One of the most enjoyable aspects of the holidays are the parties! Whether for work, family, or friends, gathering with others and celebrating the season is a happy occasion.
While common etiquette rules apply, what special situations do the holidays present? The unique nature of holiday party etiquette involves dealing with gifts, open bars, and mistletoe! Let’s look at seven situations you may be navigating in the next few weeks.
1. Personal Interactions
People make the parties! When interacting at holiday parties, you can keep many of the same etiquette rules in place. Look people in the eye, give a firm handshake, and ask more questions than you give answers. Ask questions about their family, interests, or whatever else comes up!
If you find yourself caught in a lengthy conversation, politely excuse yourself at the next lull in a conversation. Do not continually look past the person and to the crowd, hoping someone “bigger and better” comes along. Be present with the conversation you are in.
2. Eating & Drinking
If the party is a pot luck (bring your best dish, for those not in the south), then ask the host what type of dish the party needs. Many food sites like FoodNetwork.com have hundreds of recipes, or use a family favorite! If your dish is for special diets, stick a toothpick with a note in the corner to describe the dish (vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free).
At the party, eat to be full but don’t stuff yourself. If you’re treating the party as a networking event, eat before the party and snack while there. You don’t want to have a mouthful of ham when a good contact walks up!
If the party has alcohol (and many do), limit yourself to a few drinks and stay in your right mind! Careers and friendships have been ruined by one drunken holiday party. Sipping on your drink over time and drinking water in between will lessen the alcohol’s impact on your body and mind. Consider getting a friend to cut you off, and remember not to drink and drive!
3. Pictures
As we talked about last week with social media holiday etiquette, consider avoiding pictures, especially if you’ve been drinking. If you’re the one taking pictures, certainly avoid snapping embarrassing shots of co-workers or friends. A wild party isn’t always a person’s best moment, so save them some embarrassment and keep the camera in your pocket.
Now this doesn’t mean we need to run away when a picture is being taken. If everyone is feeling and acting appropriately, enjoy taking some memorable pictures of the party!
4. Mistletoe Etiquette
Finding yourself under the mistletoe can be an awkward situation for many people, but if you follow a few simple guidelines you’ll be commended for your mistletoe manners! Avoid full lip kissing with co-workers, instead opting for a hug, or kiss on the hand, cheek, or an “air kiss”, moving your cheeks close and making a kissing sound in the air. Of course, if you find yourself under the mistletoe with a spouse or significant other, then lip kissing is encouraged 🙂
The bottom line under the mistletoe is to treat the other person with respect and defer to their wishes, while protecting your own dignity. If you do find yourself underneath with someone who goes in for a full kiss, kindly turn your cheek, and then turn and head for the hors d’oeuvres!
5. Gifts
If the party has a gift aspect, be sure you are clear on any guidelines. Gift swaps usually involve a price range, and it’s impolite to stray too far over or under, even if the gift was on sale! In a memorable episode of The Office, Michael Scott went way overboard and brought an iPod for his gift, creating lots of gift giving (and taking) tension.
You can still give unique gifts within a price range, choose to shop at local stores and boutiques, or online storefronts like Etsy.com
6. Clean-up
If you’re at a hosted party, check in with the host before and after to see if there’s anything you can do to help. Simply putting up chairs, taking out the trash, or soaking the dishes can be a huge help to the host family.
Even if you’re an event where the setup and cleaning is taken care of, it’s polite and kind to take a few moments to thank those hurrying around and cleaning. Their hard work helps ensure that you and your friends are having fun, and is worth your time to say thank you and happy holidays.
7. Thank You’s
Speaking of thank you, be sure you thank the host and organizer during and after the event. This simple act of gratitude is one of the bedrock foundations of proper etiquette, and reveals a lot about who you are as a person. Within a week of the party, take ten minutes and write the host a follow-up thank you card. Hand written cards are a very tangible way to show how much you appreciate their hard work.
Wrap Up
Following the tips laid out in these seven situations will allow you to gracefully navigate the holiday party scene, and help others feel comfortable around you. Though holiday parties offer a few unique situations, if you remember the principles of everyday etiquette, no situation will prove too much to overcome!
