While entertaining guests doesn’t mean that you’ll need to stand on your head, it will certainly require some effort. If a friend or relative casually drops by, then breaking out some snacks and shooting the breeze would be enough. But when you have several guests over, or have guests over for a long time, part of being a good host is keeping your guests entertained. Here are some tips to make your entertaining of guests-well, more entertaining:

1. Get organized.

Remember that “Organization is the key to quick thinking.” While the planning stage of entertaining guests can take a lot of time and effort, you can make the process easier by being as organized as possible. Make a list of food and materials you’ll need to entertain your guests. This will help to ensure that you have everything you need to make your guests’ stay as enjoyable as possible.

2. Keep it simple.

Some of the best ways to entertain guests are also the simplest ones. You could plan some “ice-breaker” games, a sing-a-long, or a tour of your house. What’s more important than an activity being complicated (and expensive), is it being fun. So remember that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, in order for your guests to enjoy themselves.

3. Be somewhat spontaneous.

While it’s important to be organized when entertaining guests, there’s also the danger of micromanaging the event. That means that sometimes it’s better to “go with the flow,” instead of rigidly sticking with your itinerary. Keep in mind that there’s always the chance that your guest won’t want to do certain activities, or certain situations make it impractical to do the activities that you planned. While it’s not advisable to choose the entertaining activities willy-nilly, make sure to provide some leeway.

4. Remember your guest’s likes and interests.

This is crucial when planning to entertain guests. While you might enjoy playing Parcheesi, there’s guarantee that you guests will. If you know the guests well, then you’ll likely already know what their likes and interests are. And if you don’t, then make sure to ask them before they arrive. That can prevent you from wasting a lot of time, money, and effort preparing for activities that you guests would find as entertaining as watching grass grows.

5. Give your guest some privacy.

You definitely should avoid overwhelming your guest with activities that will keep them busy from the moment they arrive, to the moment they leave. This is especially true if a guest will be staying over for multiple days. For instance, if you’re going to the grocery store or shopping mall, give your guest the option to join you-or rest in the house.

6. Give your guest a small gift.

Just about everyone likes to receive a gift. Whether you guest will be vesting for a few hours or a few months, choose a small, inexpensive present for him or her.

Entertaining guests can be much more challenging than we might initially assume. But by following these tips, you’ll not only keep your guest entertained, but will also make him or her entertain the idea of returning.