When attending holiday parties, we are eager to help our hosts in the kitchen, with food and drink service, and with post-party cleanup, which sometimes causes more trouble and stress for a host. Here's what professional event planners recommend.
Be sure to respond in a timely manner. If the invitation asks you to respond, do so well before the host has to reach out to confirm your attendance. Hosts who don't want their guests to help out during the party can hint that all has been taken care of right on the invitation.
Asking a host if you can assist on the event date can be overwhelming, but extending that offer while the host is still planning the party and putting the details together may prove more useful. If you are someone who loves to help, contact the host in advance and offer your assistance.
Don't show up early. Respect the event's start time and arrive on time or 5 minutes later than the time on the invitation. If the invitation says 7:15 pm, guests should arrive between 7:15 and 7:20.
When the party is over, don't stay. At the end of the evening, you can make one last offer to help the host tidy up the space. But if they refuse, don't insist, So it's the guest's responsibility to leave at an appropriate hour.
A. Consider offering help to the host ahead of time.
B. So what can you do to really help holiday hosts?
C. Contact the host to know the details about the party.
D. Many hosts are too polite to tell people it's time to go.
E. Being a good guest begins long before the party begins.
F. This way, the host can know an extra pair of hands is available as needed.
G. The invitation phase serves as a prime opportunity to clarify the event's tone.
