• Home
  • Blog
    • Archives
  • Etiquette Services
  • Media
  • About Diane
  • Books
    • Modern Etiquette for a Better Life
    • Pearls of Polish
  • Holiday Guides
    • Holiday Tipping Guide
    • Holiday Table Setting Guide
  • Contact

Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

Leading Etiquette Expert and Modern Manners Authority Diane Gottsman’s official blog, with Business Etiquette, University Etiquette, Social Media Etiquette, Dining Etiquette and more.

What Brings You Comfort and Joy During the Holidays?

16 Dec 2011 By: Diane Gottsman

As I’m going over all of the responses to my Comfort & Joy giveaway, I find myself overwhelmed with my own “Comfort and Joy”! It is so nice to hear what brings warm feelings to others during this busy time of year. I was so moved by your feedback I wanted to share a few of my favorites so far.

What brings you comfort and joy during the holidays? 

“A cup of rich, creamy hot chocolate, cookies and the scent of cinnamon & nutmeg in the air.” – Carrie

“Doing for others who don’t expect it.” – Judee

“Blessed that I am able to see my grandchildren healthy and happy”.  – Christine

“Knowing that my family is happy & healthy!” – Lisa

“The feeling of a warm home family and laughter somehow makes everything else less important.” – Shentel

No surprise, the most common theme has been the cherished time spent with family and friends, sharing a meal together and the gift of good health.  I am thankful that we are all counting our blessings together today! Thank you for allowing me to share a few of my own tips to a Mannerly Holiday Home.

Etiquette Tips for a Mannerly Home this Holiday Season:

  1. The Welcome Begins at the Door.  Greeted with a festive wreath, a walkway of simple flowers and a holiday mat to clean off the snow makes your entry tidy and comfortable. Have a special closet or room for coats and an area designated for wet umbrellas and snow shoes.
  2. Delight Their Senses. Who can resist smiling when they enter a home filled with the scent of cinnamon and vanilla. Have a pie baking in the oven (frozen and store bought are perfectly fine) or make your own potpourri from orange rind, cloves and cinnamon sticks simmering on a pot on the stove.
  3. Offer Ample Seating.  If you are planning a holiday gathering, bring in the folding chairs, borrow from neighbors and take a look around your house for extra stools.  Don’t wait until you find yourself short a few chairs.
  4. Keep Your Menu Simple. Plan foods that are both nourishing and easy to prepare. The focus should be on your guests, not how many wine glasses you need at the table or which fork to use for each course.
  5. Pay Special Attention to Your Powder Room.  Stock up on soft toilet paper, vintage holiday hand towels and decorative soap. A lightly scented candle also adds a nice touch.  All of these can be found very inexpensively and it adds a special touch to a room that is often overlooked.  Remember to make spot checks of the bathroom throughout the day to ensure that the bathroom stays tidy and clean.
  6. Consider a List of Activities. When there is a lull in the conversation, pull out a holiday trivia game or make your own songbooks and encourage an impromptu sing-along. Ask everyone to bring one white elephant gift and have some fun!

Wishing You Comfort and Joy,

 

Signature

Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram

Comments

  1. Jonnie Fox Flanagan says

    December 17, 2011 at 3:50 am

    It’s like you are my twin sister! 🙂

    These are all things I love to do to make our home inviting….and EVERY Christmas party in our home involves the full commercial karaoke setup with all singing into wee hours.

    Have a blessed, warm, and cozy holiday season.

    Your San Diego friend,
    Jonnie

Search

Connect With Me!

Subscribe to Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman's Blog by RSS Follow Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman on Twitter Become a Fan of Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman Follow Diane on Pinterest Follow Diane on Instagram Follow Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman on Linkedin Check out my Etiquette Expert videos on YouTube

Categories

Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman's Tweets
27 Jul 2023

Also, the nice thing about interviewing etiquette experts was they all returned my call. Thanks @Debretts @williamhanson Laura @PolishedManners and @DianeGottsman for bringing some clarity to protocol chaos

5 Jul 2023

Technology and the gig economy are playing a role in #tipping #etiquette. Sharing my thoughts on when to tip, skip, and how much with @cnbcmakeit: . #manners #gigeconomy #technology #modernmanners

19 Jun 2023

Become their favorite houseguest and spread kindness on your summer travels! Tips on the blog. ❤️🧳✈️🚗

https://dianegottsman.com/2023/06/19/houseguest-etiquette-reminders-for-the-summer/

#travel #houseguest #etiquette #manners #kindess #modernmanners #etiquetteexpert

3

Load More

Media




Join My Mailing List

Recently Quoted In

  • Yahoo! News 5/20/25
  • MSN 5/20/25
  • The Independent 5/20/25
  • Better Homes & Gardens 5/3/2025
  • Brides.com 4/21/25
  • New York Post 3/18/25
  • Yahoo News
  • Fox News 4/17/25
  • AOL
  • Southern Living 4/11/25
  • Fox News 4/10/25
  • Huff Post 4/1/25
  • Huff Post 3/28/25
  • Bored Panda 3/25/25
  • Daily Skimm 3/8/25
  • Newsweek 1/29/25
  • Reader’s Digest 1/29/25
  • NY Post 1/26/25
  • Rent.com 1/24/25
  • Wide Open Spaces 1/18/25
  • Men’s Journal 1/11/25
More ...

Copyright © 2025 · | Site by: Simply Amusing Designs



Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert, sought after industry leader, and owner of The Protocol School of Texas,
a company specializing in executive leadership and business etiquette training.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoPrivacy Policy