Skip to main content

What to Do & What to Avoid Doing For a Holiday Party

What to do and avoid for a holiday party

Holiday Etiquette: Q & A for ABC10

When Dina Kupfer contacted me for a segment she was compiling, I jumped on the opportunity to assist her.  Her questions are perfect for this time of year.  What follows are my answers to her excellent questions. 

What to wear?

Ask the host what his/her dress code/expectation are.  Other than that, dress for the type of party it is.  If it is a cocktail party, wear attire that is more formal.  One main rule is to dress more formally than for a non-holiday party.  The other is for women to dress conservatively, which means, “Minimize the cleavage”. 


What to bring?

Other than the typical block party or family gathering, a host shouldn’t expect the guest to bring any part/portion of the party.  A host, hosts.  However, a good guest always asks and provides the item.  That said, a good guest always brings a “hostess gift”.  This can be flowers, candy, wine, etc., or something specific that focuses on the host’s particular preferences.

How much should you eat/drink?

This varies.  If it is a dinner, it’s polite for the guest to try everything placed in front of him/her.  If it is a party, sample items.  Don’t consider it an entire meal unless the party is planned during a mealtime.  Even then, consider how many refreshments there are compared to the number of guests—only consume your fair share.  Never drink alcohol to excess!

Inviting a plus-one to a holiday party or a friend’s home – is it ok to ask? If so, how?

It’s never polite to invite a guest to another’s party.  A polite manner in which to approach this is to mention that you would have loved to attend but have a guest.  This may encourage the host to invite your guest to his/her event.

What to bring to a party for those who celebrate holidays differently?

Be honest.  If you are unsure of how the type of holiday party is celebrated, inform the host. Then ask what is typical for guests to bring.  Take a hostess gift for the event as well.

How best to deny a holiday invite politely?

Typically, most of us are very busy this time of year.  So, it is perfectly fine to thank the host for the invitation and state that you are unable to attend.  Giving a reason is not necessary.

How much should you expect to pay a babysitter on a holiday?

It is most polite to double the typical babysitting fee during the holidays.  However, money is not the only option.  A thoughtful gift included with the typical babysitting fees. 

Please Read

Holiday Tipping Interviews on the Today Show & KCRA Interviews

How to Survive The Holidays When Daily Life Interferes

Holiday Dinner Party Etiquette: Minding Your Manners During the Holidays


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Etiquette 101: How-to Host an Adult Birthday Party That Will Please Your Guests

  Birthday Party Etiquette Hosting an adult birthday party can be tricky since many don't realize it isn't a gift-giving event.  If gifts are expected, the birthday baby could appear greedy.  Imagine an adult birthday party resembling a child's party focusing on gifts--very silly, indeed.  On the positive side, because gifts are not the focus, it opens up the possibility of hosting our own.  This is a plus for those of us who view our friends as the best birthday present.   Now we can have our cake and eat it too! To assist us with hosting a party that will be viewed as positive and polite, here's a bit of birthday party etiquette Q & A. Dear Polite One, I invited 30 people (15 couples) to a birthday party I'm hosting for a 45-year-old male.  I designed the invitations to look like a ticket stub, which includes a door prize stub.  My question is this: What are appropriate door prizes? What should be the minimum and maximum cost of a door prize? How man
Post a Comment
Read more

Etiquette 101: Top Three Gum Chewing No-No’s

Smacking, Popping, Nauseating Behavior …Oh My! Gum chewing has been around for decades and for the most part, it’s inoffensive.   However, there are those times when gum chewing, especially smacking, is frowned upon.   Sometimes – strangely enough – it can even affect our future and how others view us.    Read on to learn how.   Not at a wedding! The wedding march begins as the bride walks the procession.   Ah, the lovely bride in her flowing gown smiling at her soon-to-be spouse.    All in the crowd stand as she floats down the aisle.   At once, her expression changes, she stops, as her guests’ heads turn toward alien sounds coming from the front row.    Smack, pop…yep, it’s the sounds of the ill-mannered gum chewer.    Unfortunately, this scene is playing out every day somewhere in our lovely US of A.    Why is this of importance?   The simple answer is that the gum chewer’s smacking and popping distract from the very reason guests are attending the event.   It is disrespect
Post a Comment
Read more

Is Using a Coupon on a Date Appropriate? First Date?

  Good Idea Or Not?    With the state of the economy, coupon clipping is becoming a national sport.  It seems a natural evolution due to our need to purchase items we want at the lowest price point possible.   This need is evident by the rapid popularity of coupons-for-everything websites like  Groupon .  Since coupon usage seems commonplace, using a coupon to pay for dinner appears a smart move.  However, it just may not be such a great idea when it applies to  the date .    Frankly, using a coupon while on a date is not an etiquette faux pas.  Logically, a coupon or gift certificate is as good as cash.  Nevertheless, as we all know, perception is everything.  Moreover, on a first date, and even the first few dates, both parties are sizing each other up.  Who is this person? What are his/her quirks?  Do I even like his/her appearance?   With all of this evaluating humming in the background, it is best to consider the perception of how everything we do. It may be best to get to
Post a Comment
Read more