Hosting 101: 30 Ways to Welcome Weekend Guests

Whether you're expecting in-laws, far-flung family members or college pals, our tips will make it easier to get your house (and yourself!) ready to welcome guests warmly and plan a memorable weekend that everyone, including you, will enjoy.

Your front porch is the first 'room' guests will see so tidy it up by sweeping it clean and knocking down any cobwebs. Freshen up the planters with a seasonal display and put out a cheery mat that lets guests know they're welcome.

Much more than just a food prep space, today's kitchens are the hubs of home life and inevitably accumulate a lot of everyday clutter — from kids' backpacks to unopened mail and prescription bottles. First, clear the clutter and give the countertops and backsplash a good wipe down. Then, brighten things up with vases of fresh flowers and displays of colorful fruit. Short on time? Simply piling oranges or apples into a low bowl or basket will create a pretty display that also puts a healthy snack in easy reach.

Give special attention to areas where guests will gather, like the living room, by first giving it a thorough cleaning (including vacuuming the sofa cushions and wiping down all surfaces) and picking up any personal items, like kids' or dogs' toys or a laptop. Then, make it cozy by piling on pretty pillows and throws. A living plant or vase filled with backyard clippings or blooms will add life.

If your home is an ode to artful arrangements and small children are on the way, this is a good time to put away your most precious objects. A basket of dollar-store toys and books will occupy them while the adults catch up.

Pets = family so figure them into your plans. If pets will be visiting, set up a pet-friendly area with fresh water and food, and plenty of safe-to-chew toys to ensure your furry guests are comfortable and entertained.

If young kids or seniors will be visiting, plan activities that will be enjoyable for everyone. Weather permitting, take the festivities outside with a cookout and lawn games, like badminton or croquet. In cooler weather, plan inside fun with pizza and board games, charades or a family-friendly flick.

Travel is hungry and thirsty work. Ensure guests don't have to forage for food and drinks the minute they arrive by setting out a small spread with drinks (alcoholic or non) and light snacks, like cheese and fruit.

"To help rejuvenate their spirits, give the guest room a 'bed-and-breakfast' feel," says designer Kevin Simon. Dress the bed with fresh linens and blankets and use baskets to hold towels and toiletries. For the ultimate guest experience, provide robes and slippers.

Faking a guest bedroom is easier than you may think, but skip the thin, camping-style air mattress. Instead, invest in a self-inflating mattress with a built-in frame or inflatable base to keep your guests up off the floor (and make getting in and out of the bed much easier). And be sure to top it with luxurious linens for added comfort. Use old suitcases or wooden crates to stack up a bedside table and layer in living plants to clean the air.

Equip the guest room with a bench or luggage rack for a suitcase. For guests staying more than one or two days, clear out a few dresser drawers or space in the closet so they can completely unpack.

Stock the guest room with a basket filled with magazines and books and gather local postcards so guests can have a take-home memento.

Don't forget to spruce up the bathroom, says event planner Damon Pease. After all, it's often the most visited room in the house and a spot where guests will have time alone to really look around. "Simple indulgences like fresh flowers, luxury lotion and candles make guests feel welcome."

If you're hosting a large group whose plans have them headed in different directions, set a time each day to meet up over coffee or a cocktail. This ensures that everyone will get a chance to socialize with the bigger group, no matter how hectic their schedules.

A stocked bar will be much appreciated by guests who like to end a busy day of sightseeing, shopping or sports with a cocktail. But don't feel obligated to purchase every imaginable combination of booze and mixers; just stick to the basics. For liquors and liqueurs, you'll need: gin, dark or light rum, whiskey, scotch or bourbon, vodka, vermouth and cointreau. For mixers: a variety of fruit juices, tonic water, club soda, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda and diet and regular cola will ensure your guests can act as their own mixologists.

Especially during chilly weather, guests will enjoy whipping up their favorite hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa. Stock a variety of flavored add-ins, like syrups, creamers and local honey so they can help themselves to a hot cuppa anytime.

Pull a few outdoor chairs together around a low table or firepit to create an alfresco gathering spot for relaxing with your guests while catching up over a morning cup of coffee or evening cocktail. Alternately, this area away from the group will provide a handy spot for guests to take a personal call or catch up on their email.

If most of your weekend activities will take place outside, take the beverage set-up outdoors with a coffee and cocoa bar for chilly weather or refreshing agua fresca or a mimosa bar for warm-weather months. Get our tips for setting up one of these guest-impressing bevvy bars, below.

To minimize your time in the kitchen once company arrives, prep ingredients in advance so easy meals and appetizers can be thrown together quickly.

Oenophiles agree: Wine tastes best when served at the correct temperature. As a general rule, serve white wines chilled (between 49-55 degrees) and red wines at room temperature (between 62-68 degrees).

Especially on days when your plans include a big dinner out, simplify lunch duties by laying out an assortment of breads, cheeses and deli meats along with fresh fruit, veggies and a shareable dessert. A light, but filling, meal like this will hit the spot while reducing your time in the kitchen.

For midday munchies, offer a crudité and fruit platter and a couple of warm chip-and-dip combos to keep everyone satisfied until dinner. Also, be sure to have an ample supply of bottled water on hand so guests can quench their thirst on the go.

Or, at least, a home-warmed-up meal. Slow down from busy weekend activities and enjoy at least one dinner together at home. Whether you're eager to show off your culinary skills or feel more comfortable heating up pre-made items from your favorite local market, enjoying your meal together at a beautifully set table will make this dinner feel like a special occasion.

So you're not waiting on your guests hand and foot, "make a list of where items are in the kitchen," says organizing expert Pam Hix, and let them help themselves. Point out where plates and glasses are as well as what food you have in the fridge.

Turn your living room into a cinema by dimming the lights and cueing up everyone's favorite flick. Pass around homemade popcorn and other easy-to-share snacks for a real movie experience.

If your friends or family enjoy a nice glass of vino, plan an evening to sample local vintages. Visit local wineries as part of your sightseeing excursions or uncork bottles at home to eliminate the need for a designated driver.

To keep everyone on track, "write the day's events and weather forecasts on a chalkboard," says Kevin Simon. If guests will be spending time on their own, make sure they have a spare house key so they can come and go as they please. Also, supply them with a travel packet of brochures and a city map and "be sure to place a big X on the map to point out where your home is," offers Pam Hix.

Taking photos has never been easier. A handy cellphone is all you need to capture fun times together. Either post the pics to social sites — with consent! — or text them to your guests as a souvenir of a weekend well spent.