10 Things to Keep in your Guest Bathroom

The holidays are upon us, and with big meals and family get togethers comes an opportunity to really wow your guests.  A great place to start is by setting up a welcoming, functional, and prepared guest bathroom.  Here is the top ten things you should keep on hand in the guest bath:

1. Toilet Paper - and lots of it.  

Don't make your guests do the awkward shout through the door, or act like Elaine and beg if you 'have 1 square to spare'.  Keep a fully stocked roll on the dispenser and plenty more in a visible space.  If you're going to hide it in a drawer or cabinet, make sure ALL your drawers and cabinets are presentable - because chances are they're not going to find it on the first shot.

2. Feminine Hygiene Products.  

Please do your female guest a favor and have a variety of pads and tampons available under the sink - don't make them have to pull you aside and ask.  I recently had this happen at a friend's barbecue.  I couldn't find anything in any of her drawers.  Thankfully I had some in my diaper bag - in the living room.  Talk about a walk of shame.  A few weeks later I tried to mention it, as tactfully as possible, and she's since moved a portion of her stash from the bedroom and into the bathroom.

3.Floss.

Big meals, especially stuffing with fresh herbs and corn based dishes, will leave someone begging for floss after dinner.  Leave a roll out on the counter, and make sure there is a trash can for them to dispose of it.

4. Hand Towels.

I know we all bust out our nicest towels when we have large groups of guests coming over, but make sure there is at least one hand towel that looks usable.  Maybe you slightly crumple the one closest to the sink, maybe you lay it nicely on the counter.  If I have to choose between wiping my wet hands off on my pants or messing up your pretty towel display - I'll choose the towels, but I'll feel slightly guilty about it.

5. Usable soap.

I love a beautifully milled bar of soap as much as the next girl, but some guests feel guilty about using your 'fancy' soap.  I like to leave out a pump dispenser of foaming hand soap in a seasonally appropriate scent - bright and fruity for summer, deeper and, perhaps, spicy for the winter.  Bath and body works always have a wide selection of scents to choose from.

6. Plunger.  

The only thing more mortifying than clogging the toilet at someone else's house is having to ask the host for help.  Make it easy for them to solve the problem themselves and stick a plunger behind the toilet.  Better prepared than embarrassed.

7. Air Freshener.  

This goes without saying.  You might have a bowl of potpourri setting out, but make sure to also give your guest the option of quickly spraying away any odors before rejoining the group.  This is especially true as your guest list gets longer and the chances for a bathroom line forming increases.

8. Contact Solution.  

Between allergies, overnight guests, and dry winter air, sometimes your just need contact solution.  If no one in your household wears contacts, you can pick up a travel sized bottle for under $2.  I promise you - when you need contact solution you need it immediately.  Your guest will thank you for being so prepared.

9. Stain Remover.  

I know I rarely bring a change of clothing when visiting friends, so if I spill something on myself, I'm going to be wearing it the rest of the night.  Keep a Tide pen or a bottle of club soda on hand.  Worst case scenario - have a men's and women's t-shirt ready in your closet that you can loan a guest.

10. An unexpected Pamper item.  

A nice box of tissue, a bottle of lotion, body spray {perfume-y for women, axe-y for men}, a bowl of mints - something small like this left on the counter is a nice way of letting your guests know that you're glad they came and want to make them feel welcome.

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That's my list!  {Can you tell that 'Clean Guest Bath' is on my to-do list for tonight?  It's been a long time since it was freshened up for guests, but I plan to have all of the above ready for them on Thanksgiving morning.}

I hope you have a wonderful Holiday season, 

and a fabulous time with all of your guests. 

Even the ones that clog your toilet.

{ish happens.}