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Holiday Entertaining Etiquette During Flu Season
Hosts:
- avoid hosting pot lucks
- keep buffet food items covered
- provide fresh plates for guests who would like seconds
- provide serving spoons in dips to discourage double dipping
- provide serving tongs with bread to discourage reaching into basket
- provide a way for guests to mark their glasses (i.e., pens, or decorative glass tags)
- avoid providing communal items, i.e.:
* punch
* dishes of candy or nuts
(without serving piece)
* bowls of chips
- provide antibiotic hand sanitizers around the house for guests to use freely
Guests:
- no double dipping
- use fresh plate when taking seconds at a meal
- use serving pieces provided for nuts, candy, dips, chips, etc.
Featured Book
Deborah Norville
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 Dear Colleagues,
As we move into the holiday season, it is time to prepare for holiday parties, shopping, gift giving, and spending time with family. I always look forward to the holidays and will be hosting both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!
If you have thought about how to comfortably participate in holiday gatherings during the flu season, here are some tips for both hosts and guests. Tackling your holiday shopping? Reach out to image consultants Lisa (Tampa) and Zack (Minneapolis) for help. And if you have wondered about the appropriateness of hostess gifts, read on for more information! And if you need a relaxing and fun evening, join Muffuletta and Wineglas as they present the only Grand Cru Wine & Dine Experience in the Twin Cities!
May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!
Laura A. Barclay
President & Founder Etiquette Centre of Minneapolis, LLC
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iYi Smart Shopping SAVVY 
Time to update your fall and winter wardrobe? Lisa K. Ford, AICI FLC, in the Tampa office, provides the following tips to ensure an easy transition. Additionally, Lisa is offering 15% off iYi personal consultation fees*.
Make a Plan: Schedule a shopping appointment in pen - Know what you own - Write it all down - Do your research - Do not invite your friends
What to Wear or Bring: Makeup - The Right Undergarments - Missing Pieces (items you want to build an outfit around) - Quick On/Off Clothes and Shoes - Roomy Bag
Best Time to Shop is Before Noon when staff is fresh, store is restocked, and fitting rooms are uncluttered
When You Get There: Size is only a number - Choose a fitting room with a 3-way mirror and use it! - If it doesn't look good move on (no need to debate) - Take clothes for a test drive- sit, bend, reach up, and twist - Take multiple sizes of same item into the fitting room
Do NOT Buy it unless you have three pieces in your current wardrobe you can wear with the new item
Do NOT Buy it for "when" - i.e., "when I lose 20 pounds"
Splurge on: Bras, Cashmere, Shoes, Basics/Staples, An Everyday Bag, Versatility, Seasonless Items, Well-made Items, Timeless Items
Save on: T-shirts, Trendy Pieces, Baggy Items, Fun Accessories
Do NOT Trust the Hanger: Clothes are three-dimensional like your body so most clothing does not have hanger appeal, especially ruched, shirred, or draped items
Turn to the Tailor: It is easier to nip in than let out - Not everything can be fixed - Look for stores that offer FREE tailoring - Every 1/8" counts
Back at Home: Keep your receipts and watch store for further reductions - Remove plastic bags - Don't remove the tags - 24 hour rule - Build your outfits
(*Expires 12-31-2009 and is not redeemable for cash.)Lisa K. Ford AICI FLC, Certified Image, Color and Style Consultant, Professional Fashion Feng Shui Facilitator, iYi Invent Your Image, LLC, 813-766-8375, info@inventyourimage.com, Tampa Bay, Florida.
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Laura in the News! 
Star Tribune Mpls./St. Paul
(See: Podcast Archive, Sat. 11.7.09, 1st Hr,
about half way into show recording)
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| Welcome Zack Siegel,
Men's Image Consultant!
The Etiquette Centre of Minneapolis has expanded our services by adding men's image consultant, Zack Siegel! Zack specializes in personal and professional image consulting services for men.
To welcome clients, Zack is offering a 15% discount* on his one-on-one image consulting services through December 31, 2009!
Zack is located in our Minneapolis office.
Please join me in welcoming Zack to the Etiquette Centre of Minneapolis!
(*Not redeemable for cash.)
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Question: Do you always have to bring a gift when invited to a holiday party? If so, what?
Dear Laura,
I have never brought a hostess gift to a party, though I have noticed that others attending parties do bring a gift. I have several holiday parties to attend this season. Should I bring a gift and if so, what do you recommend? My budget is tight this year.
Dear Colleague,
It is always appropriate to bring a hostess gift when invited to a party at someone's home to show appreciation for the their efforts. Such a gift needn't be expensive. Some gift ideas under $10 are a candle, a bottle of oil infused with herbs, a decorative picture frame, fudge, tea samplers, chocolate covered pretzels, notecards, decorative glass tags, or fancy handsoap for the bathroom. You can find many inexpensive though lovely hostess gifts at HomeGoods, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Stein Mart, or other similar stores.
If you bring a dessert or a bottle of wine, please keep in mind that the hostess may have already determined the meal and save your gift to enjoy at another time.
Do You Have a Question You Want Answered?
I love hearing from all my friends and clients who enjoy reading my monthly newsletter. And I'm always looking to answer pressing questions you might have about anything relating to etiquette, protocol, and image. If you have a question, please feel free to call me at (763) 432-9008, (727) 639-7362, or email me at laura.barclay@etiquette-centre.com.
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| Muffuletta & Wineglas Present
A Zaca Mesa Wine Dinner
Tuesday, November 17, 6:30 to 8:45 pm
$65 plus tax and tip
Muffuletta
2260 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
651-644-9116
Anyone who knows John Glas knows that the Wineglas name goes on a select amount of wine. Zaca Mesa is a new brand for John and he was extremely pleased by the entire line at a recent industry tasting.
Please join Wineglas and Muffuletta for the only Grand Cru Wine & Dine Experience in the Twin Cities!
Call Travis Oltmann for your reservation at 651-644-9116.
Starter
2007 Zaca Mesa Estate Bottled Santa Ynez Valley Roussanne
-Amuse Bouche
1st Course
2007 Zaca Mesa Estate Bottled Santa Ynez Valley Chardonnay
-chilled Atlantic Salmon Quenelle with honeycrisp apple, cucumber and avocado
2nd Course
2006 Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee Santa Ynez Valley Rhone Blend
2006 Zaca Mesa Z Three Estate Grown Santa Ynez Valley Rhone Blend
-Portabella Mushroom stuffed with creamy polenta and dried sausage
Main Course
2005 Zaca Mesa Estate Bottle Santa Ynez Valley Syrah
2005 Zaca Mesa Black Bear Santa Ynez Valley Syrah
-Lofton Ridge Venison with french lentils, parsnip, celeriac, seckle pear, chestnut
Dessert
Coffee
-Hazelnut Panna Cotta, dark chocolate and kumquat
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About the Etiquette Centre of Minneapolis, LLC
The Etiquette Centre of Minneapolis provides training to help you successfully navigate the challenges and nuances of today's world in business and social etiquette, children and teen etiquette, international protocol, and image.
Contact us to learn more!
Ph: (763) 432-9008, (727) 639-7362
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