For a while there, it felt like I was attending a bachelorette party or wedding every other weekend. I absolutely loved celebrating some of my best girlfriends and now that a lot of the wedding-related celebrations have died down a bit, I find myself missing them (although my wallet certainly does not)!
During my friend Cherayne’s bachelorette party weekend in Miami, a group of my girlfriend’s spent one night at my friend Leah’s in-law’s house in Ft. Lauderdale on our way down to Miami to break up the drive. We quickly realized Leah’s mother-in-law is pretty much the ultimate hostess.
She welcomed us with open arms and a warm smile but went above and beyond with little extra touches all over her house. We had bottles of water and a piece of dark chocolate waiting by our beds at night. We woke up to the smell of a delicious breakfast casserole and hot coffee. My girlfriends and I all told her we felt like we were staying at a bed and breakfast and we really appreciated all of the effort she put into making our stay in her home so comfortable.
With all of the guests we’ve had visit us since Chase was born, I’ve tried my best to make everyone feel at home with the usual necessities: Fresh towels, clean sheets, readily-available snacks and extra toiletries. I keep a big basket of items guests might need under the guest bathroom sink but an article in a local magazine that addressed “Southern Hospitality” made me want to go a step further. None of our guests made us feel like we needed to do more but sometimes it’s fun to put a little extra effort into the small details that might make someone’s stay with you feel a little more comfortable.
And that’s where the Houseguest Welcome Basket comes into play!
Have you ever traveled to a wedding and the bride and groom had welcome bags waiting for guests at hotel check-in? I love thoughtful touches like this and now that my wedding planning days are behind me (tear… I loved wedding planning!), I jump at the chance to revisit things that remind me of my wedding planning days and assembling a houseguest welcome basket definitely took me back!
I had so much fun selecting the items for the basket and made sure to start with the basics: Fluffy towels, shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
For this gift basket, I included Ultra Calming Honest Shampoo + Body Wash and Conditioner from The Honest Company in the Dreamy Lavender scent. Aside from the plus of smelling like a relaxing spa, the shampoo and conditioner are made without potentially harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances, pH balanced and hypoallergenic, so they’re products I feel good about our guests using while they’re staying in our home.
The Honest Company’s updated bath and body products include four new scents (Perfectly Gentle – sweet orange vanilla // Ultra Calming – dreamy lavender // Deeply Nourishing – apricot kiss // Purely Simple – scent free) and while I figured the lavender scent would be perfect for guests, I think the apricot scent is pleasantly subtle and we’ve been using the sweet orange vanilla shampoo + body wash on Chase daily for months now and adore the bright, clean scent that now makes me want to wrap Chase up in a cozy towel and snuggle him all day long whenever I smell it.
Continuing with the essentials, I included a spare toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash in the welcome basket, as well as some tissues, Deeply Nourishing Honest Face + Body Lotion in Apricot Kiss (perfect for the dry winter months) and facial cleansing wipes.
And then it was time for the fun stuff! I made sure to include some non-essential items that will hopefully make our guests smile. Since tasty snacks are almost always appreciated, I added a few bars, dried fruit, dark chocolate squares and peanut butter cups to the basket, along with a couple of bottles of water and a pack of gum.
I couldn’t resist adding a few beauty-related items to the welcome basket, including dry shampoo, extra hair ties (because we all know hair ties and bobby pins constantly disappear into oblivion), lip balm, cotton swabs, a razor and shaving cream.
The next time we have guests in town, I hope this gift basket makes them feel a little more welcome and extra special!
And now here’s your chance to grab some goodies from The Honest Company to enjoy for yourself or to use to assemble a welcome basket of your own for your guests!
The Honest Company Discount + Giveaway
The Honest Company is offering PBF readers 35 percent off their first bundle order on Honest.com through March 15! (The discount may be applied to up to two bundles purchased in a single transaction.) The Honest Company offers a variety of bundles on their site (a convenient way to continually receive favorite products from The Honest Company at your doorstep for up to 40 percent off) and you can choose the products you want to receive in your bundle! (They currently have Diapering, Health and Wellness, Cleaning and Personal Care Bundles.) To redeem this offer, simply click here and use the code PBF35OFF!
