8 Easy Ways to Be the Best Houseguest Ever

Every host will be delighted when their guest arrives with a gift in hand. Edible gifts are wonderful, as long as they take a host's preferences into account; for example, it may not be the best idea to bring a bottle of vodka to your pregnant friend's house. Think about your hosts and what they might like. Thoughtfulness goes a long way.

It's thoughtful to keep belongings and bed linens as contained as possible. Even for lucky guests get their own room, it's considerate to keep things tidy so hosts don't see clothing and blankets strewn about their home. Especially if the couch is where a guest is bedding down at night, it's polite to fold sheets and comforters in the morning and tuck everything out of sight until nighttime.

Take an extra moment to clean up after using a host's bathroom, especially if it's shared. Tuck away the blow dryer and straightening or curling irons you traveled with when they aren't in use. A great host will offer towels to guests when they arrive, and it's best to hang the linens to dry in an appropriate place. Treat your hosts' bathroom as if it were your own, as long as your bathroom at home is tidy.

Give hosts a good idea of where you'll be and when. It's especially helpful to give a clear time and date of your arrival and departure, so hosts can make arrangements to let you in or lock up when you go.

But besides hellos and goodbyes, hosts will likely want to spend as much time with you as they can. It's totally OK to make plans with other people when you're a guest, and hosts will appreciate having a clear picture of your agenda so they can plan accordingly. More information is always a good thing.

If you're a guest with a special diet, plan ahead by bringing snacks you can eat. Don't expect a host to provide three square meals a day, all to your liking. If you finish something, offer to replace it (kind hosts will say "No!" but appreciate the offer).

Good hosts will bend over backward to make sure their guests have everything they need to eat or drink. But in the unlikely situation in which a host hasn't provided essentials like coffee or bread, then guests should feel comfortable heading out into the city or town to fend for themselves. We're all adults, after all.

To show gratitude for having a place to stay, offer to help in a simple way. Guests could offer to make lunch one day, so the host has time to rest. Or simply run to the store to pick up flowers. Little gestures can show enormous amounts of gratitude.

The best way to say thanks is by putting pen to paper. Forgo email. Once you're home, get a thank you card and write a heartfelt note.

The best thank you notes always end with a note about the future. Wrap up your note by extending an invitation to visit you at your home. It's a lovely gesture to a friend and a good way to continue the circle of hospitality.