Thanksgiving 2026
Hosting overnight guests for Thanksgiving: guest room, bathroom and what you owe them
Short answer: Spend a night in your guest room first. Stock two pillows per guest, a mirror, hangers, outlets and a Wi-Fi card; give each guest at least one large towel, a hand towel and a washcloth; keep food on hand; and settle airport rides before they arrive. Hosts are not required to provide rides or pay for outings.
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A holiday houseguest asks less than you may think. Lizzie Post of The Emily Post Institute, writing for AARP, puts it this way: the point of hosting is to make guests feel welcome and comfortable without compromising your own space, resources or energy. A host is not expected to provide every little thing.
Before they arrive: confirm and test
Confirm who is coming and when, the two biggest things, according to Post. Then spend a night in the guest room yourself. Check that the heater, fan or air conditioning works, the bed is comfortable, and there is enough storage for clothes and luggage.
The guest room list
- Bed: two pillows for each guest, plus extra pillows and blankets in a closet or drawer.
- Storage: a dresser, a few hangers in a closet, or a clothing rod if there is no closet.
- Basics: a mirror, tissues, and a small card with your Wi-Fi information.
- Power: easy access to outlets, or extension cords if they are behind furniture.
- A flashlight in a drawer, in case the power goes out.
The bathroom list
Whether the bathroom is shared or not, give each guest at least one large towel, one hand towel and one washcloth; two large towels per guest is better. Keep a hair dryer, extra toilet paper and a bar of soap within reach. Post lists shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, sunscreen, basic pain relievers and an upset-stomach remedy as bonus points, along with toothpaste, shave gel and spare razors. They are not mandatory, "but they're a real relief to a guest in need."
Meals, rides and time
- Food: have enough groceries on hand for the visit, so you can provide meals and snacks at home. Our fridge and cooler plan helps make space for them.
- Meals out: you do not need to pay for meals while sightseeing together. Many guests will offer to contribute or take you to dinner as a thank-you, but you should not expect it.
- Rides: hosts are not responsible for airport or train pick-ups, but discuss it in advance so no one waits for a ride that was not planned.
- Time together: aim for a couple of meals and activities together each day, and check in about what they would like to do together or on their own.
- Laundry: offer access to your laundry if guests stay more than three days.
A Thanksgiving-specific plan
- A week out: confirm arrival times and who is picking up whom; make the bed.
- Two days out: stock the bathroom, and check the guest room.
- The day before: a prep timeline keeps cooking and guests from colliding; put something simple in the fridge for guests' breakfast.
- After the weekend: thank them for coming. Post says it is important to thank guests for coming, since hosting is a lot of work but often creates fond memories.
A guest who brings a gift makes the host's job easier; see hostess gifts that are not a bottle if you are the guest.
Four things that make a guest room ready
These cover items the host guidance lists: towels, outlets, a night light for an unfamiliar room, and an extra blanket.
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Amazon Basics fade-resistant 6-piece cotton towel setOur pick
Lizzie Post says each guest needs at least one large towel, one hand towel and one washcloth, and that two large towels per guest is preferable.
- Look for:
- A set sized to the number of guests, in a color that hides stains, machine-washable.
- Best for:
- Hosts with guests staying one or more nights.
- Skip if:
- Skip if you have enough towels in good condition.
Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon search results -
Belkin 8-outlet surge protector with 8 ft cord
Her guest room list includes easy access to outlets, or extension cords if outlets are behind furniture. A strip by the bed handles phones and laptops.
- Look for:
- A strip with 4 or more outlets and USB ports, with a long cord.
- Best for:
- Hosts whose guest room has outlets in awkward places.
- Skip if:
- Skip if the room has outlets by the bed.
Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon search results -
GE plug-in motion-sensor night light (2-pack)
Guests in an unfamiliar house tend to look for the bathroom in the dark. A small night light in the hall is an inexpensive way to help, in the same spirit as Post's suggestion of a flashlight in case the power goes out.
- Look for:
- A plug-in LED with a light sensor.
- Best for:
- Hosts with a long hall or stairs.
- Skip if:
- Skip if the hall already has a light.
Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon search results -
Bedsure soft fleece throw blanket
Post says to keep extra pillows and blankets in a closet or drawer so guests can adjust. A throw at the foot of the bed is easy to find.
- Look for:
- A machine-washable throw in a neutral color.
- Best for:
- Hosts with a chilly guest room.
- Skip if:
- Skip if you already have spare blankets.
Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon search results
Related
For the day itself, see our Thanksgiving day host checklist.
Questions people ask
What should a guest room have?
Per Lizzie Post: two pillows per guest, extra blankets, a dresser, hangers, a mirror, tissues, a Wi-Fi card and easy access to outlets. A flashlight in a drawer is a nice touch.
How many towels does each guest need?
At least one large towel, one hand towel and one washcloth per guest, according to Lizzie Post. Two large towels per guest is preferable if you can manage it.
Do I have to pick up guests from the airport?
No. Post says hosts are not responsible for pick-ups and drop-offs, but you should discuss it so no guest is left waiting on a host who was not planning rides.
Do I have to pay for my guests' meals?
Post says you should have enough groceries on hand for meals and snacks at home, but need not pay for meals out. A good guest often offers to contribute, but you should not expect it.
How long can guests stay before I offer laundry?
Post says it is nice to offer laundry access to guests staying more than three days, or to tell them where laundry services are.
Sources
Numbers and rules on this page come from these pages, checked October 24, 2026. Sources can change; check them before a high-stakes meal.
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