With confidence born of experience, we promise you will recover from the hustle of the holidays and the joys of celebration.

After a short time of cocooning by the fire, a faint tinge of cabin fever will strike and it will be time to be sociable, have friends over, throw a party.

And take a look at upcoming RSVP possibilities. You could add making a difference in the world to your list of New Year's resolutions.

Some random party thoughts:

An invitation, from informal get-together to black-tie charity dinner, requires a reply. For some odd reason, people often are reluctant to respond. Perhaps they do not want to seem overeager; or, alas, they fear to make a commitment. Perhaps something better will come along.

Shame on them.

While the president of the United States and Queen Elizabeth of England - and maybe Martha Stewart when she gets out of the Big House - send invitations and expect a full house, the rest of us want to know how many guests are coming.

That is why we send the elegant request, "répondez s'il vous plait," or RSVP. From the French, it means "please reply." Promptly. Waiting until the host has to call you is déclassé, freely translated as "your social status is greatly reduced."

Acceptable replies include:

l You are pleased to attend.

l You are unable to attend due to a prior engagement.

l You wish to attend but have a potential conflict, perhaps relatives arriving, or travel arrangements. Tell your host. Forewarned is forearmed. A no-show for a sit-down dinner puts you at the top of the DNIL (Do Not Invite List).

But, sometimes, things happen:

l You accept but at the last minute find you cannot attend. Call. At a small party, people will be waiting for you, fearing there has been an accident. At a larger party, your empty seat will make other guests wonder how they offended you.

Sometimes, invitations are unclear about "dress."

l Business Dress at a large party means you can come from work. If you are lucky enough to work in sweats, you should change before the party.

Dress for dinner at a friend's house depends. For a barbecue, wear jeans. But in this day of fast food and takeout, a sit-down dinner deserves a little formality. A jacket or dress is a compliment to your hosts, and for hosts, a compliment to your guests.

If an invitation reads "Black tie," it means a tuxedo or a long gown. "Black-tie invited" means a dark suit is acceptable, as is a long gown or very dressy cocktail dress.

No matter what dress, etiquette for any party is the same. Good manners are nothing more than being pleasant and making other people feel comfortable.

l If you are host at your home or a board member of a nonprofit at a fund-raising event, greet each guest as the important person he or she is.

l As a guest at a house party or a banquet, in tuxedo or cowboy boots, introduce yourself to other guests. It is polite and often fun to speak with people on either side of you at dinner, or at a silent auction table or even in a buffet line. Speaking only to people you already know is, well, boring.

l Do not be shy. Support causes important to you. Every year, you and your friends and neighbors help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and support research to fight disease. You help bring art, dance and music to communities throughout the state, teach adults to read, help in a soup kitchen and find coats, hats and gloves for people in need.

Now, that is a happy New Year.

Here are a few upcoming events for your consideration:

l Merit of Honor Awards for the University of Utah Emeritus Alumni Association are set for Jan. 19, 6 p.m., at Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main St. Recipients are Fred M. Babcock, Carolyn Hansen Brady, Ron Frederickson, Charles M. Grant and C. Reuel Ware. Tickets are $50; RSVP 801-581-3709.

l Join the Ogden Opera Guild Feb. 5 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. for the annual "Chocolate Affaire," a "Magical Evening of Elegance," at the Amalgamated Sugar Company, 2427 Lincoln Ave., Ogden. Buffet, auction. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. Call 801-394-1309.

l Save Feb. 10 to 13 for the Park City Culinary, Wine & Ski Classic to benefit the National Ability Center and sponsored by the Blind Dog Culinary & Wine Educational Center. The four-day event features cooking classes, $75; vintner dinners in private homes, $350; opening night reception, $200; a gallery stroll with food, $50; a gala and auction, $350; and the opportunity to participate in the professional ski clinics and all-ability ski races and more. Call 435-649-3991, ext. 614.

l Be a star at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Feb. 19, as Repertory Dance Theatre invites community participation in a Gathering Place Performance at 8 p.m., with tickets at $25; followed by a Karaoke Dance Party at 9 p.m., $35. RDT invites organizations and/or individuals, with no dance training needed or wanted, to call 801-534-1000 for rehearsal instructions for the Gathering Place party. No rehearsals are needed for the karaoke party. Call 801-534-1000 for information.

l University of Utah Founders Day honors distinguished U. graduates Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m. at Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main St.. Honorees include Anne Cullimore Decker, Rhoda Worley Ramsey, Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., Alonzo W. Watson Jr., Honorary Alumnus Larry H. Miller and a distinguished service award for Bill Marcroft. Call 801-585-9012.

l Save the date Feb. 24 as the National Conference for Community and Justice, Utah (NCCJ), invites you to the Humanitarian Awards Dinner honoring the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, Daniel Becker, Judge Tyrone Medley, Judge William Thorne and Michael Zimmerman. Call 801-359-5102.

l You are invited to American Cancer Society Mardi Gras Gala Feb. 26 at the Wells Fargo Center 23rd Floor, 299 S. Main St., to honor "Sword of Hope" honorees James LeVoy Sorenson and Beverley Sorenson, John Hayes, M.D., and Ben Tanner. Tickets are $150; call 801-483-1500.

l The Alzheimer's Association invites you to attend "An Evening to Remember" loved ones and friends as they used to be and offer hope for the future April 8, 6:30 p.m. at Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main St. Tickets are $175; call 801-265-1944.