The ABC’s of Holiday Party Etiquette

The holiday season means lots of events, both professional and personal. Being prepared for them all is as easy as knowing your ABCs!

Appearance, Behavior and Communication!

Mastering these three pillars of your personal image will not only help you navigate every event this season, but will prepare you for every interaction throughout the year!

Appearance

What you wear matters. When dressing for a holiday event, keep an editorial eye on your accessories – it’s easy to go overboard this time of year. It may be alright to have a little more fun and add a little more sparkle, but looking polished is always the best way to leave the house

Another trick is to bring accessories with you to work and be prepared with a day-to-night outfit. Updating your makeup and accessories can transform an outfit without a lot of time or extra weight in your handbag!

Behavior

If you’re going to a dinner this season, it’s a good time to brush up on basic table etiquette! These basic rules from Debrett’s are useful to know before any dinner party or event!

• Napkins should be placed on the lap as soon as you are seated. When you get down from the table, leave the napkin, unfolded on the table, to the left of the place setting.
• Sit a comfortable distance away from the table, so that with the elbows bent the hands are level with the knives and forks.
• Sit up straight, sit square with hands in the lap and do not fidget. Do not put elbows on the table.
• If you are served a meal that is already on the plate, wait until everyone has been served before picking up your cutlery, unless invited by your host to start.
• Make sure others have been offered anything they might want from the table, such as butter, water, salt or pepper. Help yourself last and never stretch across people.
• Do not begin eating until everyone has been served, unless the host or hostess gives their permission for diners to start.
• Eat at a relaxed pace and pace yourself to match your fellow diners.
• Keep your mouth closed and try to avoid making noises of any kind while eating, either with implements against the plate or teeth, or with actual ingestion of the food, eg slurping soup.
• Talking while there is food in your mouth should be avoided at all costs – even when you have a conversational gem up your sleeve.
• When you have finished, place your knife and fork – with the tines facing upwards – together on your plate.

Happy Holidays from London Image Institute!