How to Celebrate the Thirteenth Day of Christmas

The line between holiday symbolism and commercialism is thin. So how do we get a nation of spectators to participate in meaningful rituals without feeling like it’s all style and no substance? Turn to the theatrical inspiration of the 12 days of Christmas but remix it for modern lifestyles and entertaining. Here’s some motivation for forging new traditions and creating modern heirlooms for all. The new customs begin on December 1st and run through December 13th so embrace the day's events that make you feel alive and swinging, skip the rest or make up your own!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Poker chips
• Board games, decks of cards
• Food and beverage
• Card tables or table space
• Lucky charms: rabbits feet, mini Buddha’s, animal figurines, etc.
• Lottery tickets and/or fortune cookies

1. What can do after the 12 days of Christmas? Here’s one more activity to grow on. Make it a lucky day and hold a game night.
2. Something old, something new, something borrowed, and Clue! For a night of games be prepared with old ones, new ones, borrowed ones, and classics like Clue. Something old, new, borrowed and Clue, isn't exactly the prep for a mystery-themed wedding. It’s more like the Girl Scout motto for a night of games. Be prepared with a variety of different games for your family and guests. They’re the backbone of any game night worth its dice.
3. Poker is a gimme, but add a little Boggle, the latest Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Yahtzee and Dominos, and you're covered. You can always have charades and celebrity in your back pocket if you need them. Cue the Rubik’s cubes and Barrel of Monkeys if you sense a guest with fish out of water syndrome (give ’em a cocktail to loosen them up as well). Find any game under the sun online (see link below).
4. Even if they don’t admit it, everyone is a little superstitious. Make like the ladies at the bingo parlor and line up lucky charms for everyone to snag, and watch out for any feuds that reach the “I’m the race car” in Monopoly level.
5. Set up concessions with herbed nuts, popcorn, paninis, champagne splits, micro-brewed beer, Dove bars, Milk Duds and anything else that keeps the hands clean so you don’t mark the ace of spades with a mustard drip.
6. See everyone off with a lottery ticket and leave a bowl of fortune cookies near the key pile. Go to the closest gas station to pick up a few lottery tickets.

Tips & Warnings

• After the event is over don’t forget to e-mail everyone photos to add to their holiday albums.
• Add a few extra tables so you can have a few games going on at the same time.

Who Can Help:

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