Holiday party etiquette is definitely a thing. You need to know what’s okay and what’s not. Like, how late can you arrive before you get dirty looks? Should you arrive early to impress the host? How do you know if your dress is too short?
Are you worried about being too dressed up for a house party? What lipstick will stay on all night? And how will you be able to eat, drink and carry your clutch all while being able to shake hands with your co-workers? God forbid your phone rings too!
All of these holiday party etiquette questions answered below…
These holiday party etiquette tips were featured in LOCALE Magazine’s How To Plan A Holiday Party.
Holiday Party Etiquette Tips
1. Arriving Early: Never arrive early to a holiday party. Don’t do it! This is like when a date shows up early to pick you up. You obviously are not ready! Don’t catch the host with her apron still on! You will never be invited back.
2. Arriving Late: Always arrive within the first hour of the party start time unless the party is just 2 hours, and then you should arrive in the first 30 minutes.
3. Nibbling At a Party: Wait until January to be the skinny girl that is on a diet or acts like the food is too fatty to eat. It’s just plain rude to navigate the cheese plate. For more info on saving calories at a holiday party, click here.
I’m not saying stuff your face so people look at you oddly, but taking bites make everyone feel comfortable. We are in this together! Its not fair if you are on a diet when everyone else is getting chubby!
4. Children: While it is sweet to entertain someone else’s child during a party especially to relieve the parents to also enjoy themselves, remember that you are not the babysitter. It will appear that you are being antisocial if you only hang out with the children.
5. Animals: If the host has decided that the animals will be at the the party and not hidden away, do not take this as a cue to hang out in the corner with the dog or cat. This will also appear antisocial.
6. Cell Phones: Put them away and on vibrate. I’m not recommending that you turn your phone off. If you feel your phone vibrate, you can excuse yourself to the restroom or step aside to text. Remember your party etiquette tips!
7. Spending Too Much Time In The Bathroom: According to tip #6, if your texting gets out of hand, your bathroom time could also. The people at the party are more important than the people not at the party. Of course, if you are texting another person at the party, then you will have to seek outside help for that issue.
8. No Tinder-ing: Do not party and tinder at the same time. Before you know it, someone has taken your phone and matching you with everything that walks on your phone when your prince charming could be standing right in front of you.
9. Dress Up: Respect your host by dressing up. Dressing up means something different to everyone, but a sparkle, metallic, glitz and glam goes a long way especially if you are on the casual side. A black, burgundy, purple, royal blue or green dress is always perfect. Some dress recommendations are below.
10. Dress Comfortable: Since we mentioned dressing up, it is also important to be able to move, mingle, eat and be comfortable.
11. Dressing Too Warm: I know it is cold outside, but do not dress too warm for the inside. Sleeveless is great because you are guaranteed not to get too hot. If you are wearing sleeves, make sure they are not too warm.
12. Coats: Always wear a coat or jacket for arriving in style!
13. Cleavage and Hemlines: Unless you are at an office holiday party, cleavage and short hemlines are completely acceptable and welcomed. Tip#1: one or the other …not both. Tip #2: Don’t be the girl that wears a dress that needs a hem put in and covers all assets.
14. Shoes: Flats have no place at a holiday party unless they sparkle. At the same time, if your party is at someone’s home, do not wear your skinniest stiletto heels, because they will ruin their floors. God forbid, the host asks you to remove them in the house, and you go from sexy to the frumpiest!
15. Type of Purse: Sport an over-the-shoulder purse instead of a clutch so that both of your hands are free for libations and party fun.
16. Gift for Host: Never come empty handed. Bring a gift for your host. Edible and alcoholic gifts are always well received.
17. Mani/Pedi: Never arrive unpolished! Red, purple and blue are the holiday colors. If you aren’t into colors, a light pink manicure is always acceptable. Choose a dark purple with burgundy glow like OPI Oktoberfest, Mariah Carey Holiday OPI Collection, Kiss Me At Midnight, and Sleigh Ride for Two, DS Mystery, and Muir Muir On the Wall.
18. Perfume: Spritz an alluring, yet exotic scent like Tom Ford Plum Japonais from the Private Blend Atelier D’Orient Collection
19. Lips: Choose a deep rouge gloss or purple hued lipstick. The gloss stain is perfect for those that like the feel of lip gloss, but the lasting color of lipstick. The YSL gloss stain will never have you reappling, even after sipping champagne all night, eating bon bons and laughing! YSL Rouge Enamel Gloss Stain or YSL Fuschia in Rage Lipstick.
20. Chatting With Strangers: Don’t just talk to people you know. Introduce yourself to others.
21. Cute Boys: Don’t worry about mingling with others if you already are talking to the cutest guy there! Its okay to talk to a cute guy all night long. The holidays are for romance:)
22. Conversation Topics: Have a few small talk topics on your mind to keep conversations rolling especially if you run into an awkward one!
23. Hair Touching: Don’t touch your hair at a holiday party while talking to people. It is immature to curl your hair with your finger!
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