I am also self-sponsoring a giveaway for one reader to win a bundle of their choice from The Honest Company! To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me which bundle you would select to receive if you were to win this giveaway! Does the diapering bundle call to you? Are you in need of some new cleaning supplies or personal care (bath + beauty) items? Let me know!
I will randomly select a winner this Friday.
Terms: The 35% off discount is eligible for new honest.com Bundle subscribers only. Limit 1 Promo Code per customer/household. Code must be entered into “Promo Code” section at Checkout. Ends at 11:59 p.m. (PST) on 3/15/2016. Valid for up to 2 Bundles purchased in a single transaction. Cannot be applied to previous purchases, Gift Card purchases or Gift Bundles. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other promotion. Terms subject to change at any time.
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Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by The Honest Company who provided products and payment. All opinions are my own. I am personally sponsoring the giveaway portion of this post. I truly appreciate your support!
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I have always always always wanted to do an honest diaper bundle for my baby boy!!!!!! I would get that one!
I’ve always wanted to try the personal care and the cleaning supplies. I think I would pick the cleaning supplies since it’s so hard to find chemical free cleaners.
I would pick the essentials bundle!! I love this company!!
The cleaning supplies– I’ve been meaning to research and switch products, but haven’t found the time yet!!
Cleaning products please!
I would select the Cleaning Products bundle!
I would love the personal care bundle! This would be great for when travelling because I never feel like I take enough personal care items with me!
I’d love the health & wellness bundle!
Personal care bundle!! I’ve never ordered from here but heard good things! Excited to try!
i would do the personal care bundle!
I would love the essentials bundle!
Definitely the personal care bundle!
I’d pick the essentials bundle for some cleaning supplies!! 🙂
With a 16-month old climbing all over the place, would love to try the cleaning bundle.
Oooh! We’re expecting our first little one this summer and I’d love to try out the diapering bundle! I hear great things about The Honest Co products and have been more conscious about using safe products since I’ve been preggo.
The personal care bundle for sure!
I’d love the personal care bundle!
This is such a neat idea! I love any and all hair products!
personal care items!
I would love to try out the essentials bundle!
I love the idea of replacing my household cleaning products for ones that are safer for my family, so I’m leaning towards the cleaning bundle. But, my sister is due to have her first baby in May, so I would probably choose to send her the diapering bundle!
Diapering for sure!! I have a 6 month old so I am in constant need of diapers. Thanks!
Personal care bundle
As an expectant mother, the diapers bundle calls to me for sure!!
Cleaning and personal care! Thanks Julie
I’d love to try the diaper bundle!
I would love to try the personal care bundle!
I’m expecting baby #2 and could definitely use the diaper bundle!! Diapers galore all over again!
Would love the personal care items!
The personal care bundle would be fabulous! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Personal care bundle would be amazing! I’m in need of some new supplies and I haven’t had a chance to pick any up!
I would love to try the personal care bundle.
Would like to try their personal care bundle!
The essentials bundle looks awesome!
Essentials! Thank you (:
Personal care for sure! I already use and love their diapers. Something for mom would be great.
I would choose the Essentials cleaning suppy bundle! These are so neat and I love the Honest products. Thanks so much for the great giveaway : )
We use the same scent to bath our little girl that you do Chase! If I had to choose, I would pick the diapering bundle because it is truly amazing how many we go through.
I would pick the diaper bundle for my son! I haven’t tried the Honest company Diapers or wipes yet, but would love to.
I would pick the diaper bundle since I am due on Sunday with my first baby boy!
I’d choose the personal care bundle.
the diaper bundle – they are so cute.
I’m expecting baby #2 in three weeks so the diapering bundle would be fab! Although I also have a 2 years old so the cleaning bundle might come in handy as well… Haha
Diaper bundle! 5 months pregnant with my first and would love to try the diapers!!
I would choose the diaper bundle for my little one.
I would choose the personal care bundle!
I would love to try the personal care bundle! I love trying new-to-me products and letting my friends know. I love the all-purpose cleaner, such cute packaging too.
would love to try the personal care bundle!! 🙂 hope I win!
I would choose the cleaning supply bundle!
Diaper bundle for sure!