# 354 Attend A White Elephant Party

Happy Birthday Jesus! I wrapped it myself. LOL!

Have you ever attended a White Elephant party around the holidays? If not, I highly recommend you do. You can even start the tradition among friends and family and host one yourself. I promise, you will not be sorry! They are a total riot. A White Elephant Party is a perfect way to take a step back from some of the stress the holidays conjure so you can laugh your ass off and make a complete fool of yourself with those nearest and dearest to you. It's a perfect way to chill out while spending quality time with your favs around the holidays.

So what is a White Elephant Party you ask? Allow me to explain.

In it's simplest form, a White Elephant Party is a gift exchange party. And while there are many variations and themes that can be implemented into a White Elephant Party depending on preference and tradition, there is one basic, universal rule that must be followed for it to be a true White Elephant Party. That one rule is, no one is allowed to spend money on their gift.

But if you can't spend any money, what are you supposed to give as a gift then? Oh kids....This is where the real fun begins. Grab a box, put on some Christmas music, pour your favorite adult beverage and get ready to clean house. Trust me, you will thoroughly enjoy this chore.

What's in the box? What's in the boooooooxxxxxx?

Let's start in the kitchen. That 7 year old jar of salsa collecting dust in the top shelf of your cabinet would make a great gift. Let's put that in the box. While we are at it, let's put all the mismatched tupperware in the box as well. Oh look, some used birthday cake candles. Maybe someone can use a #7 and #8 candle. Someone out there is going to be turning 78 or 87 right? Too bad the #9 candle is no longer there but 789 ya know. Very tragic.

Moving on to the living room. That burnt umber and avocado green afghan your neighbor made 40 years ago would be the perfect gift to give. I mean it's vintage right? Put it in the box. Why not throw in some more vintage items too. A VHS tape of the cult classic "9 1/2 Weeks" and some framed pictures of you and your ex can be like a really weird Netflix and chill gift for the lucky recipient.

Time to visit the bathroom. That big bottle of specialty vitamins that gives you insane gas is still in the medicine cabinet. Box it! Someone may also appreciate the half used bottle of Nexus Voluminizing conditioner you wanted so much to love but did not. Toss that puppy in there as well. Throw that Dollar Store pack of panty liners in there too. F@ck it.

Channeling my inner Ziggy Stardust

In the bedroom the possibilities truly become endless. 7 inch heeled glitter disco boots reminiscent of 1970's Kiss concerts and Ziggy Stardust would make a fun and fabulous gift. In the box they go. That white fur trimmed Santa nightie could turn any cookie into cream. Box it. Teal and Yellow nail polishes. Box it. The full bottle of old lady perfume that smells like musk, talcum powder and flounder, someone may like it. I think? Toss it in the box.....gently though because if that bottle breaks, you are going to have to move to a new house.

The attic treasures are true gift giving gems. Broken Christmas ornaments, blue plastic flowers, creepy clown dolls (which should be burned), and a years worth of Field and Stream magazines from 1983 fit so nicely in the box. And you know someone is going to absolutely adore the box of 15 year old, engraved, rosy pink napkins from your wedding. Let's throw in a box of engraved matchbooks from your wedding too. Why not? Tis the season of giving. (Let's just hope their marriage turns out better than yours.) Laugh out loud.

Down to the basement we go. That woven Baja hoodie that smells of must and weed hanging from the rafter, someone needs that in their life for sure. Toss it in the box. Someone also needs a half used can of gold spray paint and some rusty Philip head screwdrivers in their life too. And a tape measure. Hello box.

Finally we make our way to the car trunk. Oh look, a nice little lunch tote. Let's open it. Oh look, it's the remnants of a lunch I ate 9 months ago turning the most beautiful shade of blue in the tupperware container. Let's......throw it in the box. Make sure to wrap it in 100 plastic bags first because you did notice a slight odor emanating through the container. Just a slight one.

( Seriously though, You can't make this shit up. Someone really received this as a part of their gift one year. It wasn't me but it was hilarious nonetheless. I did get a 7 year old jar of salsa though. LMAO!!)

Lunch bag complete with used lunch! LOL! 

Oh the laughs!!! Don't get me wrong, it is perfectly acceptable to give nice things as well. Sometimes we purchase or receive very nice things that we just can't use as much as we would like or don't really need after all. You know, those impulse purchases we tend to make....all the time. I have been the recipient of some really pretty and useful gifts to go with all the fun and wacky gifts in my White Elephant experiences. It's all about balance really. Mixing a can of crazy with some real treasures is always a pleasant experience.

The only other rule of the party I attend is that we draw numbers to choose gifts. The higher the number you draw, the better. Why? Because we are allowed to steal gifts from others. In other words, if you draw the number ten, and you are absolutely in love with the present that number 3 picked, you can steal her gift. She in turn gets to open another gift. No one has ever stolen a gift yet though. Most of the time if there is something someone else really wants and the gift recipient is not attached to it, she will just give it to the person.

