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Distraught bride explains why no one showed for her wedding

The heartbroken bride who went viral after no one showed up to her wedding has updated her followers on the events leading up to the big day. Kalina Marie, a bride from the US, went <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/what-did-we-do-bride-shares-heartbroken-reaction-to-empty-wedding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">viral</a> after she took to TikTok to share the gut-wrenching video of the moment her and her new husband Shane stepped inside the lavishly decorated hall with their son, as they tried to come to terms with the fact that only a handful of people showed to celebrate with them. “FIVE PEOPLE SHOWED UP!!!!!!! Like, are you kidding me!?!? As you see in the video, we enter the venue. And no one is there," she wrote in the caption of the video before adding, “It just makes me think, like, why? What did we do? Am I that bad of a person?" Her video raked up millions of views with many people sharing words of encouragement, and thousands of people asking for an update on the situation. Hundreds of comments asked Kalina if she had heard from any of the invitees who didn't show up, wondering if they had provided her with a reason. In response to the comments, Kalina made another video to share some context with her followers. She first explained that and her husband, who have been together for nine years, got engaged in 2019 and weren’t able to have their wedding when they had intended to, due to the pandemic. In January this year, they announced they were finally tying the knot in October and for the past 10 months, Ms Marie said she has been “blabbing about it” all over Facebook. “I created a Facebook event and invited everyone I could and also sent out over 25 invitations to our elders and those not on social media to make sure they were included as well,” she said in a video. Ms Marie said she received notice from 40 who said they would be coming to the big day, so she planned for that number by setting up the venue accordingly and ensuring her mum had catered enough food. She also made sure to check in with everyone the week of to confirm their attendance, and said “at least 20 people” had gotten back to her saying they were coming, leaving her asking why those people chose not to show up at the last minute. “If I could answer that, I would tell you. And no, I haven’t really received a lot of messages explaining why people weren’t there or giving me excuses,” she said. However, the newlywed said she was actually grateful for this because it meant she could get a clear understanding of who actually cared about her and her husband. “We’ve been having to deal with the grief of deleting a lot of people out of our lives,” she admitted. “For the most part, we’ve done a lot of re-evaluating our lives and just spending a lot of time appreciating what we have and what we had.” To anyone who has had something similar happen to them, Ms Marie says: “I am truly very sorry as I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.” The comments section of the video was again flooded with words of support and encouragement for the newlyweds, as one person wrote, “My heart aches for you,” while another called it “cruel” and “unbelievable.” Others emphasised that it was a powerful learning moment: “You really find out who your friends are when you have a wedding. Sorry, you went through this,” insisted one commenter. “The people who didn’t turn up you don’t need in your life,” another reassured. Image credits: TikTok

Relationships

10 rules every good house guest follows

You've been invited to stay in somebody else's house. You're instantly told "make yourself at home!" But you can't really, can you? Here's the unsaid rules of being a houseguest you just can't break. 1. Not arriving on time Always provide your itinerary to your host before you arrive. If your flight or train is delayed, give them real-time updates. Google Map your journey in advance so you know exactly how to get to their house. It's awfully inconvenient as a host to be waiting to give a guest keys, but have them arrive two hours late because of an excuse like "I got lost". 2. Turning up empty handed You don't need to bring much, but when staying at someone's house you need to arrive with a token of appreciation. A bottle of wine, some chocolates, or a kitsch little jar of jam you made. Turning up empty handed is expected by the host, but all good houseguests know a small gift is the right way to kick things off. 3. Keeping your shoes on Perhaps you live in a shoes-on house when you're at home, but unless told so, you should never keep them on when staying at another's. Especially if you only see your host walking around bare foot, or in socks/slippers. Houseguests bring in extra dirt, fluff, and marks – the most conscious you can be of that, the better. 4. Turning down food When you're staying in somebody else's home, you must eat what you are served. Hosts go to a lot of effort to make you feel welcome and cooking for you is a big part of that. If you have any dietary requirements, say so before you arrive and offer to bring a bag of shopping. Your host will probably refuse, but you've laid the groundwork for happy mealtimes for the duration of your stay. 5. Not cleaning up Picture this: you're staying with a friend, and they're at work all day while you mooch around their house. The dishwasher is full but you don't know where anything goes in the cupboards. You pile your dirties in the sink, and your friend comes home to find them. Cue instant aggression that will forever remain unspoken. Avoid being a bad guest by cleaning up when you're a houseguest – even if you put things back in the wrong place. 6. Not asking to use laundry facilities One of the most difficult things about travelling is getting your laundry done. When a washing machine and dryer become available, it's natural to want to jump on them. But you must ask your host first. They will always say yes – everybody understands what it's like to have to wear inside-out underwear when you've had no laundry facilities for a week – but it's just polite to ask. 7. Asking your host to quiet down When staying in somebody else's house, there's a high chance of noises you're not used to. That could mean your host watching TV at midnight when you've got to be up early, or them talking loudly on the phone at 6AM while you're asleep. But you can't say anything about it. If you are noise-sensitive, always bring quality earplugs. 8. Bringing lovers home We get it, maybe you're in an exciting new city and the options for a little sexy time are pinging at your phone every few minutes. But you cannot, under any circumstances, invite a new lover over to somebody's house when you're staying there. Even if you have their house to yourself, it's just a breach of respect. If you want to hook up, go to their place. 9. Leaving the bed unmade Hosts generally accept there'll be some clean-up after you're gone. But don't leave the guest bed unmade, or your dirty sheets on it. Strip them off on your final morning, and either fold them nicely, or put them in the washing machine (this is one situation where you don't need their permission to use their laundry). Remake the bed with or without clean sheets if possible. 10. Not saying thank you It doesn't have to be a formal written letter (though that would be nice, wouldn't it). But you must thank your hosts after you leave with a note, an e-mail, or even a text. It's something so easy to forget to do once you're gone, but ensures the host feels their hospitality has been appreciated. And if you've not broken any of the other rules, you'll definitely get invited back. Image credits: Shutterstock Written by Lee Suckling. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Home & Garden

