Dear Hillary,
We have some friends coming over from the US at Xmas, and normally I’d be very happy, but this time we will be in the middle of shifting house and I don’t think I’d be able to look after houseguests at the same time. The children will be back from school and it’s all too much. How can I put out American friends off? Nicely without offending them?
Barbara
Dear Barbara,
I can sympathize with you in this predicament, but it’s easy to get over this problem. Just explain to your friends that you can’t give them a bed this time, because of the shifting in, but suggest that you’ll find them a little hotel close by for around $30 a night (B. 1,000). They won’t be offended – we’ve all been through the problems with shifting. I also suggest you contract out the shifting to one of the professional removals people. They come in, pack everything, take it to the new house and then unpack everything and place the items where you want – but please have an idea just where you want the wardrobes before the truck arrives!