With all the dinner parties and gatherings, dinner parties offer a wonderful opportunity to teach children about social and dining etiquette.
If you are hosting one, you can recruit your children to set the table and use this time to review each piece in a table setting, what it is used for, and where it is placed in relation to the diner. Whether you are hosting or attending a dinner, take some time before the event to review basic table manners.
Creating and observing traditions are an important part of creating shared values within a family group. Through Thanksgiving in Canada (October) and the United States (November), families and friends have an opportunity to reconnect, share thanks and celebrate being together.
Thanksgiving etiquette ensures a warm and harmonious celebration. Guests should RSVP promptly, bring a small gift or approved dish, and arrive on time. Showing gratitude to the host and offering to help with set-up or clean-up are thoughtful gestures. For hosts, creating a welcoming environment is key—provide diverse dishes to accommodate dietary needs and ensure seating is comfortable for everyone. Keep the atmosphere positive by steering clear of divisive topics and expressing appreciation for guests’ presence and contributions.
Whether you’re hosting or attending, thoughtfulness and gratitude are essential to making Thanksgiving a joyful and memorable occasion for everyone involved. Here are some more thoughts on preparing for a smooth and successful Thanksgiving celebration.
When attending a Thanksgiving celebration, the host/hostess sets the tone and which traditions are observed. Follow their lead. If they start their meals with Grace, follow along and respect their direction.
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Etiquette is important at Halloween because it fosters a sense of respect and community among participants, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the festivities. Following proper Halloween etiquette, such as only visiting homes with lights on for trick-or-treating, being polite and saying “thank you” for candy, and respecting people’s property, helps maintain a fun and safe atmosphere. This is particularly important in neighborhoods where large groups of children are out and about, and mutual respect ensures that people of all ages can participate in the holiday without feeling uncomfortable or unsafe.
Additionally, Halloween etiquette promotes inclusivity by being mindful of costumes, decorations, and behavior. Dressing appropriately and avoiding offensive or culturally insensitive costumes shows respect for others’ identities and cultures. It also extends to being considerate with decorations, ensuring that they are not overly frightening or inappropriate for children. Proper etiquette helps create a positive experience for everyone, maintaining the playful and festive spirit of Halloween while being considerate of others’ feelings and boundaries.
There are two sets of etiquette rules:
Our tips provide some guidelines for all those little ghouls and goblins as they parade from house to house, as well as for the people at the houses handing out treats.
Read my interview on News 1130 » (from 2017)
For Halloween parties, here are some etiquette reminders:
Above all, we hope you had a great time!
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Photos from Adobe Stock.
Lexington Community Education is based in Massachusetts, USA, and is offering several online classes for children from grades 2 to 9. A thorough introduction to good etiquette and proper manners for elementary students. In this two-session class, Elizabeth Etiquette will begin by introducing the proper way to manage introductions and greetings, appropriate hygiene and grooming, deportment, posture and sitting correctly.
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As you begin your wedding plans you will discover that there are a number of special events that take place prior to the actual wedding. The wedding shower is one of these exciting events.
Traditionally, the Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids are responsible for planning and hosting the bridal shower.
Some people consider it improper for a relative of the bride to host the shower because attendees usually bring gifts; however, traditions have changed and relative-hosted showers are a common and accepted occurrence today. If the maid of honour or bridesmaids are unable to host the shower, other close friends are, quite often, delighted to step in.
Selecting a date for the wedding shower can be tricky.
Showers are generally held between four and six weeks prior to the wedding; however, the timing will depend on the bride’s schedule and the distance guests are travelling for the wedding. Be careful not to choose a date too close to the wedding day or the shower may interfere with other wedding plans and cause undue stress for the bride.
Whether you are eating with people you have known your entire life or are a guest at a table with people you are meeting for the first time, good table manners lead to a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere that is enjoyed by everyone present.
This Easter, as you gather with friends and family members to celebrate and feast, follow these dinner party tips to foster friendly, cheerful interactions.
With Valentine’s Day, many people’s thoughts turn to love and romance. That is equally true for young adults looking to find someone special.
Whether this is your first time dating, or not, it’s always important to show respect and consideration for others. That is attractive. If you pay attention to these simple rules and conventions, you will be more successful and confident in your dating abilities.
When you are talking with someone, pay attention to subtle social cues indicating whether you are welcome to join in or if it is a private engagement. For example, if someone tells you they are meeting a friend for lunch, don’t assume you are invited to follow along to the restaurant unless they specifically ask you to join them.
As the Canadian and US Thanksgiving celebrations comes to an end, we all turn our attention to the coming Christmas holidays.
With the best of intentions, we set out to fill our homes with cheer, buy gifts to show our loved ones how much we care, and make plans to connect with friends and family. But, all too often, our good intentions get lost in the frenzy of the season, and we are left with frustration, bad-tempers, and rudeness.
Help keep and spread the joy this holiday season with these tips for holiday shopping.
On July 1st, 1867, the nation was officially born when the Constitution Act joined three provinces into one country: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Canada province, which then split into Ontario and Quebec.
Although Canada existed prior to 1867, Canada Day is often informally referred to as “Canada’s birthday”. Most communities across the country will host organized celebrations for Canada Day, typically outdoor public events, such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks, and free musical concerts, as well as citizenship ceremonies.
Did you know that Canada welcomed over 13,500 new Canadian citizens during the citizenship week of 2023 in 105 citizenship ceremonies?
However, given the federal nature of the anniversary, celebrating Canada Day can be a cause of friction by some indigenous peoples and in the province of Quebec so it’s good etiquette to respect everyone’s opinion.
Canadian expatriates will often organize Canada Day activities in their local area on or near the date of the holiday.
Being Canadian is truly unique, whether you are an immigrant who has become a citizen or someone born in Canada.
So if you see someone carrying a heavy bag or struggling with something, regardless of age or gender, give them a helping hand. Hold the door open, offer your seat on the bus – not for a reason… just because it is a thoughtful and courteous gesture. And because it’s a Canadian thing to do!
Add a smile and you will make someone’s day!
Spring is in the air, the days are getting longer, children are spending more time playing outside, and Mother’s Day is right around the corner. At Elizabeth Etiquette, we have been thinking about etiquette in the home and treating Mum royally on Mother’s Day.
A day without chores and time to relax is certainly a sure way to make Mum happy. Handmade cards and drawings from the younger children are wonderful keepsakes. Definitely start the day with a cup of tea or coffee and breakfast in bed with something to read.
As an adult, finding an appropriate Mother’s Day gift can be a challenge. As with all gifts, we want them to be thoughtful and considerate of the recipient’s interests and preferences. But older adults have often already accumulated everything they need and may even want to reduce the amount of “stuff” they have around.
Make sure you plan ahead, do not wing it on the day.
Flowers are commonly given for Mother’s Day and are often enjoyed and appreciated. But, if you are looking for something less typical, consider the following ideas:
Not everyone has an iPhone, iPad, or Kindle. A subscription to Mum’s favourite magazine would be most appreciated. There is simply nothing quite like settling down with a nice cup of tea and a good read! A year-long, “Something to look forward to.”
And remember that you may have other women in your family or friends who are mothers so wish them a happy Mother’s Day as well.
Get in touch if you have any questions or need ideas for your Mother’s Day etiquette.
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