What those rubbish Christmas gifts really mean – from underwear and cheap chocolates to dodgy perfumes and new socks.
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Holiday Etiquette
2020 Christmas etiquette do’s and don’ts
2020 is a year like no other. Add Christmas and New Year’s Eve to the list and we will have come full circle. Enjoy the annual traditions in a non-traditional way. For your consideration. Prepare For The Worst, Expect The Best. Unpredictable is the word of the season, so learn to adapt to last minute…
Growing up in my house, if we didn’t have 20 people for a holiday it wasn’t a holiday. Between the adult and kid tables there was enough food, laughter and noise to last the winter. But Christmas isn’t canceled, and neither is hope. A vaccine is on our horizon, which means 2021 is looking…
How To Celebrate In A World Standing Still My get out of jail ‘quarantini’ party has long been canceled. Even with a vaccine on the horizon, the silver set and first responders will be the first in line as well they should be. At that rate, masks will be the rage for quite some time. …
Sunday brunch dessert presentation Holidays are a time for friends and family, the time when we cook, drink, and eat together, and celebrate good cheer. Here are some tips for doing it in style: 1. What is the biggest faux pas people make when setting their table for a big holiday meal? The biggest faux…
Wallpaper remnant from my powder room tied with Buddha gold ribbon. Shopping at the mall has been replaced by shopping online. However, unless you have your gift sent directly to the giftee, you still have to wrap it. Wrap Like a Pro In San Francisco, the go-to place for the perfect gift and gift wrap…
Holiday travel is in full swing, which means crowds and flared tempers at our nation’s airports. With the exception of flying on Air Force One, pleasure and flying do not go hand in hand. Airline travel is becoming more and more uncomfortable in today’s world. What are some ways we can learn to live with this challenge?
• Prepare for your trip: Make a packing list for everything you will need on your journey—don’t wait until the last minute and just throw things in your suitcase.
• Make a second list of things to do before your trip. Include stopping the paper and calling the bank to give them your away dates and where you are going, so your credit card doesn’t get suspended while you’re gone. Make sure you have someone to care for your plants and pets and to pick up your mail.
The holidays are the most festive time of year, but they can also be the most tension-filled. Here are some tips on how to have a low-stress season.
• At the holidays, think merry and bright vs. serious and somber. Like eggnog, the conversation should be light.
• Agree that it’s okay to disagree with family, friends and party acquaintances, and then avoid the subjects you disagree on. Don’t discuss finances, health problems, politics, religion, marital secrets or office gossip.
• Be sure and RSVP to a party invitation. Your host will need a head count for food and beverages.
• Dress for success. Holiday time is a time to wear something special, and it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. If you’re unsure what to wear, ask your host.
If you’re nervous about hosting Thanksgiving dinner, follow my friends-and-family holiday guide. It’s failproof. Dress code: Thanksgiving is a casual, fun-filled day, so “smart casual” is the way to go: slacks, sweaters, comfortable clothes to allow for extra helpings of turkey and carbs. Mix up the guests: Family tension can run high during the holidays,…