As emotions fly as high as Santa’s reindeer this season, thoughts do not automatically turn to being polite. However, etiquette is there to make sure that we all enjoy ourselves. Here are five handy tips to make this season bright:
When giving or receiving, think not of yourself:
It is easy to fall into the pattern of ‘asking’ for gifts that are over your friend or relative’s budget. It is similarly easy to purchase gifts for others that are more to your taste than theirs. If someone should buy you a gift, respond with gratitude no matter what it is. If you seriously cannot stomach keeping it, donate it to charity after the holidays. There is no need to tell them what you did with the gift or that you did not like it. When buying gifts for others, make sure to take their preferences into mind, including color, style, and interests whenever possible. A thoughtfully selected gift will be a joy for years to come.
At holiday parties, remember there are others who need to eat too:
Although it may be tempting to take the last shrimp from the shrimp cocktail, or the last chocolate from the box, it is polite to ask if everyone has gotten enough to eat before you finish things off. Also, if the party has a buffet, seconds when everyone’s done are considered appropriate. Not so much thirds.
Drink responsibly:
If you are of age, there is nothing wrong with a drink or two at parties. However, in vino veritas should remind you that when you are drunk people can learn some ugly truths about you. For the holidays, your goal should be to regulate your intake so that everyone enjoys themself and no one is left pouring you into a taxi or cleaning up after you. Always use a buddy system to designate a driver, or surrender your keys to your host if you do not have a designated driver and plan to have more than a few.
Take a walk:
If things are getting to be too much, rather than venting your frustrations on your loved ones, take a walk. Northern Indiana in the winter is cold enough to cool the hottest tempers, and after stuffing oneself with sugary holiday goodies, a walk will help ease the tension of the waistband too. There are so many benefits to taking a walk: no annoying Christmas carols or relatives. No chance to add more calories to your diet. A chance to reconnect with nature and drink in the stillness of the season.
At this of all times, practice tolerance:
Although it should never matter in polite society what religion another person practices, so long as they are a good person, many people find ideological differences difficult to get around. However, the winter holiday season is a time in which people from all different religious and cultural practices can come together in the spirit of generosity and charity, and put their differences aside to concentrate on the ways in which they are similar. When you focus on people’s hopes, aspirations, and abilities, you will see how much alike we all are. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
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