The Holiday Etiquette Handbook

The Holiday Etiquette Handbook – Where do good manners come from? How do they appear in a culture? What is the basis of a culture’s etiquette?

One of the benefits of having a child with autism is that you really, really get to think about specific issues that don’t make any sense to the autistic mind. For my daughter, good manners or proper etiquette is one of those issues. In order to help her see the importance of why we do what we do I had to go back to the Bible the source of all true things.

On another level, all of us need to understand why we behave in certain ways in different situations. We need to understand so that our behavior reflects our heart and not just a legalistic practice. Discovering what the Bible has to say about how we treat other people also frees us to eliminate any cultural etiquette that is not biblical.

Have fun talking to your family about why holiday etiquette is important and where it came from!

SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU (EVEN FOR GIFTS YOU DON’T LIKE)

Colossians 4:5-6

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

HELP WITH CLEAN UP

1 Corinthians 14:40

But all things should be done decently and in order.

DON’T ENGAGE IN POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS DEBATE

Philippians 4:5

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

BE A GOOD LISTENER

Colossians 3:12

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

STAND UP WHEN A PERSON ENTERS THE ROOM AND SAY WELCOME, RESPECT YOUR ELDERS

Leviticus 19:32

You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

BRING A HOSTESS GIFT

Matthew 7:12

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

GIVE THANKS THROUGH PRAYER BEFORE THE MEAL

1 Timothy 2:1

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

DONT GOSSIP

Luke 6:37

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

SPEAK ENCOURAGING WORDS

1 Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

SPEAK RESPECTFULLY AND SERVE YOUR PARENTS

Exodus 20:12

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

DON’T BRAG

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

I understand that the Holidays can be fraught with pain and uncomfortable feelings and relationships. Let’s commit our actions to prayer so that even in difficult situations we may glorify our Father in Heaven!

YOUR TURN…

What’s in your family Holiday Etiquette Handbook?

Blessings,

The Holiday Etiquette Handbook