Create warm holiday memories with a home spa party.
Holiday parties are the best, aren’t they? Well, maybe not that obligatory office party. Or that ugly sweater party where you’re forced to go out of your way to look ho-ho-horrible. Oh, and not that awkward family gathering at your brother’s new girlfriend’s parent’s house. Urgh, that’s the worst.
I’m talking about those holiday gatherings with your dearest friends. The ones where you laugh so hard your cheeks hurt and you empty enough wine bottles to fill a double-wide recycling bin. Now those are the best.
Bask in the holiday spirit and good girlfriend cheer by hosting a holly jolly home spa party. We’ve kicked up some ideas here to get you going.
Spa Mani Bar
Dashing to and fro on holiday errands takes a toll on hands and nails. Treat the ladies to a manicure bar, complete with festive nail polishes in ruby red, snowy white and metallic glitter. Set out all the necessities on a pretty tray (new nail files, cotton balls, nail polish remover, cuticle sticks and polishes) and stack rolled white towels next to the tray. If you can, set up your spa mani bar on the kitchen counter so a sink is easily accessible.
Have the ladies start with a homemade candy cane sugar scrub hand treatment. Make the scrub ahead of time by mixing two cups of white granulated sugar with 1/3 cup safflower oil and five to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Separate the mixture evenly into two bowls. In one bowl, add a few tablespoons of 100 percent cranberry or pomegranate juice until you get a light pink color. Layer a clear glass bowl with a third of the pink mixture, followed by half of the white mixture, a third of pink, half of the white and top it off with the remaining pink. Top with a small scoop.
Once your guests have massaged their hands with the scrub, have them rinse in the sink, follow up with a hand lotion and pull up a chair to the bar.
Joyful Vibe
Flick on the twinkling Christmas tree lights and spread a little holiday cheer about with fresh flowers and tasteful decorations. To save yourself time, have flowers delivered the day before so they’re fresh and perky. Light the fireplace if you have one and kick up the holiday tunes from modern crooners like Idina Menzel, Michael Buble and Josh Groban.
Delightful Bites
To complement your mani bar, serve one-bite finger foods that don’t require utensils. Cooking for Keeps has a lovely Balsamic Strawberry & Goat Cheese Crostini recipe that captures the colors of the season. Or, keep it simple with a variety of bite-sized cheeses served with olives and crackers. Have a selection of wine and non-alcoholic beverages available. The mommies in your crew will appreciate clinking glasses with the Foodinista’s Elf on the Shelf cocktail in their pretty manicured hands.
Friendly Favors
Before the party, hit the drugstore to stock up on fruity lip balms—Burt’s Bees, Kiss My Face, eos, anything cute on sale. Tie each with a red ribbon and place them in a pretty glass bowl so guests can take them as they leave. Place a placard next to the bowl with a simple “thank you” or a quote like: “Friends are the sunshine of life.” –John Hay
Are you planning a home spa party this holiday season? What do you do to make it extra special?
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