So you’ve been seeing this guy for a while. He’s your first serious boyfriend and you think it’s going pretty well. In fact, you know it’s going well because he just invited you over to meet his family. That’s exciting, but also scary, as this important event can be almost as stressful as the first date. If his family doesn’t jump for joy over you, well, your relationship may not be as successful as it once did. You only get one shot here; it’s all about first impression. So, how are you gonna make it count?
Do Some Research
As soon as you find out you’re going to be meeting your boyfriend’s family, get busy. Go into stealth mode to learn as much about them as you can. Not only will this give you a good idea of who you are about to meet, but it will also give you ideas on what to talk about and what to avoid. Luckily for you, the world of social media makes this job simple. Pew Research reports 73 percent of people aged 30-49 use Facebook, so that is probably the best source for you to dig up the details on your (maybe) future in-laws. Even if your boyfriend’s parents are a little older, the 50-64 year old age group still has 57 percent of people logging in.
Dress to Impress
When you pick out your outfit for the momentous occasion, remember, these are your boyfriend’s parents. It’s not about showing off your rockin’ bod or your tan legs. You need to dress modestly: no cleavage, no miniskirts. Luckily, there are plenty of places where you can purchase modest clothing that still allows you to show off your trendy style. Mikarose is one of the most popular ones, but you may even have some luck at your local mall.
Don’t Show Up Empty Handed
No matter what, you’ve got to bring something. If you really want to go the extra mile, you can bring a separate gift for every member of the family, but at the very least, you should bring one small token of your appreciation. You have a lot of options. If your boyfriend’s mom’s birthday is coming up, why not browse the birthday gifts at FTD.com for a nice floral arrangement, wine, or fresh fruit basket? If you love to bake (and are good at it) choose an easy dessert recipe from AllRecipes.com and show off your skills.
Be Yourself…Mostly
Above all, you want to try to show the real you as much as possible. You don’t want your guy’s family falling in love with someone you can’t duplicate at every visit. However, ask your boyfriend ahead of time if there are any off-limit topics you need to avoid (like maybe the fact that you are living together). Otherwise, always answer questions honestly, and don’t be afraid to show your personality, even if it is a little sarcastic. For bonus points, offer to help clean up after dinner. Yes, even if you really don’t want alone time with your boyfriend’s mom, it will help you score major points with her.