How to ask for shoes off!

[RudolphRed]

I don't want to be 'that person' but we are having a little Christmas Eve get together at our house tomorrow. We've just put every penny we have into a house renovation, so I would really prefer if guests remove their shoes. I always do when I visit people, but is there a diplomatic way to ask if they don't? I'm not usually super fussy, but we've spent so much getting our home nice, I could really do without a lot of dirty shoes traipsing through and it's given heavy rain all morning to make matters worse!
If you're just going to make a snide remark, please don't bother replying to my post - helpful answers only please. Thankyou 🥰

So people get dressed up for a party and they have to wear wrong sized shoes, that have been worn before?

Really grim.

It’s not rude at all. A doormat won’t remove dog shit.
If it’s a party I’d send a text in advance, if not I’d just say as pp have said.
We don’t wear shoes and I wash my dogs feet. White socks stay white here.

Tell people in advance, so they can bring indoor shoes/ slippers with them.
Provide slippers/ socks for those who don't.
Also provide an area just inside your entrance door for people to change their footwear - it might be worth covering the new carpet there with a large piece of cardboard/ mat/ old carpet/ similar to protect it, and providing a stool for people to sit on as they change (much appreciated by older and less mobile guests) - and an obvious place to leave their outdoor shoes.

It is rude to ask people to take shoes off.

You’ll have to hope they do. But it sounds like a party? People will be dressed up. The shoes may be part of their outfit.

Anyway, most people do offer. (And many good hosts say don’t bother).

How many people will have dog shit on their shoes after driving dressed up
to someone’s house, and walking from a car?

Unless all guests are traversing cow-occupied fields by way of their journey!

Make sure there is a pile of shoes by the front door, you have yours off and when you answer your door say hello, come in, just leave your shoes there and they should take them off hah

You can't invite people to a party and ask them to take their shoes off! It's just rude.

I don't wear shoes in my house but I never ask guests to take them off unless they want to.

I agree with most of the replies sine @hopeishere at 18:19.

If you are having a party, then people won't be rocking up in their work boots, they will have their "going out" shoes on. Which they will then wipe on the doormat as the come in. What is the point in paying for flooring people can't walk on ?

However, that seems to be what you've done, so warn people in advance - say you've had some impractical flooring put down so aren't allowing shoes on it, so if anyone wants to bring slippers to change in to they are welcome.
Then provide a solid dining chair in the hall that people can sit on to do so.

She can do what she likes it's her house, not yours

Have a shoe stand or baskets for shoes in your hall or porch and people will automatically take them off in my experience.

I wouldn't mind as long as I had some warning to bring slippers or indoor shoes. I hate going barefoot and it would spoil my night if I had to remove my shoes with nothing to cover my feet.

Do you usually have to ask people to take their shoes off/do people usually not?? I don’t know anyone who keeps their shoes on other than my mum who was miffed when I pointed out we had a new crawler and it was gross for him to be crawling round amongst her pavement germs 😄 everyone else always just automatically takes their shoes off, even the 3 year olds who visit. And I do the same at others’ houses.

I had a big gathering at Christmas Eve one year. I asked people to pop their shoes in the basket to save me doing housework on Christmas morning. No problem.

That said - I always expect people to remove shoes when they visit - more hassle for me to clean up than for them to kick off shoes.

Of course she can.
But will it be appreciated, will you be judged and what do people think overall.

I would not be happy at all. But then I would have clean shoes on, after having walked up a path from the car, I would then diligently wipe them on a what should be a decent mat provided to me.

It I grim asking people to wear shoes that others have worn, and rude to expect them to be stocking-footed all evening.

Unless all guests are traversing cow-occupied fields by way of their journey!

Not unusual round these parts tbh 😄

Please don't, because it's incredibly rude. Imagine going to Buckingham Palace and the King asking you to remove your shoes? It just wouldn't happen, so I don't understand why anyone would do this in their own house. Floors are supposed to be walked on, after all.

I am another who would rather be told in advance because although I don't mind being barefoot I dont want to wear any kind of communal slipper and socks on carpet would have my teeth on edge the whole visit.

@Cas112 - she can absolutely do what she likes. But being a good host is about making your guests comfortable and ensuring they have a good time. If she isn't prepared to do that, she shouldn't host.

She should at least warn guests in advance so they can decide whether or not they want to come/plan their outfits accordingly.

I thought everyone took shoes off when going to someone's house. My kids do it automatically.

I can’t imagine wearing a glittering Xmas cocktail dress and stockinged feet . Do people really go to parties and take their shoes off ?

if you are determined then I would message everyone and tell them that your renovations have just been completed and please would they bring indoor shoes with them . I have certainly taken my shoes in a carrier bag if walking to a party.

Well under these circumstances, no shoes would of course be fair enough!

Nothing like walking off the booze and sausage rolls in advance eh (I did an 8km walk today and really enjoyed my Croque Madame I’m the pub after 😃)

Tell them in advance.

I also think it’s really rude. And my feet get really cold.

If you tell them in advance they can decide whether or not it’s for them. Don’t spring it on them.

It would be rude to ask at the door, inform your guests beforehand you have this odd rule so they can choose not to come appropriate socks, clothing, or bring slippers.

No, it's rude for guests not to remove shoes in someone else's newly renovated home.

OP, will you cover your sofa in plastic too?
Food and drink on upholstery would worry me a lot more.