3 Ways to Enjoy a Solo Holiday 0

 

If you find yourself alone this holiday season, there are ways to combat the feelings of loneliness that may creep into your day. Here are three weapons you can keep at your disposal:

  1. It has been said over and over, but volunteering is the best way to overcome loneliness.  When you volunteer, a task is assigned to you and working to complete that task makes you feel productive.  Plus, you may not be working alone, which presents the perfect opportunity for making a new friend or two.  As a volunteer, you are also “giving” in some way to a person, place, or animals.  A number of research studies show that giving back improves our mental and physical well-being.  A definite win-win!
  2. Take a vacation.  A change of scenery – even if you are alone – can improve your outlook on things.  If you are spending time by yourself, you may as well be in a fun, adventurous place.
  3. Treat yourself.  Cook an elaborate holiday meal for yourself or order in.  Spend time on a project you never seem to get to.  Go outside and enjoy some sunshine.  Relax on the couch and watch the movies you have been meaning to see.  It may be a holiday, but it is yours to use any way you want.  Live it up!

Facing a holiday on your own does not have to be lonely.  Choose what you want to do with this time and do it – just for you.

Have you experienced a holiday alone?  Tell us your story.

Posted on: 11-20-2012
Posted in: Blog, Holidays, In the News

How to Add Excitement to Your Thanksgiving Table 0

Is there a part of you that is not anticipating a fun, memorable holiday next week?  Let that part of you get creative and decorate your Thanksgiving table!

Whether you serve your Thanksgiving meal family style, buffet, or plated, there is room to add some pizzazz to the table and, therefore, the event.  People notice when you take the time to make something special.  It lifts their spirits and enlivens conversation, making your time together more enjoyable.

Here are some simple ideas to get you started.

Flowers, pumpkins, and gourds, oh my! These are the staples of Thanksgiving decorating and are used several ways. A woven basket of small gourds makes a colorful centerpiece for your table. Just make sure your centerpiece is no higher than 7 inches so guests can still see each other.

Cut the top off a small pumpkin, scoop out the pulp and place flowers inside to create a unique table accessory. It is easier to arrange the flowers in a small jar that sits perfectly in the pumpkin. This also allows you to keep water in it so your arrangement lasts longer.

Tiny vases of baby mums are great to cluster in empty spaces on your table or buffet.  Spread them down the table amongst the pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, or arrangements of larger flowers.

Consider creating a table runner of several small gourds, pumpkins, and flower arrangements.  Place a large cluster as the centerpiece of the table, then scatter the rest down the table in each direction.  Or, if your table is round, scatter them in a circular area around the centerpiece.

Size matters. As mentioned above, keep your table pieces 7 inches or shorter. This ensures that guests are able to make eye contact and keep their conversations going.  Very important if a fun, lively event is your goal.

Use any large pumpkins, gourds, or flower arrangements in other areas of your home.  On your coffee table, in your entryway, or on the front porch.

Get your family involved. Holiday decorating not only creates a pleasant, colorful atmosphere, it also provides a memorable bonding experience with your children.  Find ways to get them involved.  They might help arrange the items on the table.  If you have more than one child you may give each of them an assignment of decorating a specific area – the table, the living room, the entryway, etc.

Reap the rewards. Your guests and family members enjoy your efforts to make their holiday even more special.  Your children have their confidence bolstered from the compliments they receive on their decorations.
Your Thanksgiving holiday is a success!

 

Pumpkins and Gourds

Pumpkins and gourds make colorful table arrangements

 

Flowers in a Pumpkin

Flowers arranged in a small pumpkin provide unique table decorations

 

Using baby mums

Tiny vases of baby mums make lovely space fillers

 

Roses

Large flower arrangements can be enjoyed in other areas of your home

Posted on: 11-15-2012
Posted in: Dining

Holiday Table Manners 0

How Advanced Are Your Thanksgiving Table Manners?

