How to Survive those Holiday Gatherings

I’m a family man. I love family parties and I can schmooze with the best of them when I am invited to parties at a friend’s house. But for some of my buddies, that’s not the case. Sure, they love their families too, but they can’t seem to stand them for a whole holiday dinner! Or, they have no idea how to hobnob at a friend’s party. Here are some survival tips for those fun holiday parties this season.

Think about How you Look

You might think that throwing on a pair of jeans and an old sweater is fine for a holiday party. But believe it or not, thinking about your appearance beforehand is a great way to set a positive mood for the gathering. If the host sees you looking like you just rolled out of bed, chances are you might offend him. You’re telling him that his party just isn’t worth the effort of looking presentable. You can usually get away with a pair of khakis (don’t skip the iron) and a sweater over a collared shirt. Keep in mind that if you are going to a friend’s party, he probably has some single friends or family members he can introduce you to. You’ll want to impress the ladies!

Remember that your face is the most important part of your appearance. Make sure you wash your face with a proper cleaner (common beauty term - cleanser). This gets rid of oil and dirt on your face so that you won’t appear greasy. Then, apply a thin layer of protectant (common beauty term – moisturizer) so your skin won’t dry out. Dry patches of skin are definitely embarrassing when meeting new people. Now you’re ready to face this party!

Some Pre-Party Prep

Whether your host asks you to or not, you should bring something to the party. You don’t want to be that one person who shows up empty handed. Pick up a bottle of wine as a gesture of appreciation. After all, they are letting you into their home and feeding you! You don’t have to spend a fortune on the bottle, but don’t go for the dirt cheap stuff. It’s cheap for a reason—it will taste like motor oil! Bringing food is a great way to be a gracious guest. If you are not a chef, buy a platter of pre-cut vegetables at the supermarket. But take five minutes to put it on a real plate! An appetizer like pigs in a blanket (cocktail sausages wrapped up in crescent rolls) is easy enough even for the most kitchen-phobic man.

When You are at the Party

Stick to neutral topics. Everyone knows that talking about religion or some politician that you think is a buffoon is bound to offend someone. Talk about what you do for a living and ask people polite questions. What do you do for fun? How do you know the host? Chances are you will be speaking with someone who wants to talk about their kids. Ask them how old their children are and what grades they are in at school. You can politely excuse yourself after speaking for a few minutes (going to refresh your drink is always a great excuse) but don’t just blow people off.

After the party remember to say thank you to the host—either with a phone call or a quick email. It goes a long way. And keeping these tips in mind, don’t be surprised when he tells you that you were the life of the party!