Getting invited to a reunion dinner can bring excitement or dread. Whichever side you’re on, you probably want to look your best and exude confidence. But don’t aim to come off as the teenagers of today – that’s not you! Your appearance at the party should reflect your current story. Follow these practical tips to make the homecoming a night to remember.
Getting Ready for the Reunion Dinner
Are you gearing up for a family reunion dinner or a major gathering with your high school friends? Don’t stress! Here are simple ways to make heads turn when you arrive.
Give your hairstyle a refresh.
The right hairstyle can make you look younger, slimmer, or more confident. Find a skilled stylist who can work with your features to give you the most flattering look. Say yes if they suggest hair treatments, colour touch-ups, or even extensions. But don’t go too drastic with the change, or nobody will recognise you.
Pamper your skin.
Wonder how celebrities always have fresh-looking, flawless skin on the red-carpet during awards season? Achieve the same look by indulging in a spa day, complete with a facial and a vitamin drip. If you’re on a budget, treat your skin with nourishing face masks, gentle scrubs, and cooling pads to reduce under-eye circles. Then, pair your healthy skin with natural makeup for an effortless glow in your selfies.
Get expert grooming services.
Make an impression on your friends by having a polished appearance. A week before the reunion, treat yourself to some professional services, including brow threading, nail cleaning, and teeth whitening. While you can do these at home, asking for help from the experts will keep you from making costly mistakes.
Skip crash diets.
Don’t pressure yourself to shed some pounds for the reunion dinner. Drastic weight loss programs can even harm your body and lead to dull skin, brittle hair, and weakened teeth. Instead, focus on a healthy diet and skip excessive deprivation to avoid unpleasant side effects that might make you miss the event.
Making an Entrance
Take extra steps to make a memorable entrance. Follow these suggestions:
Stick to the dress code.
Wear your best outfit, but don’t stray from the dress code. Keep it timeless and elegant with a little black dress or a sharp suit jacket and trousers. You can still subtly stand out with statement pieces that reflect your personality, like a fun evening bag, a set of jewels, or fab heels. Men can play around with accessories like cuff links, watches, or even socks.
Walk in with a radiant smile.
Prepare your smile for your reunion dinner by scheduling a dental cleaning well in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute to ensure your teeth are in tip-top shape. A confident smile can make a lasting impression on your classmates or relatives.
If you have misaligned teeth, your dentist might recommend orthodontic treatment. Nope, that doesn’t necessarily mean the traditional braces you wore in high school! Fortunately, ClearCorrect provides the perfect solution with nearly invisible aligners. You can straighten your teeth without sacrificing your diet, oral care, or looks with this simple and effective treatment. And, yes, you can even wear them at the event.
Go easy on the drinks.
Many people take a sip of liquor for some liquid courage before a party, then proceed to drink more at the venue. While celebratory drinks are okay, you should know your limits to avoid becoming the group’s sloppy drunk. And remember to drink plenty of water throughout the evening to stay hydrated.
Showcasing Your Accomplishments
Reunions can be a great opportunity to catch up and share updates about yourself. But you don’t want to come across as arrogant. Here are three practical ways to promote yourself without appearing egotistic:
Compare yourself to your old self.
Boasting can leave a bad impression as it may come across as an attempt to one-up others. The best way to frame your achievements is to transform them into stories of self-improvement. How does this work? Make a comparison with your past self rather than your peers or rivals.
For example, when someone asks about your job, say: “I’ve overcome challenges and grown to become better than I used to be.” You’ll only sound boastful when you say: “Unlike cousin John, I am no longer a sales associate.”
Use a wingman.
Discussions about achievements often come up during reunions. Instead of promoting yourself directly, consider bringing a friend or a “wingman” to advertise your strengths and accomplishments. Your audience is more likely to respond to a third party singing your praises. The best part? No one can accuse you of being a jerk.
Don’t share all your successes.
Catching up with relatives or friends entails a billion questions. While you should provide updates, it’s best to offer bite-sized pieces of information. Share enough to make yourself intriguing and memorable without overwhelming the listener.
Make the most of your reunion dinner to reconnect with friends and family. Sure, you can showcase how much you’ve grown and improved. But also try to learn from the accomplishments of others. And remember to spend your time relishing this version of yourself!
Reference:
Wiley Online Library. The Hubris Hypothesis: You Can Self-Enhance, But You’d Better Not Show It.
