Do you dread the phone call from a relative who wants to visit? “Hi, we are in town for the weekend and we thought we’d come by.” Or you answer a knock on the door to find friends who just happen to be in the neighbourhood and want to visit for a while. Is your house ready for guests at any time?
With a few adjustments and preparations you can be confident that you are always happy to extend an invitation to anyone who crosses your threshold. How refreshing it would be to have your house, your pantry, and your guest room always prepared to welcome guests!
The first step would be to have your house clean. As you always want it to be tidy for yourself and your own family, this isn’t really a problem if you keep up to it. Even the busiest family can do routine chores on a daily basis to ensure your home always looks good. Clothes can be washed on Monday, bathrooms cleaned on Tuesday, vacuuming done on Wednesday, floors washed on Thursday, and dusting on Friday. Even if everyone is at work or school through the day, spending an hour each evening should keep up to the chores. Keep the little piles of clutter that gather in every household on a corner of the kitchen cupboard or the table in the entryway at bay by tackling it every day. Insist that your children take their backpacks and after-school activity equipment to their rooms immediately when they get home and not piled up by the door. Adults need to ensure they put away purses and briefcases immediately upon entering your home as well.
Have your guest room or sofa bed always ready with clean sheets and towels in a reserved place in the linen closet. If you have a guest bathroom, check to ensure it has a fresh supply of tissue, shampoos and soaps. If you only have one guest room, choose to furnish it with two twin beds rather than one double bed so that a combination of kids and adults can more easily accommodated. And a TV in the guest room is a nice touch as well, as you and your company may not wish to go to bed at the same time. Today’s television sets are small and light and can be hung easily on the wall, taking very little space. If your house isn’t childproof, ensure you remove breakables and cover electrical outlets with plugs.
Keep your pantry and freezer well-stocked with snack foods and ingredients for meals that are quick to prepare. If you add items to a well-organized grocery list just before you run out, and shop on a regular basis, you should always have the supplies you need on hand. Some suggestions in the freezer are pizza or a large pan of lasagne, and the ingredients for a hearty pot of chili can be easy to keep in stock.
Look at your front entryway with a critical eye. Keep the paint on the stairs or railings looking clean and fresh and enhance it with container pots of real or artificial flowers. A mat with the word “welcome” printed on it is a nice touch too, and add a comfy chair or two if you have room, to make it look homey and inviting.
Be sure to check your family entrance as your guests may be coming and going there as well. Have a basket for everyone’s personal belongings, and a shoe rack to keep the footwear under control. Providing plenty of hooks for coats and scarves is always a good idea and make sure the area is well lit. A mirror is handy too.
Most of all, be sure you greet your guests with a genuine welcome. If they have dropped in unexpectedly and will be staying overnight, you may have to change some of your plans you had for the time they are with you. If you can’t, however, you need to explain to them right away that you will be out at a function or event for a few hours. Ensure them that they are welcome to make themselves at home and enjoy your hospitality in your absence. Or you might have some suggestions of local shopping malls or tourist attractions they can enjoy.
Look around your house today and see what you can do to be ready for guests at all times and you’ll have renewed peace of mind and confidence that you can welcome beloved family or friends as a truly gracious hostess.
