
NoneEtiquette experts reveal the worst mistakes you can make when hosting holiday parties Here's how to avoid any potential holiday party hosting faux pas this season From forcing guests to take off their shoes to questioning their eating habits READ MORE: Etiquette expert details insulting gifts you should NEVER buy men By MARGARET ABRAMS FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:14 GMT, 23 December 2024 | Updated: 22:15 GMT, 23 December 2024 e-mail View comments Entertaining over the holidays can be the perfect time to get friends and family together, but it can also feel like a minefield. The perfect host or hostess doesn't want to accidentally offend their guests, and it's possible to get into arguments or spark grudges while hosting a holiday event. To find out how to avoid any potential holiday party hosting faux pas, FEMAIL reached out to etiquette experts. From forcing guests to take off their shoes to running out of toilet paper, these are the worst mistakes hosts can make this holiday season. Etiquette coach Bethany Skorik told DailyMail.com, 'Hosts are responsible for making their guests feel welcome and comfortable when opening their homes.' 'If you cannot treat others with kindness or decency, you should forego trying to entertain,' Bethany suggested. Bethany, who founded The Charming Diplomat, an agency dedicated to elevating manners, style, and gracious living, told FEMAIL it's best to never assume your guests want to drink alcohol or eat all the food you have prepared. According to Bethany, who's based in Wisconsin , gracious hosts won't ever 'force alcohol on your guests, and always have a non-alcoholic alternative.' To find out how to avoid any potential holiday party hosting faux pas this season, FEMAIL reached out to etiquette experts From forcing guests to take off their shoes to plying them with alcohol, these are the worst mistakes hosts can make It's also never appropriate to publicly embarrass your guests if you notice they're not partaking in the food or drink or make them uncomfortable when it comes to their eating habits. READ MORE EXCLUSIVE Etiquette expert reveals the most offensive gifts you should NEVER buy for a woman 'If you notice your guest isn't eating or drinking what you have displayed, you can privately ask them if they need something,' Bethany said. 'Never draw attention to people's eating or drinking habits in front of others,' Bethany continued. UK certified etiquette coach Jamila Musayeva told FEMAIL that 'neglecting to ask about dietary preferences is another common mistake that can leave guests feeling overlooked or uncomfortable.' 'As a host, it is your duty to ask for dietary restrictions but as a guest, you are also responsible for informing the host, in case he or she has forgotten to clarify,' Jamila explained. It's not just about what you say, hosts must also make sure to be prepared for any scenario. The ultimate host will make sure to keep the bathroom fully stocked, because running out toilet paper would be a worst case scenario. 'Always let your guests know where the bathroom is and ensure it is fully stocked with toilet paper and necessities,' Bethany said, explaining that it's best to keep all bathrooms in the house accessible in case of emergencies. 'Running out of essentials, from food and drinks to toilet paper, is easily avoidable,' Jamila agreed. Etiquette coach Bethany Skorik told DailyMail.com, 'Hosts are responsible for making their guests feel welcome and comfortable when opening their homes' Certified etiquette expert Jamila Musayeva revealed to FEMAIL that 'neglecting to ask about dietary preferences is another common mistake' Jamila suggested overstocking the essentials, since it's 'better to have more of everything and you can always save it for a later day or occasion.' There are also certain topics you should avoid, according to Bethany, like 'past loves or relationships, especially if your guest has a new beau.' 'Parents and family members are often guilty of telling funny stories about past partners, and this is wildly inappropriate,' Bethany advised. Another no no is forcing guests to remove their shoes , because they might have mismatched socks or an old pedicure. If you live in a major urban area, it's best to provide clean socks or slippers as an alternative. 'Some people may have mismatched socks, no socks, or personal reasons for wanting to keep their shoes,' Bethany suggested, adding that it's best to 'have a backup to protect your house and your guest's ego.' The penultimate host will also remain calm throughout the evening, so guests feel equally at home. 'If you're stressed and frantic, guests will pick up on it,' Jamila warned. 'Do not leave anything to the last minute. This will make you feel stressed and you, as host, will not be able to enjoy the party.' Instead, it's best to prepare in advance for a stress-free and festive evening. Wisconsin Share or comment on this article: Etiquette experts reveal the worst mistakes you can make when hosting holiday parties e-mail Add comment