Couple charges guests to attend their wedding

A couple have made the divisive decision to charge their loved ones to attend their wedding in order to save money. When newlyweds Nova and Reemo Styles, a couple from the US, they were originally quoted $150,000 USD ($227,936 AUD) for their dream nuptials. "That's the number they were starting at," Nova explained to US news outlet ABC 7. In order to cut down on costs without cutting out any extravagant extras from their big day, the couple decided to put a price on attendance, and slap their loved ones with a fee. "And I said, 'People choose to go to Beyoncé's concert, because they know that they're gonna have an experience’. Let's put the stress on the guests, and let's sell tickets for a wedding,'" Nova admitted. Her new husband Reemo admitted he wasn’t too keen on the idea, as he recalled telling his wife “Babe, people aren’t going to come.” The couple decided to charge guests $333 USD ($510 AUD) each, which earned them a place on a double-decker bus for the reception which took them on a 12-hour adventure in New York City. The controversial move ended up saving the couple $70,000 USD ($106,260 AUD), and their big day went off without a hitch. They admitted that they received pushback from some guests, as NOva recalled one invitee saying, "I would never spend money on tickets. I don't care. Who do you guys think you are? Jay-Z and Beyoncé?” The couple stood by their choice to charge their guests, as many friends and family did fork out the hefty fee. Nova and Reemo’s story quickly made it to the ‘wedding shaming’ Reddit group, where social media users were not so sympathetic and were quick to condemn their “tacky” and “ridiculous” choice. "Talk about TACKY! I would never think of making someone pay to come to my wedding! That is just ridiculous...," one said. "I absolutely would not pay to come to a wedding, because I'm already paying to go -- gas, time to get ready, a gift, that's money/time I could spend in other ways," another said. "That's probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I would imagine many guests RSVP no," added another. Another user was quick to point out that if they needed help covering such a huge sum of money, they should’ve chosen to cut back on the extravagant day instead of expecting their loved ones to cover the cost. Image credits: ABC 7

Money & Banking

9 things you should never touch in someone else’s house

A hands-off approach Nothing like a global pandemic to critically alter your lifelong and intrinsic sanitary practices, huh? And while we know coronavirus does not spread easily from surfaces, there are still plenty of other germs and bacteria that do. And it’s not always a matter of good hygiene – sometimes it’s just a matter of good manners! The door Of course, you can actually touch the door, but you should never do so to let yourself into someone else’s home without them, or without being invited. Always knock or ring the bell, even if it’s been left unlocked, unless someone has expressly told you that you don’t have to. And please, don’t show up knocking earlier than expected – it could be a huge inconvenience to your host. Their bathroom As with most of the things on this list, you should avoid this unless you’re specifically invited. Try not to stray after your trip to the bathroom for a look around – it’s definitely off-limits if you don’t have permission or are going in without your host knowing. Of course, there are exceptions, as it may not be so serious an offence if you know the person very well, or if one lives in a shared living space, a studio, or an apartment with limited space. And on that note, it’s best to wait until you’re invited to sit or relax on someone’s bed. Many people also find that a bedroom is a convenient place to store coats if there are guests coming over, but wait until they offer instead of assuming it’s OK. The floor - with your shoes on Depending on personal preferences or cultural norms, many households have a no-shoes-inside policy. Take the tip from your host – if they’re wearing shoes in their house, you can probably assume it’s OK for you. When in doubt, ask what they would prefer. Another place you shouldn’t be putting your feet? On the couch or coffee table. I can think of five good reasons you should ban shoes in the house, period. The fridge and cupboards This one might sound like it should go without saying, but some might not realize just how rude it is to help yourself to someone else’s food. If you’re hungry, let your host know, or suggest going out to eat. If you’re staying for a long time, your host will probably prepare and shop for food accordingly, but it’s a good idea to offer to bring or buy some groceries yourself. And if you came for dinner, eat what’s been prepared for you, and offer to bring a dish or wine to share. If you have a restricted diet, let your host know beforehand and prepare a dish to bring if it’s difficult to accommodate. Offer to help cook, and lend a hand with the dishes and cleanup. Countertops are absolutely one of those things you should be cleaning every day, regardless. The windows or thermostat Always let your hosts set the thermostat number – it’s their house, after all, and they’re the ones paying the bill for it. If you’re really too cold, a better option might be to ask to borrow a jumper, or extra blankets if you’ll be staying overnight. Too hot? Suggest an activity to help cool off, like going to a place with air conditioning. If you have a medical condition that makes you particularly sensitive to heat or cold, you should always inform your host ahead of time so you can make plans accordingly. Drawers and cabinets This one is definitely invasive of your host’s privacy. Don’t go rummaging for anything that’s not in plain sight or in the rooms your host is expecting you in. You might find it tempting to snoop, but the medicine cabinet is certainly off-limits. Workspaces, mail, or bills To go along with the last one, it’s always best to avoid snooping. In some homes, a guest bedroom might also double as a home office, so steer clear of using these spaces to store your things. You have no idea how they might have organised their things, so try to leave it as is. Not going through someone’s mail is basic manners! Cigarettes or e-cigarettes Unless your host is doing the same and gives you permission, you should never, ever start smoking a cigarette or e-cigarette in someone’s home. This rule is especially inflexible if there are children in the house. Not only can you expose them to the harmful ingredients and chemicals in cigarettes, but the effects – and the smell – can linger long after you’re gone. If you can’t wait, excuse yourself to go outside, and try to move away from doors and windows so it doesn’t waft into the house. Removing the cigarette and cigar smell is quite the cumbersome task. The Wi-Fi Try to refrain from asking for the Wi-Fi password unless you’re a long-term guest or a very frequent visitor. If you’re asking at the beginning of a dinner party, it’s sending the message that you’d rather be on your phone. Try to stay off of your phone as much as possible to really have quality time when you’re visiting. Image credits: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/9-things-you-should-never-touch-in-someone-elses-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

"Entitled" couple slammed for charging guests almost $4K to attend wedding

A daring UK couple has taken being frugal to the next level by charging their guests £2,000 (AUD $3,806) to attend their wedding. The couple's antics have gone viral on Reddit after one of the guests shared the bewildering experience online The guest claimed that he received an email prior to the wedding with a link that read, "Click here for payment." Assuming it was a link for a honeymoon fund, the guest clicked on it only to discover the couple's ridiculous request for nearly £2,000. The generous guest decided to humour the couple and paid the fee, hoping that he would be able to enjoy the free bar and indulge in the wedding feast, to reap some of the benefits of his investment. It's not surprising that the couple, who asked their guests to pay for their wedding, also charged them for drinks. After spending nearly £2,000, the wedding guest also had to pay an additional £30 (AUD $57) on drinks. After doing the maths, the guest concluded that the wedding venue's cost had been evenly distributed among them - so the couple essentially enjoyed a free wedding thanks to their friends and family. This sparked outrage among other Reddit users who were in disbelief over the couple's "entitlement". "I'm sorry (not sorry), but I would never pay to attend a wedding, let alone pay £2000. The entitlement is overflowing here!" commented one person "I'd reach out to the bride and groom for a refund," wrote another. "Your friend and every other guest were absolute suckers for going along with this scheme," another brutally honest user added. Another user criticised the couple for not providing drinks for their generous guests. "I don't have anything against dry weddings but surely you can offer something other than just water." "As soon as I saw that payment screen, I'd have cancelled my RSVP. Regardless of the bride and groom's relationship, if you want a particular type of wedding, foot the bill yourself," another user commented. "Their approach was simply tacky." Image: Getty

