Well, I have to declare that this year's Christmas party was a success. A full beer and/or egg nog did NOT get spilled on the CD tower (it would have been the third year in a row if it HAD), nothing got broken, and nobody bounced off the huge picture window at the end of their drunken kossack dance... all in all, I'm happy with the aftermath.
We actually had someone SHOW UP at 2:00 in the morning. Already completely drunk of course, and wondering where the hell the beer was... as the balance of the universe would have it, the keg blew halfway through their attempt to fill their glass. HAH! That'll teach you to frickin' show up SEVEN HOURS LATE. (and it's always a gratifying feeling when you drain the keg... that means people were having fun).
I did a count in my head and figure we had about 50 people (not counting the "oldsters" that show up early before my friends arrive)! We went through two punch bowls of egg nog, a couple pitchers of sangria, a full-sized keg of Bud, and a sh*t-load of food. We didn't have too many leftovers, which is great.
The gift exchange this year was fun, but different. Usually there are more presents that are booze-related... not so much this year. But it was still pretty spirited, and I hope people had fun. The only bad part is that I know there were 5 to 10 people that showed up during the exchange, and I said like TWO WORDS to them, and they were gone next thing I knew... it's hard for me to be hostess and keep track of gifts during the exchange... maybe I'll put someone else in charge of that next yer... MICHALLE??????
Speaking of Michalle... it was great to have my step-daughter and her pals Steph & Renee in town for the party. Plus, four other old friends from Des Moines, and friends from as far away as Minneapolis came. It means alot when you have long-time pals in town for the season. Some of them we see only once a year, so it makes it even more special.
This year was the 13th year for the party... considering the fun I had, I think we'll go for #14 next year. I should probably start putting money aside for it NOW, though! I figured we spent somewhere around $250 for booze, food and party supplies... yowch.
But hanging out the next morning around the breakfast table, our overnight guests nursing hangovers, makes me realize how special it is to have good friends, and how WORTH IT it is to host an event that is fun enough to entice people to drive over six hours to get there!
Thanks to all of you that came to the party... and if someone didn't get invited and should have, I APOLOGIZE... let me know so I can be sure to get you added for next year!! Here's to more parties in 2007!!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Holiday Party Prep Sux
So, what I really felt like doing tonight was sitting on my butt with a cocktail and mindlessly watching some drivel on television. No can do. This Saturday is our annual Christmas party blowout, and I have to get ready.
Got the tree put up and decorated last night. Check.
Tonight, put out all the holiday decorations and put away knick-knacks. Check. Make room for punch bowl and get out party platters and bowls. Check.
Tomorrow night will be wrapping of presents, and cleaning.... actually, cleaning will continue until about 1 minute before guests arrive. With four furry friends in the house, there's always hair ON EVERYTHING. (but, as my friends know, if yer gonna come to my house, you better get used to getting some pet hair on your nice black velvet pants... that's all there is to it).
My husband asked me last week, "so, is it really worth all the trouble to have the holiday party every year?" He's right, in terms of the labor involved, and the EXPENSE involved. Buying a keg, mixers, sodas, food, egg nog supplies, plus all the supplies for breakfast the next morning for our overnight guests (we always have some outta town guests who come for the party, and an odd drunk or two who shouldn't drive home) really adds up, and at this time of year, with presents to buy for friends and family, donations to homeless shelters, etc. etc., it's often an expense that pinches our pocketbook quite a bit. I also think that sometimes our GUESTS have more fun than we do.... You know how it is when you host a party: you spend the whole night running around like a headless chicken, filling glasses, re-stocking munchies, greeting guests and taking coats. Half the time I'm running around so much I'm sweating like a whore in church. But in the long run, I really DO think it's worth it. It's great to get together with old friends (even if sometimes I can only speak with them for a few minutes before I'm flitting off to another duty), and see faces you only see once in a while.
And let's face it - Christmas-time is such a festive time of year. I love showing off our house, and my egg nog has become somewhat of a legend (it has enough bourbon in it to make even the most experienced drinker a little wobbley after a few!).
So, I guess what it boils down to is that sometimes parties aren't always as fun for the hosts as they are for the guests. But even then, it can be a party worth throwing if it means sharing hugs and laughs with old and new friends. I'm tired, and will likely be exhausted by the end of the week... but I'm really looking forward to Saturday night. See you there!
Got the tree put up and decorated last night. Check.
Tonight, put out all the holiday decorations and put away knick-knacks. Check. Make room for punch bowl and get out party platters and bowls. Check.
Tomorrow night will be wrapping of presents, and cleaning.... actually, cleaning will continue until about 1 minute before guests arrive. With four furry friends in the house, there's always hair ON EVERYTHING. (but, as my friends know, if yer gonna come to my house, you better get used to getting some pet hair on your nice black velvet pants... that's all there is to it).
My husband asked me last week, "so, is it really worth all the trouble to have the holiday party every year?" He's right, in terms of the labor involved, and the EXPENSE involved. Buying a keg, mixers, sodas, food, egg nog supplies, plus all the supplies for breakfast the next morning for our overnight guests (we always have some outta town guests who come for the party, and an odd drunk or two who shouldn't drive home) really adds up, and at this time of year, with presents to buy for friends and family, donations to homeless shelters, etc. etc., it's often an expense that pinches our pocketbook quite a bit. I also think that sometimes our GUESTS have more fun than we do.... You know how it is when you host a party: you spend the whole night running around like a headless chicken, filling glasses, re-stocking munchies, greeting guests and taking coats. Half the time I'm running around so much I'm sweating like a whore in church. But in the long run, I really DO think it's worth it. It's great to get together with old friends (even if sometimes I can only speak with them for a few minutes before I'm flitting off to another duty), and see faces you only see once in a while.
And let's face it - Christmas-time is such a festive time of year. I love showing off our house, and my egg nog has become somewhat of a legend (it has enough bourbon in it to make even the most experienced drinker a little wobbley after a few!).
So, I guess what it boils down to is that sometimes parties aren't always as fun for the hosts as they are for the guests. But even then, it can be a party worth throwing if it means sharing hugs and laughs with old and new friends. I'm tired, and will likely be exhausted by the end of the week... but I'm really looking forward to Saturday night. See you there!
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