Wednesday, December 21, 2011

reverb11 day 21: party like it's 1999

Today’s prompt asks: Tell us about the best party you attended this year.

 Oh man, do I love parties. I really do!  And one of my favorite parties last year was Relaxapalooza 2011.

I started throwing the annual Relaxapalooza party a couple of years ago. New Year’s Eve is kind of a bust for us since we had Jane, of course – we are typically in bed before midnight, although I really do try to stay awake to watch the ball drop (last year was not so spectacular, as I found myself throwing up at 11:50 p.m.). I mean, we DO go to our friends’ house and stuff our faces and have lots of laughs, but I wanted to get back into the tradition of having a big party to celebrate the new year. I just like new beginnings, you know?

So we started hosting Relaxapalooza at our house on January 1. This year's invite reads as such:

Let’s face it – we’re not cool enough to throw a New Year’s Eve party these days. But we can bring it on New Year’s Day like nobody’s business! This is meant to be a casual, laid-back gathering to relax and bring in the new year. Wear your PJs. Don’t shower. We don’t care. (Just please brush your teeth. We have some standards.) We hope you join us for food (think apps and desserts – remember, THIS IS NOT FANCY), friends, and most of all fun!

And, friends, IT IS GREAT FUN. I put a ton of pressure on myself to prep the house and yard for the big summer parties we host (Fourth of July and Jane’s birthday - both epic), but in this case, the idea of relaxing applies to both myself AND my guests. I mean, I clean the house, of course, but I try not to get all OCD about it. We get loads of frozen apps and desserts and just eat (mostly cheese-based and highly-caloric deliciousness) and hang and have fun. The kids play, trash my house, and the adults hang, and it is awesome.

Pretty much can’t think of a better way to bring in the New Year than that.


6 comments:

lgaumond said...

And neither can I. Looking forward to it!

Jason said...

We always throw down for New Year's Eve, and this year will be no different. I am told there is going to be karaoke this year. But, like you, we always do something New Year's day as well. And it is casual also. We normally all drink mimosas--if there is leftover champagne--and do dramatic porch readings. Basically everyone brings a book or two and reads parts from them to everyone else. We take turns and really get into it. It's a great time. Kind of the same deal as yours, pajamas, no plans other than fun and friends.

Brandeewine said...

What a good idea! We do NYE at our cousin's house, play Rock Band with the kids, watch Anderson Cooper & Kathy Griffin, celebrate my husband's birthday, and are home by 11:00! I like your idea, though! It sounds like fun!

Unknown said...

oooh that sounds like such a blast !!! :) our New Year's Eve is very quiet. we do light and old xandle before midnight nd then light a brand new one as the new year rolls in and then we open the windows to usher in the fresh air of a new year.

Unknown said...

ugh sorry for typos. i am typing with one finger on my ipad in bed!

Dwayne "The Train" said...

i once live tweeted a party; that was awesome: insertlinktotweetsaboutawesomepartythatilivetweeted.

#reverb11 in #tenwords

also, here’s my reply to yesterday’s prompt: i am an awesome friend.