Hellobee Boards

Is going out a possibility at all? That way, she gets all that she expects, and you aren't the one hosting? I'd say that would be reasonable - you could just tell her that your house is really in no state for guests due to the move, and recommend a great restaurant for you all to go to?

I second the going out suggestion. I would phrase it as a thank you for bringing the photos so she doesn't have anything to judge you on (house not ready etc).

Agree with the PPs - I'd go out to a nice restaurant.

Could y'all hire help to either get the house in order, or catering? You could even have a meal catered in advance and pretend like you made it.

@MrsRcCar: if it's that important to host maybe hire a cleaner for the day while you're at the 5k to clean the house up?
What about steaks on the grill? You can make sides the day before and simply reheat the day of? I'm guessing she's going to expect dessert and coffee? What about dessert shells, strawberries and homemade whipped cream? Doesn't get much easier than that!

@regberadaisy: Grilling out is a great idea - and it will make sense for DH to help since grilling is a "man thing." You can even do grilled peaches and vanilla ice cream!

If you can't have dinner catered definitely see if you can get some help getting the house together!

I agree with @annette: Most reasonable people will realise that when someone has just moved into a house, it takes a good long while to get it fully organised and established. If she's going to judge you for that, well so be it. I know, easier said than done, but some people need to just use common sense! And also, having a house put together in six weeks without children would be pretty fantastic, but factor in little ones and the time it takes to get settled increases exponentially!

I would just mention to her when you talk next that you are very excited to have her over to see your new house, but you have to apologise in advance as you haven't finished unpacking yet, which you're sure she can appreciate given that you have two (I think?) young children to take care of as well.

As for the meal, grilling out sounds like a great idea - who doesn't love burgers, brats, and hot dogs on the grill?!

If you don't want to grill, you can make a lasagna or other baked pasta dish the day before and your DH can just take it out of the fridge and pop it in the oven. You can also make a green salad in advance. Then just pick up a nice loaf of bread, slice it partway through and slather each slice with some butter and garlic, and bake with the lasagna for the last 10 minutes. If you want more veggies, just throw some frozen green beans in a pan and sauté with olive oil and garlic, then squeeze a bit of lemon over them at the end.

I wouldn't worry about tidying the non-public spaces in the house or decorating, just make sure the kitchen and bathroom are clean and the boxes are out of the living and dining spaces (even if they just temporarily relocate to your room).

@Mamaof2: Great idea with the fresh flowers! Another trick I've used is Windexing all the door knobs in every room. I do it on the faucet, fridge handles, etc. Windex just smells like freshly cleaned.

Can you pick up something from a restaurant and serve it? I'd order some nice italian food, keep it warm in the oven, then serve it

Or at the very least, order the salad and bread! Our local grocery store sells stuff like this for entertaining in the deli section. Appetizers you just throw in the oven, salads ready to go...fresh bread....lasagnas....