Condolences poured in from around the globe Sunday as word spread of the death of former President Jimmy Carter in his hometown in Georgia at the age of 100 — with all the remaining living US presidents offering personal tributes. “Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement . “He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. “In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, ‘God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace,'” Obama said. “He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.” But the messages came from across the political spectrum. “I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter,” President-elect Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday . “Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” Trump wrote. “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” President Joe Biden also reacted to Carter’s death, calling him “an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” in a statement released by the White House . “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe. “He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism,” he said. “We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.” Follow the latest on President Jimmy Carter’s death Among the scores of others offering condolences was former President George W. Bush, who issued a statement on X through the Bush presidential center . “James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions,” the statement said. “He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with the presidency. “His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations,” Bush wrote. “We join our fellow citizens in giving thanks for Jimmy Carter and in prayer for his family.” Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton also honored Carter for being “guided by his faith.” “From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia, to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama,” Clinton said in the statement , “he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world.” Also commenting was New York’s senior senator. “Today we mourn the loss of one of our most humble and devoted public servants,” US Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote on X . “President Carter personified the true meaning of leadership through service, through compassion and through integrity. “He taught us that the strength of a leader lies not in rhetoric but in action, not in personal gain but in service to others,” Schumer wrote. Carter, 100, was the longest-living former president in US history . He died in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, after spending nearly two years in hospice care — and more than a year after former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died at the age of 77. The former president’s death was announced by the Carter Center. The 39th president, a former peanut farmer, remained active in civic duties until he was sidelined by ill health in recent years, including his work for Habitat for Humanity. He was also a former recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, earning the award in 2002 for his ongoing work as a global humanitarian. In a post on X Sunday House Speaker Mike Johnson also paid his respects. “President Carter’s story was one of humble beginnings, and his life is a testament to the boundless opportunities available in this great nation,” Johnson wrote. “Because of his work in brokering the Camp David Accords and his advocacy with Habitat for Humanity, the world is a more peaceful place, and more Americans have a place to call home. “No one can deny that President Carter led an extraordinary life of service to his country,” he said. Former Vice President Al Gore said Sunday that Carter’s legacy is marked not just by his elected service but also “his leadership over the 42 years after he left office. “It is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world,” Gore said. With P ost wiresPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, had his first media chat with some select journalists, addressing critical national issues ranging from security, governance, and economic reforms to social welfare. Tribune Online takes a look at some major highlights. Here are five takeaways from the media chat: ALSO READ: Bauchi: UNFPA upgrades two PHCs to improve family health President Tinubu expressed condolences to families affected by recent stampede incidents linked to charity, he emphasized the importance of responsible giving. “Condolences to those who lost a family member, but it is good to give,” he said. “I have been giving out foodstuff and commodities in Bourdillon. If you know you don’t have enough to give, don’t attempt or publicize it.” Addressing the nation’s security challenges, Tinubu expressed optimism in the current security architecture, citing notable improvements in previously volatile regions. “Today, I have confidence in my security architecture,” he said. “It is very, very unfortunate that, for two decades, we witnessed wanton killings. I remember when I had to pause my campaign to pay condolence visits to Maiduguri, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kogi. Today, you can travel these roads, which were once impossible. It took one incident to disrupt an organized environment.” Tinubu defended his administration’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy and harmonize foreign exchange rates, describing them as necessary steps for Nigeria’s economic recovery. “We were spending our future. We were spending our generation’s fortune. We were not investing; we were just deceiving ourselves,” he said. These measures, according to Tinubu, are essential to redirect the country toward sustainable development despite the initial economic shocks. The President reaffirmed his commitment to implementing comprehensive tax reforms aimed at aligning Nigeria’s economy with global standards. “Tax reform is here to stay,” he declared. “We cannot continue to do what we were doing yesterday in today’s economy. Tinubu emphasized the importance of creating an efficient tax system that fosters economic growth while reducing dependency on oil revenues. Acknowledging the temporary hardships caused by his administration’s policies, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain patient and hopeful. “The reforms come with temporary hardships, but conviction about their long-term positive impacts is key in this journey,” he stated. “It is not going to be Eldorado for everybody. But the new dawn is here. “I am convinced, and you should be convinced, and you should help propagate that conviction.”
