The Dos and Don'ts of Holiday Party Etiquette

This article is a good reminder about basic good manners, and can serve as a quick check list - (Appropriate attire? - Yes Ready with my hostess gift? - Yes. ) However, good etiquette and social graces are really about acknowledging others are special and valued, making them feel that way -- worth the effort and energy. "I recognize that you and this event are special, so I made the effort." Care, kindness, and common sense must be present to be a a class act - instead of someone who is simply good at following social traditions. I'd like to see a follow up article with tips on how to handle more complicated or in depth etiquette issues that can arise at holiday parties. I would also add: a good cue for guests that it's time to leave or they should be getting ready to leave a party is when you see the host, or caterers, stop offering more beverages or food, and starting tidying up by taking certain things off tables -- if tablecloths are getting pulled up, that's a sure sign. Other cues come from listening: Has the host mentioned how tired he is, or that he has so much to get done tomorrow? Another good cue is the music. Has it changed to something very different that was playing before, or stopped completely? Telling guests "thanks for coming and drive safely" before they've asked for their coats can send very negative messages. People may have simply been enjoying themselves so much that they lost track of time. -- So, be careful. A big group announcement that suggests "It's time you go" could make them feel self-conscious or awkward, and get them looking arounding for assurances that they are not alone in their blunder... Gee, yeah, I guess it's getting late... -- Making a guest feel awkward for her/his lack of consideration is just bad ettiquette. That said, if you do have that one guest or tiny group that continues to stay and talk, and talk, long past the time when the other 10, or 20+ guests have left, then more obvious measures might be needed... "

The tip about "when to leave" can apply to any gathering you're at...thanks for posting. I believe the hostess should take some accountability by pleasantly shutting the party down at the witching hour by saying, "thank you all for coming, I'm glad you all could make it and I hope you had a wonderful time. I certainly did. As we bring this party to a close, I'd like to wish everyone a safe and pleasant evening." Or something to this effect. It's a nice way of letting guests know the evening has come to an end.