Ringing In The New Year... Dinner With Friends

Normally, we don't make any plans for ringing in the new year, but this year we decided to invite a few friends over for a sit-down dinner, with game playing to follow. My brother-in-law sent us the game "Cards Against Humanity" (for horrible people) for Christmas and we've been dying to try it. So, what better way, than to have a party, right?

Chances are, no one will make it to Midnight, but you never know. However, our evening will begin at 6:30 PM with appetizers and cocktails in the kitchen. Our kitchen has always been the gathering place for friends and family no matter how hard I try to use other rooms for entertaining. I finally quit fighting it.

The only way I can get the crowd into the dining room is to serve a formal dinner and play a game at the table afterward. Why didn't I figure this out years ago?

Since we haven't had a holiday party in many years, I'm getting rather excited. This might need to become a tradition. I mean, what good is it to keep up all the decorations if you're not going to flaunt them for friends?

Wishing each and every one of you a very prosperous and Happy New Year! Stay safe and don't forget to eat your black-eyed peas for luck and cabbage for money in your pocket...