Relationships

Antiques Roadshow guest floored by value of father’s gift

For most people, finding out that their old items are worth a few hundred dollars is a treat enough, and maybe a few thousand if the antique is particularly special. But for one woman in the United Kingdom and her treasured brooches, that would have been small change. It was Antiques Roadshow’s expert Geoffrey Munn who broke the news after inspecting her pieces in Wales, assigning an impressive value to the 18th century collection. As the guest - and owner - explained, the two diamond brooches from her set had been gifted to her by her father. “[The smaller bow] on my wedding day. [The floral brooch] came a little bit later,” she said, “and [the ruby bow] was inherited from my grandmother.” She went on to share that her father had actually been involved in the antiques world, and so it was “something that I’ve grown up with.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/05/AntiquesRoadshow_EMBED.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Upon inspecting the items, Munn noted that they were in “perfect condition”, and that they seemed to be “18th century jewels of the finest pitch”. When it came to the smaller bow, he remarked that it was more than it appeared, being “a true lovers knot, because the harder it is pulled, the tighter it becomes. “And the diamonds are forever, so this little subliminal message for your wedding was perfectly well chosen.” According to Munn, the same could be said of the ruby bow, but that things were “more complicated” when it came to the floral brooch. After sharing that it was most likely a sort of dress ornament, he noted that “there may have been 20 or 30 of them, and they might have gone down the back of a woman of very high rank and huge wealth. “[In the 18th century], people didn’t simply recognise the sovereign because there was no photography and precious few portraits. So, when [they] entered the room, there had to be an enormous display of sumptuary.” He then theorised that the floral brooch could possibly have belonged to Russian royalty, and that he wanted to believe that was the case. “The Russian crown jewels were sold in London after the revolution to raise funds for the new regime,” he continued. “It’s just possible that this is a Russian crown jewel. Wouldn’t [that] be marvellous?” Munn dubbed the entire collection “marvellous things”, declaring that “they’re not showy. They’re utterly beautiful expressions of an era gone by and that’s what we’re looking for”, as well as announcing that the trio came in at a staggering value of approximately $62,000. The smaller bow came in at around $15,000, while the ruby brooch was valued at $18,800, and the ruby at $28,300. And while selling the set would have given the guest’s bank balance quite the boost, she had no intentions of parting with them any time soon. Instead, she intended for her daughters to inherit them. She enjoyed wearing the pieces, she said, but unfortunately, the bigger of the brooches were getting “difficult to wear nowadays … perhaps [they are] a bit more dated.” Images: Antiques Roadshow / BBC

Money & Banking

Hotel guest wakes to find his toes in the manager’s mouth

A Hilton guest in Nashville has experienced the stuff of nightmares during his overnight stay, having woken in the middle of the night to find the hotel’s manager sucking on his toes. The now-former employee allegedly crept into Peter Brennan’s room using a ‘ghost key card’, according to Brennan’s lawyer, and a warrant has been placed for the arrest of the 52-year-old culprit, David Neal. Brennan is also looking to sue the Hilton Hotel where the incident occurred, WSMV have reported. “I woke up at about 5am,” Brennan explained, “and I was being sexually assaulted by a man who had broken into my room.” Metro police reported that Neal was the night manager at the establishment, and attorney Michael Fisher has claimed that Neal had access to hotel keys despite a criminal past. As court documents note, Neal was previously indicted by the Wilson County Grand Jury in 1996 for second-degree murder in relation to his roommate’s death. In 1997, a jury had found him guilty of manslaughter, while Neal claimed self-defence. And as WKRN have reported, for his 2023 toe sucking offence, Neal allegedly told investigators that he had gone into Brennan’s room without permission using a duplicate key because he could smell smoke and had wanted to check in on its occupant. Brennan, upon waking to find Neal there, confronted his assaulter immediately. He also recognised him as someone who had entered his room the previous day, alongside another hotel employee, to check out a TV issue with the room. "[I] instantly jumped up and was screaming,” he told News Channel 5. “Went into sort of fact-finding mode. ‘Who are you? Why are you in my room? What are you doing here?’ "I could see he was wearing a uniform, he had his name tag on. He was talking to me but not giving me any substantive answers." A spokesperson for the hotel directed the station to the hotel’s local manager for comment, though they refused to comment, telling them that “the safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority. We are working closely with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and, as part of company policy, we do not comment on ongoing investigations." Which can’t have come as much comfort to Brennan, who was trying to come to terms with what he’d been through, and noted that he was “having problems sleeping frankly, I’m going through some PTSD, talking to a therapist. "I still don’t really feel safe in my own home." Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

