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 would definitely choose the cleaning supplies bundle!
I would love the personal care bundle or the cleaning bundle since my son is out of diapers now.
Having an 18 month old little guy, I’d go with the diaper bundle. I’ve wanted to give this brand a try!
I would get the essentials bundle – my sister-in-law raves about this line of products and I would love the chance to try them!
The cleaning bundle – I would love to switch over more of my cleaning products to safer options!
I have been wanting to try Honest product for a while now. I am definitely going to take advantage of your discount code! I would love to win a personal care bundle!
would love to try their products! esp the beauty bundle 🙂
Personal care!
Hi Julie!
I love this giveaway! I am about to move into a new apartment and wouwl love to try their cleaning supplies and love the fact that they are safe and natural!
I would love to try the diaper bundle. With a new little one in the house, the diaper bundle would be perfect!
I would love to try the personal care bundle!
Fun! Definitely the cleaning bundle!
I am currently in the process of buying my first house (this month we close!)! Now like you Julie, we’ll be moving a bit away. So the essential bundle would really help keep our house in order when we have our guests come visit our new place!
We are expecting our first little (a boy!) in just 9 short weeks! So I would be thrilled to win the diaper bundle! I will definitely be checking out this awesome 35% offer as well. Thanks for always having the best advise Momma! xoxox
Personal Care bundle! This is a neat idea.
The essentials bundle! I would love to have safer cleaning products.
I have been thinking of trying the Honest Company for a while now. I would definitely try the bath and beauty products. Thanks for the post!
I would choose the essentials bundle! I’ve been wanting to make the transition to more natural household cleaners.
I am expecting a baby girl in June and would love to try the diapering bundle!!!
for sure, I would pick the cleaning bundle. I am always look for good products to clean with!
The Essentials Bundle would be great to help get wedding ready!
so exciting! the essential bundle looks perfect!
I’d choose the personal care bundle – I’d love to try Honest Co products. Thank you!
Would love to try the diapering bundle for our first baby coming this May! I have heard great things about the Honest Company.
We are expecting baby #3, and would absolutely love the Diaper Bundle! Thanks for hosting 🙂
health and wellness bundle looks awesome!
We just moved to Florida and are lucky to have an in-law apartment over our garage. The health and wellness bundle would be great to offer in a basket like yours! Thanks!
I have a 7 month old baby boy, so I’m all about the diapering bundle. 🙂
I would love to win a bundle of personal care and cleaning items!
I’d LOVE to try the Personal Care bundle!. .
As a young breast cancer survivor who is always looking for ways to keep my life as clean and healthy as possible, I’d love to try the essential bundle!!
The cleaning bundle! (Choosing that makes me feel old, so be it!)
I would like to try the Essentials Cleaning bundle!
Currently pregnant with another toddler….the diapering bundle would be great!
Personal care bundle definitely! Thanks for the opportunity! Awesome idea!
My mom sounds just like your friend’s mother-in-law. Whenever I go home to visit she has fresh flowers from her garden in my childhood room among other special touches. I would love to try out the personal care bundle and try some of their products on my 10 month old baby!
I have always wanted to try the honest company’s cleaning supplies!! Love the thoughtfulness in a houseguest welcome basket.
definitely the essential bundle!
I would love the personal care bundle!
Love the idea of a house guest basket and the one you created is so cute 🙂 I have always wanted to try the Honest Companys products, I would for sure choose the personal care bundle!!
I’d LOVE to try the Personal Care bundle…..
I would love to try the “Essentials” cleaning bundle. Looks like many great items!
The diapering bundle would be a fantastic way to prepare for our first bundle of joy 🙂 Thank you for hosting!
I would love to try their diapering bundle on my babies!
I would love to try some new cleaning products with the essentials bundle!
I would love the cleaning bundle! Really love how their products are all natural and safe to use anywhere in the home.
The Health & Wellness Bundle looks fantastic!
I’ve got a newborn at home, so I’d glamorously go for the diapering bundle!
I’d love to try the cleaning essentials bundle!
Cleaning bundle!!