When Overseas Relatives Arrive, Extend Your Table

Having guests from overseas allows you to enjoy their company while sharing your home and extending hospitality. Whether they're staying for just a few days or several weeks, you'll want to make sure you're prepared. Use these six helpful tips to ensure an amazing visit for everyone involved.

1. Set Up Their Bedroom(s)

Converting a den or a craft room into a guest room is fine as long as it has the essentials. Your guest room should include: bed or air mattress, fresh linens, pillows, blankets, an alarm clock, a wastebasket, an empty dresser drawer (or two) and some free closet space and hangers. Make sure there is enough lighting as well as adequate window treatments.

2. Logistics and Specifics

Verify the dates of your guests' trip and if they will need a ride from/to the airport. Enquire to find out if any of your guests have food allergies or dietary considerations. Find out what specific activities they have planned and suggest some of your own. Be sure there will be a spot for them to park a car if they will be renting one.

3. A Welcome Gift

Make your guests feel welcome by creating a simple basket filled with a few basic toiletries, some healthy snacks and a map of the area. Depending upon when they arrive, have some filtered water and tea or coffee available, or a chilled cocktail in the evening.

4. Make Them Feel at Home

After a warm welcome, show your guests their room, and give them a tour of your home. Alert them of any quirks or hidden features. Give them their own key so that they can come and go as they please. Empower your guests to be self-sufficient by telling them it's fine to help themselves to things like food and fresh linens. Give them a tour of your kitchen and invite them to brew coffee or tea whenever they wish. If their stay will be more than a few days, show them the laundry facilities.

5. Use an Extension Table

An extension table for your outdoor patio will help ensure there is plenty of space for your overseas guests. While a large outdoor dining set is a great start, the option to extend it gives you even more flexibility for those barbecues, picnic lunches and evening al fresco dinner parties. The Nardi company has an excellent line of extension tables that are both stylish and functional.

6. Find a Balance

While social time, group dinners and structured outings will be a given with your visitors, be sure there is also scheduled "down time." Building in time for everyone to stay at home and/or do their own thing will allow all of you to enjoy your "together-time" even more.

Having guests from overseas is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with relatives and strengthen connections. From outfitting their rooms to selecting the best outdoor dining setting, there are ways to maximise your role as. Use these tips from Outdoor Furniture Ideas to help create a pleasant and memorable visit for all.