Guests in the house-How often do you offer a drink or snack? What do you usually offer, if anything?

Answer 1

If they're close enough to stay with you then they're close enough to et things for themseves. Offer the first time or when you're getting something but otherwise they're on their own.

Answer 2

Whether the guest is staying for an hour or a week, you should offer meals/snacks at the appropriate times, ie breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, supper. Offer the food and drinks you would normally have yourself, plus an appropriate alternative for the time of day. Keep it simple, there's no need to act like you're at the Ritz! If you have toast for breakfast offer cereal or a boiled egg, if you drink tea at tea time offer sherry as an alternative. A thoughtful host/ess will never just let guests 'fend for themselves'. Although they may say 'help yourself to anything, don't wait to be asked' most guests, family included, will feel pretty awkward if they're not sure exactly what they can help themselves to. How would you feel taking a few raspberries from the punnet then learning that the host was planning to prepare a pavlova for pudding? Use a combination of etiquette and common sense, think how you'd like to be treated as a guest and act accordingly.

Answer 3

I offer them a drink whenever I want anything, or if that has been a long time then I offer just whenever they look like they could do with something. It depends on the time of day as well, if it was early in the day then it would be tea/coffee/juice/breakfast. If it was later in the day then it would be a glass of wine and snacks. Usually I tell people to help themselves.

Answer 4

it's always polite and a good host will always offer a refreshment to any visitor at any time in the home. Let common sense guide you on the rest. Obviously, if you plan on eating, you should offer the same to your guests.
If your guests are invited for a long visit, you should assume they will need refreshments and snacks. A good host will always treat his/her guests in the best ways.
On the other side of the equation, casual visitors may not expect or demand more than light refreshments unless they were led to expect more. It's really a matter of common sense, and using how you like to be treated as a guide. Most times, a simple open invitation for a first round of refreshments should be followed by asking if anyone would care for refills or more snacks.

Answer 5

It depends on how long the guest was in your home. If they were staying over night, then I would tell them to help themselves to whatever I have. But if they are only visiting for an hour or two, I would offer a drink when they first arrived, and then maybe again in an hour or so. But I probably wouldn't offer them a meal unless they came over FOR dinner.

Answer 6

Usually, I already know if a guest is coming. Gives me time to prepare.

If (S)he stays less over lunch or dinner, obviously I'll cook what's appropriate. But if it's a short visit, I like to offer fruit and cold drinks, prefer fruit juices.

Answer 7

Every time there glass becomes empty and once every 45 minutes ofr the snacks. If we are close, I lay down the places were the food and drinks are and they will served themselvs.

Answer 8

I offer them a cup and sometimes I write their name on it in marker. I show them where I cup the cups and how to open the fridge. I set up the coffee maker for them, and show them where the on button is - and tell them it's OK to turn it on.

If they are staying for more than 1 meal, I leave out a fruit basket and tell them to help themselves. Sometimes, I will leave out a container of something like homemade cookies or brownies in the evening for self-serve (but tell them it's ok to help selves to it) Same goes for a veggie tray and some dip in the fridge.

also, clear dead or expired things from the fridge before the visit - don't leave them guessing. If you have special ingredients you don't want to disappear by accident, hide them.

Answer 9

I agree with Stinger, offer once and let the help themselves.Put out a table of food and drink, show them where the fridge (bathroom - any other necessary amenitiy is), then let them do their thing whilst you enjoy your evening and relax knowing that everyone is capable of taking care of themselves

Answer 10

Anytime someone comes over I have something to eat and drink for them. If a friend wants to come by before noon, I may have coffee/tea and muffins. If they are coming after dinner, I may have wine/coffee and a dessert. It just depends what is going on too. When I had meetings at my house (we'd take turns) coffee, water, tea, popcorn, crackers, finger type food and nothing fancy.