They’re coming! Are you ready for the house guest invasion?
Forget pesky mosquitoes and nasty wasps… the invasion many Kiwis are most worried about is that endless stream of house guests who pop by for a night, and still seem to be there a week later!
It’s a phenomenon that seems to get worse the closer your home or bach is to a beach or holiday hot spot. After all, why would anyone pay for a motel room when they can crash at their mate’s parents’ place?
Good old Kiwi hospitality means you can’t really turn your teenaged kids’ friends away in their time of need, but there are a few ways you can make the experience more manageable and enjoyable for all concerned.
Set boundaries. It can be challenging having strangers appearing around the corner when you least expect it. So, it can be helpful to let houseguests know early on that some parts of the house – such as family bedrooms and ensuites – are off limits.
A time for everything. Some people like to get up with the chickens, while others prefer to sleep until it’s just too warm to stay in bed. That can cause chaos, especially if you like to get your kitchen all cleaned up after breakfast at the usual time. Again, being clear about when you want breakfast finished by will help avoid niggles. At the other end of the day, it’s entirely reasonable to let guests know what time the music needs to turn off.
Lighten the laundry load. While a couple of towels and spare sheets per person might be enough for most of the year, adding some extra bodies to the household can quickly mean you’re doing the washing every day – some holiday! Take away the stress by holding onto old towels and sheets you would otherwise bin or recycle during the year and bring them out when the teen invasion hits. When they’re not paying for board, they’re hardly going to grumble about the thread count!
BBQ’s time to shine. Even if you’re not a big barbecue user yourself, let your guests know that they’re welcome to cook their own meals outside, cutting down on indoor noise and mess in the kitchen. Why not give them the opportunity to help with costs too, by taking your 9kg bottle to a Rockgas Refill and Save location for a top up when they leave? They can find a handy location here:
https://rockgas.co.nz/get-connected/find-a-rockgas-outlet/
Shower power. Even when the weather’s warm, long days at the beach can mean big demands on the shower when everyone gets home. If your hot water is heated by Rockgas LPG then you’ll have no worries about the water going cold unexpectedly – as long as you have plenty of LPG! Summer delivery schedules are usually adjusted so our team can take their own breaks, so as soon as you notice the first bottle showing empty, order a replacement on the Rockgas website or app. Not sure how to check your bottle? Take a look at our handy video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqFcoBa2Gh4