Holiday Etiquette for Children

Do you want your child to have the best table manners of the season? With the holiday season in full swing, parents are rushing around and getting caught up in the hustle and bustle. In the midst of the holiday season, it’s still important to reinforce your child’s table manners and improve their holiday etiquette.

Table Manners

If you are hosting a dinner party at your house, get your children involved in the process. Ask them to set the table and/or wash dishes after. Setting guests’ places and decorating for the affair are also easy ways to get your kids involved. While dinner is being served, children must be taught to:

• Wash their hands, especially because the winter flu season is upon us!
• Place their napkin on their lap to avoid messes.
• Wait to start eating until everyone has been served.
• Use their utensils properly.
• Say “please” and “thank you.”
• Chew with their mouths closed.
• Offer to help clean the table once dinner is finished.

Engaging in Conversations and Greetings

This may the most difficult part of holiday etiquette for your child. Follow these tips to help your little one interact with family, friends and party guests:

• Do not talk with your mouth full!
• Use your indoor voice.
• Talk to the people you are sitting next to.
• For close relatives, give them a hug or a handshake.
• Say the person’s name clearly, smile and giving them an appropriate greeting.

Gifts

We all know that gift giving and receiving can be stressful when children are involved. Here are some helpful tips to make the holiday season easier on you and your child:

• Explain to your child that they should gift givers in the eye and say “thank you” before opening up their gift. 
• Tell your child to focus on each individual gift before going onto the next.
• Make sure your child knows to be a gracious gift receiver. Even if the gift they are given isn’t their favorite, they should still smile and say “thank you!”
  
• Lastly, make sure your child cleans up after the unwrapping process.

Helpful Holiday Tips for Parents

With so much pressure around the Holidays, it can be easy for parents to lose sight of what’s really important.

• Take the time to explain to your children that opening a gift should be cherished. Every moment can become a memory. When your child is opening a present, try to take a quick photo to make the moment last.
• Keep an extra pair of clothes handy. With holiday parties comes lots of food and lots of spills.
• Purchase Thank You cards. Everyone appreciates a thank you!