Dress code for a pajama party

Dear Miss Manners: Could you speak to the etiquette of costume party dress?

I’ve been invited to a party for adults with a “Christmas pajama contest.” It’s a church group of relatively close acquaintances and friends.

I assume that about 75% of the people will come in their pajamas or a “traditional” Christmas pajamas look; however, a few people are not participating.

What do you think? Is it proper to come in your pajamas — whatever they might be? Or should the “red onesie with reindeer” be the goal?

Gentle Reader: Yes: One must be fully clothed.

However, this is also a contest, so it is likely that most attendees will not be wearing what they wore to bed the previous night.

Festive but sturdy cotton or flannel pajamas seem safe.

Dear Miss Manners: I work as a nanny and really enjoy the family I work for. I do not own a car and commute almost exclusively with my bicycle.

Baby’s papa was doing some home projects and left the garage door open, and my bicycle was stolen. Today Mama and Papa gave me a sum of money nearly equivalent to the original cost of my property and apologized.

This was very generous and will help me get back on the road soon, but I am wondering what my obligation is in thanking them. I am usually very good about writing formal thankyou notes for gifts, but since this was a reimbursement for an accident and not a gift, one part of me thinks my verbal thanks is enough and we can leave it at that.

Gentle Reader: Miss Manners is pleased to see that all parties are behaving civilly, and that you are only asking how to make the situation even better.

As the transgression was on the part of the family, a verbal thank-you is fine. An abundance of gratitude, is never remiss, and this is an opportunity to tell your employers how much you value them.