HOLIDAY ETIQUETTE
Illustration by: Sterling Griffin
"I think I'm dying," I gasped as my head spun and my stomach lurched. What was wrong with me? I'd only had a couple of glasses of champagne, well maybe three. Little did I know at the time, but I had broken one of the cardinal rules of holiday party etiquette: Beware the bubbly!
As we get older and have more holiday obligations of both the business and family variety, proper etiquette allows us to treat others with respect and represent ourselves well.
When celebrating, it is customary to raise a glass of champagne to toast a special occasion; however, it is never wise to guzzle glass after glass since champagne is one of the most intoxicating beverages on the market. Champagne has an alcohol content between eight and twelve percent and some experts believe that its affect is hastened through the bloodstream by the carbonation.
"Well, I'm not sure about that, but it is certainly tasty," said Connie King LPN, "and that makes it easy to drink quickly." Drinking a glass of water after every cocktail serves a dual purpose of increasing hydration while giving the body time to process alcohol.
Gift giving is another minefield of holiday etiquette. When gifts are exchanged, remember Murphy's Law, "Anything that can go wrong will." and resist the urge to regift. "It's just uncouth," said Victual Communications' Etiquette Consultant Andria Holub. "And I say this having received a regifted, dusty, dollar store candle once."
When presented with an unsuitable gift, first try to exchange it for something more appropriate: a different size, another color or another item. If the item cannot be returned, find a charity that will distribute it to someone who needs, or at least wants, it.
The holiday season would not be complete without overnight guests. These adult versions of the sleepover can present a variety of challenges for both guest and host. It is important to remember that no two homes are exactly alike. Pets, children and living arrangements all play a role in the overnight experience. The ideal overnight guest is respectful above all else.
"If two lifestyles are different enough to cause conflict," said Holub, "a hotel may well be the answer.
So, as the holidays approach, invitations arrive, gifts are bought and travel arrangements made, remember: etiquette equals respect.
