At last year’s holiday party, your little Honest Abe deemed Nana’s dinner “yucky” and Gramp’s present “boring.” Show him the value of politeness with this kids’ quiz by local etiquette expert Elise McVeigh.

When you sit down for a meal, you should start eating:
a) Immediately.
b) When the hostess sits down and begins to eat.

If you burp at the dinner table:
a) Quietly say, “Excuse me.”
b) Laugh (it was a good one).

Gross green stuff lands on your plate. You should:
a) Eat what you can.
b) Ask for something else.

If someone gives you a present you already have, you:
a) Tell them you have it.
b) Say, “Thank you.”

You don’t like the gift your aunt gives you. When writing the thank-you note, you:
a) Tell her the gift stinks.
b) Thank her for her thoughtfulness.

Now you’ll live in a manner house.

ANSWERS: 1-B; 2-A; 3-A; 4-B; 5-B. Get additional tips and etiquette workshop information online at elisemcveigh.com.

ESCAPE
Smashing Times Craft Camp
What: Drop off munchkins (ages 4 and up) for three hours of arty, crafty fun.
Why: Wrap up your holiday shopping.
When: Mon.-Wed., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Smashing Times, 308 Preston Royal Shopping Center, Preston Rd., at Royal Ln. (214-363-2088).

LAUGH
Nutcracker Sweet
What: Marionettes breathe life into the holiday classic about a girl and her toys.
Why: Pull some strings.
When: Mon.-Thurs. & Sat., 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.
Where: Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse, Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Pkwy. (214-369-4849).

TWINKLE
Prairie Lights
What: Four million breathtaking lights illuminate a two-mile stretch of colorful displays, a holiday village, and a walk-through lighted forest.
Why: Brighten up.
When: Thru Dec. 31. Sun.-Wed., 6-9 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat., 6-10 p.m.
Where: Lynn Creek Park, 5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy., Grand Prairie (972-237-4569).

Photo: George Eastman House / Flickr