Holidays are meant for endless get-togethers and parties however, in this flurry of activities, it’s quite easy to forget simple holiday etiquette. Below is a guide to practicing good manners for a merrier holiday!

· When attending parties, don’t forget to confirm your attendance and how many people you are planning to take with you. Even if you are not coming, it is important to let your host know about your plans so that they would be able to prepare for your group’s arrival.

· Don’t be late. Leave home earlier so you can be at the venue minutes earlier and not any later. You see, when they say it’s 5, they mean 5, not 5:30 or 6.

· Don’t forget to ask your host if it’s okay to bring someone along. While you’re sure it will be okay with your host, it shows that you are thoughtful and respectful about invading their space.

· When bringing someone along, let the friend know when or where the festivities will happen and who the hosts are. Make sure your friend is okay with this and that he or she is comfortable in attending the said get-together.

· Try to keep the kids at home especially if the occasion calls for all-adult attendees. Just imagine how awkward it would be if you bring grandkids and expect adults to keep their language “general patronage” all the time for fear of being misquoted by your grandkids.

· Dress appropriately. When I say appropriately, do check with your host about the activities they have prepared for the occasion. Does it call for laid-back-potluck-chitchat style for which you don’t need to dress up anymore or would it be wine-glasses-china-sitdown style which will require you to dress a little more formally?

· Don’t forget to bring a token of appreciation for the host. As a way of truly thanking your host, bringing anything, even a little something like homemade cookies or a bottle of wine, will surely brighten your host’s day.

· Know when it’s time to go home. First rule is never to get too drunk that you won’t be able to go home on your own. Do know that no matter how accommodating your hosts are, they will still need their personal space at the end of the day. Respect this by not overextending your welcome.

· When you are hosting a party, make sure that everybody is comfortable and that they are well-served with food and drinks. Do thank your visitors for coming.

· Send out handwritten greeting cards. Handwritten notes are considered as personalized greetings which means you really thought of them and not just because their email address happens to be in your contacts.