Spring kicks off in just a few days which can only mean that soon guests will arrive as warmer months tend to bring in long lost friends and family members looking to reconnect. I enjoy having guests but unfortunately lots of what I read out there for entertaining tips tend to depress me because they’re geared more towards the perfect housewife (not me) who is lucky enough to have a guest bedroom (also not me). I don’t have a lot of space — good friends have slept on my sofa and recently a couple had to sleep on an air mattress in my office/craft room because that was my only option as they refused to take our bed.
This is why A Warm Welcome, a book written by Amy Elliott who lives in Brooklyn and is a writer at Condé Nast really can help a girl like me out.
Elliott caters to hostesses everywhere from small apartment dwellers to to those lucky enough to have that coveted ‘guest bedroom’. Her book is really helpful because she ‘gets it’ which comes through in her writing and through her many tips. I also like that in addition to being a good hostess the book also includes lots of suggestions on how to become a better guest because you know, an enjoyable time takes effort by all, right?
Published by Ryland Peters & Small, this 128 page book includes many creative and useful tips along with gorgeous lifestyle photography to motivate you and get you in the spirit of entertaining. Elliott addresses space issues, includes stress-free menus, cocktail recipes, day trip ideas, how to create a cozy sleep space and tips on making the bathroom ‘guest ready’. I have to add that I really appreciate her laid back approach, it’s not a fussy planning bible but instead a casual conversation with a smarty pants girlfriend who really knows her stuff. We all need a friend like Elliott and now we have one, all 128 pages of her.
A few tips every hostess should consider according to Elliott:
- Give the house a good cleaning before guests arrive.
- Provide your guests with maps and detailed directions.
- Let guests know what they should bring (hiking shoes, club clothes for a night on the town, etc.).
- Ask if there is anything special they’d like to eat or drink.
- Find out if there is anything in particular that they’d like to do while they’re in town so you can research and make arrangements to fit something in.
- You may need to child or animal-proof your home if guests are bringing kids or pets. Page 18 gives some excellent pointers.
- Welcome guests with open arms with a quick tour, something to drink, offer to take their bags to where they will sleep, etc.
- Keep dinner low-key on the first night as weary travelers may not fully appreciate a fancy feast.
I particularly found tip #8 helpful because I’m bubbly and by nature I get really excited when I have guests and immediately want to pounce and over-welcome them with big plans, a big meal, and lots and lots of everything I can fit in. I have to learn to tone it down which I realize now after reading that tip and thinking about it and how it must feel for guests. As a guest myself, I recall appreciating a warm welcome but usually did not respond well to being overwhelmed by an overly energetic hostess because I was often tired from traveling. Good tip!
You can pick up A Warm Welcome where books are sold, I usually purchase mine at Amazon.com so here’s the link to the book on Amazon in case you are interested — it’s $19.
Now it’s your turn… please share some of your own tips on how to either be a better hostess or a better guest? Do you have a terrible guest story to tell? What about something funny that you did as a hostess, so funny you may never forget it?
(images from ryland peters and small and amazon.co.uk)
Holly, I just added this book to my Amazon wish list! I hadn’t thought of tip #8 either and now I am wondering what other brilliant ideas she has in her book that I never quite thought about. We did write a post on tips for being a guest: http://www.chicaandjo.com/2009/01/26/be-a-good-party-guest/ I can’t wait to see what else Elliott has to say on the subject. Thanks for the great book review!
Great post! This is a bit off topic, but in reference to #6 how do you deal with guests who do not listen to your request to NOT bring pets? We are a non-dog house, we have 1 cat who urinates on everything when a dog comes into our house. However my inlaws simply will not respect our wishes and have inisted on bringing their 2 (poorly trained and loud) dogs with them on past visits. Now we are expecting our first child and they want to come and visit and bring the dogs. Our response of please don’t bring the dogs has been met with, oh they’ll be fine. Any thoughts?
I always make sure the bathroom is ready, and some extra toiletries are available – so I don’t have to rummage for them at the end of the night, and so they feel just that much more pampered.
Lindsey,
Maybe you can find a kennel near your home where the dogs can be boarded. That way they will be near your inlaws, but not in your home.
Love this! I actually wrote about this awhile (http://hyggehouse.com/everyday/for-the-love-of-guests) ago because I receive a lot of guests. I have a system down and taking a few steps provides a great experience for my guests but more importantly, a lot less chaos and stress for me.
I do a lot of prep work but once the guests are here, I am totally laid back and not fussy. It’s the easiest approach for every one and keeps me loving guest visits (and keeps my friends/family wanting to come back!).
A hair dryer is always appreciated especially when it’s a recurring guest because they’ll appreciate not having to pack one next time. Setting the coffee maker is also appreciated because I always wake up before my hostess.
A pet peeve of mine is when a host ducks out for hours without telling you ahead of time, leaving the other spouse to entertain you. This is especially annoying when you’re sharing a couples weekend because my husband feels awkward hanging with two women while our hostess’s husband “catches a quick surf…”
I’d love to hear a response to Lindsey’s post since my inlaws do the same thing with their stupid animals and then NEVER clean up after them.
My mother has always been hostess supreme– she makes sure to leave out a little packet on the bed with a towel and washcloth (so you don’t have to ask where they are), a little treat (in case you get the munchies and are too embarrassed to help yourself to the kitchen) and some little personal touch (warm socks for me, travel bottles of shower gels for my sister).
It always starts a guests first night with relaxation!