Well? Do you love it, hate it? Are you a better host than guest?

I've just had Dolores to stay and we've had a lovely weekend. She's very laid back and good company and her son gets on with my 2 really well, so it's always an easy time. She's so laid back that I'm probably not a very good host as I usually just let her get on with it and make her own drinks etc and even let her make mine!

I was going to post that I don't generally like having people to stay but suddenly realised that it's probably really down to my husband. Because when he was younger it's not something he and his family did and he's carried that through to our lives.

As for staying with people I just spend my time worrying that everyone (OK, yes I do mean my husband!) is happy that I wouldn't be able to relax properly.

When I was young we all used to go and stay with my Nana in a one bedroomed bungalow. So altogether there was 6 of us, and I used to share a single bed with my mum! My husband thinks this is hilarious, but it's not really something I ever gave much thought to at the time. Eeeee those were the days!

My husband is a bit like yours Mas, he doesn't like staying over and hates having people to stay. I, on the other hand find both quite easy and don't have a problem with either.

And if we move to Southampton, it's something he is going to have to get used to, but I have to say I am dreading the mother-in-law coming to stay!!! :ohmy:

And if we move to Southampton, it's something he is going to have to get used to, but I have to say I am dreading the mother-in-law coming to stay!!! :ohmy:

Lol Bella! Fortunately I only live a 20 minute drive from mine so we haven't had that happen, although we have been on holiday with them but that's different. It is something I gave thought to though when we were thinking of moving away ages ago. And it really was one of the things that put me off.

Christmas is always a bone of contention in my house. My husband is happy to stay one night but he really doesn't see the point in doing any more. Whereas if I go to my mum's I know she would be hurt if we just stayed one night. I always feel like I'm in the middle.

Blimey, you're very pensive today Max!

We rarely have people to stay because we don't have the room. If we do, though (usually parents), we don't let them lift a finger. The only people we go stay with as a family are also parents. My parents are very much "treat it like your own home", whereas Mr P's Mum is a true hostess. It took us both a few years to get used to the differences, but are fine with both.

Mr P is also not a great mixer. Why did we all marry such grumpy bug gers?

If I ever go and stay with friends on my own (usually the Cats), I feel instantly at home. Cat is also a great hostess, but for different reasons. There is no ceremony and by the end of the night, no-one is standing!

Blimey, you're very pensive today Max!




Keeping out of the grumpy bug ger's way! He'd deny it of course.

Both me and Mr H loving having people to stay, but we do have time-limit. 3/4 nights on the trot is fine - but much longer than that it tends to get a bit wearing. At that point, the house will start to feel a bit cramped with the extra people.

Mostly, I prefer being a host to being a guest although that does depend to an extent on whose house it is. I don't think it much matters to Mr H - he can happily be a host or a guest. When it comes down to it though, its more about seeing the people. Where we do it is secondary.

I love having people to stay. Not that I do anything; they get a key and pointed in the general direction of where everything is. But like Karen, I don't like 'em around for tooo long.

However one friend of mine has a habit of 'helping'. This normally involves rearranging things - last time she was here, she reorganised my kitchen cupboards because 'they were illogical' and even changed vases of flowers, because SHE didn't like them.

Fortunately she's a back-to-wall bog-paper hanger otherwise I mightn't have been responsible for my actions :wink2:

I'm more than happy to have people visit and stop over...as long as they understand that they will need to take me as I am....

......... and a marvellous hostess you are too. :thumbsup:

......... and a marvellous hostess you are too. :thumbsup:

Cheers hun...you can come visit again.. :thumbsup:

I'm another who is happy to have people stay but they have to take us as they find us, and they need to make themselves at home.

I love to stay with others as long as they don't want to wait on me hand and foot, I like to muck in with the chores, even if it is only to make a cup of tea, tidy away the dinner things etc.

I think I probably make a better house guest than a hostess. I love staying with people, although Mr F DOESN'T and that makes my life simpler - cos I go and have a mini break and he stays at home with no, one or two children [depending on who I stay with]. He won't even stay at his parents house!! And yet he is a very good host.

When I have people to stay I adopt the same policy that I would expect to be extended to me - and that is 'Me Casa You Casa' [although I am sure that there should be some romantic language in there?].
I will always prepare food day and night for my guests - but the rest of the time they have to fend for themselves. Oh of course I will make beds and stuff, but I point everything out and pray to god that they accept my hospitality in the way it is meant - you are free to do whatever you like with my blessing cos that is the way we are!

When I stay I like to help out, with dishes, children, food, just whatever - but I always think you get a 'notion' of what is expected and I hope that I am a good houseguest?

You'll have to ask VoR and Sf - both of which are stunningly superb hosts/esses.

I like to act as I do at home and this means that I will avoid helping with daily chores as much as I can get away with. :)

I love having people staying, mostly it's family, and I don't get to see my side of the family that much, so when they do come down its great.
It is a case of muck in and help yourself, but our family is like that.

I've just had my sister and family down last weekend and next week my mum and dad are coming to visit.
Although they both have brought their caravans down and stayed in them, which is actually quite nice.
They basically spend all day here, I cook the meals, we do stuff during the day, then they go back to their caravan, which means I can get the kids to bed after calming them down for a while, and they can also have their own time.

I do like to show people around the area, because there is alot to do round here, and I worry that they might get bored. But I'm sure my mum and dad will relish a few days of doing nothing.

I do enjoy having people to stay, but i tend to get in a flap.

Before their arrival i spend hours getting the house perfect. I put fresh flowers in their bedroom and plenty of fresh towels. I make sure there is plenty of loo roll and a fresh tube of toothpaste (incase they havent brough their own and they use ours, and who wants to use a manky tube) and also a fresh bottle of soap .... as its a worry of mine that I would run out.

I go mad in Tesco's buying stuff for every little whim and spend a small fortune - mainly on stuff that never gets eaten. I insist on doing a mammoth fried breakfast too - and then toast and jam, and i will always buy posh jams that are unopened so they dont have suspect bits of butter in them (I have about 15 half eaten jars of jam in the fridge !!).

The trouble is, by the time they arrive my nerves are on edge, ive smoked 50 fags and im knackered.

I chill out a bit when they arrive - with the help of wine normally, but im always glad when they bog off and i can veg on the sofa with my PJ's and not a care in the world .... eating left overs.