How to be the best holiday party guest
There’s no doubt the holidays are here: The biggest sales are over, you’ve most likely braved the mall for gifts, and you’ve started stocking up on holiday spirits and baking. ‘Tis the season for parties, sequins and too much eggnog — and If you haven’t already attended a holiday party, it’s most likely safe to assume it’s right around the corner.
We’ve all been to the party where someone indulges in a bit too much spiked eggnog or insults the host by bringing their own seasoning for the main meal. Do you want to keep your holiday party track record clean? The following are just a few tips to keep the party invitations coming in.
RSVP if requested — and get details in advance
Can’t make it to the holiday party due to other demands of the season? Fret not, but do RSVP. If you’ve been invited to a party, it’s polite to return the kind gesture and RSVP accordingly. If you can make it to the party, find out details in advance before you pack up the kids and bring them along. Not all holiday parties are kid friendly, make sure to find out before you arrive on the doorstep of your hosts.
Don’t arrive early
There is one exception to this rule, and that is if you’ve already discussed your schedule with the host. If someone has made an effort to plan a party and invite guests, you owe it to the hosting couple to show up on time. While being early works for some appointments, for a holiday party, it is not the best idea. The hosts are most likely using those last few minutes of quiet to put the finishing touches on their event — don’t interrupt that by showing up early.
Bring a small gift for the host
Whether you’re attending a potluck, a formal dinner or an open house party, it’s always thoughtful to bring a small gift for the hosts. The gift doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, it can be as simple as an extra bottle of wine, a small potted plant or a seasonal candle. One thing to avoid when picking your gift: don’t cause more work for the host. If you decide on flowers, pick out a simple vase so the host isn’t hunting down a vase while trying to prepare food/welcome other guests.
Offer to help
Upon arriving at the holiday party, greet the hosts and offer to help where you can, but don’t insist. Sometimes the hosts have everything planned out — or simply feel better doing it themselves — but by offering, you’re making yourself available to the host should they need a helping hand. Depending on events prior to your arrival, this could be a party saver.
Make an effort to mingle
We’ve all been at a party where we know the hosts and no one else, but it’s also highly likely there are other guests in the same boat. The holidays have a way of mixing groups that normally wouldn’t meet. Put your friend — the host — at ease, and mingle with other guests. While breaking the ice may not be your favourite thing to do, it goes a long way in setting the tone of the evening for other guests. By appearing approachable, you’re not only opening yourself up to meeting new people, you’re also helping the host by making other guests feel at ease. Not sure where to start? Offer to grab someone a glass of the holiday punch or ask how they know the host — you never know who you’ll meet.
Don’t drink too much
Holiday movies often have a common theme of glitzy parties where one guest drinks too much and ends up dancing on the table or telling the remaining guests about the ex they’re still in love with. This tip is simple: don’t be that person, put down the punch.
Keep to the decorated areas of the house
If you’re a fan of “The Office,” you surely cringed through the episode where Dwight Schrute attends the C.F.O.’s holiday party and spends the evening inspecting every crevice of the home. This rule goes without saying, unless the hosts are close friends or family, don’t help yourself to their home. A safe way to abide by this rule is to stick to areas that are very clearly decorated for the holiday party. The hosts have made an effort to decorate the areas where they’d like their guests to mingle, do everyone a favour and stick to those areas — you’ll meet more people and get to eat way more delicious food that way.
Let us know what you think the biggest holiday party faux pas is by tweeting @YahooStyleCA.
