I’m an etiquette expert – why you should NEVER announce your pregnancy or engagement on Christmas Day
WHILE Christmas may seem like the perfect time to announce you are engaged or pregnant, an etiquette expert has claimed you should steer clear as it is “disrespectful.”
Liz Wyse insisted that there are a number of reasons why it “upstages” the festive period.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Liz advised that is is “essentially elbowing people to the side.”
She said: “It is disrespectful and very inconsiderate to shine the floodlight on yourself and to interrupt everyone’s enjoyment of the day.
“Some might think announcing big news is the cherry on the Christmas cake, but it’s really piling too much on to the Christmas bonanza.”
She said that the move screams “forget about your big day, it’s all about me!”
Liz, who is part of etiquette coaching company Debrett’s, said that you should focus the day on family.
It’s not the only etiquette advice that has been shared about the festive period.
Etiquette guru William Hanson told Fabulous that you shouldn’t consider putting up your decorations before December 20.
He explained: “The acid test is still very much the later you put your decorations up the more upmarket you and your Christmas décor will be.
“For 2021, putting everything up and out the weekend of December 20 or 21 will be the most appropriate – but feel free to leave it until a bit later if you want.
“Generally one finds that those who put their festive adornments up earlier are the fake tree and tinsel brigade.”
William also revealed what decorations you should avoid at all costs, and it is bad news if your tree is fake.
He said: “Anything fake is always a social no-no.
“The real deal is much smarter and now sustainable, which makes it even better.
“Accordingly, wreaths, garlands and trees should all be real.
“‘Santa Stop Here’ signs are also tragic.
“They are the yuletide equivalent of ‘baby on board’ car signs.
“And remember, in this country we should call him Father Christmas as we’re not American.”
And you should also be careful what fairy lights you buy too.
William explained: “Fairy lights always look better as white or off-white, although regardless of colour ones that violently flash are totally de trop.”
He also said the UK’s relatively new love of Christmas gonks is “worrying”.
In order to have a classy Christmas, you should aim to not go overboard as “less is definitely more”, said William.
He added: “A few, tastefully placed pieces of good quality is always better than a deluge of cheap tat.
“Don’t worry that every room has to have something. There is no need to spruce up lavatories and bathroom.
“A fig-scented candle or spiced reed diffuser is the most you can get away with in there.
“Outside your house, resist any downmarket urges to drown the house in lights and inflatable reindeer and snowmen.
“Illuminating one (existing) tree in lights is a much smarter way to go.”
And as for when you should take decorations down, William said: “Twelfth night, which for 2022 is January 5.”
We shared how you are ‘common’ if you have matching Christmas PJs & a faux wreath, etiquette expert claims – how to get it ‘right’.
William also revealed that you’re ‘common’ if you have a fake Xmas tree & tinsel – here’s how to get the festive decor ‘right’.