Everybody knows the basic etiquettes of having people over in your home. Nobody is new to this, but some of you might not be accustomed to entertaining and hosting. Some might be acquiring the pressure of entertaining, and some do whatever they know. You might not be aware, but there could be some things that you’re doing wrong all this time. Read on to learn about it.
Poor Planning
It’s pretty much basic to have a plan before doing something important. Whether you’re going to have a big or small party or gathering, it’s best to think about every aspect of it to avoid it being disastrous.
First, you need to sort out the basics of a gathering. Planning enough seats and food for the guests. If, for example, you’re having a barbecue party, allow extra time for cooking and preparing ahead.
If you’re looking into an outdoor party, check the weather forecast to make sure you protect them from the sun and wind or if there is rain coming up. Don’t forget to get insect repellent. If you have an elevated deck, make sure everything is stable. A Trex deck gate is something you can reach for if you’re looking for something durable and sustainable at the same time.
Decluttering and cleaning up your home is another essential. You don’t want to be embarrassed by having a messy and chaotic house.
Is the bathroom stocked up with every essential your guests need? You might already know the essentials, such as hand soap and dry towels. But don’t forget the first-aid kit, aspirin or paracetamol, and anti-allergy pills just in case. You’ll never know what can happen, so it’s best to be prepared than sorry.
Have planned activities to keep your guests from being bored? While a party usually revolves around good conversation and good food, you can always make it more fun by playing interactive games. This can also be your backup plan in case your party becomes dead.
Being too Materialistic
Being a delightful host isn’t about having expensive silverware, china, glassware, home decor, or furniture. When people come over to your home, they most likely wouldn’t care about the price of your stuff, but they’re going to notice how fun and relaxing it is to be in your home. With that, they’d sure like to come over again.
Don’t be ashamed to normalize using what you already have. It is unhealthy to spend money on things you can’t even afford to fish praises from your guests. Forget aiming for perfection and matching glasses and plates. Consider being an environmentally responsible host by avoiding disposable dining materials.
If you want to have nice things for your guests, you can plan this ahead and save some plates and glasses exclusively for them. But again, things don’t have to be expensive to be impressive. You can be creative without spending relentlessly.
Being Wasteful
Perhaps it’s time to be more mindful of what you’re doing and using in your home, especially when you have people over since you might need to impress them with material things. Using paper or plastic plates, utensils, and cups is not only wasteful but also eco-ignorant. There is nothing wrong with using what you already have or buying some dining materials for your guests and using them long-term.
Being wasteful is also preparing too much food and beverages. It’s perfectly proper to prepare a little extra food to keep your guests full or in case somebody ends up showing up unexpectedly. A part of good planning and being responsible at the same time is having recyclable food containers to offer the guests leftovers to take home.
As a guest, it’s always a good idea to bring your water bottle or tumbler to avoid wasting cups. Using your water bottle can help the hosts reduce their washing obligations by the end of the night.
Not Thinking through the Amount of Space
You don’t want your guests to crowd about your home because that is very uncomfortable and can be chaotic and cause accidents and wasteful spills. Dining and lounging areas are the best where people can be comfortable and be fed simultaneously. Allowing them to spread out can be a good idea too.
To let them spread out, you prepare different zones around your house. Instead of cramping all the food and beverages in the kitchen, you can set a table in a separate room for a cocktail station where guests can make their own drinks. Snacks can be placed on another table next to it, depending on the arrangement of your home. Main dishes can stay in the kitchen.
Being a host, even in your home, is not a simple task. It can be a lot of pressure, but the key is to be smart and not overthink things. As long as you planned everything thoroughly, you’re good. And remember that nothing is perfect. Your guests won’t hate for creating a few minor mistakes.
