How to Be the Perfect Party Guest at the Holidays or Any Days

The holidays mean visiting friends and relatives and lots and lots of parties. Being the perfect party guest requires remembering some basic rules of etiquette, updated here for a world of smartphones and social media. Follow these 15 tips and you’ll be the perfect guest–the one who gets invited back because they want you to visit, not because you are a relative!

Secrets to Being the Perfect Party Guest

For some, the holidays means travel. For others, it means staying home and spending time with friends and loved ones nearby. And that means parties! Dinner parties. Christmas parties. New Year’s Eve parties.

Being the perfect party guest means understanding all of those Emily Post party guest etiquette rules. Start with these 17 tips for being the perfect guest at a party. They’re guaranteed to get you invited back again and again.

Know Thy Host and Arrive Bearing a Gift

Don’t just show up for the grub like a free loader, ask what you can bring to the celebration. But know your hosts. Do they drink? Are they kosher? Are they gluten free or vegetarian? You don’t want to bring boxed wine to an AA gathering, or a slab of meat to a vegetarian’s house. You can always be on the safe side; bring flowers, homemade jam, a funny-framed photo of your friend, a scented candle or a game to play.

Read More: Great Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers

Know the Time and Type of Party

Know the start time and end time of the party, and unless asked to help, do not arrive early! Sit in your car if you have too. Hosts are running around to the last minute setting up things, and an early guest can make them feel they have to entertain instead of finishing up last minute details. 15 minutes after start time is a good rule. (Unless it’s a boat party, then be at the dock early, unless you want to pull a James Bond move.) Also if it’s a sit down dinner, do not arrive late. (And if you are running late for some reason, communicate! Call or text and say, “Please start without me.” Actually beg them. That’s a lot better than them eyeing you as the entrée when you come in.”

Know Where to Park and Plan Ahead

Should you park in the driveway, on the street or on the lawn? (I said, on the lawn, not on a flowerbed.) Sometimes hosts run out of food and have to make a deli run, and if your car is blocking theirs, you have to do the car shuffle, which is a royal pain. And if you plan on leaving early, park in a place where you are not likely to get blocked in.

Know Household Rules: Shoes or No Shoes?

Some households (like mine) have a no-shoe policy indoors. Knowing that in advance, you might not want to wear your holy socks or have cat hairs stuck in between your toes.

Don’t Bring a Surprise Guest to the Party

Even if it’s a casual BBQ ask before you just bring a plus one. A sit down dinner at a house requires another chair, place setting etc. So unless you want to be crammed into the corner with grandma’s teeth in a glass or at the kid’s table with a pacifier, ask. (Note: At a venue it could be an extra $200 bucks to the host.)

Put Away Your Smart Phones

Do not talk on your cell phone or text underneath the table, it’s rude.  Even if you’re listening, it’s rude. Even if Pokémon Go is dancing on the turkey, it’s rude.  So unless it’s an emergency, (in which case excuse yourself) engage with the people in front of you and talk to your other friends later.

Refrain from Social Media

If a home is unique, some people like taking pictures of it. For example my bathroom looks as if you are inside a forest. Ask if you can take photos in a person’s private home and clarify if you can post the picture to the world before you do.  Always ask.

Don’t talk politics or religion!

Even though we all know this, people still do it! And in this divisive political world, it’s better advice that ever!

Don’t even talk about it at a wedding, a corporate event, or a church dinner. It’s a sure way to change the energy in the room, because not everyone is going to agree. And although a food fight might be appropriate in Animal House, not so much in your own home. Also don’t speak a foreign language in front of others who don’t speak that language, unless you explain what you are saying. It excludes the non-speaking ones from the conversation and makes them assume you are talking about them. (Which you probably are).

Know Food and Pet Allergies

My mom taught me to be polite and eat what is placed on my plate. However if you will die because that peanut touched the lettuce, then pull the host on the side and explain you are not trying to be rude, you just want them to know in advance if you turn down something, not to take it personally. Likewise, if you are allergic to animals, find out if there will be any (and we are not talking drunk humans here) of the 4-legged kind at the party. Then either bring your allergy meds or prepare to stay only a few hours.

Leave Your Baggage at Home (Unless You Are Sleeping Over, Then Bring Your Luggage But Not Your Baggage.)

You are being asked to a party because (hopefully) your bright presence and laughter will add to it. If you are the cloud of doom, stay home. No drama queens, drunken kings, or energy vampires are needed. And if you are attending the party with your spouse and you hate him or her, then either get a divorce, come alone or keep your mouth shut. No one wants to see you argue.

Read More: How to be the Perfect Overnight Guest

Eat What She Serves. With a Smile.

And no matter how you feel, don’t insult the host’s cooking (at least not to their face). It’s a sure way to wear the food instead of eat it.

Can I Bring My Kid?

Usually you will know in advance. But if you are not sure, ask. If they are invited, don’t let your kids roam free as if they were looking for the Holy Grail. Have them stay where the activity is so you don’t have to wonder if they are redesigning the bathroom with glitter spray or break an antique that you have to mortgage your house to pay back.

Smoking (Anything)

My house is a smoke-free environment. Some are not. But always ask. If the host lights up, well, then there you have it. If there are ashtrays around that resemble a smoldering volcano, that’s another good hint. But always ask, “Is it okay if I smoke here?” (Even if it’s e-cigarettes). Other guests may not want to be inhaling your second hand smoke. And if you are going to smoke outside, check in advance where you’re going to throw the cigarette butt. No one wants to be picking up your remains the day after a party.

Conversations and Silent Cues

If you are a social butterfly you’ll be fine. But if you are shy look for others that are alone and start a conversation. If people are huddled, don’t break into their circle to join in, watch body language to know when the proper opening is to talk. Like wise if you are talking to someone and doing all the talking, look to see if the person eyes are watering from boredom. If they are slowly inching themselves away from you take the hint that it may be time to exit because they are trying not to be rude but are looking for a way to end the conversation. Also, don’t over stay your welcome. As the party winds down, unless asked, don’t be the last to leave.

Offer to Help Clean Up

Don’t just watch as the host stands there in elbow high dishes talking to her, pick up a dishtowel and start drying. Or clear or table or bag excess food. If you drool, they may even ask you to take it home J

Thank You Cards

Sometimes I actually carry them with me and leave them where the host can see them after I leave, or I will drop a note or text the next day to thank them for being invited.

Smile, hug, laugh

No more need be said.

More Guest Tips

Are you planning to stay with your host for a few days? Snap a photo of your guest room when you arrive and put it all back the same way when you leave. Ask your host is she wants you to make the bed or strip it. Leave the towels in a neat pile on the bathroom floor.

What did your Grandma teach you about guest etiquette? Share with us in the comment section below.