With so many things on the go during the holidays, it can be easy to stumble into a seasonal snafu.
Which is why we'll be taking your "I wonder if this is hazardous" holiday questions (Tweet us or add a comment below) and posing them to Karen Cleveland of the Finishing School -- a national column devoted to etiquette, manners and civility.
This week, Cleveland tackles buying gifts on a budget, pulling together a party guest list and gifting colleagues.
How do you handle shopping when you have too many people on your list and are on a budget?
"Ideally before taking to the stores, you have a mutual price range in mind for those you have to buy for (fewer things are more awkward than opening up an extravagant gift when you’ve gotten them something modest in return)," Cleveland says.
She advises shoppers to do their due diligence to ensure they don't feel penny-pinched. "Look to gifts that look and feel rich and plentiful, but that you can whip up on a dime. Write out your favourite recipe and pair it with some cool cooking gadgets and fancy non-perishable ingredients required for the dish. Anything that is homemade or offers up a service (movie tickets with an offer to babysit, perhaps?) are super thoughtful and every bit as appreciated as something with a higher price ticket."
How can you keep your holiday party guest list small without making others feel like they've been excluded?
Holiday parties are the best. But, regrettably, even the best intentioned host can’t accommodate endless guests. "If you're having a small-ish get-together, let those that you're inviting know it's just that: a few friends getting together for a holiday drink. Your sensitivity to not make others feel excluded is an admirable one, so stay true to that: don’t walk around the office banging a pot (or proverbially on Facebook or Twitter), talking about how your party is going to be the event of the year."
And what to do if someone begs for an invitation? "If you feel compelled to invite them, then go on and invite them. Buy another bottle of wine and make room for a few more guests -- that's the spirit of the season, isn’t it?"
Should you buy a client/editor/work associate a holiday gift or send them a card?
"There isn't a rule book on who to buy cards and gifts for, though life would be so much easier if one existed, wouldn’t it? The depth of your relationship, your feelings about a particular person and the budget you are working with all contribute to who ends up on your “nice” list. How to wish someone happy holidays is an emotional decision, so go with your gut."