From the time I first entered my adult life until now, I have watched the traditional consistencies of my Christmases past fade away – as every holiday I have witnessed henceforth has been celebrated in a delightfully strange new way. From family members leaving us and joining us to graduating from the kids table to embracing a new family of in-laws, the way the holidays are celebrated by the modern twenty-something is ever-changing, spawning new and unique experiences and soon-to-be traditions every year. What if this is the year you find out you have gotten that big promotion to table setter as your grandmother hands you a weird briefcase full of her finest silverware, or it’s your first time dining with a boyfriend’s family and they have their own customs, different from that of your family, or, scariest of all, it’s your first time hosting? Luckily, we have cultural standards to rely on and save us from the embarrassment that comes from our inexperience. Continue reading
Etiquette
The Timeless Tradition of Bridesmaids
Today, bridesmaids are no longer actual servants or ladies-in-waiting to the bride, yet many of the traditions we observe today are holdovers from these bygone days. These customs have become less strict with every passing generation, now they function best as a guide for choosing your bridesmaids which you can opt in and out of at any level of formality. Continue reading
The Lost Art of Letter Writing
Before e-mail, there was regular mail, in those days we just called it mail. As children, in a time before political correctness, we would eagerly await the daily visit of our mailman, who knew our dog’s name and handed us our mail with plenty of friendly eye-contact. Among the bills and flyers, were the exciting and frequent letters and postcards from friends and family near and far. Continue reading
A Young Woman’s Survival Checklist
Your Look
- The classic little black dress. Knee length, with straps or sleeves will ensure appropriateness in most situations. Continue reading