I have 10 guests coming for over a week...

[Helpfullnelly]

These absolutely wonderful people are giving up a week of annual leave and coming to help me and DH to do some work on our house abroad.
We are paying for flights, transfers etc and all food.
Im planning on doing all food either buffet style or bbq depending.
I want to take care of their every need however small or different to ours they are.
Ive got each person, a face flannel, and a towel. Toiletries, shampoo, etc
What else do I need?
Tell me what you personally would need, its going to be a hard graft week.
The job that needs doing is around €35000 which we don't have, every one doing the work with us is cutting costs including travel and food to around €15000.
So I have more gratitude than I can ever expeess and I want them to go home glad they came to help, rather than tiny hiccups (wrong food/not enough food etc) to send them home annoyed they even bothered.
I will consider all, what good do you want?
Tv in rooms or no? Tell me everything....Go

For all the people saying booze, obviously it's good that the OP is being so considerate and generous. However, if these people are going to be grafting hard, surely the last thing they need is hangovers!?

Presuming these are all independent adults with full capacity that have travelled before… they won’t need sun screens s extra toiletries and things like that!

They have come to work, to help out a dear friend.

The would appreciate hearty food, wine / beer for the evenings and a comfy bed with a shower that doesn’t run out of hot water after one person uses it. And that’s it.

Evenings will surely be about getting together and chewing the fat? Then full days of work.

Food will be served in restaurant measures,

who is going to be cooking big breakfasts, lunches and dinner for 12 for 10 days?!

Maybe you should have a Traitors-style photo gallery and put a big red cross over the portrait of anyone who drops out for whatever reason. You could do a Claudia and dropkick their portrait over breakfast!

Me, I am. Thats my job xx i raised a large family, its not unusual numbers for me really x

Have they all accepted you paying for their flights and transfers?

A very good friend… no way would I accept them paying for my easy jet out of season flights to Spain!!

Ive paid for all the flights, very cheap, most in the £20 region, and DH is doing all the transfers in our car.
Its really interesting to hear all the points of view though

This. This describes us exactly, we all help each other without question, and we love to socialise after, still reminiscing that time we did x, or when we travelled hundreds x miles to pick up a used kitchen for x person.
The time when x broke down and x went to sit with them and brought flasks and blankets etc etc.
But this one, is a huge ask, so im just being over cautious.
Love your post

I just can’t imagine accepting a £20 flight from a very good friend but each to their own

I said this when I thought they all knew each. But they don’t? Great friendships could be forged.

have you got a very detailed plan drawn up and shared with people beforehand so they can hit ground running?

People understand instructions in different ways .
Some people are ok with just verbal but others (me !) find it easier with visual instructions.

Would you be able to have 'site ' maps and plan on show to show and explain what work is due today ...sort of thing ?

Earplugs and eye masks in all the bedrooms. A couple of snorers could make this hell for the others.

2 pillows each.

Abundant flowing decent tea (not Spanish tea bags) and proper coffee every morning all morning.

Plenty of loo roll and sanitary/ tampon disposal in all the toilets.

Suncream available, hats, spare sunglasses.

The menu del dia lunch out idea is great. So is the welcome drinks idea.

I barely know 10 people, let alone 10 that would come and work for me during their annual leave!

You are very lucky.

My main requirements would be:

plenty of food and drink (soft drinks eg squash and lemonade if it’s hot).

Alone time (difficult when they’re sharing rooms).

As much privacy in the bathroom as possible.

At least 1 day off.

I would also try and put those who know each other in the same rooms.

Wifi, my own bed, AC and lots of snacks! Sounds like heaven!!!

Craft a detailed plan with specific tasks per person tailored to their capabilities.

These people will want to leave feeling that they have genuinely and tangibly helped. Not faffed around for a few days and then done a few bits here and there.

Lots of food. Decent coffee. Hot showers.

All the rest, like sunscreen etc…. I would presume they’ve travelled before and will pack their own.

I would love to hear how the week went OP!

I thought it is April?

Oh sorry I thought it was imminent! Good luck with the preparations OP.

I will keep you all updated, I wont disappear. Its not until April xx

@Helpfullnelly just remembered this thread, are you still planning on having everyone over to help?

We had a few builders staying and doing us a favour once. Their most treasured meal was a bacon sandwich at breakfast 😀

Hi, yes, me and hubby are driving over next Monday (13th) team arriving following sunday. Had a bit of drama a few days ago as part of the teams flight was cancelled, so a bit of a heart stopping minute, looking for new flights, but it was pretty easy ( ryanair saved the day at only £17 each)
Im driving dh up the wall with giddy excitement, im alnost ready i think. Ive been planning menus this week so we can get there and i know exactly what i need from the supermarket.
I havent forgotten this thread, i was going to revive it with a 'we are on the road' post

Glad to hear it is all still going ahead !

Ive ordered english sausages and bacon to be delivered.
€70 worth of sausages and bacon

When is it all due to start ?