King Charles’ grimmest guest exposed

In the months leading up to King Charles III’s extravagant coronation, the guest list was a hot topic. From “will she or won’t she?” discussions surrounding Meghan Markle to the “who’s who?” of British high society, there was always something on hand to pick apart. But one guest that no-one had seen coming - except perhaps in some of the internet’s darkest jokes - was the Grim Reaper. The cloaked figure was spotted during Charles’ May 6 coronation at Westminster Abbey, scurrying past a doorway with a long thin staff in hand, reminiscent of the reaper’s scythe or Charon’s ferry oar. Those determined to see some Harry and Meghan drama transpire joked that it may have been the prince’s wife in disguise, or even the late Diana back for “revenge”, and social media was rife with jokes, though most were of the opinion that the mysterious guest was none other than the fabled Grim Reaper. One Twitter user wasted no time in sharing a clip of the figure’s appearance at the abbey, asking if anyone else was seeing the same thing. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Anyone else just notice the Grim Reaper at Westminster Abbey? 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coronation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Coronation</a> <a href="https://t.co/77s4XIY17i">pic.twitter.com/77s4XIY17i</a> — Joe (@realjoegreeeen) <a href="https://twitter.com/realjoegreeeen/status/1654774890237394945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2023</a></blockquote> “Yep, had to pause & rewind to get a pic,” one like-minded soul wrote in response, “couldn't decide if it was Death (Pratchett would be proud) or maybe Darth Vader!” “High security should allow the identity of the grim reaper to be revealed. No doubt this is an official walk-in,” another said. “I thought I was seeing things when this happened,” one user admitted, “would love to know who it was.” “Diana getting her revenge,” another decided. There was, of course, another possibility, as someone pointed out when they wrote “Charles got pranked.” When footage was uploaded to TikTok, alongside the caption “NAH IT CANT JUST BE ME THAT SAW IT”, the response was similar, with the video collecting over 31k comments, and 21 million views. “Grim reaper Casually invited to the coronation as a security guard,” one user said. “That is Diana,” another declared. Meanwhile, someone was simply of the opinion that “Lizzy [was] coming back for her crown”. Thankfully, they weren’t left to ponder it for long, with a Westminster Abbey spokesperson putting the grim theories to rest, confirming the figure’s identity as a member of the abbey community. More specifically, as a verger, an individual who assists with religious services but who is not actually a member of the clergy itself. Images: Twitter

International Travel

“Disgusting”: Wedding guest’s entitled RSVP slammed

A bride-to-be was left shocked after one entitled guest sent an RSVP back for her wedding with a list of “unhinged” demands. The couple had sent an invitation for just two people, but they decided that this would be the perfect time for a family trip and RSVP’d for six people instead. “We should arrive Thurs late afternoon in our motorhome. We have a screened-in cabana room. We can all sleep in our motorhome, we’ll need to hook up power,” they wrote in the invitation. “We will need a ride to all wedding festivities. We would be happy to host a breakfast Friday morning for all at your home, took a lot of planning for us to make this trip. Looking forward to all the fun.” The photo of the invitation, which was posted on Facebook, has since been slammed. The photo was posted with the caption: “Shaming this guest who apparently is bringing the whole family when just two people were invited AND making travel accommodation demands, all while guilt-tripping the guide. Update: [the] couple has rescinded their invite to this guest”. A lot of people were outraged on the bride’s behalf, and shocked at the audacity of some wedding guests. “Disgusting. You call and talk to make plans even if they were close enough, which it doesn’t seem like they are, to make these requests,” wrote one person. “Wow. No. It’s wild to me that people think they can still bring extra guests, let alone make the logistics of their transportation on the day of the wedding the bride and groom’s problem. How are some people so oblivious?” commented another person. “I’m still stuck on the audacity to write down six [guests] when it sounds like the invite specified only two,” commented a third. Others shared their own wedding invitation horror stories. “We had a guest try to bring a partner and five uninvited kids (some adults), when we said it wasn't possible they acted like we were unreasonable and said we could just 'pull up a few extra chairs to a table’,” one person revealed. To which another quipped: “This also happened to me, but the intended invitees (my cousin and her husband) crossed their names out and put her mum and dad, brother AND his wife down as attending ‘in her place’. We tried so hard to circumvent problems by putting each person’s full name on the RSVP card and it still happens”. Images: Facebook

Relationships

Camilla's unexpected coronation guest

As the royal family prepares for the highly-anticipated coronation of King Charles, an unexpected guest has been revealed to be attending. Camilla's ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, will be present for the coronation in Westminster Abbey in May, as he remains “joined at the hip” with his ex-wife. Andrew and Camilla were married for 22 years before they divorced in 1995. Andrew went on to marry Rosemary Pitman the following year, who died from breast cancer in 2010, while Camilla married the then-Prince of Wales in 2005. Ever since their divorce, the couple have remained close. A friend of Parker Bowles told <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/camillas-naughty-ex-andrew-parker-bowles-is-coming-to-the-coronation-blwlqc9dv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sunday Times</a>, “He arranges so much for her. They have lunch together the whole time. He’s right in there. He was always, and still is, Camilla’s co-conspirator.” One of Camilla’s Queen Companions, the Marchioness of Lansdowne said everyone “loves Andrew” and that he’s a “real charmer but he’s always terribly misbehaving”. She added, “Through adversity they’ve kept a really good family ethic. It helps with their children and grandchildren.” Parker Bowles was unfaithful to Camilla during their marriage, and their friends describe the retired army officer as “a bit of a rogue” and “very naughty”. He remains close, however, with several members of the royal family, including Princess Anne with whom he had a brief romance. Parker Bowles has attended both of Charles’ weddings, including to Princess Diana in July 1981 when he accompanied the then-Prince and Princess of Wales’s carriages on horseback after the ceremony. Parker Bowles was also present at Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, attending the ceremony with Pitman. Camilla and Andrew have two children together, Tom Parker Bowles, who is King Charles' godson, and Laura Lopes, who have given the former couple five grandchildren. Image credits: Getty Images

Relationships

Mum left devastated after no guests attend her daughter’s party

A US woman has been left devastated after none of the 27 invited guests showed at her daughter’s third birthday party. Mum-of-three Breanna Strong had planned a massive celebration for her daughter, Avery, at KidsTopia Playground, a “jungle-themed indoor playground”, and had catered with pizzas, a Frozen-themed cake, and plenty of goodies for the kids. But, she was left devastated for her daughter when none of the kids turned up. Taking to TikTok, the 27-year-old shared her heartbreak in a clip that quickly went viral and prompted a flood of love to be sent Avery’s way. “We invited 27 kids to Avery's third birthday party. Not a single one of her friends showed up,” she wrote in the video, which showed the empty party room. “Money and time wasted. Breaks my momma heart so bad. Literally going to go home and snuggle my babies.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/mum-bday-party1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Images: TikTok The video also included footage of Avery sitting alone eating pizza, before Strong took the rest and threw it in the bin, as well as a clip of Breanna holding back tears while driving home. “I wish I was making this up,” she added in the caption. She later explained in the comments that she had sent out virtual party invitations through Facebook, and while seven families had initially said they would come, some messaged her at the last minute to let her know they couldn’t make it - and the rest stood her up without explanation. But Strong said she was more upset than her daughter was, who was too young to fully understand what happened and had fun at the indoor playground. “She got everything she wanted. Pizza, Frozen cake, and jungle gym. She didn’t know any different rather than having fun. Just shattered my heart,” Strong explained. Commenters were quick to share their support for the young girl, with some sharing that they had similar experiences with their children. “Let’s have a redo. I’ll travel and got a bunch of kids who loves to make friends,” one suggested. “This is a rule at my house. If we are invited, we’re GOING!” another wrote. “We have been the only one that shows up. So sad this happens, I’m so sorry,” a third said. “This happened to one of my daughters. Now I make sure we show up to everyone’s party we are invited to. I never want to see that pain for any child,” one parent shared. Image: TikTok

