A guide to being a good party guest

The holiday season brings Halloween parties, Thanksgiving get-togethers and festive Christmas and Hanukkah soirees. Therefore, it's likely that you'll have a few events to attend to once fall and winter round the corner. Attending a party is about much more than showing up, especially if you want to be a guest that's invited back. Here's how to be a guest that the host is sure to appreciate:

1. RSVP
This may seem like a simple tip, but many partygoers forget to cross this task off of their list. Always let the host know whether you're going to be attending the soiree so they can account for food, seating, etc.

2. Be on time
The host or hostess of the party has put in a lot of time and energy to make this event happen, so unless it's an open house, don't stroll into the bash when there's only 45 minutes left. As a host, there's nothing more frustrating than preparing food for people who don't show up to eat it.

With that being said, you shouldn't arrive early either, as the hours leading up to the party are when the host will be busy preparing the meal and putting up the decorations.

3. Come bearing gifts
If you're attending a housewarming party or a formal event, it's polite to arrive with a gift in-hand, whether that present is a bottle of wine, flowers, a set of coasters or a freshly baked peach cobbler. It's not so much the type of gift that matters, but the sentiment that comes along with it.

4. Offer to help
Although the host of the party won't always accept your offer to assist with dinner or help clean up, it's always a nice gesture to ask anyway. Hosts always appreciate your help, and the fact that you recognize how much work it takes to make the event happen.

5. Mingle
Don't be afraid to get to know the other guests at the party. The host is likely to feel more comfortable when everyone is talking, rather than the event being broken up into cliques.

6. Don't overindulge
That bruschetta set out on the table may be delicious, but make sure you're not indulging in the entire tray of food. You should leave enough for the other guests to enjoy. The same goes for alcohol – pace yourself throughout the night so you don't become "that" partygoer.

7. Know when to head out
Of course, there are some get-togethers that extend well past the end time noted on the party invitations, in which case it's OK to stay. But if your hosts are yawning and cleaning up, and people are gathering around the door, it's probably time to stay goodnight. When you head out the door, be sure to throw a quick thank you to the hosts.

8. Send thank you cards
Although you thanked the host when you were leaving the event, sending a quick thank you note is a gracious reminder that you were grateful to have been invited. Handwritten notes are always appreciated, whether the event was formal or informal.