(One year, Crystal gave me her sparkly 7 inch heeled Gene Simmons boots. I loved her so much for that. I was also the recipient of the Santa nightie. I love it and I still have it. )

The White Elephant party I have had the privilege of attending the past few years is so much fun. We laugh and eat and drink, then laugh and eat and drink some more. Our hosts have incorporated a cookie exchange into the party as well which is even more wonderful. For someone like me, that is like Christmas morning. I get presents and treats. I also get to laugh to the point of tears with some of my most favorite people on earth. That is the biggest gift of all.

Below are some of our finest White Elephant Party shenanigans and well as some links explaining about the parties and how to host one.

One of the gals gave away photos of her ex.

Becky made a friend. A naked friend. 

I am noticing a theme with Becky. LOL!!

We all love each other so much! 

Party Girl Meg!! Get on with your bad self girl! Have some lunch!

Becky's Sugar Cookie Christmas Trees

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies. 

Some of last years treats!

Last year's prizes! 

Prizes from two years ago! Look at those boots!

Rocking my gifts!

These Lovely Angels right here. 

All About White Elephant Parties

Learning The Rules 

White Elephant Fun

How To Organize A White Elephant Party

Happy Holidays!!! 

Chrissy

#445 Attend A One Night Art Class

As part of a fun filled weekend in April of 2017, my mother, daughter, sisters, my sista from another mista Becky and myself, registered to take an art class at The Next Picasso art studio. The class we chose was a wooden sign project with our family name stenciled on it. We had seen these beautiful signs on the Next Picasso's website and fell in love them. They were so pretty. I could not wait to make one.

We are all works of art. Our signs were works of art too!

"Paint and Sips" are "Basically" a good time! In case I lost you, allow me to explain.

"Paint and Sips" have become part of the "Basic" culture. "Basic" culture is comprised of mass trends committed most commonly by women but perhaps a few hipster men as well. "Basic Culture" includes heavy hitters such as Ugg boots, pumpkin flavored products, yoga & yoga pants, wine, wine tastings, wineries, (anything concerning bottled grapes really), salads, wraps, Starbucks, mermaids, Lu LaRoe clothing, Coach products, everything Michael Kors, unicorns, scarves, headbands, Zumba classes, Bath and Body Works stuff and shady taco trucks. ( Well, that last one is questionable but it is way cool and very tasty in my opinion.)

And guess what?? I loooooooooooove being a Basic Bitch! I am completely comfortable with my basic side because it balances my quirky, off the wall side rather well. And let's be honest, most of the stuff I mentioned above is awesome, cool and fun. I am not here to judge anyone. If something makes a person's life happier, is a non jailable offense and isn't hurting anyone in the process, then by all means, they should enjoy it. Who gives an F what anyone else thinks.

And trust me, the trend that is "Paint and Sip" is a fun one.

The "Paint" part of these events are geared towards an art project such as painting a picture, wine glass or sign. And don't be apprehensive about attending if your aptitude for art is lacking, you honestly do not have to be a Van Gogh to create something pretty. The teacher walks everyone through painting the project step by step. The teacher also explains what brush to use and what order to apply each paint color. They want this to be a fun experience and will help anyone that needs assistance.

The "Sip" part of the event is geared towards letting loose. Wine, spirits, beverages and food are welcomed and encouraged at these events. Most of these events are BYOB though, so be sure to bring your favorite adult Kool Aid and the snacks you stash from your kids so you don't miss out on savoring the very vital "Sip" part of the event.

My first Paint and Sip. Loved it!

I have been to three of these events. I made a Christmas tree painting with my friend Mare. I now want to make a tree painting for each season.

For Becky's birthday a few years back, we had a girls night out where we painted a picture of coffee cups. I gave that picture to my parents because they love coffee and the colors went perfect with their decor.

For this Blog, I will talk about my sign painting experience. I will also have some tips for the first timers out there.

We headed to a beautiful barn in Drums for our class. This was the home of the Next Picasso. Some "Paint and Sip" venues are held in community centers, bars and restaurants. Some venues are actual "Paint and Sip" businesses. This was an actual business.


Our instructor was really sweet and a lot of fun. She greeted us warmly, gave us our boards and stencils, then brought us upstairs to the classroom. She directed us to chose a table and stated we could put our food and beverages in the little kitchen area across from the classroom.

Immediately, I fell in love with this barn. We all did. The decor was serene and the ambiance, bucolic. I so much wanted to move in and call it home. I snapped a few pictures of the decor, then brought the chicken and waffle sandwiches I made and Bloody Mary mix I concocted over to the kitchen area. I decided to make Bloody Marys for this event rather than bring wine because wine disagrees with me anymore. It sucks but perhaps it is a good thing too.

