Party Tips for the Holidays (or any days)

Now is the time of holiday parties galore!! Here are a few tips when attending these events. 1) Don't be late. There is no excuse and your hosts have worked very hard at preparing a wonderful meal. 2) Bring the hosts a gift such as a bottle of wine, flowers and/or fine chocolates. Don't bring a gift that you expect them to use at the meal or event that night. The host knows his or her plan for the evening, so don't expect your gift to be fit into that. 3) If you've offered to bring a dessert, bring dessert, not cranberry chutney as a surprise. That throws off the aforementioned plan. 4) Don't get a second helping until everyone has been served. 5) Always offer to help in the kitchen with prep work, clean up and wash dishes. 6) Turn off your cellphone. 7) Give thanks and if appropriate, toast your hosts. A great website for ideas on great toasts is http://toastsbook.com. Happy Holidays! And here's to some great parties along the way! Marty