Japanese Furoshiki (or How to Wrap a Gift in Cloth)
Ditch the wrapping paper and ribbon (it's not recyclable, FYI) and opt for the Japanese art of fabric wrapping, or Furoshiki.
Watch This, Drink That: Holiday Movie Drinking Games
Nothing gets us in the holiday spirit like a festive cocktail and a good holiday flick (and some cozy loungewear, of course). Gather your bar cart, light a fire, and curl up - we've got your holiday couch agenda covered with our favorite drinking games for Christmas and holiday movies. As always, drink responsibly and refrain from operating sleighs after consumption.
Watch: Elf – Released in 2003 (Yikes, we know - take a drink for that), this cheery comedy is one of our Yuletide faves. Will Ferrell as the tallest, most enthusiastic elf-slash-human, can do no wrong.
Drink: Spiked egg nog, with a dash of maple syrup. Drink every time Buddy the Elf refers to himself in the third person, every time sugar is referenced, and every time you hear a holiday-friendly alternative to a swear or an insult.
Watch: The Santa Clause – Despite the fact that things start out a little dark (Let's not forget this movie begins with Santa's traumatic fall off the roof), things quickly turn around and The Santa Clause is a true holiday classic.
Drink: Hot cocoa (with peppermint schnapps). Not too hot. Extra chocolate. Shaken, not stirred. Drink every time Tim Allen raises his eyebrows, every time Neil rocks an awful (but also kind of awesome) sweater, and every time someone mentions The North Pole.
Watch: The Holiday – Filled with adorable (and OK, totally unrealistic) meet cutes, Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet's life swap turned love story gets us in the spirit to celebrate "being young and being alive" year after year.
Drink: A champagne toast. Drink every time you catch yourself staring at Jude Law, every time someone cries, and finish your drink when you get on Airbnb to look for holiday homes.
Watch: Home Alone – Kevin McAllister, master of booby traps, makes a left-home-alone-holiday look equal parts amazing and terrifying.
Drink: Pepsi with a shot of whiskey. For the Home Alone drinking game, drink every time Kevin McAllister talks to himself (can't say we blame him), every time Harry's (aka Joe Pesci) gold tooth sparkles, and every time someone runs panicked through an airport.
Watch: Bridget Jones's Diary – A hilarious adaptation of the novel, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones makes us all feel a little bit better about our own lives during the holidays.
Drink: A bottle of whatever is in the fridge. No time for judgment here. Drink every time there's an expletive, every time Bridget drops some shade, and every time you see your favorite reindeer jumper.
Watch: Die Hard – This 1988 action thriller was voted the greatest Christmas movie by readers of British film magazine Empire in 2015. Enough said.
Drink: Straight Vodka. Drink every time someone says, "This isn't a Christmas movie," every time there's a reference to Christmas (to prove your point), and take a shot in Alan Rickman's honor whenever you feel like it.
Watch: Love Actually – Nine stories intertwine to bring us a watch-every-year-and-it-never-gets-old holiday favorite. Plus, Hugh Grant dancing.
Drink: Mulled Wine (a favorite, easy recipe here). Drink every time you hear the smash-hit "Christmas is All Around," every time someone orchestrates a big romantic gesture, and every time Sarah's (Laura Linney) phone rings. When you’re through with the Love Actually drinking game, you'll likely be dancing along.
Watch: A Very Murray Christmas – Because there's never a bad moment for some quality time with Mr. Murray, and this eclectic musical comedy includes a lengthy list of guest appearances (George Clooney, Jason Schwartzman, Miley Cyrus, Maya Rudolph, the list goes on...)
Drink: A strong martini. Bonus points if you've got a white piano to sit atop. Drink every time a new celeb makes a cameo (don't plan on driving anywhere after this game).
Watch: How the Grinch Stole Christmas – The first Dr. Seuss book to be adapted into a full-length feature film, this unexpectedly heartwarming holiday favorite reminds us that Christmas "doesn't come from a store," and that The Grinch drinking game is always a good idea.
Drink: The Santa Shot. 1 part grenadine syrup, 1 part green creme de menthe, 1 part peppermint schnapps (recipe here). Drink every time The Grinch accidentally rhymes, has a fleeting moment of feeling, and every time Cindy Lou Who visits Mount Crumpit. Finish your drink when The Grinch's heart grows.
