
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 . . .
- Answer the invitation within a day or two of receiving it.
- If you would like to bring an uninvited friend or date, check with your host first.
- 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.
- Dress appropriately for the occasion. If you are unsure about the attire, ask the host.

- 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.
- If you would like to bring a gift to the host, you may do so. This is a nice gesture, but not a must.
- Greet the host upon arrival/departure (no matter how many people are attending or how hard it is to find them).
- Watch your alcohol consumption. Always keep in mind that business and social go hand in hand, so be on your best behavior.
- Introduce yourself to people that you do not know and remember to keep the conversation causal and light.
- 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.
- 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!