Family & Pets

9 things house guests notice and 9 things to please stop worrying about

Do it: Mop the kitchen floor Make sure your floors are clean enough that your house guests aren’t scared to walk around without shoes on. “There’s nothing worse than walking into the kitchen and feeling like you’re stepping on crumbs or something sticky,” says Laura Bonucchi, director of interior design for Designed to SELL Homes, LLC. Do it: Wipe down the bathroom “Guests are definitely going to notice bathrooms because they’re going to be using them,” says Maeve Richmond, founder and coach of organising company Maeve’s Method. “It’s a good opportunity to look and see what the bathroom looks like, because that’s an area people take for granted. It’s hard to look at a bathroom with fresh eyes on a day-to-day basis.” Don’t go crazy, but absolutely make sure that the sink and toilet are clean, and that there’s toilet paper. Do it: Offer fresh bathroom towels If you’re having overnight guests, make sure each person has at least one clean bath towel and washcloth. Women might want a separate one for their hair, so give extras, and let guests know where to put their dirty towels, says Bonucchi. Even if your guests aren’t staying the night, having people over can be a reminder to switch out your dirty hand towels, says Richmond. “We need triggers in life,” she says. “Tying the idea of new hand towels to guests is a good way to get a dirty job done that may be overlooked otherwise.” Do it: Open up dresser space While you don’t have to clear out the guest room of every piece of clutter, you should make sure there’s enough space for your visitors to put their belongings. Provide hangers in the wardrobe, and empty out a few drawers. “As long as the room is open enough to get around and not overly cluttered – you just want a basic, comfortable room with a bed and a place to put their things,” says Bonucchi. If you really want to go above and beyond, a fresh flower and a magazine are small, hospitable touches your guests are sure to notice, she says. Do it: Clear off the table “So many people multiuse their table surfaces in life,” says Richmond. “The kitchen table is also used as a home office.” Instead of going through the time to look at every bill and paper – talk about overwhelming! – pick a spot in your home to be the temporary home for those sorts of files. After guests are gone, put the papers back to their original spot so you don’t forget about the unfinished business, says Richmond. Do it: Get rid of odours “Pay attention to the things you’ve gone nose blind to because you’re used to living in the house,” says Bonucchi. Especially if you’ve got pets, you might not notice a distracting odour in your home. Spritz a bit of air freshener, or light a candle in the kitchen and bathroom. Do it: Clean out the fridge You probably don’t think of the state of your fridge often, but visitors will peek in with a set of fresh eyes. To keep it looking fresh, take just five minutes to take out expired condiments and produce that’s past its prime, then quickly wipe down the shelves, says Richmond. “They’re things barely anyone thinks to do on a regular basis,” she says. “It’s a great incentive to clean up the other parts of the shelf.” Do it: Offer a drink Particularly if your guests have been travelling, they might be hungry or thirsty when they arrive, says Bonucchi. Offer them a drink or a snack once they’ve dropped off their belongings in their room. Do it: Change the bed sheets “Houseguests definitely notice sheets,” says Richmond. “How could they not, because they’ll be sleeping on this?” Prepare the guest bed with fresh bed sheets or linens that are free of rips and stains. Skip it: Buying new linens While you should always make sure the bedding is clean, don’t be embarrassed by the frumpy guest sheets your aunt gave you at your wedding. “In general, our stuff in our home tells a story of who we are,” says Richmond. “I enjoy seeing the sheets someone gives me because it gives me a sense of their life and home. It’s a cosy feeling to sleep on sheets you can tell someone has had for a while.” Skip it: Hiding every toy While no one would expect a parent’s home to look like a child has never stepped foot inside, consider designating one area of the house for playtime when you have guests around. “Of course children will continue to play and dump out toys, and there’s no stopping them from doing that because they’re living there too,” says Bonucchi. “Try and reign in the toys so they’re not all over the house.” Skip it: Putting books on the shelf Leaving your current weekend read or your favourite magazines lying around can spark conversation, making a good icebreaker for guests. “Guests, believe it or not, like to step into a home and see things that are real,” says Richmond. “To take away magazines and piles of books, you’re not representing who you are, and detracting from the experience of interacting with guests.” Skip it: Dusting and vacuuming a clean home If Sunday is your normal dusting day, don’t rush to get your chores done on Friday just because you have guests coming. As long as your home is generally clean, your guests probably won’t notice. But if you’re self-conscious about the state of your house, now is the time to put in some extra effort. “If you’re feeling uncertain or uncomfortable because you haven’t vacuumed or dusted in a while, do those because it will make you as a host feel more comfortable in your home when guests arrive,” says Richmond. “But you shouldn’t go crazy. They’re not there for the home – they’re there for you.” Skip it: Making the mirror shine Visitors likely won’t notice if your mirror is sparkling clean, so don’t stress if you don’t have time to wipe it down. That said, a sparkling mirror could give your home a subtle sense of cleanliness that makes a big impact. “If it’s clean, no one will know it’s been cleaned, but they will be gifted with a sense that the house is brighter, lighter and cleaner,” says Richmond. Skip it: Cleaning the master bedroom If you know your guests won’t be setting foot in the master bedroom, don’t bother cleaning it. “It’s better to focus on the parts of the house that they’re going to spend the most time in,” says Bonucchi. Skip it: Completing unfinished projects Being aware of how visitors see your home can make you panic about the things in your home in need of revamping. But don’t worry about painting that wall or fixing that leaky tap just because you’ll have people staying with you. “The idea of having house guests can trigger a lot of things for people,” says Richmond. “It’s great if the idea of having guests is motivating to finishing a project, but it doesn’t make sense in terms of a short-term house guest.” Warn your guests of things like faulty doorknobs so they don’t think they broke something, but don’t stress about doing all those odd jobs before they come. Skip it: Getting details spotless You might be tempted to get your entire house spotless to prepare for visitors, but making sure you have basic amenities like toilet paper and towels should be your priority. No need to bother deep cleaning your skirting boards or windows. “It’s not stressing out about those fine details,” says Bonucchi. “It’s overall paying attention to the common comforts that people expect when they’re staying somewhere.” Skip it: Buying new home goods “Having people over is the number-one panic inducer for people when it comes to their homes,” says Richmond. But that doesn’t mean you need to rush out for a new shower curtain or dish container, she says. As long as the space is clean, it doesn’t need to be stylish. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/9-things-house-guests-notice-and-9-things-to-please-stop-worrying-about?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

