Another holiday post

So, every year at Christmas, I host at least one party.  I love having people at the house.  It's a lot of work to pull off a good party, but I enjoy it.  Since my dear sister lives in Texas, she doesn't get to see our friends that often.  I normally throw a party when she gets home where she can see everyone at once.  This year, another friend is hosting that party, so that left me with no party to have.  I even got out of hosting Christmas Eve with the husband's family this year. 

I couldn't go without a party this season (at the very least, to cover other people in glitter), so I invited a few of our new friends over on Friday for a Euchre tournament.  Since our basement flooded and TV blew up (all over Thanksgiving weekend - yeah, that was awesome), we had recently replaced the carpeting and TV down there (which effectively made the basement the greatest room we'll never use).  We threw the Wii and the kids in the basement so we could eat, drink and be merry on the main floor.

I go through a routine every time before having a party.  I panic over the menu, I worry about the things that still need to be fixed in our house (is it possible to replace the dining room carpeting before the party?), I curse living with all boys (can't they at least try to aim?). 

Sounds fun, right?  It must be awesome living with me.

But, by the time people show up, the house is in pretty good shape, there are wonderful smells coming from the kitchen and the alcohol is flowing freely (or it could be that because the alcohol is freely flowing all those other things are happening).  At any rate, it's all good.

And, these people are great.  They like to drink, they like to laugh, they like to play cards.  What could be better?

A week before the party, I discussed the menu with my sister.  Because she's a fantastic host, I get all my ideas from her.  My plan was to offer heavy appetizers for us and pizza for the kids.  My sister gave me recipes for a hot spinach and artichoke dip, olive cheese puffs, artichoke appetizers on party pumpernickel and a feta cheese appetizer.  It was my first time making 2 of those things and I didn't kill anyone!  Success!

My husband's birthday was the day before the party.  He had been hinting for about a year now that he wanted the XBox 360 with Kinect.  I had to admit it looked pretty cool, so I didn't judge my 38-year-old husband for wanting a gaming system for Christmas (not much anyway).  My idea was that we could use it at the party, so I also got him the dance game.  Because what guy doesn't want a dancing game?

After I lost every. single. hand of Euchre, we brought out the XBox.  One of our guests had to chug an entire beer to be coerced into dancing, but he did it.  And man, it was fun.  As much as I love to dance, I've now realized I'm a terrible dancer.  Well, according to the XBox anyway.  But?  Fun.

And, even though I nursed a slight hangover most of the weekend (I am not a morning after hangover person, I am usually a second day hangover person, wtf?), I had a great time.  And somehow, because of the success of this party, we are now hosting New Years Eve.  Yay! 

I gotta practice my booty bump.