Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a host, I am there to pamper my guests. My survival tip is for before the guests come. My one rule is that I do not allow pets or smoking inside the house

1) I pay extra to my cleaning lady and use her help in the weeks leading up to the visit to clean and organize the house.
2) Ask what the guests need (special milk, food allergies) and accommodate that.
3) I have a guest suite and I load it up with everything they might need, similar to a hotel suite. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, wifi, snacks, fruits, ironing board, spa products for the bathroom, jacuzzi, magnifying mirror, hair dryer, heating pad, robe, lots of towels, waste paper basket, tampons and pads, extra toothbrush, chocolates, phone and ipad charger, extra laptop.
4) Keep a collection of take out menus in the kitchen.
5) Keep our 3rd car serviced and clean, and the tank filled.

I didn’t know Martha Stewart was on DCUM.

No pets? This cancels out all the above. Hopefully guests stay in a doggie friendly hotel. Win win. ?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a host, I am there to pamper my guests. My survival tip is for before the guests come. My one rule is that I do not allow pets or smoking inside the house

1) I pay extra to my cleaning lady and use her help in the weeks leading up to the visit to clean and organize the house.
2) Ask what the guests need (special milk, food allergies) and accommodate that.
3) I have a guest suite and I load it up with everything they might need, similar to a hotel suite. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, wifi, snacks, fruits, ironing board, spa products for the bathroom, jacuzzi, magnifying mirror, hair dryer, heating pad, robe, lots of towels, waste paper basket, tampons and pads, extra toothbrush, chocolates, phone and ipad charger, extra laptop.
4) Keep a collection of take out menus in the kitchen.
5) Keep our 3rd car serviced and clean, and the tank filled.

I didn’t know Martha Stewart was on DCUM.

Very telling comment. I totally get how you were raised, your current SES and how your household is run. I use my managerial skills to anticipate what guest will need as well as delegate chores so that I am not a stressed and resentful host. Feel free to use my tips.
- Not Martha Stewart but capable of using my brains to make things run smoothly

It was meant to be a compliment.

DP but now I'm pretty sure that really is Martha Stewart. The combination of being the perfect hostess, having her sh!t completely together, being complimented, and managing to be a witch about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a host, I am there to pamper my guests. My survival tip is for before the guests come. My one rule is that I do not allow pets or smoking inside the house

1) I pay extra to my cleaning lady and use her help in the weeks leading up to the visit to clean and organize the house.
2) Ask what the guests need (special milk, food allergies) and accommodate that.
3) I have a guest suite and I load it up with everything they might need, similar to a hotel suite. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, wifi, snacks, fruits, ironing board, spa products for the bathroom, jacuzzi, magnifying mirror, hair dryer, heating pad, robe, lots of towels, waste paper basket, tampons and pads, extra toothbrush, chocolates, phone and ipad charger, extra laptop.
4) Keep a collection of take out menus in the kitchen.
5) Keep our 3rd car serviced and clean, and the tank filled.

I didn’t know Martha Stewart was on DCUM.

Very telling comment. I totally get how you were raised, your current SES and how your household is run. I use my managerial skills to anticipate what guest will need as well as delegate chores so that I am not a stressed and resentful host. Feel free to use my tips.
- Not Martha Stewart but capable of using my brains to make things run smoothly

Will keep that in mind when we get a third car. (Or a second car for that matter.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a host, I am there to pamper my guests. My survival tip is for before the guests come. My one rule is that I do not allow pets or smoking inside the house

1) I pay extra to my cleaning lady and use her help in the weeks leading up to the visit to clean and organize the house.
2) Ask what the guests need (special milk, food allergies) and accommodate that.
3) I have a guest suite and I load it up with everything they might need, similar to a hotel suite. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, wifi, snacks, fruits, ironing board, spa products for the bathroom, jacuzzi, magnifying mirror, hair dryer, heating pad, robe, lots of towels, waste paper basket, tampons and pads, extra toothbrush, chocolates, phone and ipad charger, extra laptop.
4) Keep a collection of take out menus in the kitchen.
5) Keep our 3rd car serviced and clean, and the tank filled.

I didn’t know Martha Stewart was on DCUM.