“That is what makes him a predator”: Graham Norton names worst ever guest

Graham Norton has called out his "least favourite guest" on his long-running talk show in his new tell-all book. The BBC presenter was on a book tour for his new memoir Forever Home in his native Dublin when he opened up about the star's "chilling" behaviour before he even arrived on set. Two years before the avalanche of allegations about convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein came to light in 2017, he appeared on Graham's famous red sofa. He joined Doctor Who actor David Tennant, Oscar winner Olivia Colman and singer Jessie J in 2015. “I often talk around who my least favourite guest was, but someone reminded me, I have a really good answer to this now,” Norton said, according to Irish news outlet <a title="www.joe.ie" href="https://www.joe.ie/movies-tv/graham-norton-worst-guest-756066?fbclid=IwAR16hRsekgbR7OCKoYxJMIzG08n1nkAKcuASfa4ErXuXOpByUu3Y0X3WXeE">Joe</a>. “And actually, it was weird, because he asked for my e-mail. And he e-mailed me something very nice, a complimentary thing. And then he decided he wanted to be on the show, because he was going to promote something." “And it was a show that was fully booked, so I replied saying ‘Oh, thank you so much, but the show is fully booked’. He e-mailed back: ‘What if I blah de blah de blah’." “And he e-mailed back again, ‘But I think...’, and I just had to turn to my booker and say ‘Can you please deal with this?’ And at the time, I thought that sort of attitude, that kind of ‘Oh no, I’m going on’, that is what makes you a very good producer." “But of course, now that we know what we know, that is what makes him a predator. It was that kind of weird, tunnel-vision thing. And it was sort of chilling in retrospect, because I was just laughing at those emails. But you realise ‘Oh my God, that is an insight into how that man is’.” Weinstein is serving a 23-year prison sentence after a New York jury found him guilty of sexual assault. Image credits: Getty Images

Every type of wedding guest attire, explained

Deciphering wedding dress codes Even if you’re well versed in wedding traditions, there’s a good chance that one bit of wedding etiquette gives you pause: exactly how to decipher wedding dress codes. After all, is it really a big deal if you wear black-tie clothing to a white-tie wedding? It’s all formal…but is ‘formal’ a different category altogether? And on a completely different note, how casual is casual? It’s enough to give anyone a headache, but don’t worry – this primer on proper wedding guest attire will tell you everything you need to know. The first thing you should do to figure things out? Check your invitation. It will often tell you what type of wedding you’ll be attending. If not, or if the language is vague, check the couple’s website. While you can always fall back on classic dresses, some weddings do have strict dress codes that you’ll definitely want to follow. What is the normal dress code for a wedding? There isn’t one official dress code for every wedding, but you should always keep the following advice in mind when figuring out what to wear: “I want to look nice but not take away focus from the couple I’m celebrating,” says bridal stylist, Kennedy Bingham. That means sticking to styles and colours that aren’t too bold or too sexy – and certainly never wearing white. Beyond that, if the invitation doesn’t specify a dress code, you should take into consideration the time of day the wedding is being held, along with the venue. “I think the later [in the day] the wedding is, the more formally it should be treated,” says Bingham. “A nice summer sundress might be fine for a breakfast wedding, but it would look out of place at a dinner party.” That line of thinking follows logically to the venue. For example, if a wedding is being held outdoors in a park or beach, you might want to opt for something a little more casual. While we’re on the subject, make sure you’re wearing comfortable wedding shoes that work for the setting. What colours are not appropriate for a wedding? The days of not being allowed to wear black to a wedding are over. In fact, bridal boutique manager, Ashley Grape, recommends wearing a classic little black dress (long or short) to black-tie weddings. However, unless specifically requested by the bride, there are a few colours that should never be worn by a wedding guest: white, cream, off-white, or ivory. You also shouldn’t wear a dress that looks even vaguely bridal. Other no-nos? Neon shades, bright red from head to toe, and anything overly sequined or bedazzled. White tie White-tie weddings are the most formal type of weddings, and they have a strict dress code. Partially due to their high costs, white-tie weddings tend to be observed by royal families and members of high society. The name is derived from the man’s tuxedo, which consists of a black tail coat (the back of the coat – that is, the ‘tails’ – hang below a man’s knees) worn over a white tuxedo shirt that has a pointed wing collar, a white pique waistcoat, white bow tie, matching black trousers, and either black patent leather opera pumps or black patent lace-up oxfords. The perfect accessories for a man’s white-tie tuxedo are cuff links and a good watch. And women get to dress like princesses for the night. “Women can wear a grand ball gown with rich jewels,” states Deborah Van Cleve, owner of Van Cleve Bridal. Accessory options include full-length white gloves, jewelled clutches, and, if married, a tiara. “If you are lucky enough to be invited to one, don’t let the rules intimidate you,” says Van Cleve. “Dress for the occasion, and revel in the Britishness of it all.” Most white-tie weddings are adult-only affairs. If a teen makes the guest list, the dress code is the same as it is for the adult guests. Black tie One step down from white-tie weddings, black-tie weddings also require that all male guests wear a tuxedo, but men have some sartorial options within that category. “While black tuxedos are a mainstay for men, there are also deep navy tuxedos and lush velvet jackets for the winter months,” says Linda Della Rocco, a tuxedo and custom suiting specialist, saying, “I think a fun colour could be fine for a black-tie wedding, as long as it adheres to the traditional tux cuts and elements.” If there’s any doubt, though, check with the couple. For women, fancy dresses are the way to go for this type of wedding guest attire. If you have only one black-tie wedding to attend this season, invest in a sleekly tailored formal gown in a seasonal colour: jewel tones for fall and winter, and paler hues for spring and summer. “If it’s a summer full of weddings, try investing in one or two full-length skirts and coordinating tops,” suggests Grape. By mixing and matching formal separates, it will appear as if the guest has a closet full of gowns instead of four different pieces. When it comes to choosing jewellery and accessories for tuxedos and gowns, follow the protocol for white-tie weddings. Men’s tuxedo shirts should have cuff links, and men’s jewellery should be minimal – a wedding band or signet ring and a watch. Women can try pearl jewellery for a daytime wedding, and semiprecious jewellery for an evening event. Skip the tiara for a black-tie wedding…unless you’re the bride. Teens should follow the adult guests’ dress code. As for tweens and children, girls should opt for knee-length party dresses, and if the boys can tolerate it, tuxedos. If they’re wigglers, a boy’s formal suit is completely acceptable. Casual Confused as to how casual you should go when the wedding calls for casual attire? You’re not alone. “It’s one of the hardest [weddings] to dress for,” says Bingham. Still, leave the jeans at home, she says, no matter what. “[If it’s a] backyard wedding, I’d dress the way I would for a birthday brunch – a nice dress, possibly a maxi dress, and accessories. For guys, a suit with no tie, or khakis instead of dress pants.” Both men and women can accessorise with a hat, especially if it’s an outdoor wedding. Guys can try a straw boater, pork pie, or fedora, and women can opt for a casual fascinator or full-brimmed straw hat. The dress code for teens would be the same as for any quasi-formal event: a button-down shirt and khakis for boys, and either a knee- or ankle-length dress for girls, or a pair of dressy trousers with a pretty top. For tweens and younger kids, unfussy birthday-style dresses, pants, and button-up shirts fit the bill. Cocktail Cocktail attire is the marriage (so to speak) of formal and casual wedding guest attire. Women can opt for a cocktail dress that hits at the knee or below, or a dressy beaded suit dress. One classic option for a cocktail wedding is the classic little black dress, paired with either a diamond or pearl necklace, and black pumps or black dressy heeled sandals. Men can wear a suit and tie. For teens and children, girls can go with a classic party dress or dressy trousers and a shirt, while boys should wear a suit. These are good guidelines for children attending other types of formal events as well. Formal Formal and black-tie weddings are very similar. Sartorially speaking, a formal wedding is wedged in between cocktail and black tie. What to wear? For men, it’s a tuxedo or dark suit. If they’re feeling daring, and they’ve checked in with the bride, they may wear a brocade or print tuxedo. Women, on the other hand, have a plethora of dress choices that include full-length dresses, cocktail dresses and suits, beaded pantsuits, jumpsuits, or even gowns. Children should follow the dress code for a cocktail wedding – essentially, party dresses and suits. Semiformal OK, last one! Wedding guest attire for a semiformal wedding is less formal than a formal wedding…but dressier than a company dinner. Women can wear anything from a floor-length dress to a beaded cocktail suit. For men, a dark suit is the way to go. If a semiformal wedding is any time before cocktail hour (aka 5pm), women’s dresses should have less (if any) beaded embellishments. Footwear should suit the location, and jewellery can range from pearls to gold and semiprecious stones. Save the statement jewellery for night-time events. If teens and children are invited to a semiformal wedding, they should follow the dress code for a cocktail wedding. Quick tips when trying on your outfit Now that you’ve found the perfect wedding guest attire for your event, you’re ready to go. Well, almost. When your delivery arrives, don’t just look in the mirror to see how it looks on you. Take it for a walk – as in, really walk around in it, and then bend, sit, raise your hands, and even dance a little. By moving around, you’ll see how the outfit moves when you do and, most important, how comfortable you are in it. If you’re also buying new shoes for a wedding, make sure to break them in well before the event. After all, fabulous shoes don’t just look great – they feel great when you’re on your feet all day. And blisters are the last thing you want to deal with after (or, worse, during) a wedding. And finally, because the weather can change over the course of a day, bring a lightweight wrap with you. Depending on the season and event, go with cashmere, wool, or silk. A fancy spring jacket can also work over certain ensembles for in-transit moments. Written by PJ Gach. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/every-type-of-wedding-guest-attire-explained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Cafe won’t let guests leave until they finish their work

