The Holiday Season is upon us.
Christmas carols, festive décor, visiting family, holiday parties and …house guests.
It’s the perfect time to review guest and host etiquette, should your plans include overnight visits.
Guest Etiquette
Arrive on time.
Arrange to have clear arrival and departure times and dates and stick to it.
Come bearing gifts – dessert, wine, flowers. Be creative & personalize it.
Make your stay effortless – Clean up after yourself!
Donate to the household. Whether it’s conversation or jobs. Offering to chauffeur the kids to sports or walking the dog. Bonus points. It’s nice to feel like a part of the household and helpful to your hosts.
Offer to cook or take them out for dinner. For an extended stay, why not do both?
Always abide house rules- shoes off, no smoking etc. Follow their lead.
Respect their schedules. Bedtimes, work schedules or homework time.
Life does not stop just because you are a guest. Let them have time to themselves. Don’t expect to be entertained or catered to. Entertain yourself and give them some time to themselves too.
A well-mannered guest brings their own toiletries. Remember to pack the essentials.
Don’t be critical, be grateful for their invitation. Enjoy their home, company and hospitality.
Bring a thank you card and a gift of appreciation to leave for your hosts, at your departure.
It’s wise to be a gracious house guest, especially if you want to be invited back.
Reminders for a Courteous Host
Preparing for a visit – Of course, there will be house cleaning to do! Clean & declutter and clean again.
While you are sprucing up the place have a look for items that may need to be fixed ahead of a visit.
Fix that leaky faucet or that handle you have to jiggle, rather than having to explain it – or worse… avoid awkward situations.
Try to make the space neutral by removing photos and personal objects. Put away sensitive or important items. Child proof and/or pet proof, if necessary.
Style a clean, comfortable space. New fresh bedding & towels.
Create closet space with extra hangers or a few drawers.
Make useful items handy, like an umbrella, a waste basket, a clock, a mirror.
Revisit the thermostat temperature and provide extra blankets.
Anticipate your guests needs and provide thoughtful touches.
Place nightlights in bedrooms.
Clear a plug for guest charging items. Include a card with the wifi info. Expert level… print it & frame it, so it won’t get lost or misplaced.
Stock up on extra toiletry essentials too, just in case.
Snacks and caffeine are vital!
Set up a coffee, tea and snack station so they don’t have to wait for you in the mornings.
Communicate well ahead of the visit- know your guest’s favourites and allergies.
Be sure to confirm travel arrangement details, especially the meeting time and place.
Do they need to be picked up? Provide directions.
It would be considerate to accommodate a parking spot upon arrival.
Let your guest know your schedule.
Consider drawing up an itinerary. Especially if it is an extended stay.
It will avoid confusion – especially if they wake up wondering where you are!
Your guest will appreciate some alone time too.
Try to reconnect by the end of the day.
Have Fun
Plan as much as possible, but also remember to look forward to the visit.
Don’t aim for perfection. Your guests are not there to be critical.
Keep in mind the goal is to enjoy the time spent together!
Welcome your guests into your home. Give them the tour upon arrival.
Have fun and be proud of your home and the accommodation you are providing.
Help them to feel at home.
I hope you have a memorable visit filled with love and laughter.
Need Help?
Take the stress out of preparing for your guests arrival by enlisting our help.
Should you want help getting ready for your Christmas guests, our experienced, trustworthy team is available!
You will be surprised at how quickly NEAT SPACES can turn your cluttered spaces in neat spaces.
Happy Holidays!
Testimonial
Read what satisfied customers like Carolyn from Burlington have to say about NEAT SPACES:
“I couldn’t be more pleased. Thanks to NEAT SPACES I now have my basement reclaimed. I was able to have Christmas gatherings in our old recreation room with my family. They remembered it from their own childhood, which was awesome. So, I now have my entire house completely reorganized and purged. Finally, it’s livable and entirely my own, rather than me living in my parent’s home. Of course, there are plenty of reminders of my childhood left on purpose, but it’s MY home now. They did an awesome job, I was fortunate to have their guidance. Thank you”.
