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How to guest proof your house for the holidays

I won’t lie….I am not  a huge fan of guests especially people that I haven’t known for years. I am weary of having people in my home because trust is so hard to give to others. I don’t have any money in my home but I do have important paperwork in my home which we all do. Paperwork such as bank stuff, social security cards of myself and kids, business things, etc. are in my house and it’s very important that I keep some stuff to myself. You can’t have people in your business and some people are nosy as hell. Yeah I said it….they are always trying to figure you out and the answer key can be in your house. So how do you handle overnight guests if you are a private person? Here are some tips on how to guest proof your house for the holidays.

How to guest proof your house for the holidays

If kids are coming over to stay….move all of your good stuff, crayons, and all the toys your kids love, up – Let’s be real people raise their kids differently than how you raise your kids. You have some parents who let kids write on walls (not in my gotdamn house), kids run around and don’t know how to sit down, and kids just help themselves to stuff without asking. My daughter had a guest over a few years ago who took one of her favorite dolls and cut the doll hair off. My daughter said put her OUT. My daughter didn’t speak to her the rest of the time she was at our home and I had to let the mother know. After that incident I made sure to put up all of my kids favorite toys out of the way so that they won’t be touched by other kids. I don’t care about the cheap toys but the American Girl doll…….oh that will be up in my closet high above the ground for safety because that’s not a cheap doll. My son loves his xbox one and if that gets messed up…..he will go fool so when guests come over…I bring out the old xbox with the old games….play that. All electronics like tablets, phones, and computers are not to be touched while other kids are in the home. You can get them back after they leave. This is to make sure there is no fighting going on, no one messes up anything that I paid for, and to make sure that your things are still usable after your guests leave.

Put up all of your paperwork – So you know you just bought that expensive computer and nosy is coming over to the house. They are going to see a receipt laying around and then bam…..oh you got money to buy a computer. Ommmmm don’t we all own a computer….that is how I do my job, don’t you surf the internet, these are questions I ask when people ask me about a computer or purchase. Why are you so concerned with what I did with my money. I have paperwork for my late husband, paperwork for my kids, paperwork for bank statements, etc. I don’t want that stuff laying around because people can snap a quick photo of your things and next thing you know…you are compromised. Try to make sure that you go through all of your paperwork before guests come to your house. Throw away receipts that you don’t need anymore, put up the big receipts in a locked box or put it in a room that is locked to outside guests. Keep an eye on your guests as they move about make sure you keep doors closed to areas you don’t want them in.

Make sure your kids keep their mouth shut – My kids know that what goes on in this house….stays in this house or rather should stay among us. Don’t tell our guests what I did the night before to prepare for them to come….that’s none of their business. Don’t tell my guests what I said about them either because you know you say stuff about your Mother In Law or your cousin on the sly and kids will repeat it. I remember my cousin coming over one night to spend the night and my daughter said….mom wants your daughter to sleep on the air mattress because she pees the bed and my mom doesn’t want her mattresses peed on………….GOTDAMMIT! Yeah I said that about her daughter but I had no idea my daughter would repeat it. So make sure you talk to your kids before hand about their mouth and tell them to keep it shut. Or try not to talk around them…..they are always listening and can put two and two together these kids aren’t dumb.

Make your guests feel welcome – So I know when I go to people’s house you can pick up on a vibe if they don’t want you there. It’s not in anything they say but in the things you do. When you go over to someones house and they say oh don’t touch that or be careful what you move, or they say something about their home several times (how they like to keep things neat and ordered) I tend to not feel welcomed. This is one of the reasons that I don’t just let anyone come to my house without knowing them for a while because people who I know…..I don’t fix nada for them. If you want something to drink cups are there and drinks in the fridge….I don’t even move. Make yourself at home! I also just tell them where things are I don’t have to get towels for them or anything they are free to make my house their home. Make guests feel welcome by putting out a welcome basket for them that has their favorite things. You can put soap and a nice set of towels in there just for them to make them feel a part of your household.

Have insurance – I remember when my son went to a birthday party overnight a few years ago and one of the kids somehow got hurt and broke their leg. The parent tried to sue the homeowners. I don’t know what happened to the case but please make sure you are careful when you invite people into your home. Some people aren’t your friends or family and if they want money or they want to be catty they will do so. I have liability insurance just in case someone gets hurt in my home….I am not playing with people. I don’t have a desire to be in court and hope that never happens but I like to cross my T’s and dot my i’s because people can get hurt and some may end up coming after you.

