Be the Best Guest There!

First things first.  If someone is kind enough to invite you into their home, answer their invitation - aye or nay - within two days of getting it.  Your host has to know more than "vaguely" how many people are comoing to insure that there's plenty of food and wassil.

In fact, there are set amounts for which bottle size serves X number of people.  Addtitionally, you probably have a pretty good idea about your friends capacities.

Californians have been irritating me for years with a response like this, "Oh, that sounds like so much fun.  We'll try to pop by."  I do not want to here that you may deign to attend, I want to know if you are going to come or not.  I want you off of my mind, one way or another.  So be forthright when you answer an invitation.

A lot of people do bring wine to a gathering, but don't depend on it.  And, uh, you don't have to drink all of the booze in the house at your event.  I think it's called the Innkeeper's Law and it means that if you let a guest depart, sloshed to the gills and something happens to said guest, you will be held responsible. 

Take care with silverware, guests.  Long ago an excited guest absent-mindedly put a good fork in the trash.  She'd carelessly swiped off her plate and the fork went with it.  And I didn't discover this until long after the trash had been taken out. 

If it's a buffet or family-style dinner with passed serving bowls, try to put the serving spoon back in it's original dish.  The salad tongs don't bring a lot to the candied yams, if you get my drift.

If you have small children, spring for a babysitter!  Don't bring little kids (or the family dog) to an adult party (this means alcohol is involved.)  They're a distraction and have no business being with the grown ups.  They'll age quickly enough and can then hang out with their own age-appropriate friends.

Have a great holiday (and listen for your mother's voice here) "Mind your manners!"