Gum bottle plus Puffs equals happy baby

I confess, I'm a container horder. Most of the time this just results in a stockpile that eventually goes into the trash. However, sometimes, it really does pay to hold on to some things. A prime example of this is empty gum bottles.

I was at the kitchen table today, trying desperately to have my lunch while my daughter squirmed and protested in her highchair. she had already "enjoyed" her lunch and her toys were oh so yesterday. The bottle of Puffs was still on the table and my husband's empty gum bottle was on the counter, when suddenly I got the idea to drop a handful of Puffs into the gum container. GENIUS! My little girl was entertained for at least 45 minutes (hey, you take what you can). I left the single serve flag on the bottle open, so whenever she tipped the container a certain way a Puff would fall out. She loved it, and I got to enjoy my lunch and my baby's happy smile.

Hosting a holiday wine exchange party

This year you won’t have to break the bank in order to have a successful holiday party, because there’s a new exchange in town! Move over cookies, it’s time to swap wines! The wine exchange is an exciting new party theme that  is perfect for a gathering of non-baking friends, when you want more than just a ladies’ night in, or when there simply isn’t time to bake 6 dozen dulce de leche shortbread cookies. Best of all, a wine exchange is affordable to host, because it’s essentially BYOB. It allows you to concentrate your time, effort and budget on providing elegant, wine-friendly bites. 

With a new baby in the house you can be sure that my entertaining budget is practically minuscule this year, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to take a pass on holiday entertaining. That's why I am sooo in love with the idea of a wine exchange. It's elegant, entertaining and definitely brings a hot, new twist to the old white elephant gift exchange.

There are essentially two parts to a wine exchange party: sampling and swapping 

When inviting guests, ask them to bring two bottles of one favorite wine (be sure that they understand that it has to be two bottles of the same wine) within a specified price range. One bottle is for guests to taste and the other is for swapping white elephant style. Easy as pie, right? All you have to do as a host is provide the food and atmosphere. 

Of course I've already started pinning some ideas for decor and tasty nibbles to serve with the wines. You can find my board here http://pinterest.com/digwriter/holiday-wine-exchange-party/.  I've also created a wine exchange party printable set for my Etsy shop -Simply Soirees by Domestinista. My Winter WinederLand and NEW Sleek and Chic Wine exchange sets includes an invitation, wine signs, party circles, tent cards, a wine label, along with a few other printables, including a detailed how-to sheet.

I can hardly wait to get this party started!