Tips for Going to a Boyfriend or Girlfriend's Parents' House for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time full of family and love. If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, you probably want to spend time with them on Thanksgiving as well as time with your family and their family. Being invited to a boyfriend/girlfriend's parents' house for Thanksgiving can be stressful. It brings up so many questions. What should you wear? Should you bring anything? Is it even appropriate to go? I have plenty of experience going to a boyfriend's parents' house for Thanksgiving and having a boyfriend over to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, so don't worry I'll help answer your questions.

One of the most important questions you will ask yourself when you're invited to a boyfriend/girlfriend's parents' house is what you should wear. The answer to this will vary depending on the family, but a safe bet is something business casual. You don't want to wear something too formal unless you know that's what everyone else is wearing. On the other hand, you definitely don't want to show up in jeans and a t-shirt. I would say it's better to over dress than under dress. Business casual should be a safe choice for most settings, but just ask your boyfriend/girlfriend what you should wear. For a girl, business casual would be dress pants or a skirt and a nice top with heels. Think of something you would wear to church. You will also want to wear cute accessories to complete your outfit, but don't overdo it or it will be distracting. For a boy, slacks or khakis with a dress shirt or a polo shirt and nice shoes is appropriate. Boys, you should be clean-shaven or if you have facial hair it should be tidy. Both boys and girls should make sure their clothes don't have any stains or wrinkles. I think that takes care of the clothing aspect.

Another concern is whether or not you should bring any food or drinks to your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents' house. A good rule of thumb is to ask his parents if they want you to bring anything or if it would be okay for you to bring a dessert or a bottle of wine if you're of age. Desserts are really easy to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. You can make the dessert or buy it at the store, but I suggest making something. Pecan pie is a traditional dessert for Thanksgiving, but you could do another type of pie or cake too. You should probably make something you've made before so you aren't experimenting with something your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents will be eating. If you buy a dessert, make sure you take it out of the packaging and put it on your own plate. Basically, make it look like you made it. If you aren't good at baking, you could always ask a friend for family member to help you make something. If you bring wine, ask your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents what type of wine they would like you to bring. You could also bring champagne or sparkling cider. They will appreciate the fact that you thought it was important to bring something, so don't stress too much about what you bring.

You may also question whether or not it is even appropriate to go to your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents' house for Thanksgiving. This question has a simple answer; if you were invited, they want you to be there. Just be yourself and be polite and everything will be fine. One more thing I want to mention is that you should hold back on PDA. Holding hands and a little hello peck on the cheek are fine, but don't make out or be too touchy feely in front of your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents. Respect your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents, and they will most likely respect you. Good luck and happy Thanksgiving!

(Thanksgiving trivia fact from http://www.thanksgivingnovember.com/thanksgiving-facts.html)