Everybody knows how it feels to enter someone’s house and feel uncomfortable there. It’s a horrible feeling and usually you want to leave as soon as possible, never to return! People who have been dating for a while always arrive at the stage where they would like their girlfriend or boyfriend to visit them at home, but sometimes the prospect can be nerve racking, resulting in all sort of silly mistakes that are invariably the result of trying too hard. Here are some tips for people entering that “meet my house” stage in the relationship:
Having a clean house
If you want someone to feel good about being in your home, your home must be a comfortable and clean environment where they feel welcome. Before even considering inviting a date to your house, make sure it is absolutely clean. Tidiness is another issue but cleanliness is a basic requirement. Clean everything, paying special attention to the bathroom and the kitchen, especially if you are going to be cooking a meal for your guest. Scrub the bathroom thoroughly and make sure the towels are fresh and clean. Place a new bar of soap on the wash basin and perhaps a small vase of flowers somewhere and make sure the room is fragranced with either a burner or a spray perfume.
What to do with lighting
Lighting is important, but don’t plunge the proceedings into gloominess. Pay attention to what you are going to be doing. If you will be watching a movie after dinner then make some selections before you guest arrives and give her (or him) a choice rather than subject them to your own preferences. Set the lighting so that you can still watch the movie in comfort without sitting in darkness. If you want to look through some photos, organize some task lighting somewhere but try not to illuminate the room like Yankee Stadium. Use your common sense and remember that if you are eating, you need to be able to see your plate in front of you. Candles are nice but rarely provide enough light on their own.
What to do with your bedroom
Make your bed and clean up your bedroom, especially if the only bathroom is en suite to your bedroom. The whole house or apartment should be clean, not just the area where you think your date will want to look around and pay attention to putting away personal items that nobody wants to see.
Setting the mood of the house
Put on some music but not loud enough to wake the dead. If you are cooking, remember to pay some attention to your date while you are cooking, don’t leave them to entertain themselves for an hour or watch the television. Show them around soon after they arrive so they don’t have to consult a crystal ball to find out where the bathroom is later. Finally, remember to enjoy yourself. If you are cooking, organize something simple so you have the time to enjoy a conversation as well as put the food on the table. It’s your evening too and the more you enjoy it, the more your date will too.
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