The many demands of the holidays can bring on some serious stress. Shopping. Wrapping. Baking. Decorating. Battling inclement weather. On top of all that, you’re going to be entertaining and hosting holiday guests this year. That’s enough pressure to make anyone downright Grinch-y.

From your guests’ perspective, it’s not always a jolly arrangement either. We’ve already chronicled how a phenomenon known as the “first-night effect” makes it difficult to get a good night’s rest away from home. And tired guests can quickly become irritated, cranky guests.

To help everyone sleep a little more soundly this holiday season, we’ve got a number of ways you can create welcoming, hospitable guest sleeping quarters in your home. You’ll find these quick tips easy enough to tackle before everyone arrives, and your guests will appreciate that you went out of your way to make their stay special.

Be a good host: Act like a guest.

Try spending the night in your guest room. It’s the best way to identify any shortcomings of the space that could use some attention. You might not realize that the sheets are scratchy, the pillow is lumpy and that old alarm clock has an irritating, low-level humming noise until you actually try sleeping in that environment yourself.

Cover all the essentials.

One vital part of getting quality sleep is the bed. So start there when outfitting your guest room:

• Clean, comfortable sheets are a must.
• Lay out an extra blanket after you freshened it up with a fine mist of linen spray or placed it in the dryer on fluff cycle for a few minutes.
• Go the extra mile by making the bed with several pillows of varying firmness.
• How old is that mattress in the guest room again? If it’s at least 7 years old, it may be time to update.

Take a good look at the window dressing in your guest room too. Blackout drapes keep the room dark and more conducive for sound sleeping. Insulated curtains cut down on any nasty drafts common at this time of year.

Add a few creature comforts.

Your guests will come with baggage. (Feel free to insert jokes about your sister’s life drama here.) Clear some closet space or empty a drawer in the guest bedroom if you can. If that’s not feasible, put a luggage stand or garment rack in the room. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference.

In a dream world, electronics would stay out of the bedroom to prevent blue light brain stimulation, but your guests will most likely end up taking their smartphones and tablets to the bed with them. Place a power strip on the night stand to put a charging station within easy reach. Write down your Wi-Fi password on a card as well. No one will have to feel like they’re bothering you to ask for it.

Admit it. You sometimes stub your toe on the way to the kitchen or bathroom at night. Imagine having to navigate a dark AND unfamiliar home. Spare your guests the hassle and the dangers. Put a few bottles of water in the guest room the day your guests arrive. And to make those inevitable trips to the bathroom easier, install a nightlight with a yellow- or orange-hued lightbulb that illuminates the path without a jarring blast of bright light.

No guest bedroom? More than one guest?

You may not have the luxury of having a dedicated guest bedroom for everyone who will spend the night. So you’ll have to be a bit more creative to ensure everyone can get some rest:

• If you’re feeling generous, give up your bedroom to your guest and you take the sofa. You probably fall asleep watching Netflix out there a lot already.
• Set up a temporary bedroom using an airbed or feather bed that is easily stored when not in use. You may even have room for an extra innerspring mattress under your bed that you can slide out when company comes. All these options benefit from the addition of a mattress topper.
• Whether guests are sleeping on the sofa or on the floor, consider setting up a folding privacy screen if they will be camping out in the public spaces of your home. Not everyone gets up on the same schedule, so a screen affords some extra time hidden away from the action.

It’s the thought that counts.

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect holiday. There’s no such thing as a perfect host, either. Focus on enjoying the extended time you get to share with family and friends when they spend the night. Regardless of how well everyone sleeps, your guests will be grateful that you went out of your way to open your home for the holidays.

Sources:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
• https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/work-life-etiquette/get-ready-overnight-guests
• https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/living-without-a-guest-room-202745

This blog provides general information about sleep and sleep products. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified heath care professional. This blog should not be construed as medical advice or used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other health care professional. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health or the health of others. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or elsewhere on bettersleep.org. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.

What if you could give someone you love better health as a holiday gift? That would be amazing! What if you could reduce someone’s stress with a present? Everybody would appreciate that. You can. Just put the gift of better sleep at the top of your holiday shopping list.

