| It's four pm on Friday and your good friendsare due | | | | showof family photos. Not only was the gesture as |
| at your house for a weekend visit intwo hours. You | | | | hitas we sat around, laughing about old memories, |
| mentally run through thechecklist of things you need | | | | italso gave me one less thing to worry about!" |
| to do before theyarrive and realize that pulling it off | | | | Here are three ways to keep Buttoned Up |
| will require asmall miracle. Whether it's old friends, | | | | whilehosting overnight guests: |
| siblings, orin-laws lots of our readers will be hosting | | | | #1: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things |
| visitorsthis holiday season. While rekindling those | | | | A great way to let your guests know you |
| oldfriendships and nurturing family is usually | | | | arethinking about and excited for their impendingvisit |
| verygratifying, getting ready for overnight guests | | | | is to find out a few of their favorites beforethey |
| canbe incredibly stressful, especially if your life | | | | arrive. Whether it's their favorite soap orfavorite |
| isalready packed-to-the-gills with activities andwork. If | | | | breakfast food, having a few of yourguests' favorite |
| you're expecting house guests in the nextfew | | | | things on hand for their stay is asure way to provide |
| months, here are a few, simple things you cando to | | | | a warm and heartfelt welcome. |
| ensure they'll enjoy their stay withoutcausing you to | | | | #2: To Do List |
| go grey (well ok, any greyer thanyou are now). | | | | Even the simplest and most routine of tasks |
| Alicia on "Pick One Detail" | | | | mayescape your attention while you are busy |
| "Rather than try to be the absolute, perfect | | | | hostingovernight houseguests. To keep on top of |
| hostess,pick one detail that will let your guests know | | | | yourto-dos, make a list of your normal daily |
| howspecial they are to you and how happy you are | | | | activitiesand keep it posted in a highly visible area, |
| tohave them in your home. In the case of my | | | | such therefrigerator or family bulletin board. Commit |
| inlaws,that one detail is my daughter Lucy! So | | | | andcarve out a block of time in your calendar to |
| tomake them feel welcome, Lucy always has | | | | takecare of these tasks all at once. By doing so, |
| adrawing made especially for her grandparents. Asfor | | | | youwill be left with more time for the important stuff |
| our other favorite guest, my vegetarian bestfriend, | | | | -like hitting up all those tourists traps with |
| having a container of soymilk on hand forher morning | | | | yourout-of-town guests. |
| caffeine fix is one detail that isalways greatly | | | | #3: Balancing Act |
| appreciated." | | | | While you will probably need to make slightchanges in |
| Sarah on "Delegation" | | | | your daily schedule to accommodateyour guests, |
| "Too often, women take on the entire burden | | | | there is no need to put your entire lifeon hold while |
| ofentertaining others without ever stopping toinclude | | | | they are in town. Chances are yourguests wouldn't |
| their spouses and/or children. Not only dothey | | | | want you to in the first place. |
| represent another set of very capable hands,but | | | | Instead, try and stay focused on the high |
| they can be a great source of fun ideas too - | | | | importanceactivities. And don't forget to let |
| somake sure to include them. Everybody will | | | | yourguests know of these prior commitments. |
| havemore fun if you're not frazzled and stressed out. | | | | Thethoughtful heads up will give them a chance to |
| The last time we hosted family members, | | | | planout this free time or even take care of the |
| myhusband, Gardiner, helped plan the | | | | personalcommitments they have had to place on |
| evening'sactivities by putting together a digital slide | | | | hold. |
