Being a part of my parents' parties really warmed up my social butterfly wings. My dad is really intense about being gracious, and my mom is just intense. (love you mom!). So along with their penchant for socializing, they drilled in an understanding of what it means to be a good hostess, and an even better guest. Because I was so in tune to social ettiquette at a young age (read: sober), I learned a lot. But even I can forget the most basic social graces at times, so I'm bringing us back to basics -- SOCIAL ETIQUETTE 101.
For the host/hostess throwing an event:
Do: Send paper invitations. Even though technology constantly pushes us to do digital, who doesn't love mail?! If it is for a less formal event, I guess an e-vite is acceptable, but only followed up with a personal phone call. Especially for a more formal or expensive event, a paper invitation lets your guests know that you mean business. Er, party.
Do: Make sure that all diets are accounted for when coming up with a menu for your guests: gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, sugar-free, fruitarian (?!). All of these terribly health-conscious items need to make an appearance on one platter or another, despite your boyfriend's insistence that Doritos, jalepeno cream-cheese poppers, and Jewel cookies are sufficient to serve your guests right out of the container they came in.
Do: Theme! Oh, my. I do love a theme...I've got the costumes and props to prove it.
Do: Circulate. These people came for a reason. (Ignore the fact that it was probably for the free food and beer.) Whether or not you're celebrating yourself, your friend, your spouse, your child, or for no reason: you are the hostess who has graciously invited everyone to join you in celebration. Therefore, make sure you say hello, goodbye, entertain, and *always* thank them for coming.
Don't: Skimp on food or drink. Things can always be returned, and a bonus of hosting the party is eating (drinking?) the leftovers the next day while you nurse your hangover (...or in my six year old case, pulling something ready-made out of the fridge because mommy and daddy are still sleeping and I've already watched The Nutcracker with no sound three times.) Plus, when providing alcohol it is so important to have enough food. As a hostess, your main priorities need to be the enjoyment AND safety of your guests.
Don't: Be the drunkest person at your own party. The only get-out-of-jail-free card on this is if it's your birthday. But...not if you *really* end up in jail. Then, you're really just in jail. On your birthday. Drunk.
Don't: Exclude people, make out with someone else in front of your significant other, start a fight, serve jungle juice out of a plastic storage bin, let someone fall asleep in their car with the keys in the ignition because the *will* get a DUI, or leave your own party to go to the bars.
I'll save Guest Etiquette (sometimes even more important than hostess etiquette) for my next post, since now I've lost you to reminscing about that time you made out with someone else in front of your significant other, started a fight, served or drank jungle juice out of a plastic storage bin, let someone fall asleep in their car, or left your own party to go to the bars.
The best part about social etiquette? Practice makes perfect! So party on.