Quality sleep is vital to both physical and mental well-being. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a good night’s sleep helps us avoid weight gain, lowers our risk for serious health problems, improves our mood, and promotes our ability to get along better with others. Yet, few of us get the sleep we need to live our best lives.

The holidays create a perfect opportunity to show someone you care by giving them gifts designed to improve their sleep and, in turn, their health. No matter whom you plan on buying gifts for, our holiday gift guide is packed with great ideas that are sure to please.

Scene-Stealing Gifts

A just-right sleeping environment is essential for quality sleep. Gifts that help create a dark and quiet bedroom will help your loved ones fall asleep more easily and sleep more soundly through the night. Consider products like:

• Sound machines. Sounds of gentle rain, relaxing waves and even white noise can help induce a quicker trip to dreamland and block out additional noises that would otherwise wake lighter sleepers during the night.
• Blackout drapes or sleep masks. For quality shut-eye, you need to obstruct all light. At home, special curtains can block out light from windows, while sleep masks ensure darkness for travelers wherever they may lay their head.
• Fragrances like lavender, vanilla and jasmine have proven calming effects. Body oils, linen sprays or diffusers that contain these essential oils make great stocking stuffers.

Feel-Good Gifts

Comfort is key to avoid the tossing and turning of a restless sleep. Think about gifts such as:

• Sheet sets. Who doesn’t sleep better on fresh sheets? Just be sure to choose natural fabrics (cotton, linen, bamboo) and don’t bother with thread counts above 400. Both synthetic materials and higher thread counts trap heat, resulting in sweaty, uncomfortable sleep.
• Smart/programmable thermostat. Speaking of heat, “The Sleep Doctor,” Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., says the optimal room temperature for sleeping is about 65° A smart thermostat can automatically reach that setting each evening and return to a preferred daytime temperature by morning.

Undercover Gifts

Most of us are guilty of not replacing our worn-out pillows and lumpy mattresses often enough. Gifts that create the right foundation for quality sleep include:

• Sleeping on a soft, supportive pillow is more than a luxury. It’s essential for proper neck and spine alignment. Before you go shopping, get a heads-up on the different types of pillows you’ll find – from feathers to foam. (Don’t forget those travel-style neck pillows for your globetrotting friends, either.)
• Mattress toppers. Whether you choose a foam, gel or fiber design, a mattress topper can work wonders to improve a bed’s comfort and support.
• Okay, this gift may not fit under the tree. And it’s probably way too awkward for your boss or brother-in-law. But consider treating yourself and your bed partner to a new mattress this year. Use our mattress buying guide to find a gift that will keep on giving, night after restful night.

Naughty List Gifts

You probably know someone who might bend the rules or perhaps makes things a bit more difficult. But it’s the season of giving. Everyone deserves to share in the joy, right?!

• Blue-light screen covers. No one should use a phone, tablet or TV in bed. Ever. If you know someone who insists anyway, a product that blocks out the stimulating blue light emitted by those bright screens can help them more easily power down their brain.
• Snoring stoppers. Snorers make it a rough go for their bed partners. Snoring can disrupt sleep for the snorer too. Explore over-the-counter solutions like nasal strips and mouthpieces. But always encourage a chronic snorer to consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis.

You’ll never go wrong when you show someone you care about their well-being. Sleep gifts have universal appeal, so these easy ideas are perfect for everyone on your list. Good luck shopping and warm wishes for a happy, healthy holiday filled with visions of sugarplums dancing in your head.

Sources:

• https://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/everyday-healthy-living/mental-health-and-relationship/get-enough-sleep
• https://www.sleep.org/articles/scents-for-relaxation/
• https://www.today.com/health/9-truths-about-bedding-how-use-your-sheets-get-good-1D80281769
• https://www.thesleepdoctor.com/2018/04/01/chilipad/

This blog provides general information about sleep and sleep products. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified heath care professional. This blog should not be construed as medical advice or used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other health care professional. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health or the health of others. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or elsewhere on bettersleep.org. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.