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’ve heard their bubble bath is wonderful! I’d also love to try some of their lotions!
I would love the diapering bundle-Their designs are so cute! My baby is due in June 🙂
I would choose the Essentials Bundle! Always wanted to try the Honest products! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
The essentials bundle looks great! I love having little gifts or treats in our guest bedroom when we have friends stay!
I’ve been wanting to try safer cleaning products and the essentials bundle would be perfect!
Definitely the Personal Care bundle. I love all the thoughtful touches!
I’d love to try the personal care bundle!
I’m 39 weeks pregnant soooo I’d definitely choose the diapering bundle! I would love to try one out because I’ve been thinking about buying the year subscription but want to test them first.
Love this! I’d choose the essentials bundle.
I have been trying to go more all-natural with my products recently, so I would love to try to Health and Wellness Bundle!
Health & Wellness! Who the heck wants to clean? (Ha! ha! My guests may not appreciate that sentiment, but at least i’ll look fabulous, right?)
I would love to order the essentials bundle and get all new natural and safe cleaning products for my home. Especially with a new baby coming next week!
The diapering bundle is what I would choose. My son is 9 months old, and the designs on the Honest Companys diapers are just adorable, you cant help but love them!
Oo I’d love to win the essentials bundle! I’ve been dying to try their products and I think this would be the perfect way:)
I have been looking for some all natural bath and body products for awhile! Ever since my Whole 30 it has made me more of a label reader on everything and knowing these are quality and natural ingredients is so exciting!
I would love both the beauty and the home cleaning supplies!!
Would love to try the essentials bundle! I love trying out new products! Thanks for this giveaway!
What a cute idea! I usually try to leave house guests with a bottle of water & some towels, but I love the idea of the basket! I also would love the Honest essentials bundle.
I just ordered an Essentials Bundle thanks to this post! With baby #2 coming in July I would love to try a diaper and/or wellness bundle as well.
Thanks for sharing the coupon code 🙂
I would pick the Essentials bundle. I recently picked up the surface cleaner, and really like it! I use it in the kitchen and the bathrooms, the smell is great and cleans well.
Would love to try the cleaning supplies!!
The Health and Wellness one! Great stuff there!
The prenatal bundle would be fun! What a cute post. The Honest Company sent a representative for our career day last week and I grabbed a few free samples. It seems like a great company!
Thanks for hosting, Julie! The cleaning products would be nice to try!
I’ve always wanted to try the Honest Company’s products. As my husband and I are trying to switch all of our cleaning products to all natural, I would love to try the Cleaning Bundle!
Other than Beautycounter, I trust Honest Co to provide SAFE products for my family! I LOVED using their newborn diapers on Adeline and would love to restock my current diaper supply with Honest ones!! They are so cute and were so absorbant!!
So awesome! I would LOVE the Personal Care and Cleaning Bundle (Essentials Bundle). Thanks for this great opportunity 🙂
I love this idea of a basket for guests! It’s so cute and thoughtful. I would for sure choose the essentials bundle. I’ve been wanting to try some of the Honest Company’s cleaning products for awhile.
I love this idea. I have stayed somewhere that did this and I felt so cozy and at home. I want to make one!
I’ve heard so many good things about the bath and beauty bundle. I would love to try that!
Love Honest company! The personal care basket is the one to try!
I would love to try the Cleaning Bundle!
The personal care bundle is calling my name!!!!!! Such cute ideas!
I’ve always wanted to try more Honest products. I would love to try the Cleaning Bundle!
The diapering bundle would be fantastic! I’m a little over 34 weeks pregnant so having some diapers to go in our little guy’s room would be fantastic 🙂
I would love to try the personal care bundle!
Health and wellness! Thank you for this offer! 🙂
Personal Care Bundle!
Oh my goodness – how cute are you?!?! I’ve never thought to make a welcome basket before, but you’ve inspired me! Since my due date is getting closer and closer, I’d definitely go with the diapering bundle! They’re diapers are just so cute!!
The bath/beauty bundle! To me baths are the ultimate for an in-home relaxing night.
The diaper bundle or cleaning bundle would be such a blessing. Much love Julie!
I would like to try the diapering bundle. WE are expecting our first baby in July! 🙂
I love your welcome basket items! It has inspired me to update our welcome basket. I use honest products for my kids & many of their cleaning products but I have not seen the new scents! The apricot sounds dreamy! I would love to try a bath & body bundle!
I would absolutely love the personal care bundle!
I would definitely love the diapering bundle. I’ve been wanting to try their cute designs and see how their diapers stack up next to the Costco diapers we use.
I would probably get the personal care bundle if i won
I would love to try their bath and body products!
I think I’d choose the cleaning bundle! With Annabelle eating everything these days, it just makes sense to use better products that are safe for her!
The personal care bundle would be great!
I would love the health and beauty basket!