BMW Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 My grown niece, her man and 4 kids, ages 3-10 arrive tomorrow for 3 days and nights... I am not very good at hostessing... I don't know them really, really well... so, I am not sure if they will arrive and go out to eat regularly or buy groceries and cook or hang out and have me cook for us all... So, what do I do? I have basic dinners planned. I know that I will need to get some more fruit and veggies and I will have the kids for one night while the parents go out, so I plan on having a movie night, tents in the living room and fun snacks... I am nervous, though. How do I hostess them?? Thanks for some ideas and help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzymom Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Don't sweat it too much. It is lovely of you to host them, and I am sure they will be gracious about anything you offer. I would have basic groceries, extra fruits/veggies & snacks in the house. Buy some cold cuts for lunches. Plan a simple meal or two that won't be intense for you to prepare and feeds a group. Something in the crockpot, meatball sandwiches, whatever is easy for you. If you find after they arrive that they are planning to eat at your home for most meals, you can always pop to the grocery store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Take a deep breath and relax! They will take their cues from you. If you offer to feed them, they will most like do that. It can depend on their adgenda. Are they there to see or do someone other than you? If not, they will fit in with what you are doing. If they offer to buy pizza or take you out as a thank you, take them up on it. Be sure they know where towels are and breakfast items should someone get up and need coffee before you have the pot ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Games are a great way to salvage an awkward social time. Have some cards or simple games handy for your time together. Scattergories, Apples to Apples, cards, Charades, Cranium, Uno, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 My grown niece, her man and 4 kids, ages 3-10 arrive tomorrow for 3 days and nights... I am not very good at hostessing... I don't know them really, really well... so, I am not sure if they will arrive and go out to eat regularly or buy groceries and cook or hang out and have me cook for us all... So, what do I do? I have basic dinners planned. I know that I will need to get some more fruit and veggies and I will have the kids for one night while the parents go out, so I plan on having a movie night, tents in the living room and fun snacks... I am nervous, though. How do I hostess them?? Thanks for some ideas and help! How lovely, and what a blessing for your niece to be able to stay at your home instead of cooped up in a hotel with four little kids! I'd ask her what her ideas are. Do they want to sight see? With you, or alone? Plan a schedule or be spontaneous? Do they want to hang out and just relax at your house? Visit other family/friends? I think back when my kids were small. One was a great traveler; one wasn't. She will/might be prepared already with what to expect from her kids. It's great to have your basic dinners planned. You're a mom, you already know that kids can be unpredictable, and I love your idea of camping in the living room while the parents are gone! You already don't have a set agenda, and I think that's the best way to be prepared, since you're looking to be attuned to what works best for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friederike in Persia Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Over the years I've stayed at quite a lot of people's houses. It didn't matter so much what they cooked,..... as long as I felt I wasn't a burden it was an enjoyable time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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