RSS
Home
Dos and Dont's for Holiday Guests
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
For many of us, spending time with family during the holidays isn't all peace and joy--especially if those family members are staying in your home. Last year, a friend's in-laws were at her house for both Christmas and New Year's (it was a holiday miracle she and her husband didn't wind up in divorce court!). And with the current economy leaving everyone frustrated and stressed, those guests can really up the holiday tension.
According to Dr. Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of The Stress Institute, a simple set of household rules can keep holiday fights at bay. "There are less surprises if you clearly state your expectations ahead of time," says Dr. Hall. "House rules create boundaries from the beginning of the holiday, and can help make it one of the most memorable gatherings of your life." Some of her suggestions include:
For the Kitchen:
Identify special foods that belong to guests with sticky notes, including those needed for dietary reasons. This will prevent arguments and misunderstandings with so many people in the refrigerator and pantry.
For the Bathroom:
Ask guests to sign-up for showering time with a 10 minute courtesy limit. Offer everyone an opportunity to take care of business without dominating the facilities.
Also, let them know you expect them to replace toilet tissue and post where extra supplies are kept.
Guest should use one towel for the week and tell them where you want the used towels placed.
For the Bedrooms:
Decide sleeping arrangements ahead of time, and post these on each room before guests arrive. This lessens anxiety for guests, knowing they have a “parking spot” for their visit.
· Bedrooms are assigned first for respect for age.
· The next deciding factor is the health of the guest.
· Parents deserve a respectful private place.
· Children are the most flexible in sleeping arrangements. Tell guests to bring sleeping bags or inflatable beds.
Events:
Post a schedule of events in a central location, and include a sign-up sheet for all who want to participate. This will ensure no stragglers are left behind. List all the events available during the weekend such as; a trip to the grocery store, the zoo, playing golf, going to a movie, the mall, etc. And don't forget to schedule some alone time for yourself. It's the only way to stay sane until your guests leave. Then, you have 364 days to recover until they're back on your doorstep!
Related Articles:
Comments
