Tiffany Nielsen

Dining Etiquette, Business Etiquette and Children's Workshop

Do This, Not That: RSVPs

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RSVPs. Anyone who is hosting an event needs them. Yet, it’s unreal how hard they often are to come by. While some guests are prompt to respond, others are not. It is helpful if we all remember to RSVP, and apologize when we forget.

Recently, I was invited to a bridal shower and I forgot to RSVP. UGH! I did give a verbal  “yes” to the bride, but I completely forgot to call her hostess. “YIKES!” says the Etiquette Lady.

I begged for her forgiveness and then spoiled the bride with gifts from her registry. I’ve since been redeemed.

Remember to always RSVP.

 

Thanksgiving Day: Stress-free Holiday Planning Makes for Happy Hosts

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LonnyMag.com/Eddie Ross

A Thanksgiving host/hostess expels countless hours preparing a beautifully crafted dinner to celebrate harvest and meaningful relationships. To save yourself from over-stressing and trying to be a super hero, enjoy these easy steps for setting a festive table.

Wash and Polish. Set aside time now to dust off your best dishes, clean and polish your favorite serving pieces and iron table cloths. Trust me, it’s a “must do” task to keep the sanity. You have more important things to do, like stuff the turkey and make those tasty side dishes, the morning of Thanksgiving.

Fancy it Up! Keep it simple in fancying up your table decor. You don’t have to spend extra money on table supplies. Tree leaves, branches or fresh flowers scattered amongst small pumpkins and votives will make for “ooo’s and ahaaa’s.” Just make sure you leave room on the table for platters.

marthastewart.com

Set a Perfect Place Setting.  To remove the guess work of setting a basic table, here’s a little map to follow:

Basic Table Setting by Emily Post

And, let’s not forget to enjoy our own gatherings of family and friends to give thanks for what is good in the world!

© Tiffany Nielsen. All Rights Reserved.

Thanksgiving Etiquette

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Despite some claims that manners and etiquette don’t matter anymore, I am very thankful to be receiving a lot of positive feedback declaring that manners and etiquette still count!  So, I continue on with another week of good conversation about what I’m glad to hear isn’t a dying tradition.

As we embark on another week of Thanksgiving Day countdown, we may enjoy more opportunities to capitalize on making the sought-after day a memorable one.  First of all, we can sit back and take a deep breath, count our blessings and enjoy the life that we have before us. Then, on with the show! 

Provide Menu Options:  “John is lactose intolerant. Would it be okay with you if I brought a special potatoes dish for everyone to enjoy?” This is a perfectly acceptable and considerate gesture to make. It’s not nice to surprise the cook on turkey day. 

Hostess etiquette suggests asking guests (when they accept an invitation) whether there are any special dietary needs to consider because it feels good to have everyone happy in our home and at our table.  Likewise, good guests desire to help in any way possible, making sure the hosts enjoy the festivities as well!

Share the Guest List with Your Kids: If kids are prepared, they are more likely to greet guests cordially. Be sure to advise your immediate household that all guests are to be greeted at the door with big smiles, even if they are “regulars” at your home.  Yes, this means peeling away from the football game and off the couch to meet and greet.  Just imagine how delighted guests will be to know your family is glad they have arrived. 

Delegate!   If you are like most Americans, you are the chef, butler, maid, housekeeper and more. I’m confident if you ask kindly, most of your family and friends will be honored to help, and even insist you give them a job before you ask. I’ve learned the hard way that trying to “be all, do all” is just not realistic.  Especially on Thanksgiving Day, when people say they want to help, most of them really do. Remember, you are supposed to have fun and enjoy your company.

What are your favorite tips for making Thanksgiving Day memorable and less stressful?  Be sure to share your comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

© Tiffany Nielsen. All Rights Reserved.

 

Thanksgiving Etiquette: Tips for Holiday Planning

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Thanksgiving Etiquette
Etiquette Tips for Holiday Planning

Whether this is your first or 50th year for hosting a Thanksgiving gathering, it’s a big deal! There’s the guest list and menu to plan, cleaning to be done and considerations of etiquette and manners to make the day enjoyable for everyone. Here are a few tips to celebrate this memorable American tradition with class.

Invitations If you are the host, consider assembling your invite list by the end of this week to establish a “head count.”  The Emily Post Institute suggests we begin inviting guests from two months to two weeks prior to Thanksgiving Day.   Basically, you want to give people plenty of time to make travel plans and provide enough time for you to get going on grocery shopping. Hit the sales, grab your coupons and plan on a few guests sticking around the following day for leftover turkey sandwiches.

