What’s the most important thing to do first when you find out last-minute guests are on their way over?

Question

When you get word that last-minute guests are on their way to your home, you can probably think of a dozen or more things you need to do: fix your appearance, clean your home, prepare food and drinks. What do you think is the most important thing to do before visitors arrive to make them feel welcome?

Answer 1

lol ... lots of answers but just wanted to get in on the action too ...

I would say honestly say that not much is required for last-minute guests other than to make them feel as welcome and at home as possible. exactly what is reasonable and how to prioritize depends on the state of things at the time you learn of the impending visit.

my checklist would go something like:
(1) my appearance ... if I was wearing anything respectable (i.e. clothes I would be comfortable going out in public in) and my hair did not look like I just rolled out of bed, I would consider the first point taken care of.
(2) place for guests to sit ... just straighten up living room with emphesis on "big" picture and not vacuuming, dusting and polishing detail. close doors for rooms that are in a mess or you would rather the guests not see (if possible)
(3) glance around for any other obvious things you don't want respectable company to see ... I leave what that might include up to the imagination.
(4) welcoming manner ... get in the mood to be sociable and a good host especially if the the visit is actually more of an inconvenience or obligation than a pleasant suprise. your attitude is probably the most important thing in making the visitors feel welcome.

I do not thing you can be expected to have everything picture perfect for short notice visits ... just try your best and do not panic. This is especially true for all the "other" things you could do or would do if you had more advanced warning, such as food or cleaning. bottom line is keep your place semi-presentable most of the time so these events are not a major embarrassment (but also keep in mind that a "clean" house is very different for a working single mom with two young children and a wealthy elderly couple with fine china and a butler)

Answer 2

First clean the bathroom. Change the soap and towels and quickly clean the toilet bowl if you have time. If you have flowers on hand, put some in the kithcen or living room. A messy living room always looks nice with flowers in it. Make sure the sofa cushions are straightened up too. Then tidy up the entrance area. For example, if you have an entrance closet line up the shoes in an orderly fashion because this is the first home impression the guests will be left with. And then quickly go to the bathroom and put a light shade of lipstick, blush, and cream like Nivea or Neutrogena if you have some on hand to smell nice or use some light perfume. Make sure you look decent but casual. The best thing to wear with company over is a decent shirt with a skirt during the spring, fall, and early summer. During the winter, pants will be just as fine as well. If the company have children, ask your children if you have to quickly tidy up their rooms. They may protest, but don't worry if they don't because kids will alway be kids. And then make sure that the kitchen looks presentable if you plan for the company to eat in it because a messy kitchen makes the worst impression ever. If you can't do the dishes, no problem. Just comment, "I had a hard workday last night. I was so tired." Don't seem too serious either. Be casual and homely, welcoming and friendly. People like friendly personalities better than a clean house. As for the food, watch Rachel Ray for simple pasta recipes that are marvelous and spectacular and anything but simple in taste! And make sure you have light wine if the company are old enough to drink wine and if they are not against it. Wine invites conversation and a light feeling in the air. Excellent question by the way, and good luck!

Answer 3

They will have to take the house as it is if they invite themselves over. If you keep your house where you are comfortable in it, then you should be able to make any guests feel comfortable as well. The only thing I would do is make sure there is enough seating so that you can invite them to have a seat once they arrived. As for food and drinks, I would not worry about that because you were not planning for them to come and you shouldn't be expected to dish out food on such short notice. If someone asks for something, then let them know what you have and they can choose to have that or nothing. I don't mind trying to be hospitable for my guests, but there is a limit to how much I will put my self out if I didn't plan the occasion. This is only fair and if they don't understand, then oh well!!!!!!Also, I don't think having food, drinks, etc is as important as making sure that your place doesn't smell like pets, plants, old clothes, and the like. So I'd light a candle or spray Frebreze (smells so good). That way they want to come inside, and not run away holding their nose. Lighting is also key. If it's too bright, while you are talking, they are making this squinting face because they are being blinded and if it's too dark, they can't tell where you are except by the sound of your voice.

Answer 4

I check the sink for dirty dishes then make sure that I am groomed well enough to not be thinking about the fact that I haven't shaved all weekend.

After that, with whatever time I have left, I investigate the guest bathroom.

Certain things are not considered by most guests. a 3/4 full garbage can (Nobody really keeps that empty one you show off every time you have company), SOME kid's toys around the house, a few dishes in the sink...things that are normal day to day can stay!

If you're cleaning up quickly, save yourself the time consuming detail work by cleaning up just to the point that they look like they could have only been there for an hour or so.

Either that or you can throw some pots of water on the stove, bring them to boil and look frazzled while claiming that you are sorry, but you are preparing tonight's dinner as you are expecting other company for that meal (This way, they will leave sooner).

Your call. I always go with grooming, then minimal cleanup.

Make sure you aren't sweating when they finally arrive!