Here in the United States, we are entering the holiday season with Thanksgiving on November 22.  For many people and families, it is a time of large gatherings with a bevy
of foods.

Thanksgiving Table

Whether you are celebrating this special holiday of giving thanks in a big or small way, it is always helpful to know the correct behavior necessary for a pleasant meal.

We thought it might be fun to do a True-False Quiz so you can test yourself on your knowledge.  Don’t worry, we won’t leave you in the dark, keep scrolling down to find the answers.

Let’s get started:

1.  At the beginning of a sit-down, family-style meal, food is passed only to the right.

2.  If someone asks for the salt, just pass them the salt.

3.  As soon as you are seated at the table, you may begin eating.

4.  Chewing with your mouth open or while talking is not only unsafe, it is unsightly.

5.  When you leave the table, place your napkin in your chair.

6.  It is not polite to discuss food allergies or digestion problems during a meal.

7.  By placing your silverware in the 3:15 or 6:30 position on your plate, it means that you are finished eating.

How did you do?

 Let’s find out.  Your answers and explanations are listed below:

1.  True – food is always passed to the right as it moves around the table the first time.  After it has gone around at least once, food may be passed to the left or right as needed.

2.  False – here is a little rhyme for you:  Salt and pepper are always passed together.  Even if only one is requested, they always move around the table as a couple.

3.  False – at a buffet meal, wait until at least half of your table is seated.  At a sit-down meal, follow signals from your host.

4.  True – you are more likely to choke on your food, and no one wants to see what is in your mouth.

5.  False – your napkin is always placed on the table, to the left of your place setting.

6.  True – please take our word for it.

7.  True – placing your silverware in either of these positions is called “closing out”, meaning you are finished eating.

 

Are you ready for your Thanksgiving dinner now?  Let us know how you scored.

Posted on: 11-9-2012
Posted in: Blog, Dining, In the News

The Politics of Party Conversation 0

It is an election year here in the United States, and a breeding ground for heated conversations. When party talk turns political, a bit of diffusing may be necessary to prevent a social bomb from going off.

 Party Conversation

  • Change the subject.

Before the conversation gets too deep to come back up quickly, you have a chance to turn it around. Use the opportunity to keep the peace.

 

  • Remember why you are there.

If you are not attending a candidate fundraiser, a government-sponsored event, or a political action committee gathering, there is no reason for a discussion on politics.

 

  • Ask the host to intervene.

A good host will be monitoring conversations as she makes rounds, but just in case she is out of earshot, it might be a good idea to get her attention and seek help.

 

Each of us have our own ideas and convictions, and we have a responsibility to respect the ideas and convictions of others. Keep celebratory events upbeat by discussing subjects of mutual interest that add to the party, not bring it down with negative conversation.

If a topic surfaces on which you do not agree, or cannot agree to disagree, then it is best left off the table.

Posted on: 11-6-2012
Posted in: Blog, In the News

Top 5 Etiquette Tips for Halloween 0

Make sure you have a safe and appropriate costume (you know what we mean).

If you are expecting trick or treaters, turn some lights on!

Not everyone likes to be scared, especially small children.

Jack-o-lanterns are made to be seen not smashed.

And lastly remember Halloween is meant to be fun, but saying Thank-You should be #1!

Posted on: 10-31-2012
Posted in: Blog, Children, In the News, Parents

Congrats to our 2012 FALL Graduates! 0

2012 August Corporate Graduates

HATS OFF to our 2012 August Corporate Etiquette Certification and October Children’s Etiquette Certification Graduates!