Very telling comment. I totally get how you were raised, your current SES and how your household is run. I use my managerial skills to anticipate what guest will need as well as delegate chores so that I am not a stressed and resentful host. Feel free to use my tips.
- Not Martha Stewart but capable of using my brains to make things run smoothly

It was meant to be a compliment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a host, I am there to pamper my guests. My survival tip is for before the guests come. My one rule is that I do not allow pets or smoking inside the house

1) I pay extra to my cleaning lady and use her help in the weeks leading up to the visit to clean and organize the house.
2) Ask what the guests need (special milk, food allergies) and accommodate that.
3) I have a guest suite and I load it up with everything they might need, similar to a hotel suite. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, wifi, snacks, fruits, ironing board, spa products for the bathroom, jacuzzi, magnifying mirror, hair dryer, heating pad, robe, lots of towels, waste paper basket, tampons and pads, extra toothbrush, chocolates, phone and ipad charger, extra laptop.
4) Keep a collection of take out menus in the kitchen.
5) Keep our 3rd car serviced and clean, and the tank filled.

I didn’t know Martha Stewart was on DCUM.

Very telling comment. I totally get how you were raised, your current SES and how your household is run. I use my managerial skills to anticipate what guest will need as well as delegate chores so that I am not a stressed and resentful host. Feel free to use my tips.
- Not Martha Stewart but capable of using my brains to make things run smoothly

Anonymous wrote:As a host, I am there to pamper my guests. My survival tip is for before the guests come. My one rule is that I do not allow pets or smoking inside the house

1) I pay extra to my cleaning lady and use her help in the weeks leading up to the visit to clean and organize the house.
2) Ask what the guests need (special milk, food allergies) and accommodate that.
3) I have a guest suite and I load it up with everything they might need, similar to a hotel suite. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, wifi, snacks, fruits, ironing board, spa products for the bathroom, jacuzzi, magnifying mirror, hair dryer, heating pad, robe, lots of towels, waste paper basket, tampons and pads, extra toothbrush, chocolates, phone and ipad charger, extra laptop.
4) Keep a collection of take out menus in the kitchen.
5) Keep our 3rd car serviced and clean, and the tank filled.

I didn’t know Martha Stewart was on DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lorazepam

If you need drugs then you have a problem.

I have an open kitchen policy as long as you clean up your mess and NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER leave dishes in sink! Doing this will turn me into a wicked witch. I also have "library" with recliners, no TV, where people can go for peace and quiet. TV for sports is in basement with ample seating and another "den" on main floor with TV for those who don't like sports. Thankfully, no one has small children and my animals are the only ones allowed.

It works well. We also have plenty of food and grown children are free to invite friends

NP. If you can't chuckle at a little joke (or have a little grace and perspective for people who do, actually, have a problem and need drugs), then you lack humor and charm. I can tell you're really great at parties.

When a lot of family guests are doing on Christmas Day I assign things for them to bring and cook to keep me sane. My husband is in charge of all beverages and organizing clean up and keeping the grandchildren happy. He also seems to have a slow mimosa drip going most of the day to help him deal with all of the chaos.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lorazepam

If you need drugs then you have a problem.

I have an open kitchen policy as long as you clean up your mess and NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER leave dishes in sink! Doing this will turn me into a wicked witch. I also have "library" with recliners, no TV, where people can go for peace and quiet. TV for sports is in basement with ample seating and another "den" on main floor with TV for those who don't like sports. Thankfully, no one has small children and my animals are the only ones allowed.

It works well. We also have plenty of food and grown children are free to invite friends

Yes, you are correct Captain Obvious.

Of course, the person who really needs the drugs is the one who can’t tolerate children or a dish in the sink. Sounds like bowl-of-fruit lady.

As a host, I provide a welcome meal, but always encourage the guests to use the kitchen and be comfortable.

For long visits, I have my cleaning ladies come in on day 3 or so to clean the house (we leave for an activity to let them do their job).

I try to have a general schedule, but also allow people time to relax, eg. everyone has their own breakfast when they wake up, then we have a morning "activity" like ice skating with kids, we come home for nap (for kids) and lunch (take out), then there is a quiet/nap time, then, my husband might take the kids and the guests for a walk while I make dinner.

As a guest, I offer to help (wash dishes, make a salad, clean up after meals); I offer to take my hosts out one night. I also go grocery shopping "because our kids like specific things" (but really, so that I have fruits, cheese and spreads for when we are hungry and I do not want to bother the hosts).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lorazepam

If you need drugs then you have a problem.

I have an open kitchen policy as long as you clean up your mess and NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER leave dishes in sink! Doing this will turn me into a wicked witch. I also have "library" with recliners, no TV, where people can go for peace and quiet. TV for sports is in basement with ample seating and another "den" on main floor with TV for those who don't like sports. Thankfully, no one has small children and my animals are the only ones allowed.

It works well. We also have plenty of food and grown children are free to invite friends

Yes, you are correct Captain Obvious.