""When someone says 'Make yourself at home,' they usually do not mean this literally," said Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. "You should keep your feet off the furniture, and unless this is a close friend, you should not be opening the fridge without being asked to do so." Wait for the host to give you the go-ahead to touch or interact with things you see. Until that happens, quickly ask for permission if something strikes your fancy."
""Don't demand a tour of someone's home," Leighton urged. "Wait to be invited by your host." Many people are happy to lead a little tour of their space when they invite people over, but that isn't true of everyone at all times. And if your host doesn't offer a tour, don't take it upon yourself to give yourself one, either. "Don't take a tour of the house unless you are encouraged by the host to 'wander' around,""
Holiday gatherings renew appreciation for simple socialization but require respect for hosts' spaces. Guests should avoid touching or moving items without permission, keeping feet off furniture and not opening refrigerators unless invited. Wait for explicit invitation before touring a home and refrain from self-guided wandering. Be mindful of time and know when to leave to prevent overstaying; hosts commonly complain about lingering guests. Etiquette experts recommend asking quickly for permission if something attracts attention and allowing hosts to lead interactions with possessions and home areas. Courteous behavior maintains comfort and boundaries during in-home celebrations.
Read at HuffPost
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