Overall it’s fun to have guests spend the night or come over to your home for the day. I love that I can entertain and have fun. I don’t do it often because honestly…..I like my space. I don’t mind people coming over for a couple of hours but I don’t know if I want them coming over to spend the night often that is reserved for people that I have known for over 10+ years. I am very careful not to spend the night over to others house often either and prefer a hotel because I am picky. I also don’t let my kids go over to spend the night to anyone’s house. If I am not there they can’t go! Maybe that will change when they get older but for now….I don’t allow my kids to spend the night to anyone but family. How do you handle overnight guests or how will you handle guests this holiday season?

How to guest proof your house for the holidays

 

 

 

18 Comments

  • Robin Masshole Mommy
    December 12, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    We just had guests with us for two weeks. They left yesterday and I am working on getting my house back to normal.

    Reply
  • Alli Smith
    December 12, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    When I was a little girl, every time certain cousins would come to visit, mom would tell us to put away anything in our bedrooms that we valued. Those kids would come through the house like a whirlwind, destroying everything in their wake. 🙂 Great tips!

    Reply
  • Cai Cansino
    December 12, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    This is such a great read especially that we have relatives coming from the US and Australia for the holidays. = )

    Reply
  • Jeanette
    December 12, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    These are all great pointers. You forget quickly how younger kids can get into things. My nephew is only a-year-old and my son is 8 between that time I forget not to leave stuff on the ground. That one-year-old gets into a lot of things.

    Reply
  • candy
    December 12, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    I just had to pack up my sewing/craft room to make room for the kids coming home. Actually gives me a chance to clean the room completely. Afterwards I can go through and rearrange my room to start the new year. Win, win.

    Reply
  • Mimi Green
    December 12, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    Great tips, we escaped the holiday season without guest this year. Next year might be a different story.

    Reply
  • Sarah Bailey
    December 12, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    These are some great tips – we live in a one bed bungalow so don’t have room for people to stay but perhaps one day.

    Reply
  • Dee
    December 13, 2016 at 2:47 am

    Alright, I have to admit that I burst out laughing when I read the tip about making sure your kids keep their mouths shut. Children have no filter and very honest so I say good luck with it.

    Reply
  • Lisa Favre
    December 13, 2016 at 2:58 am

    Totally agree with you: it’s always about making your guest feel as comfortable as possible. I always make sure my guests have the essentials so they don’t feel too shy to ask me for certain things like towels or toothpaste.

    Reply
  • Maureen @Scoops of Joy
    December 13, 2016 at 3:28 am

    These are all great tips. Can’t help but laughing on kids and their mouth. I have a 10 years old and a 3 years old niece. Sometimes they can’t even stay quiet lol. I prefer having guests that are families because that’s just how I was raised and I don’t feel too comfortable having guests that are not immediate family.

    Reply
  • Michelle
    December 13, 2016 at 3:42 am

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who is no big fan of having guests in my home as it feels like a lot of work. I really like the idea of having insurance to protect ourselves. Thank you for sharing all of these great ideas!

    Reply
  • Franc Ramon
    December 13, 2016 at 6:29 am

    I guess it’s important to secure your stuff and clean up the small items, toys and the rest. It would also be great to make them feel at home.

    Reply
  • ricci
    December 13, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    My only tip is to HIDE EVERYTHING! HA!! But really though, I have a filing cabinet in my closet that locks and that’s where I put all important papers and bank tuff when people come over!

    Reply
  • Chubskulit Rose
    December 13, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    These are some helpful tips. We don’t have anyone coming to visit but these are nice to know.

    Reply
  • kendall
    December 13, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    Haha I love the point of making your kiddos stay quiet! These are great tips – I’m always hurrying at the last minute during the holidays!! Great post!

    Reply
  • Lori Vachon
    December 13, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    While hiding everything away I like to do a quick purge. Great time to clean out random papers and stuff that can get pitched.

    Reply
  • Bella
    December 14, 2016 at 1:38 am

    I am not having any guests over this holiday season because we are travelling. These are great tips though for hosting.

    Reply
  • Jacqui @FlightsFancyMom
    December 14, 2016 at 2:13 am

    One thing I count my blessings on. I have a smaller home. I room to house guests lol. If anyone asked me “you had money for that?” I respond, nope. I stole it. Lol. Boundaries people!

    Reply

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