Albertsons

A small gift for your host is always a nice touch. But be discreet about presenting it so that others who didn’t bring gifts aren’t uncomfortable. A holiday candle, homemade cookies, or a bottle of wine are always good choices. Or, stop by your local store’s flower department to choose a ready-made bouquet or centerpiece.

Always do your best to show up on time. During the holidays it’s not uncommon for people to be pressed for time, so if you can only stay for a short while, let your host know in advance. When it’s time to go, it’s better if you don’t announce to your host or others that you are leaving to go to another party. A discreet “thanks for a wonderful evening” should suffice.

As there are always unfamiliar people at parties, it’s best to have some conversation starters in mind. Open-ended questions are often most effective in starting conversation. For instance, “What are your holiday plans?” is much more likely to spark a conversation than, “Are you traveling for the holidays?” If you’re hosting you can help put people at ease by using nametags and place cards. It’s not easy to catch everybody’s name the first time around, and your guests will appreciate being saved from indecision when it’s time to sit down to dinner. We’ve got some winning seasonally-themed designs for you to download and print out.

After the holidays, write and send thank-you notes for any gifts or hospitality you received. Be sure your kids do the same. If you can send the notes out sooner, that’s even better.

Armed with these tips you should breeze through the holidays enjoying yourself and making a good impression everywhere you go. If you are interested in more etiquette tips, pick up a copy of Albertsons easy™ magazine at your local store.