When such people pay a visit to your house, your task becomes very easy.  You do not have to go through the formality of what they would want to have as a warm up drink.  If you delay, do not be surprised if they themselves volunteer and ask you whether they could have a small cup of coffee, prior to doing anything else.  Why, if they are close enough, they might even offer to walk into your kitchen and prepare coffee.  What better relief than a guest offering to lessen your task and making a cup of coffee to his taste and serve you too in the process?  Next time, when you have to buy Christmas gifts for such people, do not overlook coffee.