Be A Classy Thanksgiving Guest!

We love Thanksgiving at College Lifestyles!  Food, family, and friends!  Did we mention food?

Due to our crazy schedules, some of us may be spending Thanksgiving away from home OR ‘visiting’ our friends, family, and significant others families!

While the holidays may bring out the best in some, it may bring out the stress levels in others.  (Remember the movie Four Christmas).

Here are out tips on being a classy Thanksgiving Guest:

1. Be prepared BEFORE arriving.

Start before even arriving to the gathering.  This is especially important if you are spending a few days with the family.  Ask your friends/significant other the holiday traditions – for example, does the family play football in the yard the morning of Thanksgiving?  Does the family go around the table giving thanks?  Is the guest to say a blessing before meals?  Does the family dress formal or are jeans appropriate?  Having the answer to these questions will have you feeling more comfortable.

1. Bring the host a present!
   

   A Great Hostess Present!

Quite a nice gesture, but no need to go overboard and spend tons of money.  But…

Inappropriate host present:   A picture of you and your sweetheart!  Eeks!

An appropriate host present:  A Yankee Candle – especially a Holiday scent candle.

2.  Don’t be a fun vacuum, participate!

Inappropriate:  This include putting the texting away!

Instead:  If the family is outside playing football, go outside and participate.  If you are not athletic – cheer the team on OR ask if any assistance is need in the kitchen.  If the family is mingling inside, mingle!  If the family goes to the movies, go along.

3.  PDA to a minimum.

Inappropriate:  Nothing is worse than the ‘missing couple’ or the ‘guest who make outs with the Rob Pattinson look-alike cousin.‘  Or, how can we forget the scene from Wedding Crashers.  No.  One more time – NO!  Holding hands is fine, but remember, this is not your dorm room!

4.  If something is served that you do not eat….

So, hear is a little secret about me – I do not eat turkey.  It just is not my favorite food, here is how I handle the situation…..

Inappropriate:  Oh, I don’t eat turkey.

Appropriate:  Wow, the turkey looks fantastic!  And it smells wonderful.  While I don’t eat turkey, it looks wonderful.

5.  Conversations….

Always remember some families are more ‘out-spoken’ than other families.  If you are an ‘out-spoken’ person, please remember this!

Inappropriate: The 3 Bs and 1 P – boys (this includes personal relationships), bank accounts (ie – money), booze (no one needs to hear the romantic story where you and your significant other got trashed after New Moon), and politics (oh my).

Appropriate:  The 2 Ps – poise and panache!  Listen with others are talking.  If you disagree with what someone is saying, remember this one word – Interesting!

6.  Word choice!

Inappropriate:  Um, hum, like, ok, yeah, nah, nope.

Appropriate:  Yes!

Don’t fill in conversation with ‘inappropriate words.’  We know your nerves may be running crazy, but take your time!  Listen first, then talk!

7.  Thank the host!

Be sure before leaving to thank the host!  Send a simple thank you card!

Happy Holidays!!!

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She loves the smell and the feel of Thanksgiving, especially the Home for the Holidays Scent from Yankee Candle!