Fall is here, which means prime party-going season is right around the corner. Even if you already have basic guest etiquette down pat, there’s always room to take a design-forward approach to impress the host who so graciously invited you.
That’s why we’ve tapped several pros to share three chic ways to become a better party guest, whether you’re close to the host or not. Follow these tips to ensure a spot on the best invite lists year after year!
1. Elevate Standard Hostess Gifts
A hostess gift is essential, but many avid party-goers encourage upping the ante when it comes to presentation. For example, consider placing a bottle of olive oil in a festive wine bag, offers Elyce Arons, the co-founder and CEO of Frances Valentine. This way, she says, “an everyday item becomes something beautiful and thoughtful.” Another simple yet chic option is to wrap a bottle of wine inside of a festive tea or dish towel, offers etiquette expert Mariah Humbert.
Wish to gift something homemade? Don’t be so quick to toss these goodies in basic plastic food storage containers. Instead, “consider bringing them on a special serving tray or plate that you specifically purchased for your host,” Humbert suggests.
Lastly, don’t forget to add a gift tag to your wrapped item in case it ends up on a table and not directly in your hostess’s hands when you arrive. Megan Sommers, the founder of Trudie, keeps her home stocked with aesthetically pleasing gift tags to tie onto wine bags and the like. “It’s the kind of small detail that makes a host feel like she got something chosen for her, not just picked up on the way,” Sommers says.
2. Arrive With a Little Home Decor
If your host enjoys feathering their nest on a regular basis, as many people do, it’s thoughtful to present them with an home-related gift to make your token of appreciation feel even more personalized to their interests. Items such as coffee table books, pretty matchbooks, nice hand soaps and lotions, and scented candles are all crowd-pleasers, according to Alison Cheperdak, the founder of Elevate Etiquette.
3. Mail Your Host a Stylish Thank-You Note
Following more formal occasions such as dinner parties, I’m personally a proponent of sending a handwritten thank-you note to my host to express my gratitude for the time and effort they put into their event. Plus, everyone enjoys receiving snail mail! Skip the scrap paper and write your message of thanks on a pretty notecard that will brighten your host’s day—right now, I’m gravitating toward this sweet set of cards from the Lee Jofa x Cheree Berry Paper collection. I love that the envelopes are lined with Lee Jofa’s gorgeous blue and green Ellis pattern, which reflects my personal aesthetic and love of interior design.
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Country Living. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.