RSVP Although a host or hostess may give you an RSVP deadline, consider responding as soon as the invitation is extended.  If you received a “family” invitation, let the host know how many of you can come. Uninvited guests, although welcomed gracefully by a good host, can’t be planned for if not anticipated. Not responding is a giant etiquette faux pas, and one many of us remember for a long time.

Offer to Contribute Once you’ve been invited, you may want to think about contributing something to the meal. Wine, pies, breads, etc… simply ask, “Is there anything you would like me to bring? This is an important lesson to teach our kids. I mastered making homemade pumpkin pies in college because my mom made me (in a roundabout way). She taught me to ask the hosts how I could contribute. Since pie was always requested, I made pie (I couldn’t afford Marie Callender’s).

Order/Pick Up the Meat: I don’t know about you, but menu planning is huge in our house because it’s the food and the company that brings us to the table. Follow “good common sense protocol” and order that bird a.s.a.p. (or beef, which ever you prefer). Last Easter I called the butcher for a leg of lamb Easter week and they were out (dah, Tiffany!). Turkey isn’t hard to find, but testing your luck with 20 people sitting at your table without any sign of delivery on the traditional meat serving they’ve been waiting for all year isn’t something I advise.

Have fun planning and contributing to a beautiful American tradition!

How to be the World’s Most Gracious Host!

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House Guest Etiquette
How to be the World’s Most Gracious Host

If your home is referred to as “The Inn,” meaning the light is always on and the door open, you must be the world’s most gracious host! July seems to mark the busiest month for traveling which brings to mind how we can help guests feel welcome at our “Inn.”

Going to visit your friends and family should be a breeze, and having company should be fun! Having a game plan before guests arrive at your home helps smooth the preparation, gives you a chance to be creative and insures you are fully stocked for the unexpected. Here are a few worthwhile tips to keep you the world’s greatest host.

Is the Bathroom Stocked? More times than not, toiletries get left behind. Rather than leave guests digging quietly through your cabinets so as not to disturb you or even make you wonder what in the world is going on in the powder room, stock useful items you know you would need if traveling:

Q-tips
Kleenex
A powerful blow dryer
Curling iron
Toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss
Disposable razors
Sunscreen, lotion, shampoo, conditioner
Lavender soap (personal favorite)
Brushes and combs, clean towels that are free of mascara stains
Hairspray, feminine products, etc….

Place these much appreciated items in baskets or in the cabinets, and be sure to show your guests where to find them should things go wrong in the night. That reminds me; plug in a night light to avoid weary guests crawling back into the wrong bed.

Is the Bedroom Stocked? It is always a good idea to keep guest bedroom sheets and bed coverings separate from your own master and kids’ room linens. This keeps the sheets stain free, in better shape and like “new” each time you make the bed. Spoil your guests with the best quality sheets you can afford, provide quality pillows and dust under the bed before they arrive. Feeling creative? Dress up furniture with bottled water, magazines, pen and paper, and fresh flowers. Make space in the closet, including hangers, for your guests to hang enough clothes to avoid room clutter, and provide an extra blanket just in case the temperatures dip too low for their liking.

Make a Menu List Some guests are picky, others not (thank goodness). A good hostess insures there’s plenty to eat and meets the likings of all. Do a little investigating beforehand to find out if there are any dietary issues to consider. For example, “Mom, I’m so excited you and dad are visiting us in July! When I go to the market to pick up dinner for Friday night, is there anything special you’d like? Is there anything I can get you while I’m there? Is there anything I should avoid picking up for you?”

As the economy shifts, more people are choosing to spend time with friends and family. To have good company means to be good company. Use your home as a place to play, laugh and enjoy all life’s comforts without having to bust your bank account. By the way, nothing lovelier than all members of your “Inn” greeting guests at your front door with open arms. Peel the kids off the couch and make it a family affair.

Tiffany Nielsen shows men and women of all ages how to stand out-not stick out socially and professionally. She is the President of Premier Etiquette, a full-service etiquette and image training and consulting company, and co-author of The Power of Civility and Incredible Business.   Visit her website at www.tiffanynielsen.com to learn more about how you can thrive socially and professionally!

Copyright 2011 Tiffany Nielsen. All Rights Reserved.  To reprint, please contact Tiffany Nielsen at tiffany@tiffanynielsen.com for permission. www.tiffanyynielsen.com