Okay, I'm lying. I did bring wine but I brought it for my sisters.

Becks and I helped ourselves to delicious Bloody Marys. She is he one who got me hooked on them anyway. My sister Alicia shocked us all when she pulled out a flask. She does not drink very much so I thought maybe it was filled with water. She offered me a sip. Yep! Definitely not water. Definitely bourbon. I beamed at my sister with pride. I also took a few more swigs from her flask because I do love me some bourbon.

"Pace yourself Chrissy!" I scolded myself. You paid money to make a beautiful sign. Let's not change this into a finger painted nightmare only a toddler would appreciate because you drank too much of everything.

Bloody Mary's on Sunday, cuz it's a funday!

Getting ready to paint some signs and sip some wines.

All the pieces of our project ready to become a work of art. 

The "Cleaner" and her flask of bourbon.

As I started hammering down my second Bloody Mary, Becky gave my family members, whom were new to this experience, some very sage advice.  Here are some tips if you are thinking about partaking in a "Paint and Sip".

1. Keep you paintbrush water cup and your drinking vessel as far apart from each other as humanly possible.
2. Pace yourself with the "sipping". It impairs your judgement.
3. If you accidentally do not follow the first two sips, I mean steps, and take a big ol drunken swig of your muddy paint water, try not to spit it out all over the place. But, do not swallow it either.

Yes, we learned this valuable wisdom at Becky's "Paint and Sip" a few years back when a very inebriated blonde woman was not paying attention to cup placement and chugged her paint brush water. As soon as the gulp resonated in my mouth, it took everything in my power not to spew it out all over Caryn and Meghan, whom were seated next to me.

The taste of mud and chemicals permeated my mouth as the horrible water started flooding my nostrils. As lady like as I possibly could, I spit the water back into my cup, and down my arm, and all over my shirt, and on the floor. Did I say lady like? Oh, that's funny. I then had to use half a roll of paper towels to sop up the mess my acrylic laced DNA created.

The rest of the night, everything tasted like chemicals. And for those of you wondering, yes, I did get sick from this unfortunate incident. I was nauseous for the remainder of the evening and had to call it an early night. Booze and acrylic paint do not make for an enjoyable combo in one's stomach.

So, if there is one piece of advice you should heed, that would be it.

My Coffee Creation and yea....not sure you are supposed to use those kind of brushes to paint your face. Although they would probably be a great base coat brush for shadows. 

I loved my sign so much!!! 

Now, back to the painting class. We were making wooden plaques with a name of our choice. I chose my maiden name and "Est. 1973" because that is the year I became a DeCosmo. Mostly I became a DeCosmo because that was the year I was born and DeCosmo is my dad's last name.

My daughter and my sister Alicia chose their first name for their sign. Becky chose her last name. My mom and sister Steph chose their married for their signs. Their established date was the date they were married.

I must say, our group had a nice variety of signage ideas.

We used our stencils in steps since some layering would be involved. We started with the big letter first. The big letter was the beginning letter in either the first or last name you were using. Mine was a "D" for "DeCosmo".

We used modge podge as a base before we painted to prevent the acrylics from seeping under the stencil. It worked great. If any paint did seep, you were able to use Q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the blemishes from the stained boards or, really fine tipped paint brushes dipped in white paint to cover any flaws on the white boards.

Good times with the family! This was such a great day! 

We all had to practice a little patience waiting for everything to dey before gently peeling off each stencil. None of us really minded though because we were having a great time chatting and checking out everyone else's boards. It was really neat to see everyone's choice of color combinations for their wooden signs. No two were the same. All were very beautiful and reflected the artists' personalities perfectly. I can honestly say every single sign came out so pretty.

Our instructor was very patient and very helpful. However, as the class progressed, she may not have been the only one working the room. Perhaps while our instructor was helping some of the students attach picture wire to the back of their signs, a certain someone may have taken over the easel and was assisting other class members with antiquing their paintings using a stained wax. And perhaps another student decided to clean and organize the entire room while the instructor was taking pictures of our artwork.

Heather is already an artist so she was very particular about her work. We also had a new instructor in our class. She can't help it. Becky is a natural leader and teacher. 

Neither one of these students were me. I just made sure the Bloody Mary Mix was drunk because we don't waste alcohol. I am also happy to report that I did not drink any paint water this time. Instead, I spilled it all over the table. I may have spilled some paint too. And, I may have put a paint brush in my Bloody Mary cup. No worries though because I brought extra cups. I think I did pretty good this time.

Fits in perfectly with my woodland cabin meets cottage beach style! 

In closing, I highly recommend taking a one night art class with your best gal friends and family. They are such a blast and you get to walk out with your own work of art, created by you, for you. Who wouldn't enjoy that!

Chrissy