New Year's Eve Parties

It's New Year's Eve! Got plans? Many of you will be having small, intimate dinner parties at home, others will be traveling to restaurants for dinner and in some cases, dancing, yet others will opt for more formal galas to bring in the New Year. Here's wishing all of you a very Happy New Year and we'll talk and share ideas about more parties for 2008!!

Christmas "grab bag" gift party

I recently attended a party where I was asked to bring a wrapped Christmas gift. I brought my gift and received a ticket in exchange. After we ate, the first ticket was called, a guest went up to a table and took a gift. The next ticket was called and that guest had the option to take a wrapped gift or take the one from the first guest and so on. The last guest had the option of choosing the last wrapped gift or any of the gifts that had been opened. Lots of "stealing" and laughs ensued. How many of you have been to this type of "exchange?" And what is this game/idea called?? No one could agree! I've heard several names for it....what's the consensus? (By the way, I got a very nice array of red scented candles which I will use during the holiday season.)

A Re-Gifting Party?

I just became aware of a new trend, a "re-gifting party." It occurs after the holidays and guests are asked to bring a gift that they would like to "re-gift." Does the adage about someone's trash being another's treasure apply here? I guess you'd have to be careful not to bring a gift if the giver of your "treasure" could possibly be in attendance! What's your take on this new trend? Have any of you been to one of these? "Recyling" idea or not?