*Editor’s Tip 4 Holiday Etiquette*
PUT THE PHONE AWAY. Not in your pocket. Not on vibrate. Not on a lower volume. Literally put it in a separate room, in a drawer, turn it off, bury it in the snow, do whatever you want with it but do not even have your phone in visible range. There is nothing more obnoxious than a cell phone at a holiday.
The Holidays can bring out the crazy and emo in GG’s all over the world, uncomfortably and unexpectedly at that. This has clearly happened, at one time or another, to pretty much every GG, GGuy and GGirl, throughout and trust me when I say: it is bound too once again. Whether you feel like an awkward GG when you are shamelessly rooting for the wrong football team, loudly, or bringing a magnum of red when the hostess, strictly, only drinks white, these things happen. To top it off, you then throw in some major doses of family time the result it that things are bound to get interesting, real fast, obviously.
Here are our tips on how to save yourself before you get over served at the family holiday party and some manners to keep in mind since it seems everyone has forgotten how to have any!
GG and Guys Meeting The Parents/Dinner At The Others Home
. For the GG’s of all ages who are going to meet your Guy’s parents: booze never fails, keep it tasteful, not pun intended, and don’t go for the handle of Tito’s, okay? If you know what they like, then fine, bring a bottle of their preference of whatever bottle o nice wine. But without seeming like a immediate kiss ass who took the easy way out, one of my favorite mottoes when in doubt it: ditch all other options and opt for a bottle of Veuve. The price is right, everybody loves champagne and by not getting them drunk off what they know and love, you spare yourself the impression of kiss ass or slacker…or both.
In the case of a man going to meet his lovely’s folks, make sure to ask beforehand about her current relationship with her parents. If she is close to her folks and they are a brady bunch-type deal, simply being on your best behavior and bringing a deck of cards for an after dinner round of poker will suffice. If the relationship is fractious to say the least, coming prepared with green-light topics that will bring some fun and fancy to the atmosphere may be all the trick that you’ll need.
Advice #2: Dress Accordingly.
Lots of people in this scenario tend to make the ultimate disrespect without having had stepped a foot inside the front door. For women, we tend to associate holidays with sparkly, form fitting, and sexy when, in reality, we need to think: festive yet family appropriate. If you ladies wish to wear something sparkly, go for shoes and accessories while keeping the general outfit understated yet elegant. If the parents are casual during the holidays, skinny jeans, a comfy yet cute sweater, a long coat, and sparkly heels will do. If the parents are conservative and dress up during the holidays, your best bet is a knee length skirt or dress, statement heels, understated jewelry, and an overall respectable yet amiable presence.
If you men folks are going to meet the ladies family, the same rules can apply to you as well: if the family is conservative, your best behavior is paramount. If the family is casual, bringing a useful item to the table will not only showcase your knowledge of the family, but will also display your personality and knowledge of manners which, whether casual or conservative, are always necessary.
Advice #3: Keep The PDA to A Minimum!
This piece cannot be stressed enough. Nothing is more embarrassing, for both sexes, to bring someone home to meet the family when they appear to be hands-y nonstop. Unless your future in-laws are a sex therapist and a free-loving hippie like in the movie “Meet The Fockers”, this rule applies whether conservative or casual.
Advice #4: Be Mindful of Kids Being Present.
What most advice columns fail to warn on regarding holiday showdowns is the presence of children inside the home. Holidays are meant to bring families closer together, especially ones who don’t usually see each other much year round. Thus, houses tend to be filled with kids of both the obedient and hell-raising breed, and are an honest ‘make or break’ encounter (way more than meeting the parents themselves). Nine times out of ten, kids will be loud, energized, and rampant, so knowing how to switch between acting with kids and presenting yourself with the grown ups is key. Being able to play with the kids (or, if you are some sort of kid whisperer, getting them to focus and calm down) or at least keep your cool in general around them will not only show your possible future in-laws just how calm you can be under pressure, but it will make your significant other see you in a whole new light.
Advice #5: Always Send a Thank You Card.
It may seem like an archaic tradition, but Thank You Notes and cards are coming back into trend. Thus, sending a genuine Thank You card can not only put you on the good front of the parental units, but it shows just how much you valued having spent the holidays with them and that you look forward to more dates in the future. Women tend to go a little bit overboard, often sending gifts, but the Thank You Note goes for both sexes. Oftentimes, when it comes to expressing thoughts of genuine appreciation, less is indeed more.
