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RESOLUTION PARTY IDEAS
After a season full of indulgences, now is the perfect time
to implement some of your New Year’s resolutions. Whether
you resolved to spend less money, clean up your diet, spend
more time with friends and family, or be more environmentally
conscious, you can fulfill any of these resolutions by entertaining at home. Host one of the following get-togethers this month and you’ll be off to a great start.
Gift Swap
All the gifts have been opened, and most people have at least a few gifts that will land them in the return line. Host a gift swap and ask everyone to bring one or two gifts they would otherwise return. Pick a price range, such as $20 to $30 or $40 to $50, so guests feel like they’re getting a fair swap. If you’re inviting men and women, ask them to bring a gift that’s gender neutral, or host a ladies-only event. Serve wine or champagne left over from the holidays and a few appetizers, such as cheese, fruit, crackers, olives and mixed nuts for an early evening get-together. Serve coffee, tea, pastries, cookies and fruit for an afternoon gift-swap gathering.
Trash-Bound Ball
Host a party where guests are invited to bring their worst holiday gifts (talking fish plaque, anyone?). Have guests vote by secret ballot for the worst item, and give the prize of picking any other guest’s trash-bound gift to keep instead. The person whose item was picked then picks another guest’s gift to keep, and so on until all the gifts have been swapped and the last person ends up with the “winning” gift that began the swap chain. In keeping with your theme, serve chips, popcorn or other inexpensive party snacks in unused mini metal trash cans (Target and Staples carry desktop versions that are the perfect size for use as a serving piece).
Product Exchange
How many salon products have you purchased and decided you didn’t like after a few uses? For many people, too many to count. Host a product exchange to get rid of barely used products without adding to a landfill. Ask each guest to bring a few products (at least half full) that they would like to exchange for other products. Moisturizers, hair products, skincare, perfume, self-tanners and sunscreen are all sanitary to exchange among friends. Host this part in the afternoon and serve coffee, tea and cookies for snacking. Invite guests to use a mud mask (leave the tube and disposable guest towels next to the sink in the bathroom) during the party. The mud masks will make for some interesting party pictures. Serve spa-type snacks, such as roasted edamame, trail mix, carrots, hummus and water with sliced cucumbers.
Healthy Recipe Potluck
Save money and calories by hosting a healthy potluck dinner party. Ask each guest to bring her favorite healthy recipe, along with several copies of the recipe to share so everyone can go home with some new favorites to add to their repertoire. Make sure your guests are bringing a variety of courses—two appetizers, a salad, a few vegetable sides and a dessert will be plenty. Plan to make your favorite hot entrée as the center of the meal. Buy pretty folders and put a copy of each recipe printout in the folders to give guests as a parting gift.
Ilana Eck is an attorney by day and the Hip Hostess by night. She writes a food and entertaining blog, www.hiphostessblog.com, offering recipes, tips and ideas for hosting with style. Ilana lives in New York City with her husband, Etienne, and doesn’t let her small space stop her from entertaining at home.
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