Modern Manners for Successful Hosting

Hospitality doesn't mean fanciness, it means to generously receive your guests. Don’t worry about showing off or impressing people, but instead,  share your home and your time. Having guests any time of year come to stay can be both easy and difficult. Here are a few modern manners on how to handle these situations gracefully and stress-free, so everyone can have a positive memorable experience.

1. Declutter & Provide Space for Your Guests:

Getting your home cleaned and organized is the first step before your guests arrive, besides, reining in chaos around the house is never a bad idea. You and your visitors will be more comfortable without piles of wanted clutter and embarrassing messes. Once you have organized, make sure your guests have a clear place to put their things. Give some thought to where your company will store their things. Perhaps in a closet stocked with a variety of hangers, or may be some drawers in a bureau.

2. Respect Your Guest’s Privacy

First of all, don’t make your elders sleep on the couch. If your younger sibling or some friends are coming to stay, they can stay on a pull-out couch or sleep on an air mattress. When your parents or grandparents are staying, offer them a bed and if your bed is the only bed in the house, that means you’ll be sleeping on the couch.

If you need something from the room your guest is staying in for the time being, consider it their space. Always knock and wait for a reply before entering. It would also be considerate to let them know when your going in the room, even if they are not in there at the time.

3. Distinguish What is Yours and What is for Everyone:

Your guests should respect your privacy when staying with you, but in case they don’t  leave out extra toiletries for your guests to use and some other basics that add a welcoming touch. Fill a little basket with towels, shampoo, soap, and other basics for the bathroom, and may be provides a carafe of water, a few books, a candle, or fresh flowers on their nightstand to help them feel at home. As a precaution, you may want to tuck out of sight anything you don’t want them to use or see, like that super expensive face cream or your prescription medications.

4. Stock Your Pantry and Make Something Special

When it comes to gatherings, people like to share meals. Breakfast is a little hard to read though. Some people wake up before the sun comes up, and some well after. Prepare ahead of time with a savory quiche, your grandmother’s coffee cake, or a large bowl of seasonal fruit for quick, easy breakfast options so that people can help themselves.

Keeping that in mind, keep refreshments on hand because no one should ever have to ask for a glass of water. If guests are over, put out a pretty pitcher of water and some glasses. By making snacks and drinks readily available, you’re also freeing yourself to enjoy your friends instead of being busy waiting on them. They are there to spend time with you, not to have you wait on them.

5. Strive for A Meaningful and Memorable Event:

It depends on you and your guests like to do, but planning one meaningful event will create a memorable experience. It really could be anything: dinner at a nice restaurant, a morning hike through the woods, a day at the beach, or a beer/wine tour and tasting. The options are endless. When your visitors go home, they will definitely reminisce about this event in years to come.

Noella Schink is a writer and fervent home cook from Portland, Maine with an affection for rustic New England decor and culture. She is inspired by local designer Sturbridge Yankee Workshop for home decor elements like rustic kitchen tables, chic country furniture, wool-hooked rugs, and kitchen gadgets.