The year may be winding down, but the holiday season is in full swing. Chances are you have received more than a few holiday invites and you are poised to party. Once you’ve RSVP’d yes, your biggest concern may be what to wear. (By the way, as an Image Consultant, I do understand how important that is!) But, for the moment, let’s think about the hostess or host.
S/he must worry about the decorations, the food and drinks, the music and, most importantly, whether the guests are having a good time. Let’s be honest. Throwing a party can be stressful. That said, you can do your part to help by being a low maintenance, polite, and sociable guest. Here are ten tips to ensure that you’ll be invited back to the next seasonal soiree.
Never arrive early. Arriving late is also not ideal, but it is even worse to show up twenty minutes early, when your hostess/host is amid party preparation. If you are running more than fifteen minutes late, call or text the hostess/host and offer your sincere apologies.
Get off on the right foot. Do be prepared in case the party planner has a no-shoe policy and forget to mention it. Make plans to get a pedicure if you plan to come sockless in your pretty, party shoes. Or if you’re wearing booties with socks, make sure that you are sporting a holiday-festive pair – or at least a pair that you’re happy to show off.
Handle your hunger pangs. You don’t know when the host will have food ready and you don’t want your stomach to growl. It’s always good insurance to eat a little something before you go. A few crackers and some nuts or even half a sandwich could be enough to get you by until food is served.
Drink responsibly. I get it…Tis the season to be jolly. But do pace yourself with your alcohol consumption, especially if you’re party hopping. After all, you don’t want to be the subject of conversation the next day because of the antics that started with a little too to drink at the first party, and then more alcohol at the next. Have a plan for moderation in place.
Show your thanks. Bring the host or hostess a token of your appreciation. A bottle of wine and a small gift will always be welcomed. Although a big bouquet of flowers might appear to be generous, a smaller bouquet (in its own vase) or a potted plant is a lot easier for the host to handle. You might also decide to bring a decorative tin of your famous handmade treats. (Who doesn’t love shortbread, brownies or Christmas cookies?)
Dress your party best. Put effort into having a party-ready outfit that shows respect and honors the dress code, if there is one. This means planning your ensemble in advance of the party so you aren’t doing any last-minute panic shopping or—worse yet— canceling because you think you have nothing to wear. (If you need help with the perfect party outfit, please get in touch with me pronto.)
Meet and mingle. Don’t depend on the host for introductions. Take the lead and introduce yourself to others. On the way over, think about a few conversation starters – movies you’ve seen, holiday plans, current events, and interesting news about yourself and your mutual friends. Ask others about themselves and they will think that you are the most interesting person in the room!
Avoid digital distractions. Keep you cell phone off or on vibrate. There’s nothing more annoying at a party than ringing cell phones or people talking on them. If you need to make a call to the babysitter or for an emergency, step outside. Don’t spend precious party time posting your pictures. There will be plenty of time for that the next day.
Do your part. Kindly offer your assistance if you bring a complicated dish or dessert to share. Help serve your dish if presentation is especially important to you. Make sure you volunteer to help during the party and just before you leave. Specific offerings are more likely to be accepted. Could you take out the recycling? Could you stack the dishes or load the dishwasher? Could you rinse out wine glasses?
Call it a night. Don’t be the guest that never goes home. Things will seem to be winding down and the conversation will hit a lag. This is the appropriate time to say, “We’ve had a wonderful time tonight. I think we should get going. Thank you very much for having us.”
The next day send an email or hand-written note to thank your host for the wonderful time you had. Also remember to share any photos you took so that the host can continue to enjoy the party, even after it’s over.
