Sure, I was sad and a little anxious about it (welcome to the life of an self-proclaimed, undiagnosed anxiet-er). But don't get me all wrong over here. I was excited! A mere 6 months into our lives as marrieds and we were being given the opportunity to build our own family, our own home (ok, ok, it's an apartment), make new friends and new social agendas. We were being given the opportunity to start our own lives, away from what our lives had been as singles.
Luckily, Denver is oh so central for just about anyone who would want to come visit us—Salt Lake is only an 8-hour drive and the airport is a major hub. So, the husband and I decided that our apartment needed to have a guest room. Because, by golly, we expected visitors! And, after just 8 months of being here, visitors have indeed visited. So, in the interest of "having a life of your own", "being a grown up and moving away", and hoping with all the hope you can muster that people visit you too, I have made a list. Because, apparently, unqualified lists is something we excel at around these parts.
So, without further ado, An Unqualified Guide to Hosting Guests:
1) To Activity — Have activities planned. And know that I'm not saying you need to have every single minute planned out to an exact. (I mean, if you're super un-go-with-the-flowy and kind of OCD like I am, then maybe.) But, definitely have a list of activities that your guests would enjoy. If they have their own plans, great. Maybe have a back-up list of ideas. And if you're lacking for ideas of what to do, just do as I do in times of need: turn to Google. Search "What to do in (name of your city)?" BAM! You're welcome :)
2) To Food — Make sure you have meals planned out. Again, it doesn't need to be exact, but general ideas will really help. Make your guests some of your favorite meals, ones you know would make your momma proud. Take your guests to some of your favorite restaurants. And keep in mind your guests' dietary needs, if they have any. Perhaps they have an allergy you need to know about, or perhaps they're on a "clean diet" and don't want to eat those homemade donuts or caramel corn you slaved and sweated over for hours. "Ain't nobody got time fo' dat!" Oh hey, Sweet Brown!
3) To Sleep — As mentioned above, Kent and I have a guest room. So when we have visitors, I make sure the sheets on the guest bed are clean. I dunno 'bout you, but I sure as all get out don't wanna be sleeping in some previous guest's leftovers. Woof! Make sure your guest is comfortable — blankets, extra pillows, a fan or space heater, cup of water, etc. You want your guests to want to come back probably, so make them feel like they're at home. And if you don't have a guest bedroom, help your guests find accommodations close to you.
4) To Sign Off — Odds are your guests are coming to see you. They don't want a low down on what to do around town and then a send off and a "See ya later!" Sign off from your second life — put down your phone or your controller or your tablet. Pay attention to your guests. Take them out. Drive them around. See the sights with them. Answer their questions. They came all this way to see you. Facebook can wait. And then you can upload all the pictures you took with them for the world to see how much fun it would be if they visited you next! Unless, of course, your guest asks to be left alone; in which case, "sayonara" and "see ya when I see ya".
