The Sweetest Hangover

From new magazine Chow, here are a few unusual tips for curing a hangover.

Burned Toast

Pedialite

Ginger

RU-21 (not the abortion pill, silly)

Countdown to New Year's Eve

Another weekend, another round of holiday parties...
Things of note from hosts and guests:
* Bring funky desserts like dessert burgers made with cookies and candy sushi made with rice krispies treats.
* Show your culture by making Puerto Rican eggnog.
* Bring along friends in town from other cities (show 'em how New Yorkers party)
* Take loads of group pictures in the host's bed (fully clothed, of course)
* Make a mystery tropical punch (Smirnoff Vodka, cranberry juice, Sprite and tons of fresh fruit) The mystery is you wonder how you got so smashed.
* Enjoy yourself as this is the most wonderful time of the year!
* Get plenty of rest so you're ready for the New Year's Eve bash next week.

When Attendance Is Low

Ever throw a party, but the crowd never comes??? Don't despair! The small group who shows up still craves a good time. As the host, you should appreciate the opportunity to have a spontaneous intimate gathering instead of a huge party. Conversations get deeper and introductions are easier with a small group. Be the gracious host and thank everyone for coming, especially during this time of the year where people are often double-booked.

Home For The Holidays

The lovely Brini Maxwell is having a holiday show at Fez (380 Lafayette St) next Monday, December 20th.

From Flavorpill:

With Martha Stewart unavailable to dispense social etiquette advice this holiday season, what's a dilettante reveler to do? Fear not! Brini Maxwell sashays to the rescue, bearing helpful hints and making sure you don't embarrass yourself under the mistletoe. Dubbed the "Martha Stewart of Drag" back when that was considered a compliment, Ms. Maxwell hosts her own Style Network show, disseminating kitsch to America, one tasteless home at a time.

Double-Booked =Twice The Fun

During the holidaze, you may be invited to more than one event on the same night. Try to coordinate so that you can attend both. This is good for many reasons:

1.Keeps both hosts happy!
2.Meet two different sets of people
3.Be the center of attention twice in one night
4.Show how popular you are by leaving one party early and arriving at the other late
5.No one will know how much you ate, drank or flirted at each party (unless you blog about it)

Being A Good Hostess Is Cupcake

What I have gleaned from watching the fabulous in action:
---Have plenty of booze at your party
---Invite a diverse group of people
---Make friendly introductions
---Make grilled cheese sandwiches

Tips For The Tipsy

Man-about-town Manhattan Transfer has provided a classic guide on how to survive holiday parties.

Here's one of his gems of wisdom:

Scenario 1: You can't remember the name of the co-worker you are making out with in the supply cabinet.

Try to keep her mouth occupied in ways other than talking. If necessary, call her "baby" and "beautiful." In my experience you should never resort to "mami" unless you are of the Latin persuasion. The fact is she probably doesn't remember your name either. Unless you are her boss. Then you're fucked.

Etiquette in the blinging 00's

The Social Graces are not a myth. Despite the rude behavior of many, there are some rules, and the graceful Sloane Crosley gives us New Yorkers the skinny on "technetiquette".

The Best Guest

Here are a few tips that I have garnered from parties of late:

·When bringing a bottle of wine to a house party, look for wine with a funny name like Fat Bastard or Woop Woop. Your hosts will remember you!
·Be sure to greet the host and other guests before making a mad dash to the bar area.
·Play a fun game like Taboo at the party, but don't keep score. People tend to get competitive.
·Don’t reciprocate when a drunk-but-cute guest flirts with you in front of his girlfriend. (He will need assistance getting home, so let the girlfriend handle the bastard.)
·Offer to prepare a dish, but make sure it’s delish!
·Thanks your hosts and think of inviting them to your next bash if you have an apartment that fits more than you and your roommate

Annabelle Magazine

Party On! 

The lastest issue of Annabelle Magazine is all about parties.

What's It All About?

Need a theme for your holiday party?
Here's a few suggestions
*Tree Trimming Party (popcorn, cranberries, homemade ornaments)
*Christmas Lights Walking Tour (walk off a heavy meal and take great photos)
*Gingerbread House Party (baking and building)
*Cookie Exchange Party (or cupcakes and fudge)
*Winter Wonderland Party (the ultimate white party)

See more at this site.

Wrong on So Many Levels

Here's some tips to prevent "career limiting moves" at the holiday office party.

Don't hit on a stranger. It just might be - and has proven to be at some holiday gigs - the boss' spouse or significant other.

And, of course, ``don't fall down,'' Thomas notes. ``Falling down drunk is not good.''

Read the entire article here.

Verb! That's What's Happening

Serena Bass will be speaking on December 13 at the W Hotel. Serena is one of the ultimate event and party planners.

It's A Good Thing

The New York Post has tips for kitschy holiday entertaining.

MARTHA Stewart has it easy: She gets to sit out this holiday season. Meanwhile, the rest of us have to scramble to find gifts for all our nearest and dearest, while also coming up with a clever, creative way to play host - without resorting to last year's tinsel and half-burned candles.

Introducing Entertaining The Idea...

At first glance, this space will be for entertaining tips and great ideas. But wait, there's more. It's about thinking about social interaction, developing new ideas that spring from conversation, meeting new people, having a supportive creative network, appreciating the abundance and rejoicing in the now!