8 Things to Have on Hand in Case Extra Guests Drop By

Surprise guests used to stress me out. Now I just assume someone’s going to text “we’re nearby, can we swing by?” at some point in December. The trick is not to have a perfect house—it’s to have a few things tucked away so you can say “yes” without panic-cleaning and tearing through the pantry.

Here’s what’s worth keeping on hand so extra people at the table feel normal, not like an emergency.

Shelf-stable snacks you can throw on a tray

Keep a small stash of snacks that live in the pantry: crackers, nuts, popcorn, pretzels, jarred salsa, or shelf-stable cheese spreads. None of it has to be fancy. You’re just aiming for “I can put three things on a plate in five minutes.”

When someone drops in, you can pour a few things into bowls, add some fruit if you have it, and suddenly it looks like you planned a little spread instead of raiding the pantry five minutes ago.

An easy, all-ages drink option

Have at least one drink that everyone can enjoy—sparkling water, lemonade mix, tea bags, or shelf-stable juice. If you keep a bottle of something grown-up tucked away, that’s a bonus, but non-alcoholic options matter more for surprise visits.

Being able to say, “Can I get you something to drink?” and actually mean it makes guests feel welcome right away. You don’t need a full bar cart. Just something cold (or hot) you can grab without thinking.

A stash of disposable plates and napkins

Even if you love real dishes, having a small pack of sturdy paper plates and napkins in a drawer is worth it. You’ll be grateful when the dishwasher’s full and you suddenly have six extra people who want dessert.

It’s not about being fancy; it’s about not washing three extra rounds of dishes for people who only stopped by for an hour. You can still use real cups and silverware if you want, but paper plates are a nice backup.

A simple freezer meal or appetizer

Pick one freezer-friendly item that’s only for “people are here and I’m not ready” nights. It could be frozen meatballs, garlic bread, a pan of enchiladas, or a bag of soup. The point is that you can toss it in the oven or pot and call it dinner.

Label it so you don’t accidentally use it on a random Tuesday. When surprise guests show up around mealtime, you’ll feel a lot less frazzled knowing there’s a real option within reach.

Extra seating that folds or stacks

You don’t need a huge house to handle extra people. A couple of folding chairs, floor cushions, or small stools can quietly live in a closet until you need them. They don’t have to match; they just need to give people a place to land.

When you can pull out two more seats quickly, nobody’s stuck standing in a doorway holding a plate, and your living room instantly feels more welcoming.

Clean, spare hand towels and a bathroom backup kit

Keep one extra clean hand towel and a small “backup kit” ready in the bathroom: extra toilet paper, a spare roll of trash bags for the bathroom can, and a basic cleaner wipe or spray under the sink.

If the towel gets soaked or the trash fills up faster than you expected, you can fix it in thirty seconds without leaving guests waiting. It’s a tiny thing that makes your house feel more put-together than it might actually be.

One easy, no-prep activity for kids

If friends show up with kids, having something ready for them is a lifesaver. Keep a coloring book and crayons, a simple puzzle, or a small bin of blocks or cars tucked in a closet. This does not have to be Instagram-worthy.

When kids have something to do, adults can actually talk. You’re not scrambling through bedrooms and toy boxes while trying to keep an eye on the oven.

A “company ready” basket for visual clutter

Have one basket or tote you can grab when you need to hide clutter fast—mail, random toys, charger cords, things that live on the counter. When someone texts they’re five minutes away, scoop everything in, set the basket in your bedroom or closet, and deal with it later.

Your home doesn’t need to be staged. It just needs to feel calm enough that extra people don’t throw you into full panic mode. A few small safety nets make that possible.