Dear Name Goes Here,
First, may you and all your loved ones enjoy the very best that this wonderful holiday season brings and please accept a sincere wish of peace and warm greetings from everyone here at Image International.

The fact remains that the holidays are anything but peaceful, with gift-purchasing, social events large and small and, of course, extraordinary entertaining occasions coming at us from all directions. It's crucial, therefore, that you remain equipped to deal with every sort of circumstance so the events of the season will be as memorable and flawless as they are meant to be. That's why we're dedicating so much of this issue of the newsletter to seasonal entertaining, both at work and on the domestic scene.

What's more, Image International and Diane Craig have been in the spotlight more than ever over the past few months; and our team has a full line-up of exciting new programs, products and tips for you, our cherished clients. We're thrilled to be able to tell you about them now, before other members of the public get to hear.

So enjoy this issue, make the most of the season, and please have a joyous and safe holiday!

Joyeux Noel.

'TIS THE SEASON OF
MEETING AND GREETING
7 tips that'll take the worries out of holiday socials

The holidays brings out the socialite in all of us; and whether you're attending your company's seasonal fete or your spouse's staff party, you'll want to be remembered by the other guests for your savoir faire and style; not for any faux pas that might trip you up over the course of the celebration. So here are Diane Craig's Super-Seven Business Holiday Etiquette Tips. (You might want to print this page, photo copy it and pass it around the office, incidentally. It could be the best Christmas present some of your colleagues receive.)

1. Err on the side of elegance
It is always best to be overdressed than underdressed. If your invitation does not specify a dress code, call and ask what is the expected dress. If the invitation says "Black Tie Optional", wear your most formal suit or Tuxedo. Personally, I resent receiving such an invitation. It is like saying, "We wish you could come wearing a Tuxedo because we want our event to be special and us, the organizers, the CEO, the management team will wear a Tuxedo BUT if you do not own a Tuxedo or do not want to rent one, we still want you to come and join us. Results: Those wearing a Tuxedo feel overdressed and those not wearing a Tuxedo feel underdressed.

2. Prepare your elevator pitch
Come prepare with a ten-second self-introduction. This introduction should say something about the reason why you are attending this event. You are the spouse, the speaker, a supplier or the entertainment. Say something meaningful about yourself, something that has to do with that particular event.

3. Respect the elders
Always introduce a junior to a senior. Example: Mr. CEO I would like to introduce my assistant Ms. Stone. Ms. Stone just started working with us last week. The most important name is always spoken first.

4. Forget thee not
If you must introduce someone you just met to a colleague and you forgot either name, just say "I don’t believe the two of you have met?" You can be assured that in our culture, we do not feel comfortable with pregnant pauses and the two will introduce themselves.

5. Play your cards right.
Always have business cards ready. You never know who you will be meeting. When it is a social event, exchange your cards discreetly.

6. Getting a grip
When you get to your table and people are already seated, before you sit down, go around the table and introduce yourself. If someone arrives at your table and you are already seated and they do not introduce themselves, take the lead and introduce yourself.

7. Bid farewell well
When you leave, say good -bye to those you met and especially to the person who organized the event. They might be busy talking to someone else but you can ask permission to interrupt them briefly just to say thank you and good night.

HOUSE RULES
Office parties are not the only occasions where elegance counts. Here are some ideas that'll help make those holiday-time housecalls a delight.

The first question is always: What should you bring when somebody asks you for dinner? The answer is easy. The hostess/host gift should be ephemeral. The rule is, the dinner does not last forever so neither should your gift. Flowers, chocolates or wine are ideal. If you bring wine, do not expect your host to open it. She or he might well have planned the entire menu with very specific wines to go with each course. If you arrive with chocolates, the savvy host will offer some of the chocolates you brought with coffee after dessert.

What if you are served a dish you do not like? This shouldn't happen. Experienced hosts and hostesses ask guests if they have any food allergies or particular preferences or dislikes, such as shellfish, spinach or even meat. You'd be surprised how candid and grateful guests will be if they're asked. However, sometimes, you might be served a dish that for some reason, you simply cannot eat. So don't.

Let’s say you are served a cold soup and you just don’t like it. Take your spoon, get it wet, bring a tiny bit to your lips, just brushing your lips and put your soup spoon in a finish position.

If you are served an underdone or overcooked steak don't send it back. Just grin, nibble and then eat heartily once you get home.

FORKS 101: END YOUR FLATWARE WOES

Wherever you're dining, eat from the outside in. Assuming the flatware is laid properly, it is used according to when the food is served. If the salad is served after the main course, you will have, from the outside in, on the left of your place setting, the fork on the left and the salad knife on the right, facing you, then the dessert fork and the dessert spoon. Even though the dessert spoon might seem large, when a spoon is placed above the main dinner plate, it is for dessert and not soup. The soup spoon is always to the right of the main dinner plate.

WEBSITE PICK OF THE MONTH

Finally, let's raise our glasses. While your logged on, why not visit one of Image International's favourite informative websites: Riedel Crystal.

With a click of your mouse, you get a fabulous cyber tour of the Austrian headquarters of the amazing Riedel Crystal company, which was founded by Johann Leopold Riedel 10 generations ago in 1756 and which has been producing some of the world's best stemware since. For example, in 1958, Riedel introduced the Burgundy Grand Cru glass, the only stemware on permanent display in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. In total, Riedel has designed over 100 glasses.

A descendent of the company founder, the current proprietor Georg Riedel has spent many years painstakingly ensuring that there is a perfect glass for every type of drink. And using the Riedel glass selector, you can take advantage of all this accumulated experience and expertise to discover the Riedel glass best suited to any beverage. The site is a trip to another world, where artistry and glass making meet. So until next time, prosit!