Holi-dazed!
By Christopher de Venecia
‘Tis the season to be jolly (or jaded for that matter). How many times must we bust out those Santa hats, mistletoes, reindeer displays, and every Yuletide prop we can come by, really, and then wax ourselves off as plain stereotypical? Christmas parties need not always be an exercise on how well we can recreate the shindigs of our youth and seasons past. Simultaneously, red and green needn’t have to be just ornamental on the tree; rather, why not paint the town with it, or by all means, share your green with those you love in true holiday spirit. After all, ending the year is just as much a process of looking back in thanksgiving as it is moving forward, full speed ahead. Circuit conjures up various ways in which you can celebrate the Yuletide season without being too… predictable!
Heritage Americana
Nothing screams holiday like those massive ad campaigns you’d see of Ralph Lauren. Why not channel some of that Ivy League realness by throwing a Holiday bash worthy of your knits and Christmas plaids?
Attire: Heritage Americana. The unpredictable weather might require you to dress down a bit to the barest essentials, a.k.a. plaid shirts, denims, and even cowboy boots. But try to spruce it up with a bit of layering for the lickin’ luxe appeal.
Music: Country western with a lil’ bit of Miley.
Food: Burgers, fries, and beer.
Level-up: Rent a mechanical bull for more of that interactive fun.
Ugly Sweater Party
Time to go cheeky by digging up your ugly sweaters of fall/winter seasons past. The trick here is not to unearth the most horrific garb; rather, how skillful you are in transforming your look from Ugly Betty to Bushwick hipster.
Attire: Ugly Sweater (Santa hat, optional). We’re talking knits here – which means you’d have to hold your party indoors or someplace cool.
Music: Cheeky Christmas tunes with a bit of Top 40s. Try downloading the Cheeky Girls, Ate V’s cover of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and Shaina Magdayao’s “Chicharon” and “Sayaw Sweet Lullabye” for more cheekiness.
Food: Wine, cold cuts, and hors d’oeuvres
Level-up: Play “White Elephant” where each guest brings an ugly present to the party, and then the whole room engages in a series of fun exchanges before you end up with someone else’s discard pile.
Political Party
I know they’re not the most popular people on the planet at the moment (we’re looking at you Napoles!) but try to be meta about it by throwing a shindig that turns the spotlight on these so-called public servants. The goal here is not to chastise; rather, to channel them in the hopes of bringing friends together in the spirit of good laughs and good fun.
Attire: Barong, baro’t saya, or outfits you’d see at a political summit. Yes, you’re allowed to come as cronies, bodyguards, or the MMDA.
Music: Top 40s spliced with popular campaign jingles from past elections.
Food: Lechon (aptly named, “pork barrel”) or anything with pechay (“Itanim sa senado!)
Level-up: Get an actual politician to show up at your party. Imagine Imelda being in your welcoming committee. #priceless
The Anti-Christmas Party
Anti-Christmas doesn’t necessarily mean Anti-Christ. Rather, it’s rejecting the mores and traditions of the popular holiday and veering away from Yuletide stereotypes. Ever heard of those Anti-Valentine’s shindigs where S.S.B’s or “single since birth” get together to scorn love, and then party to the break of dawn? This is somewhat similar.
Attire: All-black. Think American Horror Story: Coven.
Music: Rock anthems with a touch of techno.
Food: Halloween favors and food you wouldn’t associate with the holiday season.
Level-up: Throw a bonfire. And bring something you’d wanna burn from the past year, maybe a picture of your ex or of Napoles.
Cover: Nikita McElroy
