This year, we created a ‘SMAS tree-decorating event that mixed something everyone loves (drinking) with something everyone claims to love, but really doesn’t (crafting).

The result was an interesting experiment in the correlation between alcohol consumption, high standards, and dwindling patience. In the end it all worked out and no one got hurt, which is all that really matters. We also got a pretty neat drink recipe and some of a tree decorated, so, we’re gonna call that a win!

1. Andrew, Sam, and Chris whip up a batch of Merry Midwinter Mingle™. Basically it’s a half flip, half fizz, half one-tenth cosmo, two-thirds something else, and a dash of some other stuff: It’s impossibly delicious, AND the official drink of multi-ethnic, omni-religious, alt-inclusive holiday celebrations everywhere…as of right now.



2. Andrew, Sam, and Chaun attempt to make Finnish paper stars – a skill which Finnish children master in utero but we can’t seem to get quite right…at least we got to recycle some paper.



3. It doesn’t help that we’ve been drinking. Or maybe it does help that we’ve been drinking. We may have overestimated our ability to maintain booze addled focus while crafting. Are we buzzed? Are we bored? I can’t tell. We should drink more.



4. Finally started to decorate the tree. Andrew breaks an ornament. Tap-cat looses any dignity he had left.



5. We finish decorating the third of the tree that people will actually see and make some more drinks!! It was a fun bonding experience…but next year we’ll be buying ornaments at Target.

Merry Midwinter Mingle™

Hardware:

• Shaker w/strainer
• Muddler (optional)
• Purdy glass

Software:

• 2 oz Vodka
• 1 c Fresh cranberries or 1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• 1.5 tbsp superfine sugar
• 5 of 6 large basil leaves
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp half and half
• Champagne

Muddle the cranberries until liquefied, if using. Place all ingredients except the champagne in shaker with ice and shake vigorously for two minutes.

Strain into the fanciest glass you can find – we recommend a vintage champagne glass or a small cut crystal old fashioned glass. Top off with champagne.

Garnish with fresh cranberries, a basil leaf, and a light snowfall of powdered sugar.

Drink. Repeat. Or if you’re lazy, just drink the rest of the champagne! Cheers!