Carmen says
I think I’d use it for a “date night” with my husband.