(BPT) - When hosting, there are plenty of responsibilities and tasks needed to make your guests feel welcome and comfortable. From creating a cozy atmosphere with lighting, music, throw pillows and blankets, to having delicious snacks and drinks ready to serve, there's much to do! You might already consider yourself an expert, but there's one detail you may have missed that is essential for modern hosting: guest-friendly tech features.
Whether you're having friends over for a Friday night dinner, throwing a weekend football watch party or hosting loved ones overnight, offering tech amenities makes for a smoother experience for you and your guests. Here are a few simple shortcuts that allow your guests to stay connected and give you the freedom to focus on more important hosting duties.
Make it simple for guests to connect
A common question you've probably heard from visitors is "What's your Wi-Fi password?" When you're hosting multiple people, having to explain the Wi-Fi connection again and again can be tiring and keep you from enjoying your own get-together.
Eliminate the need for guests to come to you for internet questions by printing a sign with your Wi-Fi network's name and password. Post this sign in an obvious place, like near the TV or entryway console. Check to see if your internet provider offers an app with a simple QR code that you can print and guests can scan, so they don't have to spend time typing passwords.
Switch to faster internet
Imagine this: You're hosting a slumber party for your kids. Instead of relaxing with your favorite movie or show while the kids play video games in the other room, you're hit with the dreaded loading icon. Moments later, the kids start moaning about buffering and lag.
Slow internet doesn't just interrupt your movie - it can derail the whole hosting experience. That's where a fiber-optic connection steps in. Fiber brings a dedicated connection straight to your home, delivering internet that stays strong even during the busiest hours. It's a small upgrade that makes hosting - sleepovers, holidays, game nights, all of it - run a whole lot smoother.
When your home internet is fast and reliable, hosting becomes so much easier - and that's exactly what T-Mobile Fiber is built for. With super-fast speeds, T-Mobile Fiber keeps streaming, gaming and working from home seamless, even when your house is full of guests. You can choose from three plans designed for how you live, each with unlimited data to keep every device running smoothly. Every plan comes with a 5-year price guarantee (exclusions like taxes and fees apply) that keeps your monthly rate steady, and every plan comes with T-Mobile Tuesdays, offering weekly perks like exclusive deals on gas, dining, entertainment and more. To check availability in your area and learn more, visit Fiber.T-Mobile.com.
Create a charging station
Whether you're hosting guests for the evening or overnight, it's important to have a dedicated space where they can charge their devices. You can easily create a charging station with just a few items: a small basket, a power strip surge protector with built-in USBs and a few charging cords.
Set the basket on a visible, easily accessible surface, perhaps under the Wi-Fi sign. Connect the surge protector and lay it behind the basket. Leave the charging cables in the basket, so guests can pick out which one works for their device. Once they plug their device in, they can leave their phone or tablet in the basket. Not only does this offer a safe and convenient place for guests to charge their phones, but it also encourages them to put their tech away and take time to connect with you and other visitors.
Pro tip: Make sure to offer USB-C and lightning cables, so no matter which device your guests use, they'll have what they need to charge their devices.
Have screen wipes and sprays on hand
Smears, streaks and crumbs inevitably make their way from a person's hand onto their phone. To help guests keep their devices clean, provide cleaning supplies so they can wipe down their tech in between drinks, apps and dinner.
Near your charging basket, place a tray with microfiber cloths, pre-moistened 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and cotton swabs. These simple items create an easily accessible self-service tech hygiene station and show guests that you care.
A modern host needs modern solutions to common tech needs. Using these tips, you can take your hosting from good to great and make your visitors feel welcome and connected. Happy hosting!
