Essential Items for Holiday Gatherings and Additional Manners Guidelines
Article Title: Holiday Etiquette Tips from Mariah Grumet of Old Soul Etiquette
In the bustling season of holiday gatherings, Mariah Grumet, the founder of Old Soul Etiquette, shares her wisdom on maintaining good manners and fostering pleasant social interactions. With nearly 200K followers on TikTok and Instagram, Grumet offers quick tips on etiquette through her social media posts.
When faced with hurtful comments about weight, appearance, or eating habits, Grumet recommends responding with kindness and positivity. A suggested response could be, "Because it's good-why wouldn't I?" This approach helps keep conversations light and promotes a positive atmosphere.
When RSVPing to a holiday invite, one should do so as soon as possible and not over-explain why they cannot attend. Expressing gratitude for the invitation and clearly declining, while leaving room for future opportunities, is often best. For instance, "Thank you so much for the invitation. I'm sorry I won't be able to attend, but I hope we can catch up another time."
Bringing a hostess gift is customary, and asking the person who invited you about the hosts’ preferences ensures it’s appropriate. A note of thanks sent afterward is also appreciated. Instead of bringing a dish or drink, guests can bring a gift that the host can enjoy at a later time, such as cocktail napkins, breakfast food, or flowers.
Engaging others by listening actively, asking open-ended questions, and showing genuine interest helps keep conversations flowing. Paying attention to social cues and balancing talking with listening helps maintain a smooth conversation flow. Avoid dominating discussions or dawdling too much over food, which can disrupt social interaction dynamics.
When attending holiday parties, guests should consider bringing a thoughtful hostess gift, keep conversations engaging by showing genuine interest and asking open-ended questions, and decline invitations politely and clearly with gratitude and minimal excuses.
In the realm of party etiquette, Grumet advises avoiding topics like money, health, politics, and religion, depending on who you're with. Cell phones should be put on silent during meals and should not be at the table. A good guest is flexible and adapts to the customs and ways of doing things in someone else's home, cleaning up after themselves if they are an overnight guest.
To signal that it's time to go home when hosting, Grumet suggests having a clear transition period, such as moving from dinner to dessert, and subtly changing the environment to indicate that the party is winding down. When eating family-style, one should serve the person to their left first, then themselves, and pass to the right. At a formal dinner, one should wait for the host to place their napkin on their lap before doing so.
Lastly, it's acceptable for hosts to ask guests to remove their shoes when entering their home. Grumet advises setting one's own budget for holiday gifts and being okay with it, even if it means giving homemade gifts. During the holiday season, Grumet receives many questions about party etiquette.
By following these etiquette tips, guests can show respect and appreciation, keep social interactions pleasant, and maintain good relationships during holiday gatherings. A good host is present and has done as much as they can in advance so they can be available for guests, aiming to have guests leave their home happier than they arrived.
- In the context of personal growth and fostering relationships, showing kindness and positivity towards others, as recommended by Mariah Grumet, is an essential aspect of lifestyle and fashion-and-beauty.
- For those interested in education-and-self-development, understanding how to handle tricky social situations, such as declining a holiday invitation or engaging in conversations, can be a valuable part of career-development.
- By learning and following etiquette tips, one can contribute to their personal growth by improving their social skills and enhancing their professional demeanor.
