12 ways to add graciousness to your holiday gatherings

My daughter’s wedding is just days away. Soon, dozens of guests will be arriving from out of town, and I want to make sure they’re well taken care of, fed, entertained and ultimately glad they came.

Why? Because, as poet Maya Angelou once said, how you make others feel is what they will remember.

Graciousness is the ability to make others feel welcome and comfortable, to anticipate their needs before they know they have them and do so in a way that appears natural and effortless.

That last part is the hitch. As much as I would like every guest to believe this whole affair just magically happened — because part of being gracious is to exude graciousness as easily as a bird takes flight, that simply and hilariously isn’t the case.

My brain is a fret storm, a whirlwind of worries: Do we have enough boutonnières, champagne, gluten-free options? Who do I need to tip and how much? What if guests start talking about politics? Can you see my Spanx line through my dress?

As a sign of my mental overload, domestic details are sliding. I forgot the dog at the groomers. I left clothes in the washer for two days. I put my car keys in the vegetable bin. My husband warily asks, “Are you okay?”

“Yes. No,” I tell him.

As I ponder what it means to be a gracious host, whether the occasion is an intimate dinner party or a large wedding, I thought this would be a good time for a graciousness refresher. Not only is this top of mind for me, but given that we have a contentious election coming up and soon after that the holidays, and because I’m betting graciousness will be in high demand and short supply, we all might benefit. So, I surveyed a few etiquette experts and polled some of my more sophisticated friends and gathered these graciousness guidelines for hosts and guests alike.

To be a gracious host …

1. Provide details. Anticipate your guests’ needs and address them before they ask. In addition to the time, date and place of an event, guests appreciate knowing the dress code, where to park, menu options and where to stay.

2. Focus on comfort. If the party is outside, have baskets of blankets at the ready. Make sure you have enough seating, food and drink.

3. Make guests feel personally acknowledged. I just went to a bridal shower where the hostess had wine charms with each guest’s name on the stemware. That small but personal touch made me feel so welcome. “Oh, they’re expecting me!” With large groups, try to remember names, ask guests about themselves. And remember: The person who talks the most typically has the best time.

4. Skirt controversy. Nothing spoils a party faster than an argument. Hosts may need to interject to keep conversations agreeable. With a heated presidential election coming up, just remember, whatever one person thinks, roughly half the nation thinks otherwise. The goal of the party is not to change minds, but to have a delightful time.

5. Make it all look effortless.

To be a gracious guest …

6. RSVP promptly. If you receive an invitation, tell the host as soon as possible whether you will attend or not. Don’t leave them hanging or make them chase you down.

7. Don’t come empty handed. If you’re a party or dinner guest, a small hostess gift, such as a bottle of wine, a box of confections, some homemade pumpkin bread, flowers from your yard or a scented candle are nice gestures.

8. Don’t bring uninvited others. Unless specifically stated, don’t assume your plus one or kids are invited.