If you struggle a lot with procrastination then the only thing left for you to do is to book a ticket to Japan and head to this one cafe. Unless you procrastinate that too, but hear us out. Manuscript Writing Cafe in Tokyo is the one-stop destination for procrastinators looking to get their work done. There are 10 workstations and people are allowed to leave ONLY when they have finished their work. And the staff will make sure you have completed your projects as they come to check in on you at least six times an hour. They also bring with them free snacks, tea, coffee, water and high-speed wifi. Once you have completed all your tasks, you are given a paper with an orange stamp and you are free to leave. The video was shared to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@leanneinjapan/video/7095383871398694149?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> and has been viewed more than 624,000 times and has received around 120,000 likes with many commenting about how they need to be at the cafe all the time. “Yup, I definitely need to work there.. ah.. maybe later,” one wrote. “Kindness and torture at the same time,” someone commented. “I guess I'm bringing a sleeping bag,” another joked. “I’ll go later,” another joked about procrastinating their visit. “So essentially I'd be living there,” read another. Images: TikTok

International Travel

Wedding photographer photoshops "crazy eyes" over blinking guests

A bride has gone viral for sharing her hilarious wedding photos that had been photoshopped to "fix" the faces of people blinking. Anaya Ramos-Bridgeford, from Pennsylvania in the US, took to Facebook to celebrate her recent marriage with a selection of photos from her big day. However, most of the people in the photos, including the bride herself, had "crazy eyes" after the photographer had attempted to edit out the people blinking. Anaya admitted feeling "upset" about the photoshop blunder, but said she "couldn't help but laugh". <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fanaya.ramos.31%2Fposts%2F1076308886431509&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="758" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> "My photographer called to allow me to view my photos before he released them to our entire family to view. I noticed that some of the pictures looked ODD," Anaya said in the Facebook post. "I am so upset but can’t help but laugh. I’ve been laughing all day." The now viral post has racked up much online attention, with a flood of comments praising the woman for sharing the hilariously altered pictures. One person said, "Thank you for sharing. I didn't know this was a thing but holy moly." Another said, "I see this a lot. Hire a pro, you won't regret it." Image credits: Facebook

