Hosting Americans - who I've never met - what will/not be OK?

[pixiemamma]

They are Californians: man, woman & 2 sons. The woman is a business client of DH.
DH doesn't know how old her sons are but anyway they are spending the day with us on Monday. I have said I won't cook as 1)we are vegetarians and they probably aren't. 2) i have a 20mo & a 3mo so every day is hard enough as it is (I think we should go to our village pub for lunch) as is v.nice. 3) I am a shit cook.
Shall I get them a gift? Shall I get nice biscuits?

I definitely think that your or your DH should make something for them. It's what you do, isn't it?

I'm not a great cook either and have children roughly the same age as yours. What I would probably do is go out for lunch and then do an afternoon tea with homemade scones, clotted cream etc. I'd probably offer homemade biscuits before going out for lunch.

Will they expect a tour of the area? That might save you some angst. If the children are very young then perhaps a farm or outdoor play place and have lunch there?

I am from California, most of us are pretty informal/casual, we wouldn't expect you to cook anything especially with a young family (I have relatives who never cook at all!). I find the British habit of usually offering a drink and biscuits within 10 minutes of setting foot on the property to be quite formal and quaint if lovely and hospitable (not the norm where I grew up at all).

I'd try to find out more about the ages of the sons.

They probably drink cola in preference to hot drinks, cola usually with ice, I might try to get that in. Diet for the adults, full sugar for the kids. Decaf. good quality coffee for adult is another strong bet.

They might bring some gifts, so wouldn't be bad if you gave them some small momento to take home, but I can't think what! A pack of shortbread bix with Scottish tartan on it? Or Duchy of Cornwall originals something? Might seem twee to you, but will have novelty value & costs a fortune over there.

Thank you so much for your replies - I was a bit vague too, on reflection.
I was thinking that they'd probably prefer coke and that good quality coffee would be needed (time to dust off my machine)but I hadn't considered decaf - nice tip and especially as too much caffeine literally makes me talk gibberish.

I think the idea about shortbread & Duchy originals is a great idea. I do bake my own biscuits llareggub, but historically they aren't particularly aesthetically pleasing

My plan is to go to the pub for lunch (is very nice, proper English village pub - with nice food and lovely views) I can also walk my toddler there in order to try and quell his overwhelming desire to bounce and shout.

I probably will offer drinks and biscuits - probably before they've even got their coats off

Will get some ice in the freezer and go out & get some shortbread, and those Duchy original biscuit things - I never thought I'd see the day that I'd be buying Duchy originals, but it's a small sacrifice for the business!

I am reassured that they will most likely be informal - and had I thought about it I would've realised that myself - she is a vintage interiors dealer from LA (in my head she looks like Christie Brinkley whereas I am frazzled mum who needs to comb her hair and find a top that hasn't got shiny patches on the shoulders

Thanks so much - I'll report back

I wouldn't worry about not cooking. I find Californians suspicious of home cooked food - especially BRITISH home cooked food and whenever I've had people around and done a tray of home baked cookies or cakes, they never touch anything (although that could be my cooking .)

At parties and gatherings, they tend to be quite health conscious - lots of fruit and raw veggies. Celery sticks, strawberries etc. so a plate of those might go down well.

As the others said, they usually drink cold drinks (cola, possibly diet cola). Or they bring lattes from Starbucks en route, despite me having a nice coffee maker!

A nice gift is a good idea though. Something like Lush might go down well because it's uber-expensive over here and is quite British.

CSD - they'll be hard pressed to find a Starbucks in these parts and they may find that the eyebrows of the girl in the local will be well and truly raised if they attempt to 'customise' or deviate from the menu the pub. Hopefully this will just add to the 'authenticity' of the experience

cantsupinate - you were bang on about the cola! I got all varieties but the kids wanted full fat & zero for the adults.
There was a boy and girl anyway, not two sons. Aged 17 & 15. I have to say that these were extremely polite, confident and engaging young people and they were a complete joy - as were the Californians. I made them a gift bag with expensive biscuits, organic English tea, traditional ale, chocolates, local(ish) mineral water and local strawberry jam. I think they liked it. Dinner at the local was great too.
Thanks to all for your advice - you really helped me - and were bang on!