How to Entertain a House Guest

Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill are coming for 10 days and you haven't a clue what do to with them. Do not fear! Sometimes entertaining is as simple as a private room and some fresh brewed coffee.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself for a guest. Entertaining can be emotionally taxing and incredibly tiring, but getting ready before they arrive will make it easier on everyone involved. Make a to-do list for items you would like to get out of the way before they arrive. Clean the house so you are not preoccupied with presentation. Get some extra sleep. Do something fun and indulgent.

2. Present your guest with a small, inexpensive gift in their room or sleeping area when they arrive. The subtle gesture makes it clear that you are pleased with their being your guest.

3. Understand the purpose of your visitor's stay. This is the most important part of entertaining a house guest! If you can figure out a guest's wants and needs, you both will benefit from their visit. Your guest might want to be a tourist, might be there for a specific event, or may just want to be a wallflower, blending in to the day-to-day routine and "hanging out."

4. Actively include your guest, but don't overwhelm him or her. For a visitor, it's pretty daunting to be presented with an hour-by-hour itinerary when you walk in the door. Instead, find a happy medium between keeping them busy and giving them down time. If you have to go out for groceries, ask your house guest to come along as a companion, but give them the option of staying home and taking a catnap.

5. Keep your guests on their toes! Small thoughtful gestures or surprises will be appreciated by visitors. Have breakfast or coffee ready in the morning before they even emerge. If you have a prior obligation, leave a map and your car keys with a note telling them to explore. Find out ahead of time if they have a hobby and plan an evening around their particular interests. The beauty of keeping house guests on their toes is that you are entertaining them without really doing anything.

6. Create privacy for your house guest. Entertaining a house guest includes making sure they are comfortable. A guest will have a far better time if he or she has a little bit of space to call their own. Plus, it's an adventure to stay somewhere new! Again, you are entertaining without really doing anything.

Tips & Warnings

• Most hosts feel the need to have a laundry list of planned activities. This can often be a huge mistake when it comes to entertaining. Keep in mind--sometimes even the most mundane activity can be interesting to someone who doesn't do it every day. For example, maybe you go to the farmer's market to pick out vegetables twice a week. Is this something that would be new to your house guest? Don't be afraid to make your guest tag along. Entertaining a guest doesn't always mean treating them like a tourist.

• Hosts walk the fine line between companions and tour guides. Be cautious not to come off as overbearing, bossy and insistent. House guests have a hard time saying no (well, gracious house guests do). Don't put them in the position.