Christmas is a time for family and friends.
It sounds brilliant written down like that, but real life doesn't always happen the way we might expect. While it's always great to catch up with relatives we don't get to see very often, there's a definite art to navigating visitor season without too much stress.
As much as we love family, we all know that spending too much time together can lead to tension. Whether it's an overly-critical mother-in-law, your brothers who still bicker like teenagers or your actual teenagers who are more interested in Facebook than family, every clan comes with a little baggage. Planning ahead and knowing how best to navigate these potential fallouts is key to survival!
Having house guests, especially over-nighters, can be stressful at the best of times. But when you've got a roast dinner to deal with, hordes of excited children running around with new toys, and a healthy amount of sherry consumption taking place, Christmas visitors can run the risk of tipping us over the edge if we don't plan well in advance! As the next instalment of our #PagazziPreparations series, we thought we'd put together a few ideas on how best to prepare for festive guests, so you are free to enjoy their company without too much stress!
Think of the little things.
A comfortable guest is a good guest, so taking the time to make sure you've thought of the little things before they arrive is a must. Make sure essentials like mugs and towels are easy to find and guests know how to work things like the shower and the television. Making your visitors feel comfortable to see to themselves will not only make them feel more at home, but it'll give you space and time to relax too. In terms of sleeping spaces, if possible it's great to make sure that guests have a place to put their things and get ready. Another home comfort is to make sure they have reading lights which they can operate from their beds. If you need to invest in some new bedside lamps before your guests arrived we have a stunning range of affordable options at Pagazzi. Check out some of our top-picks under £40 below to get inspired!
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| Cristal Table Lamp | Filigree Heart Table Lamp | Lizzie Touch Table Lamp |
Put on a united front!
There's nothing less pleasing that rushing around last minute in your marigolds to create the image of domestic bliss, only to have the kids ruin it all with their incriminating questions ('why's the house so tidy!?') in front of the in-laws! Swear them to secrecy beforehand. Also, make sure you've recruited the help of your significant other and kids, or whomever you live with, to make sure you've got a team of helpers to get your through.
Stock up on the essentials.
With no milk fans in my house, it's unusual that we'll have any on hand unless we remember we've got visitors coming. With guests coming make sure you're stocked up on the essentials: tea, coffee, milk, sugar, butter and toilet paper! As long as you've got these to hand, things can't go too far wrong, right? Also make sure you're aware of any particular dietary requirements, too! Most guests who can't eat or drink particular things often bring their own, but having their preferred brands on hand when they arrive is a lovely welcoming touch if possible.
Lay out lots of reading materials.
Once the initial excitement has worn off and your guests have settled in, things to talk about with some family members can dry up quite quickly. I'm sure we've all experienced a frosty atmosphere or hint of awkwardness when conversation slows to a stop. A great way to avoid this is to have plenty of reading material lying out in the open. Whether it's magazines, newspapers, collections of short stories, or coffee table picture books, reading (or pretending) to read something is a brilliant way to navigate those awkward silences without having to force conversation.
Remember you're a human, not a hotelier.
It's natural to want to be the best host you can be, but it is important to keep in mind your house isn't a hotel and shouldn't be treated like one. Make your guests feel at home and encourage them to act like it! If guests feel comfortable to fetch themselves a drink, it means you can take some time to relax and enjoy yourself too. Most guests are great at cleaning up after themselves and helping out the host. If your guests aren't as thoughtful, then it's important to be polite, but don't be a pushover. Get comfortable asking for a little help if you need it, and know where to draw the line.
It's Christmas, enjoy it!
Guests can be a little stressful, but deep down we really love having them. Plus, it's Christmas! So make sure you take the time to relax, let the cards fall where they may, and have a great time with your loved ones!
Do you have any hints and tips for dealing with guests? If so be sure to let us know in the comments below or get social with us on