How to be posh on Christmas day, according to Tatler
Don’t open presents before breakfast
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Your support makes all the difference.Every family does Christmas day differently, but according to Tatler, it's the posh way or the highway.
The society bible has put together a list of etiquette rules that one should stick to in order to meet their standards of fancy-pants festivity.
From when to open your presents to how to feign gratitude for them, Tatler has all bases of merriment covered.
Crucially, one must not open presents before breakfast.
Such an act of abhorrence would be “considered a bit vulgar and unbridled,” writes Sophia Money-Coutts.
You may, however, fawn over the contents of your stocking whenever you please.
But for those seductive gift-wrapped presents, you’ll need to wait until just before lunch, Money-Coutts writes.
The optimum time is during “that lull between the morning church service and lunch,” she explains.
Although, for those seeking out that extra level of first class festiveness, you could actually wait until after you’ve eaten lunch and gone on a post-turkey walk.
However, if you’re not spending Christmas with your own family, an entirely different set of rules may apply, particularly if you're with your new in-laws.
Rather than belligerently stamping your feet when someone suggests opening presents before you’ve even had a freshly-poured glass of prosecco, you must oblige by their rules.
Not doing so would be impossibly rude and would give the wrong impression.
As for what to say when you’re presented with a less than inspiring present (think novelty umbrella or a “Make America Great Again T-shirt”), there are nine Tatler-approved responses.
If you find yourself at a loss for words, go for a neutral “How fun!” or a jubilant “Useful presents are the best," the magazine suggests.
Have yourself a chi-chi little Christmas.
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