Breathe in, breathe out. 2012 has just begun! We don’t want you to go overboard and indulge the same time & energy exerted this past holiday season. Instead, we are aiming for no fuss, no
stress. It’s time to relax.
With that said, we all need an excuse to get together and have simple fun as good post-New Year’s therapy. With 2011 behind us, why not start the year off with some uncomplicated ideas for the perfect, casual Saturday night?
The following trio of ideas come courtesy of the January, 2012 InStyle.
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Idea #1
Host An Unfussy Wine Tasting. Susan Kostrzewa, an editor at Wine Enthusiast, recommends Beaujolais, a light-bodied red that’s rarely more than $15 a bottle. Serve in short juice glasses, which are less likely to spill than those with long stems.
For the eats, it is suggested to nix the cheese platter and stock the cookie jar. In fact, Botanical Bakery shortbreads are made to pair wine. {$7 each; botanicalbakery.com}
For the fun: Vinodote {$12; thespitbucket.com}, a Mad Libs-style game. NOTE: Their website as of tonite, 1/3, appears to be down, but hopefully you’ll have luck accessing it soon. Till then, head on over to their Facebook fan page.
Idea #2
Stylish Game Night. To liven things up, excite ’em all with the classic bourbon punch. The easy-to-follow recipe:
12 chamomile tea bags
1 package (6 oz} raspberries
1 bottle {750 ml} bourbon like Blanton’s
2 liters cranberry juice
12 tbsp sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Steep tea bags in 3 cups hot water. Mash berries. Combine all ingredients & serve over ice in a collins glass.
For the eats: Caterer Peter Callahan suggests checking out the frozen food section of your local gourmet grocery before cracking a cookbook. Fun options: bite-sized pizzas, empanadas or sliders. DUO also thinks that mini spring or egg rolls served with a variety of sauces is perfect for this occasion. Try gluten-free Danielle Chips in pumpkin and okra for healthy options. {You can find them for $3/bag as available on amazon.com or at your local Whole Foods.}
For the fun, the options are limitless. Instyle suggests card games like gin rummy hearts, old school board games…and for the techies, the Wii games. All are awesome and addictive. And don’t forget prizes for the overly competative! Reese Witherspoon’s event planner, Yifat Oren, gives practical prizes, like Starbucks gift cards.
NOTES:
*A few months ago, we did a post on a game night decor themed around scotch + chocolate that still remains one of our faves. Check out the details here.
*For an easy DIY game night invitation printable, click here. Courtesy of the Lily Jane Inspiration and Design Blog.
Idea# 3
Indoor Campout. A neat spin on the age-old tradition of roughing it, except this scenario is far from primitive! Consider this idea for particularly cold weather nights. To start things off, serve your guests spiked hot chocolate with rum or butterscotch schnapps or warm a bottle of merlot in a skillet with whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods.
For the eats: Assemble a grown-up s’mores bar stocked with graham crackers; gingersnaps; lemon wafers; white, dark and milk chocolate; and marshmallows. No fireplace? Use your oven’s broiler.
For the fun, there is the Ouija boards, according to Oren. {You can download the Ouija Board app for $2 on iTunes}. If that’s not your speed, DUO suggests good old-fashioned story telling. Nothing like the old school stand-bys!
Be sure to check out Instyle for more details.
Breathe easy & good luck!
…oh and by the way, we will be posting helpful ways to simplify your life this early 2012. Paring down + organizing: Two of DUO’s goals for 2012 and we hope you try it out as well!
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