Do You Consider Yourself To Be A Good Host?

[SanFranciscan]

I suspect that I am not alone in that I am rather fearful of inviting people into my home. Yet I am saddened by my fear. I have had bad experiences in the past, including theft and so on. Yet the skills that we learn by entertaining in our homes are so valuable that taking people out to a restaurant or a show just does not compare.

Do you consider yourself to be a good host? Why, or why not?

 

[AustinTink]

I love hosting guests in my home. My family calls my house the 5-star hotel. They know they are always welcome, the guest rooms will be ready, the fridge stocked, the stove and oven going and the mood light and homey.

In fact, we are expecting a family of four to arrive tomorrow from out of state. Can't wait to see them.

 

[minniecarousel]

I don't hesitate having family over (& I have a huge family!) but I have a hard time hosting for friends. I worry too much about details. With family, if I forget something, it's no big deal (I guess I figure one of them can host the family instead od me)

It's the picking up the phone and making the call that is difficult first step.

If I'd been robbed by guests, I'd have a hard time hosting too!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Not compared to my mom! She's the queen of hosting -- she loves it and always goes way beyond expectations. Not in an obnoxious way; she's just an amazing host.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Oh yes. I grew up with a summer home and a mom who always had wayward kids eating dinner in our house. We learned how to host through her.

My sister is top dog in the hosting dept. though. She always has someone staying at her house. Currently she is hosting her MIL who is dying of cancer and a SIL who is recovering from a broken ankle from a car accident.

Now that is more than hosting but she is very organized (is OCD about stuff) and her hosting skills help things run smoothly.

As far as the robbing thing, there are family members that are shady associated with coming to see her MIL. She has put all her valuables in her closet and they bought a deadbolt for it. Not to say anyone is going to steal but the potential is there so she has prepared her home for it.

She cannot deny people seeing her MIL right now for obvious reasons.

 

[bicker]

Before the kittens, we often hosted family in our home, but only family, and so we never felt compelled to be superlative hosts. We'd provide a clean, comfortable bed; seats at our table eating some of the best food we can prepare (but no better than that); etc.

With the kittens, now, we don't have room for guests.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I have someone in a guest bed at my house every night since May 5.

I do not mind having people over but I will NEVER do a summer like this one. Coworkers and friends alike comment that I'm running a bed and breakfast. Somedays it really feels like it.

I feel like we are great hosts. We leave maps, guidebooks, smarttrip cards, snacks and water for our guests the tourists.

 

[NMAmy]

We try to be good hosts and we love to have overnight guests. My sister recently told me that staying with us is the only time that she's more comfortable than staying in a hotel when travelling. She said she always feels very welcome and that it is just very homey.

I think others agree since we have a steady stream of repeat visitors. DH's brother and his wife are coming from England in a couple of weeks and a niece is coming over, as well, the first couple of weeks in September.

We have a comfortable guest room and a private bath for guests. I think having their own space makes it much easier on both the guests and the hosts.

 

[Disney Doll]

I like to host. I don't get too anxious about it...my theory is that my friends and family are coming to see us, not to critique my hosting skills. I have had numerous events at my house and never had a problem with theft.

If I was concerned about theft, I would probably have an area where I could secure items, like a PP said.

 

[PaulaSue]

Any tips we are having our first this Friday.

 

[ilovepcot]

DH and I are great hosts when it comes to parties and dinners. I'm NOT a good host to overnight guests because I don't get up till noon. I do provide everything a person could ask for...I'm just not getting up to make breakfast. I will do lunch and dinner.

 

[rparmfamily]

I've had only immediate family stay with me over the last few years. Free room and board in Hawaii, you'd think I'd have more than 1 sister, my mom, and my IL's come (I have 3 other siblings and like 15 cousins, plus aunts,etc and DH's side of the family) I guess HI is too far LOL. Or they don't like us.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I just don't like to host much of anything.

We had a BBQ and Bonfire with about 10 friends a few weeks ago, and once we got to the "eating" part and the "bonfire" part, it felt so awkward.

Some people didn't want to eat, one friend wanted to move our patio furniture all over the yard to suit her fancy, another friend didn't like the temperature outside, someone couldn't believe that flies came , another complained about mosquitos later in the evening but refused to use any of the 10 cans of different variety of bug spray.

You just can't win.

Whenever my mother-in-law or any of my husbands family comes over, I swear they inspect everything with a fine tooth comb and then tell me how to improve what is working/tasting just fine.

