Themed Parties

Hello again everyone!

This week I wanted to share with you a fun party idea for the holidays. I know some of you may not be ready to talk about Christmas, but it will be here before we know it.

On my way to work a few days ago, I drove past a house that was already decorated for Christmas. This got me thinking about the Christmas Eve party my family always has.

Lately, we have been doing a Chinese gift exchange for the adults because my family is so big.

This is so much fun.

Chinese Gift Exchange Rules:

• Everyone participating brings a gift of equal value (We limit the amount to $20)
• Everyone draws a number
• The person with number one picks a gift from the pile and opens it.
• The person with number two can either pick a gift from the pile or take the gift off of the person before them. 
• If the gift is taken from you, you simply get to pick again. 

Here is a link that explains this game in more detail: Chinese Gift Exchange Rules

This year, my family wants to do the Chinese gift exchange with ornaments. Too many family members bring alcohol-related gifts, causing the non-drinkers to be left with something they won't use. 

We have also separated it by gender in the past. I don't recommend this. I think it is more fun to have a large number of people and gifts that are not gender-specific.

Every year, someone brings a bottle of vodka that is disguised in a box for a product that does not exist. These boxes can be bought at Walmart. It is so funny to see the look on someone's face who just thinks they received cleaning mitts for their dog's paws, but then realizes that there is actually vodka inside. 

Here is a link to the gag-gift boxes: Fake Gift Boxes

You might be wondering what this post has to do with food. 

The truth is, I want my family to have a Pinterest Christmas Eve Party this year.

The idea of everyone bringing an ornament is nice, however, we seem to be a very crafty family. It would be fun for everyone to bring a gift that they saw on Pinterest and decided to make. This would also allow everyone to find the time to make all of those awesome crafts we pin, but never actually make.

The covered dish each person brings would also be Pinterest-inspired. Not only does everyone pin, but never make crafts, we do it with recipes too. 

Last year we had an ugly Christmas sweater party. 

Take a look: 

This could also be incorporated into the Pinterest party because we found the ideas for our sweaters on Pinterest. 

Here are a few ideas of gifts that I found on Pinterest that I would consider making for the Chinese gift exchange:

1. Snowman Christmas Tree
2. Snowman Ice Block
3. Christmas Count Down

Here are a few ideas of covered dishes that I found on Pinterest. Each of these I have pinned but never attempted to make:

1. S'more's Cupcakes 
2. Twice Baked Cheesy Potatoes
3. Cheddar and Bacon Loaf

We could have someone make an ugly Christmas sweater cake if we decide to wear them again this year. Ugly Christmas sweater cake - Pinterest

As you can see, my family has a lot of fun when we are together. This themed party can also be done with your friends, or condensed into a smaller party to have at the office.

I am going to try my hardest to get everyone on board with the Pinterest Christmas party idea.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this blog and that some of you will adopt these fun traditions into your Holiday gatherings.

As always, thanks for reading my blog!

-Stephanie