Relationships

Bride charges extra for uninvited guests - but there's a catch

A bride has shared on a popular Reddit forum that she charged one of her wedding guests for bringing two uninvited children to the reception. "It was a small wedding at a small venue that has a strict capacity due to fire codes," the bride explained the reasoning as to why the guest list was strictly kept to invitees only. "One of my guests showed up with her two children, who were not invited, not in the RSVP, and obviously not in the seating chart." "She came in, decided to seat them at her table, taking away the spots of my other guests who were actually invited," the bride continued. "A small commotion broke out when she refused to give those seats back, and the venue manager noticed and said that we'd be charged a fine for exceeding capacity, as stated in the contract." The bride says when she got the bill for the reception, which included the costs of the uninvited children, she sent it to the guest and asked that she pay. "She claimed that it is not her fault, and that I should have factored in unforeseen charges when budgeting for my wedding," the bride said of the guest's response. "And she couldn't find a babysitter, so she had no choice, and that I should be grateful she took the effort to attend my wedding anyway." Reddit users quickly sided with the bride, but there were some responses that had added nuances. "Your ex-friend is [the asshole]. Drop her like a hot potato," one user declared. "She definitely had a choice – she could have stayed home with her two kids. There shouldn't be unforeseen charges at a wedding, especially not ones involving people that were NOT invited. One user, however, said the bride had some responsibility for how the situation played out. "You should have kicked her out when she showed up with [plus two]," they wrote. "You let one guest take two other guests' seats. When a 'commotion' started, you should have booted her and the kids." Image: Getty

Relationships

Hotel staff walk out leaving guests in the lurch

Hotel staff who walked out of their job have left their shocked and confused customers in the lobby. Employees of the Hampton Inn and Suites at Boynton Beach in Florida appeared to walk out, leaving customers out to dry and unable to check in. A video shared to <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Wellthatsucks/comments/tlzp6q/entire_hilton_suites_staff_walked_out_boynton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reddit</a> shows police at the front desks on the phone attempting to sort out the situation, according to the poster. “Entire Hilton Suites staff walked out, Boynton Beach,” the post read. “No one has been able to check in for over 4 hours. “Mine and another guest’s keycard are not working so we can't get into our rooms. Six squad cars have shown up to help?” It is unclear whether the staff quit, however, commenters suggested that it could be due to poor management. “Some manager must have really ticked everyone off,” one person wrote. “Do I smell a bad work environment and incompetent local leadership?” another commented. Image: Reddit

Travel Trouble

How to decorate the perfect guest bedroom

When renovating your home, or just updating your style in your key living areas, it's easy to overlook a spare bedroom that doesn’t get much use. Instead of just using it for functionality with a basic bed or desk for guests to use, see a spare bedroom as an opportunity to step out of your styling comfort zone and try some new looks. Think of the task as a challenge to create a warm and welcoming space that could be enjoyed by anyone. Following these handy tips will ensure a restful space for anyone visiting your home. Maximise on space When planning the layout of your guest bedroom, capitalising on the space you have is key. A double or queen bed with a fold out single or sofa couch can be a good balance in a bedroom that isn’t as big as a master suite. If you have a nook in your guest room, consider a single bed or desk, or other furniture that can serve more than one purpose to make the space comfortable and functional. Create a cosy environment The bed is truly the pièce de résistance of any bedroom, so don’t skimp on the quality. Picking a comfortable and supportive mattress is the first thing that should be considered, before deciding on a timeless colour scheme and adding all the comfy trimmings such as throw rugs and cushions. You want your guests to feel like your heart and soul has been injected into making their temporary home as comfortable as possible. Think about storage While the main priority of a spare bedroom is to make it comfortable for guests, think about how you can maximise storage while it's not being occupied. Think underbed storage or a chic and stylish chest of drawers that can double as decoration. When the spare room is being used, having somewhere for guests to unpack their belongings can go a long way. Instead of expecting your visitors to live out of a suitcase, they would appreciate an empty section of a wardrobe or an unused bench top to store their belongings. Bedside tables and lighting are a must When decorating your spare room, a bedside table and a lamp are must-haves. This seemingly simple addition will make all the difference to your guests, with functionality in mind while also adding to the style of the room. Think about adding practical trinkets to a bedside table as well, such as candles, notepad and pen or a tray for jewellery. Add easy-to-forget essentials It's not uncommon for travellers to arrive at their destination and realise they have forgotten essentials such as toothpaste, body wash or hair products. Adding these products to a spare bedroom will take the hassle out of forgetting these important essentials, while also adding another element of thoughtfulness for your guests. Consider adding travel-sized products for guests to take with them if they choose, as these are much easier to replace for the next guest – for such a small gesture they leave amazing impression. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Readers respond: What's the weirdest thing a guest has done at your house?

We asked our readers what the weirdest thing a guest has done while staying at your house, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what you said:Kathy Cranston Percy - Our friend helped us move so we offered to take her and her husband out for dinner to a nice restaurant. He wanted steak and lobster, but the waitress informed him that they didn't have that combination on the menu. He still wanted it, and without asking us he ordered two dinners - one steak dinner and one lobster dinner. We said nothing!Nush Borowicz - Moved all my furniture around as they didn’t like the way I had it…. Then proceeded to tell me I had no idea. Hated the was they did it.Michele Price - Put her jewellery under mattress, then forgot about doing that & reported stolen to police.Finally remembering couple days later. Made us feel uncomfortable was glad for her to go!Donna Dale - Laid out 6 large knives on his bedside table.Cora Knapp Murray - Hung up a permanent hook on the back of the bathroom door without asking.Katherine Harwood Everett - Removed artwork from my family room and put something else in its place. Who does that?Kathleen Mcgoldrick - A guest dropped a full bottle of red wine all over a very expensive white doona and cover, and thought I wouldn't notice!!Robyn Van de Wetering - Moved the bed around because he could only sleep in a bed facing a certain way.Margot Draper Dalli - Someone visited my sister and brought all his dirty laundry and asked her to wash it.Sandy Lewis - We had electric hot water heater. They ran a bath and sat in it all night long. Used up all the hot water for that day and used nearly ever towel on my linen press. This was just one person. That was the 1st and last time they stayed in my house.Reba Overton Smith - Gone through all my drawers in my bedroom and...hopped in bed with my husband when I was away.Jennifer Puppa - Friend had relatives that ate a roast chicken in bed. Also took the new bed sheets with them.Christine King - Washed their dog in my shower. Sue Hickman Buckley - Filed their crusty feet at the dining room table. Anna Little - Ripped off the wallpaper in my dining room while we were having a dinner party. Image credits: Getty Images

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Every type of wedding guest attire, explained

Cafe won’t let guests leave until they finish their work

Wedding photographer photoshops "crazy eyes" over blinking guests

Bride charges extra for uninvited guests - but there's a catch

Hotel staff walk out leaving guests in the lurch

How to decorate the perfect guest bedroom

Readers respond: What's the weirdest thing a guest has done at your house?