December Gift Giving Etiquette Guide

In planning gift giving to those born in December, note that December has several Flowers of the Month. These are:
 - Narcissus (also known as the Daffodil)
 - Holly
 - Poinsettia

Narcissus

Poinsettia

Holly

December also has several Gemstones of the Month. These are:
 - Turquoise
 - Zircon
 - Blue Topaz
 - Tanzanite

Blue Topaz

Tanzanite

Turquoise

 

Etiquette Books and Manners Games for Holiday Gift Giving

As you prepare for the holidays and holiday gift giving, here are suggested etiquette books and games perfect for those on your holiday shopping list! 

 

Manners for Kids (Ages 6-8)

Blunders, Family Game by Successful Kids, www.blundersmania.com.

Buzby, the Misbehaving Bee, (Max Lucado's Hermie & Friends)

Family Time Fun Dinner Games and Activities, by Family Fun Time.

Fancy Nancy: Tea Parties, by Jane O'Connor and Robin Glasser.

Manners Can Be Fun, by Munro Leaf.

The Well Mannered Monster, by Marcy Brown & Dennis Haley.

Manners for Kids & Teens (Ages 9-16)

A Smart Kid's Guide to Social Networking Online, by David J. Jakubiak.

Cliques, Phonies, and Other Baloney, by Trevor Romain

Dude, That's Rude!: (Get Some Manners), by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick.

Emily Post's The Guide to Good Manners for Kids, by Cindy Post Senning, Peggy Post, and Steve Bjorkman.

The How Rude! Handbook of School Manners for Teens: Civility in the Hallowed Halls, by Alex J. Packer.

The How Rude! Handbook of Family Manners for Teens: Avoiding Strife in Family Life, by Alex J. Packer.

Etiquette & Civility

Emily Post's Etiquette, 18th Edition, by Peggy Post, Anna Post, et. al.

Everyday Etiquette: How to Navigate 101 Common and Uncommon Social Situations, by Patricia Rossi.

Poised for Success: Mastering the Four Qualities That Distinguish Outstanding Professionals, by Jacqueline Whitmore.

The Power of Civility, by Yasmin Anderson-Smith, Laura Barclay, Lew Bayer, et. al.

Hostess Gift Ideas for the Holidays, Part III: Decorative Gifts

In parts I and II were ideas for "food and beverage" and "kitchen and party" hostess gifts. Here are some "decorative gifts" suggestions for your hosts/hostesses:

Decorative Gifts

•  Pumpkin, Cinnamon, or Peppermint Scented Candle
•  Decorative Note Cards
•  Candy Dish
•  Flowers or Plant (perhaps a Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, or Amaryllis)
•  Picture Frame (even better, add a special photo of the family to the frame)
•  Christmas Tree Ornament
•  Decorative Holiday Item
•  Soap/Lotion Gift Set

Christmas Cactus

Lenox Candy Dish, $12.99
(www.domestications.com)

 

Hostess Gift Ideas for the Holidays, Part II: Kitchen and Party Gifts

In part I shared ideas for "food and beverage" holiday hostess gift ideas. That hopefully got you thinking about the variety of opportunities for hostess gifts. Part II of hostess gift ideas are in the "kitchen and party" category. As noted previously, aiming for $5 to $15 is a good ball park. Many wonderful gifts can be found at HomeGoods, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Bed Bath and Beyond, Stein Mart, and many speciality stores. Here are some suggestions:

   Kitchen and Party Gifts

    ·  Wine/Martini Glass Charms (glass markers)

   ·  Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinders (nice to include the salt and pepper too!)

   ·  Electric Wine Bottle Opener

   ·  Decorative Bottle Stoppers

   ·  Martini Glasses

   ·  Margarita Glasses

   ·  Cookbook

Wine/Martini Glass Charms, $15.95
(WineRackStore.com)

Bottle Stopper, $7.99
(Bed Bath and Beyond)

Rechargeable Wine Opener, $9.98
(Sam's Club)

Hostess Gift Ideas for the Holidays, Part I: Food & Beverage Gifts

Do you wonder when to bring a hostess gift? Are you sometimes at a loss as to what to purchase for a hostess gift? When attending a dinner party or holiday party, it is thoughtful and appropriate to bring your hostess/host a gift. While etiquette doesn't require that guests bring a hostess/host gift for an open house, it is always the gracious thing to do. And being gracious never goes out of style!
Remember that the gifts needn't be expensive. Aim for $5 to $15. Homemade gifts are also appreciated! Be creative. You can find many wonderful gifts at Homegoods, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Bed Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Sam's Club, Costco, Trader Joe's (excellent pumpkin bread mix!), and Stein Mart.
Here are some hostess gift suggestions for the holiday season:  

Food and Beverage Ideas
· Jar of Apple Butter
· Specialty Jam
· Caramel Apples
· Apple Cider Spice Mix
· Seasonal Bread or Cookie Mix
· Infused Cooking Oil
· Wine
· Liquor Filled Chocolates
· Specialty Coffee
· Chocolate Covered Pretzels
· Fudge
· Box of Candy
· Homemade Cookies
· Homemade Bread
· Popcorn Seasonings
<> 

Popcorn Seasonings, $7.95
(Crate and Barrel)

Liquor Filled Chocolates, $18
(Chocolate.com)

Caramel Apples, $29.95
(Williams-Sonoma)

November Gift Giving Etiquette

In planning your November gift giving, note that the:
 - Flower for November is the Chrysanthemum, and

 - Gemstones for November are the Topaz and Citrine.

Mind Your Manners

Thank you to Bill Ward of the Minneapolis Star Tribune for keeping the importance of manners in the forefront in today's article, "Mind Your Manners." In it he highlights segments from the book, How To Behave: A Guide to Modern Manners, by Caroline Tiger. The book is on my to read list.

The update I make to a suggestion in the article is that when the person in line ahead of you tries to get 22 items through the 10 item only lane, to begin counting off the item number would be equally as rude. Rather, a statement such as "You must not have realized that this is the line for 10 or fewer items" if the cashier has not yet realized this; it is the cashier who is responsible for monitoring the flow of the lane and directing this person to the appropriate lane.

I also suggest avoiding name calling (even in your mind) such as "bozo" or other terms. Sometimes, people really are clueless. Give them the benefit of the doubt, just as you would want for yourself.