How to Get Ready for Last-Minute Guests

So you're spending the evening watching TV and maybe even eating cereal for dinner, and you get a phone call. Friends want to come over. The house is a wreck, there's nothing to eat, and you're in sweats, but you say yes anyway. Now what?

• If you're still on the phone with your friends, ask them to pick up pop or chips and salsa - anything that will add to your meager supply of snacks AND delay them a few more minutes. If it's that impromptu and they're inviting themselves over, they should be more than willing to pick up something. If you didn't think of it while you were on the phone, you can text them about it (if you're texted them in the past).
• Do a speed cleanup. Don't bother with dusting or vacuuming unless it really looks bad. If there's more than one person in your home, assign the neat freak to cleaning duty. Shove dirty dishes in the dishwasher or stack them nicely in the sink. Hide laundry baskets and anything else large in a bedroom - and shut the door. Focus on the area where you'll be spending the most time, such as the living room or family room. If a particular room is really messy, choose another if possible. Most people will forget the mess they walk past but not the one they spend hours with.
• Once things are somewhat in order, get yourself ready. Change your clothes, put on makeup, do your hair. If you only have time for one, do whichever will make you feel the most confident. Most likely you'll want to keep things casual. Don't forget a quick trip to the restroom!
• Next, check on food. Don't try to make something elaborate. If you have friends who stop over unexpectantly quite often, you should begin stocking snacks that are basically "dump and serve'. If you really don't have anything, you can always order pizza. Dump candy or nuts into a bowl and put them out on your coffee table. If they're coming for dinner and you don't have enough, add a quick extra side like instant mashed potatoes or rice.
• Beverages are important, too. If you only have water, know that before they come so you can ask, "Would you like some water?" instead of "What would you like to drink?" Put on some coffee and get teabags, hot cocoa mix, and mugs out if the weather's cold.
• Entertainment should be last on your list, but if you have a few minutes to spare you can pull out some games (especially if they're in the room with the laundry basket) or DVDs.

And there you have it - a perfect evening with friends in 15 minutes or less! Don't forget to breathe occasionally as you get ready - you don't want to be out of breath (or dead) when they arrive!