7 Entertaining Myths We Need to Stop Believing, Straight From the Experts

Whether you have a busy calendar full of parties to attend or plan to host a gathering of your own sometime soon, it's never a bad idea to refresh your entertaining knowledge.

There are so many myths that are either outdated or not entirely true yet get perpetuated year after year—so we called upon the pros to set us straight!

Below, etiquette and entertaining experts weigh in with seven common myths that hosts and guests alike should stop believing.

Myth: You Must Open the Wine Someone Gifts You

If a guest arrives at your dinner party with wine in tow, should you plan to uncork it and offer a glass to others immediately?

You certainly can do so, but by no means are you obligated to open that bottle of red unless you explicitly asked your guest to bring it as a contribution, says Mariah Grumet, etiquette expert and founder of Old Soul Etiquette.

"As the host, you have already prepared what you are serving for your event," she says, adding that you should by all means feel to enjoy the bottle on your own at a later date.

Myth: You Must Attend a Party Dressed to the Nines

Picture a dinner party and images of elegant men and women sporting fancy suits and elegant dresses may come to mind, but these days, attire can be much more relaxed, says etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall.

"The come-as-you-are look is perfectly acceptable," she says, noting that feeling comfortable in your outfit is key.

Myth: You Must Hand Out a Favor

Dinner parties are not the same as children's birthday parties where leaving with a gift bag of treats is commonplace. Event and wedding planner Kelly Soule, the founder of Kelly Elizabeth Events, explains that party favors for adult guests are simply not necessary.

"I believe that entertaining and providing a delicious meal is a wonderful gift in itself," she says.

Plus, Soule adds, many trinkets will simply go unused—so you may as well save your money in the first place!

Myth: Plated Meals Are Better Than a Buffet

Soule finds that many people consider a plated dinner to be more special, but she personally believes that a buffet setup is more logistically appealing.

"This setup allows guests to not only get more food, but they can select what they like and make their own meal," she says. Be sure to keep in mind various dietary preferences, too, she adds.

Myth: Arriving Early is Polite

Contrary to popular belief, it's most polite to arrive a few minutes after a party begins instead of showing up early or right on time, says etiquette expert Myka Meier.

As she explains, party hosts are often busy completing last-minute prep and can truly use every minute. Alison Cheperdak, etiquette expert and the founder of Elevate Etiquette, agrees.

"A dinner party is not a dentist appointment," she says. She adds that a host asking for a guest to arrive early to help set up is of course an exception, but as general practice, it's most polite to arrive within the first 15 minutes of the start time listed on the invitation.

Myth: A Guest Must Eat Everything on Their Plate

If you're simply no longer hungry or not a fan of a particular dish, do not feel obligated to eat every bite served to you, Meier notes.

"You can try to eat as much as you can and then simply say, 'It was delicious but I’m so full, thank you,' instead of forcing yourself to finish," she says.

Myth: One Must Own All of the "Right" Supplies in Order to Host

Even if you do not own a matching set of china or have a drawer full of tablecloths and placemats, by all means, you should feel free to invite friends over to gather in your home, even if it's a small space or not full of entertaining accessories galore according to Cheperdak.

"Entertaining is not about having the right amount or type of material things or showing off," she says. "It’s about loving people well and honoring relationships over food and drink—it doesn’t need to be fancy, complicated, or expensive."

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Read the original article on The Spruce.