We are in the middle of finishing our basement, and my husband wants to include a bar. I just wish he wouldn't, because then our house becomes one perfect place to HOST. No, thank you.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I've had only immediate family stay with me over the last few years. Free room and board in Hawaii, you'd think I'd have more than 1 sister, my mom, and my IL's come (I have 3 other siblings and like 15 cousins, plus aunts,etc and DH's side of the family) I guess HI is too far LOL. Or they don't like us.

Cousin!

Are they kidding? You'd have to kick me out with a broom and the police. I LOVE Hawaii!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I've had only immediate family stay with me over the last few years. Free room and board in Hawaii, you'd think I'd have more than 1 sister, my mom, and my IL's come (I have 3 other siblings and like 15 cousins, plus aunts,etc and DH's side of the family) I guess HI is too far LOL. Or they don't like us.

We have had that same thing. Here we are on the tram line direct into downtown Heidelberg. A decent guest room with a comfy bed plus futon and air mattresses for kids and happy to host people. In a year and a half we have had my in laws, my dad (twice) and friends (mom and her 4 girls) and that is IT. The exchange rate was just making it too hard for people to travel here even with the free room and board (and guide services if you want it).
I hope it picks up now that the exchange rate is more favourable to the US. My mom is coming this fall, my dad this winter and my in laws next summer for sure. We would like to see some friends too.
We love to have visitors, and we think we are decent hosts

 

[rparmfamily]

We have had that same thing. Here we are on the tram line direct into downtown Heidelberg. A decent guest room with a comfy bed plus futon and air mattresses for kids and happy to host people. In a year and a half we have had my in laws, my dad (twice) and friends (mom and her 4 girls) and that is IT. The exchange rate was just making it too hard for people to travel here even with the free room and board (and guide services if you want it).
I hope it picks up now that the exchange rate is more favourable to the US. My mom is coming this fall, my dad this winter and my in laws next summer for sure. We would like to see some friends too.
We love to have visitors, and we think we are decent hosts

How about we trade? I'll come stay at your house in Germany and you can stay at my house in Honolulu...I can see the ocean from my house. Too bad the airfare would be killer, oh, and long flights LOL...like 20 hrs? LOL

 

[powellrj]

No, I am not a good host. I would love to be, but to be honest, my house is too small.

When my DGMIL died, my DMIL announced she wouldn't host holidays. She never did anyway so it was nothing new. I got stuck with doing it. It was a nightmare. Imagine 14 people in a little house with lots of little rooms and 1 bathroom and a galley kitchen. I seat 6 in the dining room, but if someone wants up from the table, the whole side has to get up to let them out because the room is really only big enough for a table for 4. I had a card table in the living room and then 3 TV trays in the family room because its too small for a card table and then 1 person in the living room with a TV tray eating in the recliner. I have to serve the meal buffet in the kitchen, but its small so you could only go single file and wait until people can let you out! Did I say my house is small!

Now I do have my family over, but we don't have as many people, so its easier, plus my DDIL is really good about just helping herself so she is really just one of my kids. If she wants something she doesn't see, she just gets it herself!

Right now we have had an extra kid staying over for 2 weeks. My DS and his friend took over DD room while she was at camp because his room is full of his college apartment stuff. She came home last night so she is sleeping on the sofa. I think the friend is leaving today, but he really hasn't been a problem. He also just pitches in and pretty much just takes care of himself.

I use to be a good host until we outgrew our house, now its just too stressful having this many people stuffed together!

 

[NHdisneylover]

How about we trade? I'll come stay at your house in Germany and you can stay at my house in Honolulu...I can see the ocean from my house. Too bad the airfare would be killer, oh, and long flights LOL...like 20 hrs? LOL

Yes it is a killer flight! When DSiL got married on Hawaii DBiL (her twin) ended up not going to the wedding because the amount of time and money needed to get from France (where he was living at the time) to Hawaii.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I love having people visit! We love to have pool parties, and holiday parties (Christmas and the like).

We do have overnight guests from time to time, and I really enjoy that too. I like to have the guest room and bath all set to welcome guests.

I think I'd really like to run a bed and breakfast!

 

[MIGrandma]

I'm a good host when I have to be, but would prefer not to be one.

I hate all the worrying and fussing I do before. Making sure the house is clean enough, keeping the clutter picked up, the grocery shopping, the cooking, etc. etc.

We don't have overnight guests very often, thankfully. And really, I'd prefer them to just stay in a hotel. That is what I prefer to do when I go to visit someone, rather than staying in their home.

Now I have a best friend that lives an hour and a half away and she stays a couple nights with me once or twice a year. I do love having her stay, we're comfortable enough with each other that everything doesn't have to be perfect.