Holiday survival tip #6 - Be a hostess with the most-est
I mentioned my mom and her attempt at a magnificent holiday party in a previous post. She was so busy trying to make everything "perfect" that she failed to be present at her own party. Major bummer. No need to re-hash that one. But recall that I said before how important it was to actually be at your own party.
Moving on.
Let's talk about what it means to actually be the hostess. This is an area I struggle with. I'm not sure how to be a gracious hostess. People walk in and compliment the decorations, the food, or even my hair, and I instantly go into freak out mode. I act like I've never been complimented before! "Oh, this old thing" I say of my brand new dress, or "oh it's such a mess" I say of the house I've spent all month cleaning. Maybe some of us are just trying to be modest, but there is nothing wrong with accepting a compliment. A simple "thank you" would be fine. But for some reason the thought of someone having kind words about my efforts sends me into a panic.
This year I've agreed to host a formal Christmas dinner at my house. I know this will mean a lot of hard work on my part, and I know that my family will say something kind about what they see, smell, hear, and taste - which is something that really warms my heart. I am praying genuinely that I'll be able to accept the compliment without somehow degrading my efforts with a back-handed comment like, "the turkey is too dry" or "I'm sorry the living room is such a mess."
If you're the hostess, take pride in your hard work, and then allow yourself to reap the reward! You've earned it. And no one will be upset if you bask in your success for a minute. Just make sure you don't forget to compliment Nana on that hideous Christmas sweater she insists on wearing every year and it will even out.
Holiday survival tip #7 - RSVP
I'll keep it short and sweet. If you are invited to a gathering, and you intend to be present at said gathering, make it known so that your hosts can be sure to have enough seating, refreshments, etc. It is terribly rude to assume that your hosts can read your mind and sense telepathically that you intend to show up at some point to partake of the food and entertainment, while taking up a share of the couch, and therefore they should expect enough to satisfy you. The RSVP, which is a nice way of saying "Are you coming or not???", lets your host prepare and plan so that your arrival, departure, and everything in between is as pleasurable as possible. In my opinion, no RSVP means no attendance, and your butt should have to wait outside! Having planned parties in the past, I know what goes on behind the scenes, and if you plan for only 30 people to come and you get 50, there can be a lot of hungry, cold, tired, cranky guests at your event. No one wants this. If you're coming, please say so.
At the same time, if you have agreed to attend and you are then unable, please let your host know that as well. It stinks to have food left over with no where to store it, and to have rearranged your living room for extra chairs only to discover that no one will be sitting in them. It's just a courtesy to someone who was kind enough to invite you.
Holiday survival tip #9 - Alcohol in M O D E R A T I O N
There is nothing cute or funny about finding out that your boss now has 500 photocopies of your butt after you hit the eggnog too hard at the company party. Be smart. If you are going to an office party, keep in mind that you will have to look these people in the eye again Monday morning. They would prefer that yours not be blood-shot. You'll look like a jerk. Go easy on the booze.
This rule also is important when your party takes you away from home. Unless your sled is powered by the spirit of Christmas, hand crafted by elves, and is pulled by 8 magic reindeer, you need not get behind the wheel after drinking. Period. There is no excuse for drinking and driving.
Friends, I have had the unfortunate experience of burying dear friends due to auto accidents related to excessive drinking. It's not something any mom, wife, daughter, aunt, grandmother, co-worker, or friend wants to remember every Christmas. Be considerate of society at-large and get a designated driver. Heck, you can call ME if you need to. Just please, I beg you, do not drive if you've been drinking.
Party on...
I mentioned my mom and her attempt at a magnificent holiday party in a previous post. She was so busy trying to make everything "perfect" that she failed to be present at her own party. Major bummer. No need to re-hash that one. But recall that I said before how important it was to actually be at your own party.
Moving on.
Let's talk about what it means to actually be the hostess. This is an area I struggle with. I'm not sure how to be a gracious hostess. People walk in and compliment the decorations, the food, or even my hair, and I instantly go into freak out mode. I act like I've never been complimented before! "Oh, this old thing" I say of my brand new dress, or "oh it's such a mess" I say of the house I've spent all month cleaning. Maybe some of us are just trying to be modest, but there is nothing wrong with accepting a compliment. A simple "thank you" would be fine. But for some reason the thought of someone having kind words about my efforts sends me into a panic.
This year I've agreed to host a formal Christmas dinner at my house. I know this will mean a lot of hard work on my part, and I know that my family will say something kind about what they see, smell, hear, and taste - which is something that really warms my heart. I am praying genuinely that I'll be able to accept the compliment without somehow degrading my efforts with a back-handed comment like, "the turkey is too dry" or "I'm sorry the living room is such a mess."
If you're the hostess, take pride in your hard work, and then allow yourself to reap the reward! You've earned it. And no one will be upset if you bask in your success for a minute. Just make sure you don't forget to compliment Nana on that hideous Christmas sweater she insists on wearing every year and it will even out.
Holiday survival tip #7 - RSVP
I'll keep it short and sweet. If you are invited to a gathering, and you intend to be present at said gathering, make it known so that your hosts can be sure to have enough seating, refreshments, etc. It is terribly rude to assume that your hosts can read your mind and sense telepathically that you intend to show up at some point to partake of the food and entertainment, while taking up a share of the couch, and therefore they should expect enough to satisfy you. The RSVP, which is a nice way of saying "Are you coming or not???", lets your host prepare and plan so that your arrival, departure, and everything in between is as pleasurable as possible. In my opinion, no RSVP means no attendance, and your butt should have to wait outside! Having planned parties in the past, I know what goes on behind the scenes, and if you plan for only 30 people to come and you get 50, there can be a lot of hungry, cold, tired, cranky guests at your event. No one wants this. If you're coming, please say so.
At the same time, if you have agreed to attend and you are then unable, please let your host know that as well. It stinks to have food left over with no where to store it, and to have rearranged your living room for extra chairs only to discover that no one will be sitting in them. It's just a courtesy to someone who was kind enough to invite you.
Holiday survival tip #9 - Alcohol in M O D E R A T I O N
There is nothing cute or funny about finding out that your boss now has 500 photocopies of your butt after you hit the eggnog too hard at the company party. Be smart. If you are going to an office party, keep in mind that you will have to look these people in the eye again Monday morning. They would prefer that yours not be blood-shot. You'll look like a jerk. Go easy on the booze.
This rule also is important when your party takes you away from home. Unless your sled is powered by the spirit of Christmas, hand crafted by elves, and is pulled by 8 magic reindeer, you need not get behind the wheel after drinking. Period. There is no excuse for drinking and driving.
Friends, I have had the unfortunate experience of burying dear friends due to auto accidents related to excessive drinking. It's not something any mom, wife, daughter, aunt, grandmother, co-worker, or friend wants to remember every Christmas. Be considerate of society at-large and get a designated driver. Heck, you can call ME if you need to. Just please, I beg you, do not drive if you've been drinking.
Party on...
No comments:
Post a Comment