Military Holiday Party Dos and Don’ts

With the holidays fast approaching, parties will be popping up and keeping everyone busy. Whether you are the host or a guest, how you show up makes a difference. If you like attending holiday parties or do it because you feel obligated, what you say and do matters. Remember, even if holiday parties are “after hours,” in the military, you still have to be mindful of your actions.

Holiday party hosting dos

When hosting a holiday party, there is a ton of things you need to remember. So much goes into planning. Before you get wrapped up in all the details, make sure you get the right information out to your guests. 

• DO send invitations out early. 
• DO inform them who should attend – adults only or children are welcome.
• DO let them know how formal the event is – ugly Christmas sweater, evening wear, or somewhere in between?

Hosting don’ts

Don’t forget the hustle and bustle that comes with this time of year. You won’t be the only one hosting a party. 

• DON’T forget to mingle.
• DON’T limit your party to Christmas – Remember all of the holidays that fall at this time of year. Be inclusive.
• DON’T forget to tell your guests what type of foods you’ll be serving – snacks and cocktails, a dinner, etc. People should know if they want to eat beforehand.
• DON’T forget to enjoy yourself.

Guest dos and don’ts

If you aren’t hosting the party, you don’t have to deal with all of the added stress. But be a gracious guest. Here are some dos and don’t to help you:

Do:

• Show up on time.
• Read the invitation to be sure you can take a guest, do you need to RSVP, bring a dish or gift, or anything else?
• Mingle with other guests.
• Thank your host.

Don’t:

• Go overboard on the alcohol.
• Put too much on social media.
• Drive if you’ve had too much to drink. 
• Dress inappropriately. 

Enjoy the party!

Have a good time at the holiday party. This is an opportunity to mix and mingle with other people from your unit outside of the “office.” If you don’t go overboard, you can enjoy yourself and not have anything to worry about the next day. 

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Brandy Hall, Nurse Writer, turned a passion for patient teaching into content writing. She teams up with podcasters and healthcare providers to improve health understanding. Now she explores the world through creativity and adventure as a mom and military spouse.