Holidays & Entertaining

Refresh the Dos and Don’ts of Party Etiquette

(NC)—Dinner parties are a dime a dozen during the holiday season.  And while you mingle your way from one soiree to another, it’s important to remember to be a gracious and pleasant guest.  To remind us of our dinner party etiquette, here are some tips from food and entertaining specialist, Korey Kealey:

Do bring a gift. A bottle of wine, a box of chocolates or even an aromatic candle can go a long way.  But remember if you bring flowers, also bring a vase.  The last thing you want to do is make the host dig around for a proper place to display the arrangement.

Don’t bring an unexpected guest. Your host has likely set the table and prepared the food for a specific number of people. If you want to bring someone with you, make sure you clear with the host in advance.

Do offer to help the host and bring a warm appetizer to lessen the work she has to do.  But don’t rely on her oven. While the main course bakes away, consider bringing your dish in a slow cooker, such as the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry, to keep it warm without cluttering the host’s kitchen.

Don’t be late.  It takes a lot of work to plan a meal for a specific time.  Showing up late can really throw the host in for a loop and dramatically alter the outcome of the meal. Be sure to arrive within 10 minutes of the suggested time.

Do offer compliments and send a thank you note. The host has gone through a lot of trouble to throw a memorable event and will appreciate honest praise.  A “thank you” as you leave for the night is great, but to really show your host your appreciation, send a hand written note to say how much you enjoyed yourself.

More slow-cooking information is available online at crock-pot.ca.

The following two tabs change content below.
Canadian Home Trends magazine gives you a personal tour of the most stunning homes and condos across Canada. You'll be inspired by a selection of accessible home décor products, trend reports, simple yet stylish DIY projects, and much more. In each issue, you are given the tools to recreate designer spaces you've always dreamt of having at home, in-depth renovation and design advice, colour palette and furniture pairings, and Canada's best places to shop.

Latest posts by Canadian Home Trends (see all)