It’s mid-October, do you know what that means?
It means you’re going to blink your eyes and it’ll be after New Years! At least it feels that way to me every year once Halloween comes and goes. All of the sudden I’m planning for Thanksgiving, and then it’s Christmas shopping and holiday cards and before I know it the whole season as blown by like a flurry. Rather than wait to be overwhelmed I thought I might encourage those of you who’ll be welcoming overnight house guests this season to be proactive. That means you prep yourself (even just mentally) for guests and make a clear plan of attack to ensure that they (and you) have a lovely visit.
1. Designate a Place – I know this seems obvious, I mean if someone is going to be spending the night at your place chances are you have some idea of where they’ll sleep once they’re there. But for those of you who don’t have a guest room, you need to imagine how you’ll prep the space you do have, before arrival. Or maybe you do have a guest room but the bed needs new sheets and the bulb is burnt out in the lamp on the nightstand. Take the time to think about the location guests will sleep in and decide if it needs anything touch ups well in advance.
2. It’s All in the Details – Honestly, a few little additional details can go a long way. Watch this video of an old Hurried Hostess episode where I explain five of my favorites.
3. Get Your Groceries – A good host doesn’t only think about a comfortable bed for house guests, they also think about serving great food! That means being mindful of your guests favorites as well as any dietary issues. For instance, we always keep a specific bottle whiskey in our cabinets because it’s my father-in-law’s favorite. When my mother-in-law stays over, I know to fill the fridge with sparkling water. My oldest sister is allergic to peanuts so the usual granola I put in the guest room as a snack won’t work. A little advanced research can make your guests feel so loved and taken care of.
4. Have a Game Plan – Depending on the kind of guests your entertaining, group activity can be a big or very small part of the visit. An old college roommate who’s in town on a work trip might need no entertaining at all. Whereas your Aunt Linda loves to see new places and will want you to show her around town while she’s there. Have a few tried and true activities in your back pocket so you’re ready to play the cruise director if need be.
5. Don’t Stress – Having overnight house guests is supposed to be fun! Don’t stress about your mismatched sheets or the fact that you’re serving boxed wine (put it in the glass before they see and they’ll never know where it’s from!) just enjoy the time with your friends and family. Let go of the things on your to-do list that are unnecessary and instead spend that time reconnecting with the loved ones in your home. When my best friend comes into town I fight the urge to make a seven course fancy dinner or have fresh cut flowers on her bedside table each morning. I’d so much rather be sitting on the couch with her in old pajamas drinking a cheap bottle of wine and laughing about our early 20’s. Remember, when it comes to a house, a relationship or recipe, it doesn’t matter how pretty it looks on the outside it’s the good stuff going on inside that matters most!
