Etiquette for Personal and Corporate Entertaining

Topics for conversation that will help your guests to begin chatting at your next party.

Best conversation topics for parties, as shared by readers.

Host a great potluck party when everyone observes these rules.

How to keep your inner dinosaur under control at the next party you attend.

Read about traditions for funerals and mourning periods that have been shared by readers.

RSVP - What Does RSVP Mean and How Can a Host Get RSVP Responses from Guests

When we plan our parties, we spend time thinking about the menu, the music, the table settings, centerpieces and all the other little details that go into making a wonderful event. But the first thing we should really focus on is our guests. After all, that's the real reason for all the rest. Therefore, this collection of tips will help you...

A reader tip for ensuring an accurate head count for a party.

A reader submitted tip for getting RSVP responses from invited guests.

A reader suggestion for how to reply to an invitation.

Your Biggest Challenge When Entertaining

A method for teaching children how to write thank you notes.

Do guests still pay attention to requests for RSVPs or is it an out-of-date concept?

An interview with a gift giving expert on how to choose the right gifts.

Can a host or hostess mention gift preferences on an invitation?

Reader feedback on the topic of whether RSVP means you must respond to an invitation.

Answer to an etiquette question about picking up a fallen fork.

What's the proper timing for sending out thank you notes?

Answer to the question of whether it's rude to bring an uninvited guest to a party.

What's the proper etiquette for sending a thank you note? Shouldn't they be sent in the mail?

What does an R.S.V.P. mean and how to get people to respond properly.

Etiquette for saying good-bye to guests.

Answer to the frequently asked question about whether it's okay to ask guests to pay their own way at a party you're hosting.

A traditional Catholic Church prayer before meals.

How to make a toast for any special occasion.

Here is a traditional Christian mealtime prayer that is perfect to teach children.

Reader tip for joining in grace at your hostess' table.

Reader etiquette question about how to deal with rude, careless houseguests.

A reader submitted tip about how she makes sure her guests will RSVP.

Discussion of whether it is polite to ask guests not to smoke?

Being a good guest is just as important as being a good host or hostess. Here are ways to make sure you get a return invitation.

Etiquete Q and A regarding thank you notes for bridal showers.

Let's clear up the confusion - here's the definitive explanation of the term RSVP.

Online services for invitations and tracking RSVP responses.

How to create a memorable guest book for a party.

An easy technique for teaching your children the importance of thank you notes.

For such a simple concept, writing thank you notes can cause some people an awful lot of stress. Here are the basic things you need to know about expressing your appreciation in writing, along with a few samples to get you started.

Many households observe the tradition of pausing before a meal to give thanks for the food and other good things in their lives and on their tables. This article shares some of the favorite table blessings from a variety of traditions.

Don't wait until the next funeral to brush up on the etiquette you need to know to comfort the mourning in various religions. It may mean the difference between offering comfort or insult.

Think you know everything there is about proper entertaining? Take this quiz and challenge your knowledge to see if you're ready for your next big party.

A reader's suggestion for getting a better R.S.V.P. response from invitees.

Tip for how to increase your RSVP responses.

Review of a book written by the Etiquette Grrls that helps to redefine the rules of etiquette for the younger, hipper generation.

Review of a book written by Charlotte Ford on the etiquette rules for contemporary social dilemmas.

Can you tell a fish fork from a cocktail fork? If not, this guide from Better Homes and Gardens can help with a comprehensive review of flatware.

Perhaps you can recognize a martini glass, but how about a double old-fashioned glass? If not, this guide from Better Homes and Gardens can help with a comprehensive review of glassware.

The original 1922 edition of the book in its complete form. Some of the ideas may seem old-fashioned at first glance, but then look again and the values still hold today.

Prayers of thanks and blessings that are unique.

Do you have to entertain if your house is too small or messy?

A reader tip for improving response rates.

A trick to make guests RSVP to your invitations.

Do you have a better phrase for asking for an RSVP to your invitations?

What to do at a dinner party if a guest is late.