Holiday Manners

December 1st has arrived and the Holiday Celebrations begin. Thanks to Lisa Gache from Bevery Hills Manners who provides tips on proper manners for the holidays.

Good manners and proper etiquette are appreciated throughout the year, but even more so during the holiday season when expectations are at an all time high. This is a special time to bond with family, share in special activities, help one another, be charitable, and tolerant. To make the holidays nicer for all, here are 9 quick tips to guarantee a stress free and joyous holiday season!

1. Eat, Sleep & Be Merry. A hungry stomach or a tired body is a recipe for holiday party disaster. Schedules tend to be packed during the holiday season leaving little or no downtime to recharge batteries. Avoid any pitfalls by making sure everyone gets plenty of rest and eats a light snack before attending any holiday celebration.

2. Dress for Party Success. Dress appropriately for the occasion. If your family is attending a party at a ski chalet then a pair of clean jeans, a parka and Uggs will suffice. However, if the holiday gathering is a more formal affair then party attire, in the form of a dress or a nice pant suit, is a wise choice.

3. On the Road. On your way to the party, make sure to review any rules such as the type of holiday party you will be celebrating, who will be attending, what kind of food will be served, and any special activities your family may be asked to participate in.

4. Arrive on Time & Bearing Gifts. Your hosts are looking forward to your arrival so avoid being late and make preparations ahead of time. Select your attire beforehand, make sure all gifts are wrapped and a proper note has been written, map out your route and write down a contact phone number in case of an emergency.

5. Essential Holiday Table Manners. (a) Wait to be seated until everyone has arrived at the table. (b) Follow the lead of your host or hostess for everything. (c) Place your napkin on your lap. (d) Pass all trays of food to the right and all condiments in pairs. (e) Make pleasant table conversation with the person on your right and your left. (f) Chew with your mouth closed. (g) Wipe your mouth before taking a drink. (h) At the end of the meal, place your utensils in the finished position on your plate and your napkin loosely on the left side of your plate. (i) Ask to please be excused.

6. Clean-Up & Be Invited Again. If you are attending a sit down dinner celebration with family or with friends, offer to pitch in. This will guarantee future invitations.

7. Gracious Gift Receiving. Graciously accept all gifts whether they already have them or not. Focus on something positive to say. For example, if you do not like a gift, you do not need to say they do. You can simply say "thank you" or "how nice of you to think of me". Being polite always pays in dividends.

8. Departures. Designate an agreed upon beginning and end time with your family to prevent any misunderstandings when it comes time to leave the house or return from a party.

9. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! A phone call or, better yet, a hand-written note of thanks to your holiday party hosts shows your appreciation for all their hard work. If you've thanked someone in person for a gift, a thank-you note isn't obligatory. But, it is never wrong to write a thank-you note. If you receive gifts from family members that you won't see to thank in person, write them a thank-you note-both to let them know their gift arrived and that you liked it.

The best way to alleviate stress from the holidays is to do something charitable. Look into your local organizations to see how you can donate your time to those in need. Offer to serve a holiday meal, hang decorations, bake cookies, read stories or sing holiday songs. Set a good example for your children while doing something fun and inspiring for the whole family. Take a moment to realize how lucky you are and be thankful for all that you have.

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2009 Manner Resolutions - Beverly Hills Manners

Manners Resolutions for 2009

1. Make a good impression on yourself, first. Take the time this year to focus on your health and well-being both physically as well as mentally. Strive to be a bit more organized and efficient so that you can be your most effective self both personally and professionally.
2. Smile and be friendly. Resolve to smile and be friendly with everyone you interact with this year. Whether it's a parent you pass in the hallway at school or the checkout attendant at the grocery store, everyone deserves a little acknowledgement. It is not much effort, but makes a huge difference.
3. Choose to be optimistic. We are beginning a new year, a clean slate, an opportunity for total renewal. Why not choose to proceed into these next twelve months with complete and absolute optimism. Remember a positive and optimistic attitude is most mannerly and assures a successful outcome in anything we endeavor to do.
4. Be a good listener. Humans thrive on relationships and connections with others. One way to cultivate and nurture your communications with friends and relatives is to be a good listener. This is the key to all great conversationalists and will convey your sincere interest and attention.
5. Use your table manners. So many of life's pleasures and special moments revolve around the table and dining experience. This year, aspire to be a bit more mindful of your table manners. Begin with the most simple of tasks such as refraining from talking with your mouth full of food or putting your elbows on the table. Make sure to sit up straight for good posture and say please and thank you when being served.
6. Take a breath and think before you act. This is vitally important and can save a lot of heartache and headache. We've all heard the expression "put yourself in someone else's shoes" meaning everything we do has a positive or negative effect on one another, so before you behave in a way that might upset or offend someone, take a moment to think about how they might feel and choose to do the right thing.
7. Be courteous and patient. We live in a 24/7, frenetic, automated world where common courtesy and human decency are threatening extinction. Do your part to change the tide and make 2009 a year where you are more polite and patient. From the people you stand in line with at Starbucks or share the carpool lane with on your way to work, to the caretakers who watch after your children and your families with whom you share a meal, aspire to be more considerate and a little more tolerant.
8. Master the fine art of knowing when to speak and when to hold your tongue. Being well-mannered does not mean you are obligated to be accepting of every situation. In fact, sometimes it is appropriate to stand up for yourself or something you believe in. The important thing is to be sensitive to your surroundings and adjust yourself accordingly. Be aware enough to know if the situation calls for gentle pacification, brutal honesty or something in between.
9. Give thanks and appreciate. We cannot say enough about taking a moment to be thankful and to appreciate. At a time when so many are experiencing job layoffs, personal economic turmoil or major health issues, it is more important than ever to try to find a glimmer of light and to acknowledge what you do have that is positive and encouraging.
10. Don't be stingy with the magic words. The most commonly used magic words are: please, thank you, excuse me, I'm sorry and you're welcome. This year, strive to use these words frequently and without discretion and witness firsthand a transformation from those who hear them. Notice how a few kind words or gestures can help brighten someone's day.

These resolutions are from: Beverly Hills Manners