Alternatives for the Ladies on Superbowl Sunday

This is for those ladies who are not die-hard football fans: Why not a trip to a day spa on Superbowl Sunday? Take in a Broadway show? A movie? Lunch? How about trying a "Re-Gifting Party? The stores will not be crowded, why not a shopping spree with some like-minded friends? Head to a museum. You can always meet up later at a Superbowl Party, say around half-time? I've seen Superbowl parties with a "Bridge Room" where those who were interested played bridge and mingled with the crowd at half-time. Game room? Many of you in the retail industry will most likely be at the NY International Gift Show that opens that weekend in Manhattan. How many of you have alternative plans for The Big Game? Any good ideas???

An Accessories Re-Gifting Party

How about an idea for an alternative to the Super Bowl party? With the success of our Re-Gifting party it was decided we should have another one. It's in the planning stage and will be held in February. This one will be an Accessories Re-Gifting party with the items being scarves, belts, purses, and costume jewelry. How many of these do we have that we really don't want to throw out...but have grown tired of, seldom wear and maybe someone else would see the item differently? How would this work for some football widows who really don't care about the big game? Simple! As we learned from the last one, lump the items together eliminating the cost factor and everyone gets a turn to "shop!" Ours will be after Super Bowl weekend, why not try yours that day? Maybe those interested are sequestered in another room while the game is going on? Meet for the snacks at half time. Who's game for this?

"Former Bridesmaids" Party

With the new movie coming out about all the bridesmaid dresses in one closet, why not throw a party and show off some of those creations? How many of us still have a bridesmaid dress (or two or three....) in our closet that we haven't parted with? (guilty!) Some may have been recycled. I know of one such dress that was a lovely light purple (actually it was periwinkle, the color that looks good on everyone!) that was recycled for a Halloween costume of Miss Piggy! (The former bride was not in attendance.) We were all told that we would wear them again...so why not all at once - with a party? This could be a great alternative to a Superbowl party!?! You don't have to actually wear them to the Superbowl gathering (although, why not?)

That Re-Gifting Party

I decided after hearing and blogging about a "Re-Gifting Party" to throw one. I invited some friends for the first Friday evening after the New Year. We met at my home last night for a light supper and refreshments - 9 women and one male, Jack Daniels. We all brought our unwrapped "treasures" to be re-gifted. There were 4 places to put the items: one table for the $0-10 items, another $10-25, another $25-50 and one more spot for the $50. and up. We had a meeting to determine how we were going to do this. My original premise was that depending on the price point one would receive a ticket to "shop" at that table. Vetoed! It was decided that no one cared what the price point was, we didn't want the stuff back and who cared if someone got something they chose that happened to be more or less than what they brought. So, names were called one by one and that person "shopped" for one item, another name was called and she "shopped" for an item until we all had mutiple turns to "shop" and the items were gone! Well, almost all... there are 2 very small items left which will be donated to charity. Interesting comments when gifts were put on the tables "Can you believe someone actually gave this to me?" A moment later: "Oh, I love this!" (concerning the same item!) It's amazing how many gifts were originally given by relatives!! We had a lot of laughs and it was decided that we wanted to continue to meet, so a monthly book club was formed. Our first meeting will be the end of January.
I highly recommend this "Re-Gifting Party!" The adage "someone's trash is another's treasure" definitely applied!

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?