How do you navigate dating during the holidays?

Dating during the holidays can be tricky. How long should you date before you exchange gifts? When is the appropriate time to invite a new boyfriend or girlfriend to your family’s house or as your date to the office holiday party? I’d like to hear from people who have started new relationship during or just before the holidays. How did you manage these questions? How did it go? Did you freak the other person out by inviting them to your parents too soon? Or insult them by not bringing the home, to the office party, etc.? What did you learn from the experience? Please get in touch if you have any thoughts.