Survive the Christmas parties in 6 tips
(without becoming an alcoholic and ending up six sizes bigger)
My agenda for this week. Monday the book launch of Annic van Wonderen and subsequently the presentation of the jewelry collection of Irene van de Laar. Tuesday Christmas open doors from Estée Lauder companies, Wednesday open doors from Chanel and then the Mercur Gala. Thursday a drink from Veuve Clicquot in the Bijenkorf. Friday the agenda is miraculously still empty. I probably forgot something and will still have to squeeze into a cute dress to then raise a glass. And it's only the beginning of December. The real party season is yet to come. I have developed my strategies to get through these weeks.
Dish the welcoming drink
Refusing comes across as very rude and immediately shows that you are not really looking forward to this party. That this is your second drink today doesn’t need to be known. They have put a lot of effort into their event and thought carefully about the most fun welcome cocktail. So accept it, sip it, and then set it aside. Such a cocktail on an empty stomach hits hard and you are probably there for business. Not a good idea. Another option is to hold it but not drink from it. This way you also avoid enthusiastic waitresses who keep offering you drinks. Also a good tip for newly pregnant women by the way. Just grab that thing, drinking is another story.
Wine is actually not such a good idea
With my sincere apologies for all the drinks, but wine at public events is usually not at the level of Pouilly Fumé or Chateauneuf du Pape. If you are going to indulge, do it right. So skip the wine.
Champagne is always allowed
Coco Chanel once said; ”I only drink champagne on two occasions in my life. When I’m in love and when I’m not.” In short; champagne is always allowed. But it has to be the real deal, no prosecco or cava nonsense. A real glass of bubbly wine can also do no harm on an empty stomach. Good for the skin and appetite and you will never get a headache from it. Cheers!
The snacks, the snacks, the snacks
How many times have I not waved off someone with a garnished prawn, a lukewarm oyster, or a vitello tonnato. No matter how well made, I always find snacks at parties dangerous. They are usually prepared in a place that is not owned by the chef, may have been sitting for a while, etc. It calls for a little food poisoning. Although that might be a good idea for those December pounds, it’s really not pleasant.
Furthermore, such a party snack is often just too big, making you talk with a mouth full and you often find yourself awkwardly juggling your stick, spoon, fork, or plate. Since you already have that cocktail in your other hand, it’s hard to shake hands and that is one of the main reasons why you were here, right at a party?
Avoid the truffle
Delicious, truffle. But at parties, it’s a particularly bad idea. The smell of truffle lingers around you for hours and the downside of truffle is that it smells like you haven’t brushed your teeth. Garlic smells like garlic. Truffle smells musty. You do that with your love, or with intimates. Or at least in the company of people who all eat truffle and you are therefore immune to the smell. By the way, that smell stays with you for a few days, without you realizing it. I warned you...
Long live the fryer
What is allowed are bitterballen. Or fries. Or anything that is fried. Any potential bacteria have been cooked out and let’s be honest, nothing is better than an old-fashioned bitterbal at a party. Then you can immediately have another glass of champagne, go ahead.