From the moment Manhattan High football fielded its first practice under the blazing summer sun, it expected to be competing for a state championship. Four months later, the Indians are giving it their all as the sun sets on frigid fall nights — a price they’re willing to pay to be competing during the final week of high school football.Zain Esports racks up another year of success, impressive growth
MUNICH (AP) — Manuel Neuer was sent off for the first time and Bayern Munich crashed out of the German Cup in the third round with a 1-0 loss at home to defending champion Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Neuer was never before sent off over a long career including 124 games for Germany, but the Bayern captain was shown a straight red card in the 17th minute for taking out Jeremie Frimpong with a body check when the Dutch winger was almost through on goal after a long pass from Johnathan Tah. Bayern’s players protested but there had been no attempt from Neuer to play the ball. Leverkusen needed patience to take advantage against a riled-up Bayern team that created better chances in the first half. The home team was without Harry Kane, injured over the weekend against Borussia Dortmund. Bayern confirmed a right hamstring injury and said the England captain will be out “for the time being.” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso sent on Patrik Schick for the second half, but the in-form Czech forward limped off with what looked like a left calf injury after less than 15 minutes. Nathan Tella replaced Schick in the 61st, then scored eight minutes later with a header to Álex Grimaldo’s perfectly positioned cross. “The first title of the season is gone, and that hurts,” Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. Alonso, a former Bayern midfielder, has never lost in five games against his former club while Leverkusen coach. Bayern was knocked out in the second round last season. Also, Werder Bremen defeated second-division side Darmstadt 1-0. Earlier, 2022 finalist Freiburg was knocked out in a 3-1 loss at third-division team Arminia Bielefeld, and Stuttgart won 3-0 at Jahn Regensburg. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
LONDON (AP) — An artist whose work exploring her Scottish Sikh identity includes a vintage Ford car draped in a crocheted doily won the U.K.’s prestigious Turner Prize on Tuesday, during a ceremony picketed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Jasleen Kaur was awarded the 25,000-pound ($32,000) prize by actor James Norton at the Tate Britain gallery in London. Kaur used her acceptance speech to express support for scores of demonstrators outside. She is among signatories to a letter demanding Tate, which runs several major British art museums, cut ties with donors who are linked to Israel over its war in Gaza. “This is not a radical demand,” Kaur said. “This should not risk an artist’s career or safety. “We need a proper ceasefire now,” she said. The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas health officials in Gaza. Israel launched the war in response to the militant group's Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack that killed some 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostage. A jury led by Tate Britain director Alex Farquhar praised the way 38-year-old Kaur “weaves together the personal, political and spiritual” through “unexpected and playful combinations of material.” Her winning exhibition mixes sculpture, print, everyday items — including family photos, a Ford Escort car and the popular Scottish soda Irn Bru — and immersive music to reflect on her upbringing in Glasgow’s Sikh community. Three other finalists – Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson and Delaine Le Bas – received 10,000 pounds ($12,670) each. Named for 19th-century landscape painter J.M.W. Turner and founded in 1984 to reward young artists, the prize helped make stars of shark-pickling artist Damien Hirst, potter Grayson Perry, sculptor Anish Kapoor and filmmaker Steve McQueen . But it has also been criticized for rewarding impenetrable conceptual work and often sparks debate about the value of modern art, with winners such as Hirst’s "Mother and Child Divided,” which consists of two cows, bisected and preserved in formaldehyde, and Martin Creed’s “Lights On and Off” -- a room with a light blinking on and off – drawing scorn from sections of the media. In 2019, all four finalists were declared winners after they refused to compete against one another, “to make a collective statement in the name of commonality, multiplicity and solidarity.” In 2021, all five finalists were collectives rather than individual artists. The award was initially open to artists under 50 but now has no upper age limit. Works by the four finalists are on display until Feb. 16.Bo Richter ‘continues to excel’ as Vikings special teams come off roller-coaster performance against BearsStocks hit record high on Israel cease-fire deal: Markets wrap
Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100New November ‘bad driving’ law quietly came into effect with points system change – you’ll have to pay more when finedMotorsport fans were given quite a scare when Shane Van Gisbergen was involved in a dramatic sprint car crash. This incident happened shortly before his anticipated full-time entrance into the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. The crash shook the spectators at Baypark Speedway in Tauranga, New Zealand, during the second heat race on December 28. Van Gisbergen's car flipped after a collision with another vehicle, the first time he had ever experienced such a crash in his impressive racing career. The crash unfolded as Van Gisbergen, piloting the #97A United Truck Parts Sprintcar, collided with Ayrton Hodgson in the #28M car. It all happened quickly in Turn 1 when Van Gisbergen's car climbed over Hodgson's rear wheel, causing the car to take flight followed by several rolls. Remarkably, Van Gisbergen was unharmed, but the damage to the vehicle was severe enough to prevent him from rejoining the later 20-lap feature race, which proceeded without him and was ultimately won by another racer, James Dahm. Reflecting on the shocking moment, Van Gisbergen shared his thoughts on social media: "Well, that was my first flip ever. Unfortunately got collected by someone and took a bit of a ride. Thanks to the safety crew for doing an amazing job. "The United Truck Parts team are having at rebuilding the car and we should be racing tonight at Baypark again." Despite the crash, Van Gisbergen showed immense positivity, staying on at the speedway to meet with fans, sign autographs, and be present in a sport he so clearly loves. His team worked tirelessly to repair the car, although the extent of the damage meant a return to the track that night was unlikely. Shane Van Gisbergen is far more than just a local favorite from Auckland, New Zealand. With three Supercars titles under his belt and strong victories in the Bathurst 1000, he is a towering presence in the sport. His recent foray into the NASCAR scene made headlines when he clinched the win at the 2023 Grant Park 220 in Chicago, mirroring the achievements of NASCAR legend Johnny Rutherford from 1963. His career in NASCAR is expected to grow as he gears up to drive full-time for Trackhouse Racing in their No. 88 Chevrolet ZL1. The crash also highlights Van Gisbergen's dedication to a diverse range of motorsports, maintaining an active part in local dirt racing events when not competing internationally. The Australian racing community is eager to see how his experience on local tracks translates to a full-scale NASCAR career.