Look at it this way: now that they’ve seen “how you keep house,” they’ll be less likely to come back.
“Oh, hello. Why, thanks so much for stopping by, but I’m afraid we can’t entertain visitors right now. As you can see, we’re right in the middle of redecorating the house and we simply don’t have the time or means to have visitors. But thanks so much for thinking of us. Bye!” Then you close the door.
I would have a problem with 30 people dropping by unanounced even if the house were spotless. So yeah, what you said.
Shoot, I don’t think I could even fit 30 people in my tiny apartment. I’d probably invite em in just because it would be funny to see 30 people fit in here, then try to have a conversation all casual-like while sitting on each other’s laps. 
That’s a good point. My apartment isn’t all that tiny, but you are NOT going in the bedroom unless you are a close friend or a lover, and I don’t want you in my “study” either - that’s my reflection place.
So it’s the living room for you. Nope, not the kitchen either, it’s tiny and doesn’t really accomodate even 2 people. Some of you can go out on the balcony, though. It’ll probably fit four people in a line, but you have to go in and out in a line.
Seriously, I have had people drop by expecting social calls. No fucking way. I emet them at the door, chat with them for less than five minutes, and shoo them on their way. You are making me *uncomfortable * by dropping by unannounced. My house is messy, and I don’t want you here. So go away.
Oh, and one more thing: Generally the people who “drop by” are people whom I would never invite - that is, gossipy. I don’t want them telling everyone I had underwear on the floor. You can tell them I was rude for sending you away if it makes you happy, though.
See, that’s when you should have started a bidding war.
You mean you didn’t get them to help with the painting/cleaning/moving heavy furniture. You missed a golden opportunity.
There must have been at least one person out of the thirty who knew that it was rude to come over without calling. And they knew they were taking a risk to drive that far “in the cold.” You might not have been home.
You don’t even owe them an explanation of why it was an inconvenience. Just a simple, “This is not a good time for us.” Would be sufficient.
I understand that you had to take your wife’s feelings into consideration, but she needed to consider yours also. If she wanted to entertain them fine. It was not your responsibility.
When my grandson was five years old, his attempts at hospitality made short work of the Baptists who came without invitation. He offered them a beer.