With Christmas Eve slowly passing by and New Year’s just around the corner…your fabulous self will be attending countless holiday parties. However, it is important to keep in mind that a wonderful party is half the work of the hostess and the other half is up to the guest ( you!)  In order to be a fabulous guest you “need to understand the unstated rules of behavior. A little attention to such things as table manners and party-guest decorum might seem old-fashioned, but when you know how to eat your soup and oysters without ruining your clothing, when you can elegantly negotiate demanding dinner-party conversation, it will pay off times over.”

How to be a perfect guest:

• RSVP immediately.
• Always greet the hostess and thank her for the invitation.
• Offer to help out the hostess.
• Do not get too flirty.
• Do not smoke inside.
• Try not to be the first or last to leave the party.
• Send a thank you  note or e-mail after the event. It is a very cute way to say thank you!
• Bring a gift with you. How about giving some lovely soap or hand cream in beautiful packaging ( check out our Mor cosmetic line for ideas) or maybe a plant in a pot, macaroons or a must-read book.

• If you spilled a drink or broke something, offer to pay for the cleaning or mending.
• If you forgot someone’s name, apologize immediately but not dramatically.
• Wait until everyone is seated before starting to eat.
• Rest you fork and knife between bites so you do not rush your food.
• Try not to leave food on your plate, as this could offend you hostess.
• For more tips and tricks check out : Tiffany’s Table Manners for Teenagers by Walther Hoving ( available at Liv for $22); Occasions and Manners by Kate Spade ( available at Liv for $30).

How to be the most stylish guest:

• Black tie: “You are to become a butterfly.Wear bold colors, wear fabulous jewelry, wear anything that helps you make a statement and an entrance.”
• Cocktail attire: ” This means a short dress.Pull out that fabulous short dress, your killer high heels, your funkier jewelry. Big cocktail rings are made for this dress code.
• Dressy Casual: ” This means pants are okay but no jeans. Fun tops are great, but don’t do a T-shirt.
• Casual: “It means anything goes. But not for you. Someone is extending an invitation to you, to make the effort. Have fun with it.”
• For more tips and tricks check out: The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia (available at Liv for $25.99);  Style by Kate Spade (available at Liv for $30); The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style by Kim France and Andrea Linett ( available at Liv$33).

HAVE A TON OF FUN AND REMEMBER TO BE FABULOUS!!!!

Until the next post…toodles!!!

Sources: how to live like a lady by sarah tomczak; the little black book of style by nina garcia.

- xo, Joanna

Joanna Goodman is Co-Owner and Creative Director of LIV by Au Lit and Au Lit Fine Linens. Joanna is also an accomplished author.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 10:49 pm and is filed under Events, Inspiration, LIV by Au Lit. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.