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Thanksgiving Day Toasting |
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1. Offer a Welcome Toast. This may be made before the meal begins to thank your guests for coming and for the lovely Thanksgiving meal that has been prepared.
2. Raise Your Glass. Recite the words, "I would like to propose a toast."
3. Remember the
Three "B's". Begin. Be Brief. Be Seated. |
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Thank You Notes 101 |
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Nothing is as gracious as the written word. With all the new electronic ways to communicate, it takes a special effort to put pen to paper. Writing a well expressed thank you note takes practice and is an ideal occasion to show someone that you appreciate the effort they expended.
1. Getting Started is Simple. Create a special place for all the supplies needed to write a note:paper, pens, stamps, etc. You can create a hand decorated note, purchase supplies from a craft store or pick up note cards that reflect your personal style.
2. Writing a Thank You Note. A thank you note consists of 3 parts: saying "thanks" at the beginning and end of the note, naming the gift, event or act of kindness that you are acknowledging, and including a unique detail or high point to describe your thanks. A simple format begins with the date in upper right hand corner, followed by the salutation. The body of the letter is next. A thank you note ends with a nice closing and signing your name.
3. Actual Practice In Writing Thank You Notes. Thank you notes are some of the most important letters you will write. A thank you note is meant to embody a bit of your personality not only in the words, but in the stationery you choose and in the handwriting. Often these notes are saved and read by others and may be put on display. The paper should be neat and clean, the message should be clear and succinct, and proper spelling and grammar should be used. Everything about the letter is a reflection of you.
4. When to Send Thank You Notes. A thank you note should be sent promptly within 48 hours. There are no circumstances that excuse you from writing a thank you note, especially for gifts received. Children as young as preschool age may begin writing thank you notes with the aid of their parents.
5. Occasions for Writing A Thank You Note. Everyone appreciates receiving a thank you note. A thank you note may be written for gifts received, after attending a special dinner party or celebration, or when someone has done you a favor or performed a special act of kindness.
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Greetings!
I often speak about the 'magic words' in my manners classes with children. When we list the most important magic words in order, the first words that are right on the tips of their tongues are the words "thank you". It seems that universally these words have become the greatest expression for acknowleding another and they seem to come pretty easily when we learn them young. However, as we grow into adulthood, for some reason we find it more difficult to utter these words, especially to those who are closest in our lives. The act of appreciating and saying thank you requires greater effort, more patience and a heightened awareness.
On this special day of thanks, I would like to take this opportunity to share how grateful I am for the continued interest and support from the many clients and partners I have had the pleasure of working with this past year. I am thankful that I have found work that inspires me and that continuously teaches me to be a better person so that I may be able to make a positive impact on others.
However you choose to spend this Thanksgiving holiday, whether sitting down to a big feast with family and friends or an intimate dinner for two, take a moment to thank and acknowledge the positive things in your life, the special people who have made a difference for you this past year and the possibility that awaits in the year ahead. Perhaps with a little more thanks across the board, the giving will be received more easily.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Warmest wishes,
Lisa Gach�
Beverly Hills Manners
310.276.9078
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| Holiday Manners for Everyone |
 Good manners and proper etiquette are appreciated throughout the year, but even more so during the holiday season when expectations are at an all time high. This is a special time to bond with family, share in special activities, help one another, be charitable, and tolerant. To make the holidays nicer for all, here are 9 quick tips to guarantee a stress free and joyous holiday season!
1. Eat, Sleep & Be Merry. A hungry stomach or a tired body is a recipe for holiday party disaster. Schedules tend to be packed during the holiday season leaving little or no downtime to recharge batteries. Avoid any pitfalls by making sure everyone gets plenty of rest and eats a light snack before attending any holiday celebration.
2. Dress for Party Success. Dress appropriately for the occasion. If your family is attending a party at a ski chalet then a pair of clean jeans, a parka and Uggs will suffice. However, if the holiday gathering is a more formal affair then party attire, in the form of a dress or a nice pant suit, is a wise choice.
3. On the Road. On your way to the party, make sure to review any rules such as the type of holiday party you will be celebrating, who will be attending, what kind of food will be served, and any special activities your family may be asked to participate in.
4. Arrive on Time & Bearing Gifts. Your hosts are looking forward to your arrival so avoid being late and make preparations ahead of time. Select your attire beforehand, make sure all gifts are wrapped and a proper note has been written, map out your route and write down a contact phone number in case of an emergency.
5. Essential Holiday Table Manners. (a) Wait to be seated until everyone has arrived at the table. (b) Follow the lead of your host or hostess for everything. (c) Place your napkin on your lap. (d) Pass all trays of food to the right and all condiments in pairs. (e) Make pleasant table conversation with the person on your right and your left. (f) Chew with your mouth closed. (g) Wipe your mouth before taking a drink. (h) At the end of the meal, place your utensils in the finished position on your plate and your napkin loosely on the left side of your plate. (i) Ask to please be excused.
6. Clean-Up & Be Invited Again. If you are attending a sit down dinner celebration with family or with friends, offer to pitch in. This will guarantee future invitations.
7. Gracious Gift Receiving. Graciously accept all gifts whether they already have them or not. Focus on something positive to say. For example, if you do not like a gift, you do not need to say they do. You can simply say "thank you" or "how nice of you to think of me". Being polite always pays in dividends.
8. Departures. Designate an agreed upon beginning and end time with your family to prevent any misunderstandings when it comes time to leave the house or return from a party.
9. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! A phone call or, better yet, a hand-written note of thanks to your holiday party hosts shows your appreciation for all their hard work. If you've thanked someone in person for a gift, a thank-you note isn't obligatory. But, it is never wrong to write a thank-you note. If you receive gifts from family members that you won't see to thank in person, write them a thank-you note-both to let them know their gift arrived and that you liked it.
The best way to alleviate stress from the holidays is to do something charitable. Look into your local organizations to see how you candonate your time to those in need. Offer to serve a holiday meal, hang decorations, bake cookies, read stories or sing holiday songs. Set a good example for your children while doing something fun and inspiring for the whole family. Take a moment to realize how lucky you are and be thankful for all that you have.
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 "The Art of Civility"
Saturday, January 9, 2010
McCormick & Schmick's - BH 10:00am to 1:00pm
Adult Education
Kindness and respect for one's fellow human being is at the basis of all civilized societies. Treating others with courtesy, thoughtfulness and cooperation not only produces a more civilized society, but also makes our world a better place in which to live. This kindness and care for another comes not just from following certain rules of behavior and etiquette guidelines, but from genuinely caring from within.
"The Art of Civility" program explores these sentiments and applies practical methods for practicing civility at home, in the workplace and in various social environments. Participants will also enjoy a multi-course luncheon providing further exploration into civilities associated with the table and fine dining. Click here to enroll now! | |
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