John G

Answer 5

Make sure the sofa cushions are straightened up too. Then tidy up the entrance area. For example, if you have an entrance closet line up the shoes in an orderly fashion because this is the first home impression the guests will be left with. And then quickly go to the bathroom and put a light shade of lipstick, blush, and cream like Nivea or Neutrogena if you have some on hand to smell nice or use some light perfume. Make sure you look decent but casual. The best thing to wear with company over is a decent shirt with a skirt during the spring, fall, and early summer. During the winter, pants will be just as fine as well. If the company have children, ask your children if you have to quickly tidy up their rooms. They may protest, but don't worry if they don't because kids will alway be kids. And then make sure that the kitchen looks presentable if you plan for the company to eat in it because a messy kitchen makes the worst impression ever. If you can't do the dishes, no problem. Just comment, "I had a hard workday last night.

Answer 6

Then tidy up the entrance area. For example, if you have an entrance closet line up the shoes in an orderly fashion because this is the first home impression the guests will be left with. And then quickly go to the bathroom and put a light shade of lipstick, blush, and cream like Nivea or Neutrogena if you have some on hand to smell nice or use some light perfume. Make sure you look decent but casual. The best thing to wear with company over is a decent shirt with a skirt during the spring, fall, and early summer. During the winter, pants will be just as fine as well. If the company have children, ask your children if you have to quickly tidy up their rooms. They may protest, but don't worry if they don't because kids will alway be kids. And then make sure that the kitchen looks presentable if you plan for the company to eat in it because a messy kitchen makes the worst impression ever. If you can't do the dishes, no problem. Just comment, "I had a hard workday last night.

Answer 7

A messy living room always looks nice with flowers in it. Make sure the sofa cushions are straightened up too. Then tidy up the entrance area. For example, if you have an entrance closet line up the shoes in an orderly fashion because this is the first home impression the guests will be left with. And then quickly go to the bathroom and put a light shade of lipstick, blush, and cream like Nivea or Neutrogena if you have some on hand to smell nice or use some light perfume. Make sure you look decent but casual. The best thing to wear with company over is a decent shirt with a skirt during the spring, fall, and early summer. During the winter, pants will be just as fine as well. If the company have children, ask your children if you have to quickly tidy up their rooms. They may protest, but don't worry if they don't because kids will alway be kids. And then make sure that the kitchen looks presentable if you plan for the company to eat in it because a messy kitchen makes the worst impression ever. If you can't do the dishes, no problem. Just comment, "I had a hard workday last night.

Answer 8

They will have to take the house as it is if they invite themselves over. If you keep your house where you are comfortable in it, then you should be able to make any guests feel comfortable as well. The only thing I would do is make sure there is enough seating so that you can invite them to have a seat once they arrived. As for food and drinks, I would not worry about that because you were not planning for them to come and you shouldn't be expected to dish out food on such short notice. If someone asks for something, then let them know what you have and they can choose to have that or nothing. I don't mind trying to be hospitable for my guests, but there is a limit to how much I will put my self out if I didn't plan the occasion. This is only fair and if they don't understand, then oh well!!!!!!It pays to have the pantry stocked up with snacks, beverages, pasta (include pasta sauce jars) and tin cans in case there are last-minute guests and you would like to offer them to stay for lunch or dinner. A packet of frozen vegetables in the freezer is great too.

Answer 9

They will have to take the house as it is if they invite themselves over. If you keep your house where you are comfortable in it, then you should be able to make any guests feel comfortable as well. The only thing I would do is make sure there is enough seating so that you can invite them to have a seat once they arrived. As for food and drinks, I would not worry about that because you were not planning for them to come and you shouldn't be expected to dish out food on such short notice. If someone asks for something, then let them know what you have and they can choose to have that or nothing. I don't mind trying to be hospitable for my guests, but there is a limit to how much I will put my self out if I didn't plan the occasion. This is only fair and if they don't understand, then oh well!!!!!! This is important as most bedrooms and bathrooms are normally disheveled much of the time and noisey guests don't need to see how untidy that you generally are. The kitchen door needs to be closed as well to indicate that you are not cooking for them either.

Answer 10

(1) my appearance ... if I was wearing anything respectable (i.e. clothes I would be comfortable going out in public in) and my hair did not look like I just rolled out of bed, I would consider the first point taken care of.
(2) place for guests to sit ... just straighten up living room with emphesis on "big" picture and not vacuuming, dusting and polishing detail. close doors for rooms that are in a mess or you would rather the guests not see (if possible)
(3) glance around for any other obvious things you don't want respectable company to see ... I leave what that might include up to the imagination.
(4) welcoming manner ... get in the mood to be sociable and a good host especially if the the visit is actually more of an inconvenience or obligation than a pleasant suprise. your attitude is probably the most important thing in making the visitors feel welcome.

I do not thing you can be expected to have everything