YES, it is 18 days until Christmas! It sounds so crazy but the parties have begun! Our Ateneo batch is having our Christmas and reunion party on December 15, and I know parties have started as early as last weekend. It will be a triple celebration as Ateneo also beat the UP Maroons for the UAAP Championship.
So to fully enjoy this year's festivities and to make sure you get invited again to celebrations next year, here are some tips on how to be simply an absolutely fabulous guest people would want to invite in their socials.
1) Don’t RSVP last minute -- This French phrase Répondez s'il vous plaît which means please respond is always written on emails, holiday invitations and wedding invitations but surprisingly, a lot of people still do not practice the courtesy of responding whether in the negative or positive if one is going to the party. This leaves the host with an inaccurate count of food and drinks ordered and other holiday essentials. Or others RSVP on the day itself that they cannot make it after either being silent since the invitations were given out or after having confirmed earlier that you can make it.
2) Don’t bring extras without telling the hosts -- Again, this is such a cultural faux pas we are so guilty of. We bring yaya’s to weddings, extra cousins who are visiting town to other people's shindig. The rule of thumb is, if you are bringing a plus one, always ask the host kindly if there is a space for your plus one and even offer if you can bring an added thing or food that they would need for the party.
3) Do remember the party is real, and not happening on your phone -- There are people who get invited to parties but end up using their snapchat, posting on Instagram stories and giving a blow by blow account of what is happening in the party instead of being "present" in the party. There are real people in the party so engage with them, meet new friends, have conversations even if they are just small talk.
4) Do ask the host if you need to bring anything -- Most gracious hosts would say your presence is your gift but you are not to go empty handed still. Bring a thoughtful gift for the host who is hosting or bring alcohol, salad or dessert. An exception is if it has been agreed that it is a potluck event and everyone contributes to the festivities and the host's contributions are her space and the massive duty of the after party clean up that follows.
5) Do join the program the host has prepared for -- Filipinos love karaoke and even if you cannot belt out a tune but are cajoled to sing, go up there and sing your best rendition of Christmas in our Hearts or YMCA. If the host asks for you to bring an exchange gift or has arranged for Secret Santa, do not say that you do not feel like joining or that you forgot what you had to bring. If you decide to attend the party, you are to partake in all the entirety of the party and not just on what is on the buffet.
There you have it my 5 easy tips on how to be that person who ALWAYS gets invited.
Enjoy the Holidays!
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