Visiting Friends and Family Overnight
As Thanksgiving approaches many of us will be spending the time visiting family or friends. It's a time to laugh, love and share moments and memories. Sometime that can be a challenge for the host, their family, and even their guests. Here are a few ideas to help make the Holidays organized, enjoyable, and fun for everyone!
-Remember you're spending time with the people you love! Enjoy the moment and be present! Try to limit your usage on your devices. Yes it’s realistic to say you will be on your phone but it shouldn’t be attached to your hand like a second skin. Yes stay connected but it’s not necessary to post every photo every moment every split second it’s captured. Share them at the kiddos nap time, or the car ride to the ice skating rink, or at bedtime. Don’t feel like you have to be attached to your phone to be the paparazzi. Make a fun hashtag for you and your guests to share photos effortlessly between each other (i.e. #DoeFamFun #TurkeyBowl2014).
-If you are hosting guests that will be staying overnight but a afraid things will get a little chaotic, try creating a light itinerary for you and your guest. It will provide your guest with direction on what to expect while staying in your home. It can omit the dreaded question, "What are we going to do?” Also as the host you know exactly when the comings and goings are, meal times, and activities occurring so you feel less anxious, rushed or caught off guard.
-If you don't like your guest going through your home's ins and out's then simply provide them with everything they need. A small basket or tote with all the guest essentials is a great way to keep well intended family from snooping through your bathroom. Try to include thing they may forget like a new bar of soap, razor, toothbrush, mini shampoo, conditioner, and even a wash cloth. If a guest has a special health need (seasonal allergies, etc.) or personal preference (i.e. extra blanket, or pillow at night) leave one in their room. It's not your job to be their housekeeper or at their beck and call but for the time period your guests are visiting your home is their home.
-Plan your meals. Plan out your meals limits the questioning of, "What should we eat?" It will help you know exactly what to purchase when you go to the store. Also you should have a a firm range on how much cooking time will be needed while your guests are visiting.
-Know your guests and be aware if they have conflicts with family members. You don't need to know all their business just the business that affects your event. I'm sure your heart may be well intended in trying to repair the long standing rift between guests. But group gathering, events and holiday parties are not the time to place feuding relatives next to each other at the table. Unless you’re prepared to have your meal ruined or a crazy disaster don't use meal time a venue to repair a rift in the family? Yes it can go well but also it can go horribly wrong. If that is your intent then try to find a time that you can pull your guests away privately to handle the matter.
-BREATHE!! Relax! Often times when guests visit the host find the need to be the "do it all" person. That's not needed more times than not. If your guests offer to help while you have 4 items cooking a timer going off and a child having a tantrum, take it! Some of the greatest holidays memories are created doing a simple no effort task. 10 years from now what do you want to remember, all Holiday you spent exhausted and glued to the kitchen or laughs and joy shared with your family and friends?
-If you are staying with family or friends remember, it's NOT a hotel so don't treat your host like the Guests Services Rep at a hotel. Thank your host, they have more than likely worked harder than they are will to admit in preparation for your visit.
-Be gracious. If you’re a bit out of your element and/or uncomfortable remember we all do things differently and before you know it you'll be having a great time! If not politely pull your host aside and share your concerns.
-Don't crazy over pack. If you’re going to your in-law's house for 2 days, and staying on their pull out couch don't pack 4 suitcases! Be mindful of the amount of space you will be given. You may not have a chance to unpack you belongs (due to limited space) and there's nothing like tripping over your guest's belongs spread everywhere.
-When packing your bag try sorting them by the outfit. By packing all of one outfit together it will be easy to find or know what you will be wearing each day and/or activity.
-If you have a special need or desire (blanket, food allergy, medical condition that would apply to the visit) for overnight try to provide that info to your host prior to your arrival. Your host would like your visit to be just as great as you do. More times than not the host does not mind doing what they can, and may even appreciate you letting them know prior to the event.
-Enjoy yourself and be present. Try not to be on you device the whole time or isolate yourself from the group. If you are not enjoying yourself or not feeling welcomed, politely pull your host to the side (or away from the group) and let them know. Share your thoughts and feelings but be respectful in your delivery. I'm sure your host may not be away there is an issue but will gladly do what they can to handle it.
Now I know all of that can be a lot to take in but most of us already do these things anyway or may have and a few slipped our mind. My suggestion to you all is remember your end goal… Have Fun! It’s all about love, laughter, family and friends. When you have your eyes set on that all the other things just fall into place. But if all the planning and preparation still seems a bit overwhelming to you, contact me! I’d love to help make your event a smooth and successful experience for both you and your guests!
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