by Gauri Trivedi

Created on: September 04, 2009   Last Updated: September 24, 2009

Right at the start it is important to know that guests are guests, invited or unexpected, you should treat them no different.

It is easy to play the perfect host when you a guest list at hand and have invited people of your choice. The true test is however when unexpected people turn up at your door, that too at times you least expect them to.

Various modes of communication (Phone, cell phone, email), busy lifestyles and nuclear families have all steadily contributed to the decline in the overall flow of unannounced or unexpected guests. But once in a while it does happen that you have unexpected visitors and I truly thank God for that, for it gives us a chance to be spontaneous and accommodative.

So what do you do when you have unexpected guests?

1) Welcome them with a smile

The first and foremost thing you should do is welcome them to your home with a smile. A gracious host will always make his/her guests feel welcome, no matter what. A visitor who comes unannounced is probably already a little skeptical about the welcome; put them at ease with your smile. Make them feel that their presence may be unanticipated but definitely not unwelcome.

2) Make them comfortable

Depending on how far they have travelled or from where they have arrived, ask them if they want to freshen up or if they need anything immediately. Somebody may have dropped off directly from work, or some other guest may have travelled a great deal. Usually, unexpected guests are the ones who had themselves not planned to drop by, so make them feel comfortable by offering anything that they may need and help them settle down at your home.

3) Offer a drink

It is customary in almost every culture to offer a guest something to drink when they arrive. Water, tea, coffee, juice, soda or even a beer, any kind of drink sets the mood for small talk or conversation with the guests. So depending on what time of the day it is, go ahead and offer your guests an appropriate drink. For example, a hot cup of tea or coffee would be great on a cold evening and a can of beer or chilled juice would be the right thing to offer on a hot afternoon.

4) Pull up necessary resources

There are ways you can end up with unexpected visitors. Some more people accompany the guests you have already invited. In this case there is an addition to the number of guests you had already planned for. Your existing preparations for snacks or meal probably have scope for a couple of additions. But if there are more than a couple additions,

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