What naice things do you make sure are visible to visitors

Do you think a stunt coconut would have the same effect?

Slightly off topic but the stunt pineapple came out when showing our house for sale. Coffee and baking bread too cliched but the pineapple did the trick.

this is a bizarre thread

no, i don't do anything special in my home to put out a certain air or thought when they're here.

i do special things like buy in/make things if they have dietary requirements/etc, but i don't own anything i'd put out for "show" for guests

I have a hamper of Fortnum&Mason shortbread biscuits that I nonchalantly offer round to guests as if they're our everyday biccies. They come in little plastic wrappers, about 3 biscuits per wrapper which is ace for this purpose.

I want a dh like that

Nothing. Why would people care. I wouldn't have time to rush around getting special things out for visitors, then put them away after.

I love this thread.

DH is in charge of all things beautiful for guests. When we have people round, he sends me out for a few hours, and when I come back I don't recognise the house!

Apparently it is a question of decluttering. He hides stuff in cupboards, gets out all the beautiful things I forget we own, and turns it into a thing of wonder.

I actually have no idea how he does it.

Stunt pineapple

I do the opposite and hide my Molton Brown in case anyone abuses the 2 tier hand wash system: MB for me, Carex / M&S for everyone else.

I will admit to rearranging the bookshelf to put books I have written in a more prominent place. I know this is twatty but my house is a tip and it's a better talking point than the broken cooker in the hall.

Also loving the pineapple deception.

"If I thought someone had started to burn scented candles, created a 'just for show' washing up area or put out Special Visitor handsoap just because I was dropping in for a cup of coffee, I would think they were completely mad! Do the people in your lives really notice such things? Do you notice these things if you go to someone else's house??? I mean, who checks the label on the towels?"

Teahornet, I suppose it's because I grew up in a culture where a guest to your home was always made to be an event, to make your guest feel special and welcomed. I don't drop in on people for a cup of coffee and they don't drop in here - we meet at the gazillions of cafes around us. When I invite someone into my home, it is an effort and an event - and I make bloody sure I go out of my way. Even on play dates - but in those cases we forego the candles and bake cupcakes . The focus is still on making your guest feel special and welcomed.

vienetta thank you for suggesting name change. I will forever be immortalised on MN as StuntPineapple

Having a pinapple in the bowl signified it was officially Christmas in our household as a child and I think it just stuck. Even when I moved out my father would duly bring a pinapple over for Christmas lunch. It was never eaten as a child either, would just get thrown out once it had gone off - probably about 12th night when the tinsel came down.

Last Christmas was the first without my dad and I purposely made sure I had my stunt pineapple. I actually made it part of the table display as a little nod to him.

Going to seize the day and just use up the posh soap, may well refill it with the detol stuff though in future.

OMG Gin I love your washing up area. May well steal it, I'll pay you royalties. I purposely went to Waitrose today to see this posh washing up liquid and Method was on 342 so treated myself to some. Was all smug about it till I read about the Harvey Nick's stuff though.

Also apologies as can't remember who suggested it but loving the cook book idea.

We're moving next week and a few of these little ideas will really brighten the place up and hopefully detract from the fact we'll be living in chaos whilst everyone insists on coming round and snooping.

I also have a good hand towel for the downstairs loo. It's a Joules one don't you know - £6 at an outlet village but no one needs to know that.

^dent

My garage door has no debts as far as I know!

WHITE and rose are gross, ffs

Still rabbit , that's exactly how I live my life too.
I'm sorry about your mum .

Nice towels, yep
Posh handwash and cream, yep
No stunt pineapple
Wine, instead of Baron saint Jean (£2.99 Aldi, surprisingly drinkable but only the red, wine and rose are gross) would be something in the 8.99-10.99 range from Waitrose conveniently across the road from Aldi
Gin, I have a bottle of Tanqueray in the back of the cupboard and Gordons in the front, the Tanqueray comes out for visitors along with Fevertree tonic instead of Aldis

If I know someone is coming I make sure the cars are parked at a certain angle on the driveway. This blocks the view of the collection of wheelie and recycling bins (madness as everyone has them) and to hide the debt in the garage door.

Your kitchen is gorgeous Gin and I am solo copying your tray.
This thread has just inspired me to light a fancy candle and get a lovely soap out that I had been saving - nobody coming but who cares!
I'm terrible for hiding everything practical in the bathroom when visitors call - toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving foam, cleanser etc all gets squirreled away just leaving behind a fancy hand soap - drives DH mad!

I also like a bursting fruit bowl with interesting fruit - once around Halloween I had a few stunt baby squash. Lovely they were, all different autumn hues. I've never eaten a squash in my life.

Other than that, I like some fresh flowers, and to have the candlesticks replenished. But not with fresh candles, as that would look too staged. So I preburn them, obvs.

Gin that really is quite lovely.

You do realised that you have inspired fake washing up stations up and down the country don't you?

Superb Gin, I had those washing up brushes and the spare heads, they are useless to use for real.

Agreed Vienetta

OP needs a NC to StuntPineapple stat.

Nothing, I can't be bothered. If you don't like us as we are then don't come 'round!
I do put extra bathroom towels out in the spare room if someone is staying though.

Gin, your washing-up tableau is gorgeous.

I love this thread so much.

Gin, I love your house! (And washing-up area )