Depending on how far apart you live, you might not see your in-laws all that often. Visits will probably be planned well in advance, thus giving you ample time to prepare. However, if your in-laws decide to organize a last-minute visit, it may catch you unawares. Whilst this is not necessarily a disaster, you might struggle for things to do, especially if the weather is not too great.
Entertaining the in-laws is the equivalent of a Royal Visit. Everyone is on their best behavior and everything must be spotless. It is great if you all get along like a house on fire, but if you have only recently married into the family, you will want to create a positive impression. The best way to do this is to keep them entertained and provide plenty of tasty food.
The food part is relatively easy as you can treat your in-laws to meals out or show off your cooking skills in the kitchen. Keeping them entertained the rest of the time is less easy, so it pays to find out what they like and what their preferences are.
Mobility Issues
Many people suffer from mobility issues as they age. It becomes harder to walk or navigate stairs, so planning a brisk hike through a hilly canyon is a bad idea if your in-laws struggle to climb stairs. Pay attention to how mobile your in-laws are and plan an itinerary accordingly. If they are fit and active, a walking tour of a local attraction could be just the ticket, but if they are less mobile, you could take them out in the car and show them the sights.
If you are not sure how active your in-laws are, ask your other half. That way you won’t end up buying tickets for an inappropriate attraction and wasting your money.
Likes and Dislikes
Find out what your in-laws like to do for fun and books some tickets to a local event. For example, if your father-in-law loves to watch hockey, visit Ticket Sales to see what sporting events are taking place locally. Remember to take into account both of your in-laws, so if you book tickets to take your father-in-law to see the Denver Nuggets in action, make sure you have something to keep your mother-in-law entertained, too.
Schedule Some Time with the Kids
Most in-laws come to see the grandkids rather than you. They love to spend time with their grandkids, especially if they live thousands of miles away. Plan a few activities where your in-laws can spend some quality time together, such as a trip to the park or a visit to a family-friendly attraction. Creating happy memories for everyone is priceless and your in-laws are sure to appreciate the gesture.
Remember to take advantage of some ‘couple time’ while your in-laws are visiting. Use the opportunity to have a date night or a quiet drink while they are bathing the kids or reading them a bedtime story. After all, that’s what grandparents do best!
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