How to keep holiday guests entertained
From METRO CREATIVE SERVICES
Gone are the days when extended families live in close proximity to one another. Ours is now a global society, and it is not unheard of for people to live on the opposite side of the country or even the globe from their parents and siblings.
But come the holiday season, families often congregate at one place so they can spend time together. That means that out-of-town guests may be spending a few days with holiday hosts to maximize their visits.
According to Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a weekend is typically sufficient for a nice visit, while anything more than three days can be challenging for hosts, particularly if guests are not being helpful.
Hosting houseguests for a few days requires hosts to keep guests engaged. Although the actual holiday itself provides ample opportunity for entertainment, hosts may need additional ideas to quell boredom if visits stretch for more than one day.
Here are some ideas for making spirits bright without having to stress too much.
Create a guest basket
Offer some in-house entertainment for guests. This can include best-selling novels, a book of word games, an adult coloring book, or some small craft kits picked up at the store. This option enables guests to self-soothe if boredom strikes.
Host a movie marathon
When guests visit, hosts can whip up some microwave popcorn and additional snacks and cue up a few different films. They can be holiday classics or movies that will bring back fond memories.
Take a trip
This time of year there are plenty of activities going on. Plan a drive over to a Christmas tree farm that may be offering rides through the fields or has a hot cocoa station. Walk down the main street of a quaint local town and savor all of that cozy flavor. Time a trip to a tree lighting or another holiday-related special event, or drive around at night and look at neighborhood lighting displays.
Make an edible craft
Spend some time in the kitchen making gingerbread cookies or another relatively easy holiday treat. Guests can customize their desserts with colored sprinkles or other embellishments.
Set up Christmas karaoke
Get everyone in the holiday spirit by streaming instrumental tracks of favorite holiday carols and songs. Everyone takes turns singing a tune, whether they’re great singers or not. The fun is in giving it a shot and laughing along the way.
Go on a crawl
Whether it’s to visit area pubs, diners, dessert shops, or coffee spots, pick a few different places to stop in so everyone can get some fresh air and have a little fun.
Entertaining guests for the holidays requires some creative thinking and a willingness to have a little fun.
