Teaching Holiday Manners: Practice and Preparation

Kids can have trouble remembering to use their manners on a normal day. But, during the holidays when children are consumed in the excitement, it is extremely challenging for them to remember to use their manners. It’s best to start early because as you know good manners are skills learned through repetition and practice. Bonus, teaching children the invaluable tools of social graces will serve them well long after the holidays.

Writing Thank You Notes

Remind them how important it is to be gracious. Talk to them about how special it is that someone took the time to think of them and buy them a gift.

Teach children to write thank you cards and make it fun. You don’t have to use traditional store-bought cards, you can make homemade cards. Use colorful paper, stickers, and colored pens. This shouldn’t feel like a chore. Grown ups will be impressed when they receive a thank you card. In addition to that, it will become something the children will continue to do into adulthood. That’s the whole idea.

Opening Gifts

Teach children when they open a gift to look the person in the eyes and say thank you. They should also say something nice about it as well. Practice, practice, practice before any gift exchange. There’s always a chance the child won’t like the gift. Teach them to graciously accept a gift and prevent embarrassing moments.

Polite Greeting and Introductions

Another impressive social skill is introductions. They likely will be greeted by either an aunt they see only once a year or a grown up they have never met. Greeting new people can be nerve-wracking for children, but if they make an attempt it makes a big difference. Being prepared and knowing what to do will help them feel more comfortable meeting new people. This may be difficult for a shy child, however, you can help them along by practicing on toys until they get comfortable. Instruct the child to smile, make eye contact, say their name and “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” A proper good-bye is just as important, have your children walk visitors to the door to say goodbye.

Table Manners

Holiday meals are part of celebrating. Start now! You still have time to prevent embarrassing table antics.  Remind them to sit still at the table during the meal. Help them practice using their napkin not their sleeve. Remind them to chew with their mouth closed and not to burp.  Practice sitting up straight, feet on the floor. Use role-play to practice the polite way to say “No thank you.”

When we teach children that holidays are about spending time with others and not just about the presents, we are helping them become gracious adults.

It’s in the little things that we are remembered fondly.