When I had my last house guest, I made sure to have a pie baked, cheese and crackers to nibble on and ingredients to whip up fresh guacamole.

I like to make a couple pies, for sure. Also have some ice cream in the freezer and some chocolate sauce. I always have a plate of cut up vegetables with a ranch dip or hummus that can be set out while people are waiting for dinner.

If summer I usually make a pitcher of fresh lemonade or limeade, but I also have other drinks. I myself don't like juice/sweetened drinks so we have a variety of sodas, regular or diet, and sparkling water and also plain water chilled. Also make sure the ice cubes in your freezer are fresh. Dump out all the old ones (running them down the garbage disposal is good for the blades) and let the ice maker make all new cubes. Nothing is nastier than that freezer taste on ice cubes.

If winter I sometimes have the crock pot full of hot cider and I keep the container of tea bags, herbal, caffeine and decaffeinated near the stove with the sugar, lemon drops etc. Also I show them how the stove, micro work so they know they can help themselves and make a cuppa anytime they want.

Any tips for when the impending houseguest is vegan, other than just having fresh fruit/veg and maybe a few Amy's vegan frozen things? We've got a few ideas, but more wouldn't hurt!

Double the Sugar

Lots of good vegan recipes on Oh She Glows, both for side dishes and main dishes: http://ohsheglows.com/

I would suggest keeping some protein around for vegans, like assorted nuts (if there are no allergies) and hummus.

This recipe would be well received by meat-eaters and vegans alike: http://www.theppk.com/2009/11/snobby-joes/

The blog Oh She Glows has good vegan recipes: http://ohsheglows.com I'm not a vegan, but I try to cook that way a couple of times a week, and I've been pleased with everything from this site. She also has recipes for energy bites and snack bars you could keep on hand.

Aside from fresh fruit and vegetables, I would suggest foods with protein, such as nuts and nut butters (if there are no allergies), and hummus.

And I have to mention this recipe, because I've seen meat lovers also scarf it down: http://www.theppk.com/2009/11/snobby-joes/

My favorite Vegan meal is greens (kale or chard), some legume, and grain or sweet potato! I vary spices, to change it up. Side of sauerkraut is always nice. I always add tahini or pb to miso soup. Oatmeal made with coconut milk... I'm getting hungry!

I recently had guests for the first time in a new city, so I fell back on what I knew were her favorites/meals we'd shared and loved; shrimp and lemon risotto, sushi (out), hummus with cuke and pita chips for snacks, and a big brunch spread with fruit (peaches and blueberries), bagels/schmear, smoked salmon, sliced tomatoes and red onion, soft scrambled eggs with chives, juice and coffee.

Agree with all the suggestions. I make it easier on myself by doing roasts and barbecues. Our guests are mostly big meat eaters, so I'll often just stick 4 chickens in the oven, or a whole big fish on the plancha, and serve with salads. No stir frying unless you want to spend hours chopping/slicing and labouring over a hot wok. And pasta is surprisingly tricky for more than 10 people unless you have industrial sized pots! I stock up on things that make easy appetizers - jarred white asparagus, a big cheese that people can just hack away at, saucisson, chorizo, pâtés, rillettes and olives. Encourage guests to help themselves, and to contribute things they are good at.

I love having these sage biscuits in the freezer to bake up for breakfast with some fruit on the side. For snacking, some eggplant caponata with some pita is great for vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests or this crab dip for seafood eaters. I also like to have a bowl of fruit out for people to help themselves to.

Start a no-knead bread the evening before they come, and prep everything you need for a crock pot supper that you can just throw in the pot and turn on in the morning. That only covers you for a day (+ leftovers), but if your day is full of taking people out - or even just hanging out - it's nice not to have to spend much time/effort on dinner, at least the first day.

I also like those frozen croissants/pastries you leave out to proof overnight for a fancy feeling breakfast you just stick in the toaster oven and don't require everyone to be awake at the same time. Pretty sure there are recipes around here for make-ahead baked french toast and similar. Throw one of those in the oven with a tray of bacon. Great smells to wake up to, and, again, no effort for you while your guests are there!

My family is all about the cocktail hour, so like others, I also stock up on cheese, olives, salamis, herring and crackers. And great reminder about fresh ice cubes!
I also got an electric kettle specifically for houseguests and put it in their room with tea and instant hot choc. And I chill one of those glass bottle of water to put by their bedside. We just use tap, but some people feel weird about drinking out of the bathroom faucet.

In addition to making things together and filling the pantry, the first stop when guests arrive is the grocery store where I let them buy anything they love.

I always ask houseguests what they eat and drink for breakfast. People's breakfast routines are all over the map. For instance I don't usually drink coffee or tea in the morning, but I want to make sure I have the preferred beverage on hand for the guests.

I had friends with kids visit. Made a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies, and took them to the library first day to pick out videos. Made their visit a lot easier. Cookies are great to bag and go.

You all ROCK. Any time I've been a visitor, it's always been out to eat. But since I'm staying for free, I don't complain. I always make sure to take them out to a nice dinner to a restaurant of their choice for letting me with them.

I always bake an unfrosted, not-too-sweet cake before guests come over. We can have it for breakfast with coffee and yogurt, with tea and fruit in the afternoon, or as dessert after a meal out. It's also there if someone needs a snack at any other time. Plain cakes are like the little black dresses of cuisine.

These muffins turned out ugly (due to user error) but are delicious -- and fit right into a plan for being a good host. Humor column:

http://imissyouwheniblink.com/2012/08/03/how-to-be-a-hostess-with-the-mostestessest/#comments