The following is from an actual 1950s home economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them how to prepare for married life. ( my own comments have been added in color)

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed. Meals at my house consist usually of what is the fastest and easiest to prepare... if the boys are really fussy then this is not prepared till AFTER Cory comes home so he can watch them while I cook.

2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift. A ribbon? are they serious?? And while i think the makeup idea is a good one, i rarely have the 15 minutes before he walks through that door to myself.

3. Clear away clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. Ya right.. de clutter the house every day and have it look that way the moment Cory gets home... I would have to tie porter up to keep it that way. and dust? i don't know about all you but my house does not get a daily dusting.

4. Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. well my little children while treasures are still little children, dirty faces and clothes and all.

5. Minimise the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.
LOL this is the most impossible thing to ever accomplish! First off I am not allowed to have laundry going when he comes in? and as for quiet children, i think that is a myth or urban legand and they don't really exist anywhere.

6. Some DONT'S: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. what about MY day? Its stressful too. And my day is usually so hectic he should just be happy there is dinner on the table and the kids and house are still intact.

7. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lay down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind. so in the 50's when did the women get to unwind and relax?

8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. why? are my things not as important to talk about?

9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his need to be home and relax. what about my needs to get out of this home and away from MY strain and pressure?

10. The Goal: try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax. there is nothing wrong with this goal per se... its just darn right impossible to achieve I think!