It’s that time of year Collegiettes, when we travel home to spend time with our family, reunite with old friends, and fit as much yummy holiday treats into our bellies as possible. But for those of you that have made it through the fall with your relationships intact, this holiday season can be much more than that.
Meeting your boyfriend’s parents can be a huge step in your relationship, especially if the two of you have been dating for quite awhile. Here are a few tips on how to make sure you make a great first impression on mom and dad.
1. Dress to Impress: This is not the day to strut out in your new body con or mini skirt (side note: can we believe these are finally making a come back?!). While it may be tempting (although I hope it’s not) there is a dress code when it comes to meeting the parents. In high school, there was always that rule girls battled to break about your hemline resting at the highest four inches above the knee. This is the day when you need to revisit that law and abide by it. A nice (modest) dress, a skirt and top combo, or even a nice pair of jeans with a dressier top would do the job. You don’t want to dress too casual, but you also don’t want to be too dressy either. Make sure whatever you wear makes you feel comfortable and confident, but is by no means revealing.
2. Compliments are a girl’s best friend: There is nothing in this world that a mother likes to hear more than how much you love her home and how amazing the son she has raised is. As your toughest critique, his mother is going to want to see that you adore her son as much (if not more) than she does. Having said, keep the PDA at a minimum. Let him take the lead, as he will be the best judge as to how to act in front of his parents. Talk about something he has done that’s really great recently and compliment the food (if she cooked) or maybe something she has around the house. A little goes a long way, so don’t overboard her with flattery or you won’t seem genuine. If she is fixing dinner, a great time to do this is when you offer to help her in the kitchen. Hopefully she will say yes, so take the opportunity to bond with mom and go for that seal of approval!
3. Don’t be afraid to engage in conversation: Sitting in on a family dinner with a bunch of strangers can be intimidating, but don’t be afraid to pipe in during a conversation. Bond with his siblings and ask them questions about their lives if there ever comes that awkward silence. It’s safe to ask them what they are going to school for, where they want to go to school, or if they are involved in any sports or clubs after school (depending on their age).
If you really want to hit a high note, send a thank you letter (no, not email- a actual hand written letter) for having you there. Whether you spent a few nights or just stayed for dinner, putting in the effort to formally thank them racks up major bonus points. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
Find me on Twitter at @EmilyCBland to let me know what you want to hear about next!