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?