How soon to invite guests?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My husband and I won a week at a luxury beach house. We have the house reserved the 2nd week in January. We won an off-season week and are not looking a gift horse in the mouth. The place is really nice. We’re looking forward to a quiet week of reading by the fire, maybe some board games, and enjoying the ocean view and a little sightseeing.

The house will easily accommodate multiple families, and it would be a little ridiculous to have “just us.” We’d like to invite a couple of families we’re friendly with to come and spend a few days with us, like whichever one of the weekends works best with their schedule. There’s not really anyone we’d expect to spend the whole week with us.

How soon in advance would it make sense to invite them? My main concern is making sure they really interpret this as a sincere invitation, but I don’t want them to feel pressured, either. The fact that it is right after the holidays is a little strange. So, if you were getting an invite to do something like this, how soon in advance would it make sense to invite you? Right now I’m thinking between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Does that sound right?

2

As soon as you want – precisely because the holidays are coming up. People who come will have to budget travel costs, possible days off, etc. – and will need to balance that against what they want to do over the holidays.

And if you’re really hurting for people to come – I’d be happy to take a bedroom off your hands for a couple of days. :wink:

3

What a lovely prize! I hope you enjoy it.

If I were receiving the invitation, I’d prefer to get it as soon as possible. I’d send them straight away.

4

I agree: the sooner, the better. They’ll appreciate how considerate you are in giving them plenty of time to decide (unless you give them a deadline), and to plan the trip.

5

Very cool. In the invitation, bill it as a post-holidays get-together…maybe to spend time with people you didn’t get a chance to see during the holidays. I’d give them four weeks’ notice, and be sure to ask them to RSVP so you can plan accordingly.

6

Now is a good time. Lots of things on the calendar already, so don’t wait.