Hosting guests can be a great way to socialize, however it can also be stressful. Many people host friends and family members over the holidays, which is why Julian Charles created their #MyFestiveHome campaign.
If you’re new to hosting, or you’re simply looking for some tips to make it as easy and stress-free as possible, here are some things you can do:
Keep it in perspective
We’ve all been to that person’s house and noticed that they’re so stressed out we feel bad for inconveniencing them. Often, they’re running around trying to get everything sorted and ensuring we feel comfortable, but what we’d really like is for them to relax. Your guests are visiting because they want to spend time with you. Of course, you should prepare your home. But remember that these people want you to enjoy yourself as well.
Prepare in advance
If you haven’t hosted guests for a long time (or ever), it’s a good idea to prepare in advance. Make a list of all the things you’ll need so you won’t have to keep going out to the store to grab the things you’ve forgotten. Check that you have some nice comfortable sheets, and plenty of extra blankets in case they get cold. Add a fan to the room so they can use it if they get too hot, and make sure you have enough nice towels for them to use.
Add a few magazines or books for them to flip through if they have some time on their hands. Make sure you have a lamp next to their bed in case they need to get up during the night, and you show them where all the other light switches are.
Cook smart
Cooking for guests can be stressful, especially if it’s not something you enjoy. Invest in a crockpot or slow cooker if you don’t yet have one, and load it up in the morning so all you need to do is serve at night. You can also prepare a couple of basics like soup ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Add some fresh bread and you have a nice, comforting home-cooked meal.
Sophia
