Tips on Dealing Unexpected Guests for the Holidays

The Holidays are upon us and occasionally, when we least expect it, the doorbell will ring. You suddenly find yourself face to face with your family expecting to be welcomed into your holiday home with open arms and a warm dinner as well as sleeping accommodations. Unannounced guests can be bothersome, here are some tips to ease this stress.

Ignore the Mess. Don't apologize for the messy house. You weren't expecting them and it will just draw their eyes to the mess.

Vegetable Soup. Vegetable soup will be a great food to serve with the chilly air around you it is a great feeling filling your guest’s tummy with a hot and delicious vegetable soup. Appetizing and easy to cook a perfect treat for those unexpected guests of yours.

Breakfast Foods. Make it a breakfast night and serve pancakes, waffles, omelets or such for dinner. This will really stretch the budget out as well as the amount of people you serve. If you have a can of pumpkin make pumpkin pancakes or waffles. Any fruit will do and your guests will feel that you went an extra mile to make it just for them.

Salad Greens. Keep your fridge stocked with salad greens. Add a canned or frozen vegetable and garlic toast and you have a full meal. You can also open a can of fruit or several and top with some whip cream or quickly make up some short cakes and top with fruit. Your meal will be filling and look wonderful.

Pasta and Rice. Keep a good supply of pasta and rice on hand in your pantry. If your guests arrive prior to dinner you can always alter your menu and turn it into a rice or pasta dish with meat added to it instead of burgers or steak. Turn them into spaghetti, stroganof, goulosh or even a veggie soup. Butter some bread slices and sprinkle some herbs on it for herb bread or even garlic and you have stretched your meal even further.

Air Mattress. For the overnight guests, keep an air mattress handy. You should also have a trundle bed under your daughter’s bed so any younger guests can go there. If you have a futon, or a hide-a-bed then that is also an option. If all else fails apologize and put them in sleeping bags on the floor or sofa.

Leftovers for Breakfast. For breakfast you can serve toast with jam, bagels, even warm the leftover pancakes or waffles from last night’s dinner. Offer coffee, tea and some juice and you have a reasonable breakfast.

Remember that the holiday's only come once a year and that not all of your family is going to be respectful of your boundaries and when they should and shouldn't call before they visit. It’s fine to say, "Oh, we weren't expecting you! Had you called we would've been more prepared!” Let them fill in the awkward silence and just do what you can to get through it. Hopefully next time they will be more respectful and give you a call prior to dropping in on you.