2012 October Children's Etiquette Graduates

 Ana Tajuelo – Quebec, Canada, Ariana Kumpis – Miami, FL*, Barbara Gaines – Fort Washington, MD*, Candace Smith – Orange, CA, Candis Duecker – Platte City, MO*, Debbie Cipolla – Hope Valley, RI*, Eda Engin – Istanbul, Turkey, Glema Gordon – Anthony, FL, J. Elliot Williams – American Canyon, CA, Jean Bissell – West Lake Hills, TX, Karen Bowles – Fork Union, VA*, LaVonne Mason – Austin, TX*, Loleni Opanga – Columbus, OH*, Nancy Smith – Birmingham, AL*, Rebecca Murphy – Austin, TX, Susan DeMay – Itasca, IL*, Treva Medbery – Birmingham, AL, Wisetta Dolsey – Oak Park, MI

*Indicates Dual Certification (Children Etiquette Certification and Corporate Etiquette Certification)

 

Posted on: 10-30-2012
Posted in: ASP Children's Training Graduates, ASP Corporate Training Graduates, Blog, In the News

Congratulations Class of July 2012! 0

As we take some time to catch up on our posts, we would like to congratulate our recent graduates.

Our July Children’s Etiquette Certification class was an exciting one. Eleven fabulous women came to Atlanta seeking certification to teach etiquette to children. They left The American School of Protocol® with tons of information and ideas for their new businesses. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

Children's Etiquette Certification July 2012

Our newest etiquette “sisters” are:

  • Candace Smith – Orange, CA
  • Charlene Bleakley – Marina Del Rey, CA
  • Carmen E. Rivera – Staten Island, NY
  • Robin Bulatao – Southlake, TX
  • Candis Duecker – Platte City, MO
  • Patricia Rossel – League City, TX
  • Barbara Flowers – St. Joseph, MI
  • Karla Redditte – Huntsville, AL
  • Lisa Lutz – Camarillo, CA
  • Ruth Richardson – Columbia, TN
  • Christine Wolf – Tomah, WI

We wish each of them much success. As we know, teaching this important information is so rewarding. For we are not just teaching, we are making a difference in a child’s life.

Congratulations, ladies!

 

Posted on: 10-15-2012
Posted in: ASP Children's Training Graduates

Congratulations to our 2012 3-Day Etiquette Certification Graduates 0

The American School of Protocol®’s  June 8 – 10 weekend Children’s Etiquette Certification workshop in Atlanta, GA was a huge success.  During this training we focus on relationship-building with a parent and child.  As a teacher, mentor and role model, our responsibilities to our students are enormous and every small detail is included. If you are a motivated self-starter this certification option may be for you.

Our Next 3-Day Children’s Etiquette Certification Training workshop is November 16 – 18, 2012 in Atlanta, GA.  To learn more about this program click here!

Posted on: 06-20-2012
Posted in: ASP Children's Training Graduates, Blog, Children

Etiquette Question of the Day 0

QWe are often asked what to do when you are at a restaurant and the angel hair pasta with shrimp that you ordered is brought to the table with the tails of the shrimp still attached.

 

AWe suggest that when placing your food order, ask the waiter if the shrimp dish is prepared with or without the tails attached.  You can then tell the waiter what your preference is.

If the tails were not removed, you can gently remove the tails with your hands before eating the pasta.

Posted on: 06-1-2012
Posted in: Blog, Dining, In the News

A Hands on Learning Experience at Paces Paper 0

During our Etiquette Certification Courses, we devote a whole section of our training manual to Correspondence.  We instruct our trainees not only how to communicate with their clients, but also on how to choose correspondence stationery that correlates with their business.

We have to give a big  thank you to Paces Paper, located in Atlanta, GA for allowing The American School of Protocol® to have a truly hands on learning experience.  Jackie Garson Howard, owner of Paces Paper, educated the participants on stationery and captivated everyone with the beautiful styles of crane paper that are available.  

Deciding on paper texture, size, color and fonts that will represent an individual and their business can often be challenging.  At Paces Paper, Jackie gave her expert advice.  She laid the ground work for where to begin and what to stay away from.

Correspondence cards and stationery can leave a lasting impression.  Taking the time to invest and find a stand out stationery is 100% worth it!!

 

Posted on: 05-2-2012
Posted in: ASP Children's Training Graduates, ASP Corporate Training Graduates, Blog
Page 2 of 23«12345»1020...Last »