Seeing friends and family this holiday season can mean traveling for hours, then landing in a guest room with suitcases — and perhaps children and pets — in tow. Lovely as these visits can be, they’re often tinged with tension. Living with someone, even for a matter of days, isn’t simple. With the holidays fast approaching, here are some strategies for the modern houseguest:
Communicate clearly beforehand.
Parents shouldn’t assume that families without children will have things like Cheerios, juice or toys on hand.
Don’t overstay your welcome.
Three days is great, but a week can be too much even with family, says Amy Nebens, author of A Gracious Welcome: Etiquette and Ideas for Entertaining Houseguests.
Be flexible and listen to your host.
“Especially for the holiday season, it’s fair to assume your hosts have a lot of other stuff going on,” says Leslie Carlin, co-author of the etiquette guide Things You Need to be Told. Bring a book or something to occupy yourself. Around the house, it’s great to help out. But follow the hosts’ lead.
Say thanks before, during and after the visit.
Always arrive with a gift no matter whom you’re visiting or how long you’ll stay. Also, invite your host out for a meal, or several meals. Offer to pay for groceries. Send a thank you note on returning home. It’s a small gesture, but a vital one.
The Associated Press
