11 Quick Tips for Ringing in the New Year

A New Year’s Eve party is a great chance for celebrating, socializing and catching up with old friends. You may need a well-deserved break after this long year, however that doesn’t mean you should check your manners at the door. Here are a few tips that all partygoers should keep in mind . . .

1. Answer the invitation within a day or two of receiving it.
2. If you would like to bring an uninvited friend or date, check with your host first.
3. Drinking and driving is never a good idea, so have a plan for how you will be arriving and getting home after the clock strikes 12.
4. Dress appropriately for the occasion. If you are unsure about the attire, ask the host.

1. Never arrive a few minutes early. If the invitation states that dinner will be at 7:00 p.m., you have a 10-minute leeway. If the invitation is for a cocktail party/reception from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., you have 20-45 minutes after the stated 6:00 p.m. time to arrive.
2. If you would like to bring a gift to the host, you may do so. This is a nice gesture, but not a must.
3. Greet the host upon arrival/departure (no matter how many people are attending or how hard it is to find them).
4. Watch your alcohol consumption. Always keep in mind that business and social go hand in hand, so be on your best behavior.
5. Introduce yourself to people that you do not know and remember to keep the conversation causal and light.
6. Always be aware “when the party is over.” On New Year’s Eve, the festivities usually run into the wee hours. Know when it’s time to call it a night.
7. Thank your host when you leave the party. Even though you said thank you, remember to send a hand-written note thanking the host again for a wonderful time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!