Nate and I are incredibly fortunate to have friends and family come visit us frequently. We love it! It’s seriously an honor to have people use their precious vacation time and funds to stay with us. I try to be a good hostess and feel strongly about offering baked goods, fresh flowers, and a comfortable guest room. After all, it seems wherever we live it is a long journey to get there. The more I host and travel myself the more I truly appreciate the effort our guests put forth and appropriate guest behavior. When some guests leave I’m devastated driving them to the airport. (I actually cried last year when my brother-in-law and sister-in-law left after 10 days together. Cried!) We all want to be the guest that is invited back, right? Following these rules is a surefire way for repeat invites and is a great reminder for me right now as well, given I am about to become a month-long houseguest (my family is THE BEST).
10. Ask what to do with bedding and towels upon departure.
9. Plan in advance. Give plenty of notice to coordinate time off of work and rides to/from the airport.
8. Do not, under any circumstance, leave dishes on the counter. Put them in the sink or (!!) the dishwasher.
7. Send a thank you note.
6. Mind your welcome. Keep visits short and sweet. (Er, I need to work on this apparently.)
5. Contribute in some way. Bring a bottle of wine, make a meal, or offer to help with dishes at least once. Or offer to babysit. Please. Even if it’s during nap time!
4. Keep the texting to a minimum, especially during meals. You’re there to visit!
3. Ask for what you need, please! Coffee, more blankets, extra pillows? Just ask. Please don’t suffer in silence. No host wants that.
2. Plan some me time: take a nap, bring a book, go on a walk. (Plus doesn’t everyone love that anyway?) Just don’t expect to be entertained all day every day.
1. Say please and thank you. Basic manners and showing respect go a long way.
Are there any rules for houseguests important to you that I left off? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
