The Party Goer’s Guide to the Holidays
‘Tis the season! The temperature is dropping and your planner is filling with family gatherings, friendly outings, and end of the year office parties. While this is a great time to unwind and catch up with your favorite people, they can also bring a burden of undue stress.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but before every event, I always find myself stressed out trying to figure out what I’m going to wear!!! I PROMISE YOU.. it never fails.. these questions run through my mind every single time!!!
“What do I wear?”
“Will I be under dressed?”
“…..will I be overdressed?”
“When’s a good time to arrive?”
“What should I bring with me?”
This year. THAT STOPS!!! I’m going to get us through these holiday events with ease, ladies! Just trust me!
What Do I Wear?
A question we answer every day suddenly becomes a major dilemma. When you’re getting ready in the morning, you probably have a subconscious checklist. You think about the weather, where you’re going, and who you will be interacting with, right?
Let’s take that process, and apply it to your holiday parties!
1. Temperature
This one is easy.. take a look at the invitation, if it’s inside. Dress accordingly. If it’s outside… AGAIN.. DRESS ACCORDINGLY. You would think this is common sense, but I can’t tell you how many times I’m at an event and see that girl in a dress that may be cute, but she knows good and well that she is FREEZING her behind off!! I mean WHY??? It’s not worth it. So again, I’ll tell you (as my mom ALWAYS told me) DRESS ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER!!
SIDE NOTE: If you’re still stuck on that cocktail dress, then at least throw on a cute pair of thick tights (you’ll learn about my obsession with tights at a later date :)
3. framily (friends & family)
Consider who you’ll be surrounded by. For the most part you will be attending parties with friends and family, but let’s forget about those office parties!!!
I hate to sound redundant, but this still just means dress accordingly. If you’re attending a party hosted by family and friends, I’d say feel free to be casual and cute! Think warm fuzzy sweaters, leggings, and flats or boots! If you’re going to a work function dress to impress while still being tasteful!
For those wondering, dress to impress mainly just means a fashion forward dress or nice pants (not jeans!)
A simple outfit dressed up with fun accessories will help you show your personality off!
Should I Bring a Gift?
Ok, so now you’re all dressed up in your outfit of choice and really “ feeling yourself”, and you’re almost out the door.. but is that everything?
Typically, yes. But like all rules, there are always a few exceptions.
Fortunately, this is an easier decision to make!
When a gift is Appropriate:
If the holiday party is in a more intimate setting (i.e., someone’s home), bringing a small gift goes a long way. Here are some options:
A tasteful bouquet of flowers for the host
A nice bottle of wine (read: not Franzia)
These tokens of your gratitude will warm the hearts of the host without breaking the bank. Both are wonderful options, especially for events that are solely social.
If there will be home cooked food at the event, bringing a fruit plate or a homemade baked good will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth, and compliment the host’s effort beautifully.
Match these gifts with a warm holiday card and personalized greeting to bring it all together!
The Exception:
For larger events, unless specified otherwise by the event coordinator, the only gift you should bring is yourself! While you’re concerned about personal appearances, a hosts’ biggest concern is attendance and guest satisfaction.
So show up, have fun, and enjoy your holidays!
XOXO, MRS. ALL PINK EVERYTHING