Are you like me and enjoy having company over to your house? I’m from the deep south, and my family always looks for reasons to have friends over for some sweet tea and a chat. Now in the south, it’s very common to hear a knock at the door you weren’t expecting to get…yet expected to have everything ready for a last minute get-together. A lot of pressure, I know. But I’ve got 5 Things to Always Have Ready for Unexpected Guests.
You’ve created a comfortable and enjoyable space for people to actually want to gather. I believe it would be a great idea to have at least 5 things ready for those last minute visits.
1 Peter 4:8-9 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Obviously there may be times you will have to reschedule that unexpected visit. Be willing to put someone else’s needs before your own in order to show love and compassion.
This list is not exhaustive, but it gives you a start. And the more you incorporate these items into your weekly shopping list, the less stressed you will be when you’re in a pinch.
So here’s 5 Things to Always Have Ready for Unexpected Guests.
- Yourself.
Especially on the weekends.
You’d be surprised how much of a difference a little bit of concealer, blush, and mascara will make when you’ve spent all night getting ready to relax and do some chores around the house on a Saturday.
When I know I’m going to be home for the day, I sometimes give myself about 5 minutes in front of the mirror to look more alive and put-together.
After putting a face on (that’s what my grandmother used to say), put your hair in some French braids or a messy bun, and you’re ready to answer that unexpected knock at the door!
In addition to looking like you were totally ready for some company, be sure to have an attitude check before you answer the door. There’s nothing like being rejected at the door before anyone says a word.
2. Your Living Room
If the living room is your primary gathering place, I would encourage you to have this space picked up on a daily basis.
Even if you do open the door to someone who just needs to talk for a few minutes, no one likes walking through a minefield of clutter only to sit down next to a load of laundry (now touching your leg) that has been patiently waiting to be folded.
If keeping your living room picked up the majority of the time is a difficult task because of children running around, consider designating a basket to throw everything in temporarily…just to make room for someone looking for a listening ear.
So. Picked up room and cleared off couch ready for those unexpected guests. Check.
3. Easy-to-make meal.
My quick meal of choice is a 5-minute Instant Pot pasta dish. I can literally dump the pasta and sauce in there and set it for 5 minutes. Now it takes a little longer than that in order for the pressure cooker to pressurize, but you get the idea. Stick some bread in the toaster, and you’ve got a quick meal for your unexpected guest!
Another idea is keeping a package of frozen shrimp in the freezer to stick in the air fryer with some spices (after thawing it a little, of course), and then heating up an instant rice pack in the microwave. It’s simple, easy, and you’re able to feed someone with an appetite last minute.
Consider also storing some frozen balls of cookie dough in your freezer to pop into the oven last minute! Once, my husband and I were visited by Mormon missionaries unexpectedly. Because we just can’t let anyone visit our home without giving them some kind of treat, we pulled out our cookie dough and they were served about 10 minutes later.
Easy.
4. A Beverage.
Water is always a good idea when someone visits unexpectedly. But to have some extra options to share can communicate to others that their needs and preferences are important, and that you’re willing to give up what you had to make them feel welcome.
If you have a hot tea selection, let them pick it out! If it’s early enough in the day, put on a pot of coffee.
Here’s a hot water kettle with over 60k reviews! They are quick to heat you up some water in a pinch.
I love hot chocolate at any time of the day and in any season. I keep a container of SwissMiss in my pantry for my own cravings.
Although you’d have to have it already made, here’s a sweet tea recipe that’s simple and delicious!
It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick up a couple of cokes (coke, sprite, dp, etc.) or other bottled drinks to give out when guests arrive.
5. Burn a Candle.
Candles add warmth and a scent of home.
Lighting a candle would create an even more welcoming environment for someone to feel more relaxed and at peace, and less distracted by lived-in home odors and pet dander.
Now I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing a candle without any known parabens or other harmful ingredients. Now I’m aware that organic candles are more expensive than your $5 option at Walmart. But would you think about ditching those cheap candles that 1), don’t smell very good and 2), contain harmful chemicals in order to offer a pleasant experience for that unexpected guest?
My friend, Brittany, makes her own candles and sells them here. Golden Belle Candle Company’s candles have no known parabens, phthalates, paraffin, carcinogens, reportable prop 65 ingredients and are made with coconut soy wax and cotton wicks.
Again, this short list of suggested things to have ready for unexpected guests is simple and doable. You don’t have to do anything fancy. If you have a desire to become more like Christ and put others before yourself, open the door and say yes.
