With the holidays approaching, now is the time to prepare for overnight guests who’ll be visiting your home. Try to find ways to make your guests feel valued, welcome, and as comfortable as possible. Any special touches are always a plus.

Basket of Essentials. I keep a basket in my guest bathroom filled with new toothbrushes, travel razors, travel-size toiletries (lotion, toothpaste, shampoo), and basic meds.

Bathroom Basics. Make sure your guest bath has plenty of fluffy towels, extra toilet paper (and a plunger), air freshener, and a wastebasket. Try to anticipate the needs of your guests. I also hang a fluffy, white robe on the back of the door to give the feeling of a 4-star hotel.

Closet Space. Leave some room in the guest-room closet along with several hangers so guests came hang up their clothes.

Technology. Leave a charger on the nightstand so guests can power up their smartphones and tablets if they forgot theirs. Write out your Wi-Fi password and place it on the nightstand. Provide printed instructions for using the TV remote and include a list of popular channels (ESPN for Dad and HGTV for Mom). Make sure you have a clock with an alarm in your guest room.

Bottled Water. Leave a couple of bottles of water in the room and be sure to restock throughout your guests’ stay.

Leave a light on. A night-light en route to the bathroom will be greatly appreciated.

Spare Key. Give your guests their own key during their stay so they feel free to come and go as they please.

Stock the Pantry. Before your guests arrive, find out what kind of drinks, snacks, fruit, and cereal they prefer and have these on hand.

This is my checklist for overnight guests. What’s on your list?