Feel the Thanks

‎"Living gratefully is probably the most selfish thing you can do. In the moments when I am bathed in gratitude, for a caring gesture or a spectacular autumn morning, I feel phenomenal." ~Howie Jacobsen

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." ~W.J. Cameron

"The Pilgrims made 7x more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished, and yet they set aside a day of thanksgiving."

Professional Manners from a Professional

Holiday manners aren't just for kids. Some helpful insights on holiday gifting and good behavior straight from the Emily Post family. They're written with the office in mind, but hold true for many holiday situations.

Cheers!

Don't Be a Turkey: Mind Your Thanksgiving Manners

Big dinners don't come often for me (we're not a fancy family as a whole). So a brush-up on basic etiquette for gatherings like Thanksgiving is nice every once in a while. Here are a few tips I learned—or was glad to be reminded:

• Dress considerately: Show you appreciate your hosts' efforts by showing up in something better than sweats (surely there are elastic waistbands in other styles?)
• Simple hostess gifts are a great idea
• Greet people warmly and by name
• Arrive and leave on time
• Pass serving dishes to the right; pass salt and pepper shakers together
• Don't begin eating until all have been served
• The host officially ends a meal by placing his/her napkin to the left of place setting and rising
• You're done when the host is done
• Help with clean-up: Just jump in and do a bit. Many hands make light work and your host deserves the help!
• Say thank you (whether you're the guest or the host)

With thanks to these great articles:

http://bit.ly/tC29D1

http://bit.ly/rX7vx2

Any manners you appreciate most?