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.
***
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!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I could definitely use the Honest Essentials Bundle!! 🙂
I’d love the diaper bundle with a new little guy on the way! 🙂
I’d try the diapering bundle- their diapers are so cute!!
I would love the personal care bundle!
With a baby on the way the diaper bundle would be great!
What a nice welcome basket – makes me want to come visit 🙂
Definitely the personal care items bundle! 🙂
Omigosh, the personal care bundle is calling to me! I’m [slowly] trying to expose myself to more natural products but it’s so difficult when you already have your go-to brands at the drug store. My cousin just made me a fantastic body wash using essential oils, local honey and castile soap but I would love to expand my collection.
I would pick the cleaning bundle I have never tried there products and would love to.
I would get the essentials bundle!
Personal care since I can always use a little extra pampering 🙂
With 2 dogs that often have muddy paws, I’m always on the lookout for new cleaning supplies 🙂
I would pick the Personal Care Bundle 🙂
Definitely the personal care bundle! How can something called apricot kiss not make you feel good.
I would love that Essentials bundle!!
I’d love a personal care bundle! 🙂
I’d love to try the cleaning supplies bundle!
Personal care bundle
We are due with our first baby in just 12 days! I would absolutely pick the diapering bundle!!! They are so cute!
Thanks so much for the great ideas! I’m making a basket to send to a good friend of mine who is ill. I’d love the personal care bundle, but then again those diapers are so cute (and so necessary)!!
I would either try the personal care or cleaning supplies!
Already do the diaper bundle with my little one so I’d love to try the personal care bundle! 🙂
Pesonal care or cleaning supplies could use both equally.
I would love the diaper bundle!
I would love the personal care bundle. But who am I kidding, I have a 7 month. Diapers for sure!
I just recently found out I am pregnant with our first baby and would love to try out the Honest diapers as I hear great stuff about them!
I love the idea of the honest essentials bundle.
Diaper bundle for my 7 month old twins!
With a baby due in 1 month, I would definitely choose the diaper bundle!
I think I’d go for a bundle of the cleaning supplies!
Essentials 🙂
Cleaning essentials
With an almost one year old, I’ve got to go with the diapering bundle, though selfishly I’d love a personal care bundle for myself!
I am due with our first baby in a few weeks so I’ll choose the diaper bundle please!
I would probably go with the personal care bundle, even though I have TWINS on the way and should definitely opt for the diapers! 🙂
I have heard great things about the Honest Company’s personal care products and would love to try a personal care bundle!
I always try to buy cleaners without harsh chemicals so I would definitely choose the cleaning bundle!
I have a gorgeous Great Pyr …I pick the cleaning bundle to keep him safe and my house clean
The personal Care, lemongrass and the Lavender are calling my name.
I NEED the diapering bundle as I have my 2nd coming in just a month! 🙂 Didn’t try Honest Co for #1 so may have to branch out for this time around!
A mix of cleaning and personal care supplies!
love the essetnials bundle!!!
I would pick the essentials bundle!
I am going to make a “new mommy” care basket for one of my best friends who is having a hard time getting pregnant to send to her as soon as she has some good news. I’d love to include some personal care Honest products to make her feel special and pampered!
Oh man this giveaway speaks to me on a personal level! I had an essentials bundle all picked out a couple days ago with a 50% off the first bundle coupon code and my card wouldn’t go through! By the time I called the bank the next day the code had expired! I’ve been so sad about it, especially because the regular price is a bit steep for us with all baby expenses. Anywho, long explanation… but I would love the baby essentials one with their laundry detergent, ultra calming face and body lotion, diaper cream, gentle shampoo and conditioner, and surface cleaner. Honestly all their products look amazing and the ones I’ve tried from target definitely are!
I’d pick the diaper bundle – my little man is 6 weeks old!
I’d pick the personal care bundle! I haven’t tried too many Honest products, but the ones I have, I love!
I love this company and the bundle idea. I would choose the personal care bundle 🙂
I’d love to try the cleaning bundle…a little skeptical of how well organic cleaning products work.
I make a little guest basket also but never thought about adding a little chocolate treat or other snacks – thanks for the idea. I would love to win the health and wellness
I’d choose the personal care bundle!
I would love the personal care bundle!