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Are you hosting or being hosted this Easter?
While many people can navigate this particular situation with ease and love the extra company, for others It may bring on some nerves.
Amanda King, from the Australian Finishing School, and Julie Lamberg-Burnet and CEO and founder of the Sydney School of Protocol, share their tips ahead of the Easter long weekend.
'Saying no is okay'
Maybe hosting just isn't possible for you this year, but you have friends and family asking to spend time with you.
While it can feel difficult, Ms King says "saying no is okay, you just have to be polite".
"Be honest but in a discreet way," she says. This includes sharing that you can't put people up, but with no need to go into specifics to justify your decision.
Ms Lamberg-Burnet recommends a similar course of action, taking care with the language and tone you use.
"If someone has requested to stay the night and you're not able to accommodate them, the polite thing would be saying, 'I'm very sorry, on this occasion we are unable to have you stay over, but we're certainly looking forward to hosting you for lunch,'" she says.
Ms Lamberg-Burnet says if you're having people over for a meal but can't have them stay beyond that, it needs to be reflected in the initial invite.
Communication and clarity is key
Ms Lamberg-Burnet says if the host doesn't provide enough information, guests may not "feel relaxed" because they don't know what to expect.
The more information those staying have — like dress codes, timings and any scheduled activities — the more comfortable they'll feel, she says.
It's also good for hosts to be proactive and check any dietary needs in advance.
How long guests are welcome to stay should also be made clear well before they knock on the front door, Ms King and Ms Lamberg-Burnet agree.
When it comes to the duration of the stay, the host — not the guest — needs to be in control and there should be "no surprises" on the day of arrival, Ms King says.
The hosting basics
Ms King says having clean and appropriate bedding and beds is essential.
Beyond the basics — food and shelter — Ms King recommends offering activities to guests beforehand. This ensures everyone is on the same page.
"I don't think even guests like an overly scheduled weekend," she says, suggesting no more than one activity a day.
If you have it, a place for guests to store their luggage is helpful. This might mean creating some room in a wardrobe, for instance.
Ms Lamberg-Burnet says, "the guest room is important" (if you have one) and attention to detail can go a long way to putting visitors at ease. This can include fresh towels if you're providing them and even books.
Making sure there's a space where the "guest feels that they can go and relax and take a break" will have obvious benefits for everyone.
How to be a dream guest
Ms King says guests can offer to provide some food or come along to get groceries, especially if they have dietary requirements that may be unfamiliar to the host. Depending on your budget, you might offer to take your hosts out for dinner or pick up a takeaway as a thank-you.
Cooking a meal might also be appreciated but be mindful not to "take ownership of the kitchen", she says.
As a guest, she suggests being aware of the house rules and mindful of the hours you keep.
Both Ms King and Ms Lamberg-Burton recommend thanking the host with a handwritten note — which Ms King says you can follow up with a text — and bringing a small gift with you like hot cross buns from a local bakery.
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