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How to Throw a New Year’s Eve Pajama Party

It’s hard to believe 2023 is right around the corner.  But hold on – we can’t say goodbye to 2022 without a New Year’s Eve celebration.  And, while New Year’s Eve is one of the most popular nights to go out on the town and celebrate, more and more people are avoiding the crowds and staying home to ring in the new year. So why not celebrate in the comfort of your own home – and even better, with a New Year’s Eve Pajama Party?

Make it a small family celebration or invite friends and neighbors to join you. They will love this creative and fun way of celebrating the New Year. Here’s what you’ll need:

The Guest List

Whether you keep the party to just your family or invite other families and friends to join in, the guest list will determine how the rest of the night will be run and how many people to prepare for. If you’re thinking of throwing a family-friendly party, it’s a great excuse to wear those matching family pajamas one more time or to purchase a set.

If you’re inviting other families, you’ll want to keep track of the number of adults and the number of kids coming to make sure you can accommodate everyone.

Guest List

 

The Invitation

Once you have your guest list complete, it’s time to create the invitation. It’s important to include not only the date, start and end time, and your address, but to also make it clear that this is a pajama party and give your guests an idea of what they can expect.  Your main goal is to ring in the new year which means staying up later than normal for most of us. Keep it cozy and invite your friends to wear pajamas that they can relax and stay comfy in – especially if kids are coming. If you have a certain theme you’re going for, make sure to include that in the invitation as well.

You’ll also want to let your guests know if they should bring anything.  This is especially important if you’re inviting your guests to stay overnight. Don’t forget to let them know how they can RSVP to the party and the deadline date to do so.

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The Decorations

The sky’s the limit! Remember that New Year’s Eve is a celebration so consider leaving up some of your holiday lights to keep the sparkle alive. This is also where you can add some glitz and glam to your otherwise comfy party. Add some signs, festive table cloths, and party favors and you’re ready to go!

Party Food

The Menu

Keep it simple and make sure whatever you are serving is easily accessible to your guest.  Prepare food that goes along with your cozy pajama theme like lasagna, mac & cheese, pizza, or chili. Or go for serving heavy appetizers so that guests can graze all night. Be sure to also have healthy options available for those who prefer to eat a bit lighter and have snacks available throughout the night.

Set up a self-serve beverage area with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available. You’ll want to have several non-alcoholic options – not only for the kiddos, but for those who will be driving home after the party if they are not staying overnight.

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The Activities

As the goal of the celebration is to make it to midnight – it could be a long night.  Make a list of activities you can do throughout the night. Bring out the board games, card games, play charades or Pictionary or consider getting a karaoke machine. Depending on the guest list, you will want to have both adult themed games as well as children’s activities on hand.  Having plenty of things for the kids to do will also give the grown-ups a chance to have some time to hang out and socialize.

toast

 

 

The New Year’s Toast

You’ve made it to midnight and it’s time for the toast.  Set up a table with champagne and sparkling cider filled glasses and have your party favors close by.  This will make it easy for everyone to grab a glass and Toast to the New Year.

Your New Year’s Eve Pajama party is sure to be a hit.  Get creative and enjoy the festivities in the comfort of your own home  – and of course your pajamas.

5 Tasty and festive cocktails to ring in the New Year

As we prepare to ring in a new year, many people can’t wait to say goodbye to a very strange year. Whether you will be gathering with a small group or relaxing on the couch, one thing we can all agree on is that a cocktail in hand is a very fitting way to bid adieu to the challenges we have faced this year.

We’ve got 5 must-try libations perfect for the anticipation of better things to come. We hope you join us in a toast as we kick 2020 to the curb and welcome new beginnings and a fresh start.

Poinsettia Fizz

Poinsettia Fizz

Champagne is a staple for many New Year’s celebrations but you don’t have to settle for just a glass of bubbly. This 3-ingredient cocktail gives you the wonderful fizz we like from champagne, tart flavor from cranberry juice, and a boozy sweet kick from Gran Marnier. You’ll need:

  • 1 to 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 ounce Grand Marnier (or orange liqueur)
  • Champagne or Prosecco, chilled
  • Fresh cranberries

Fill a Champagne glass with 1 to 2 ounces cranberry juice and 1 ounce Grand Marnier. Top with Champagne or Prosecco and garnish with cranberries.

 

Cider Sidecar

Cider Sidecar

The ultimate winter cocktail, Cognac, Cointreau, and apple cider are a delicious combination perfect for sitting around the fireplace and watching the countdown. Top it with just a splash of Champagne for an extra fancy twist.

  • 2 oz. fresh apple cider
  • 2 oz. cognac
  • 1 oz. Cointreau
  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • A strip of lemon zest and brandied cherries, for serving

Place cider, cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until 20 to 30 seconds until the shaker is frosty. Strain into a martini glass and top with zest and brandied cherries. Top with a splash of Champagne if desired.

Pineapple Margarita Sparklers

Pineapple Margarita Sparkler

Sweet and salty with just a little kick, this extra sparkly Margarita will transport you to a tropical island for your New Year’s countdown.

  • 1cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1cup silver tequila
  • 1/2cup Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
  • 1bottle (750 ml) champagne
  • fresh mint, for serving

 

In a blender, combine pineapple, lime and lemon juice, and pulse to combine. Strain into a pitcher and add the tequila and Grand Marnier. Chill until ready to serve.

Just before serving, add the champagne then rim glasses with lime and then chili salt. Pour drinks in glasses and garnish with fresh or grilled pineapple slices and mint.

 

Chipotle Chili Salt

  • 1/4cup kosher or margarita salt
  • 1teaspoon chipotle chili powder (if you can’t find it, just mix equal parts of chipotle powder and chili powder)

 

On a shallow plate, combine the salt and chili powder.

 

Classic Martini

Martini

Sometimes foregoing the fancy cocktails and sticking to a classic standard is the best way to remember simpler times. This recipe is shaken – not stirred.

  • 5 ounces vodka or gin
  • .5 ounces dry vermouth
  • Olive or lemon twist for garnish

Pour ice, vodka or gin, and vermouth into a glass shaker. Shake and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with olives or lemon twist. Like it dirty? Add olive juice to taste and garnish with stuffed olives instead of lemon.

 

Boozy Hot Chocolate Buffet with Charcuterie Board

Cocoa

If it’s your sweet tooth that needs satisfying this New Year’s Eve, we’ve got just the ticket. Many Liqueurs’ or cream-based liquors mix great with hot chocolate so there is no recipe here. It’s the dress-up part that’s where the creativity comes. A Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board allows people to pick their own poisons. There is no right or wrong here. Have fun with it. Some ideas include:

  • A variety of alcohol choices like Baileys, Peppermint Schnapps, Frangelico, and Rum Chata (and/or whatever you like)
  • Crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, colorful sprinkles, whipped cream, white and dark chocolate pieces, caramel sauce or caramel candies, buttermint candies crumbled cookies (such as Oreos, pirouettes, or shortbread.

Don’t forget to have a way to keep the cocoa hot!

 

From all of us at Pajama Company, Cheers to you! Happy New Year!

How to Stick to New Year’s Resolutions – The Guide

As 2020 approaches, we not only usher in a new year, but also a new decade and the season where we practice the annual ritual of setting New Year’s Resolutions.

Before we get to how you are going to keep those resolutions this year, let’s review last year’s goals. Did you keep your resolutions? Did you at least make progress towards what you set out to accomplish? If your answer is no, you join 80% of Americans who also allowed their good intentions to fall by the wayside.

The inability to stick to New Year’s Resolutions is normal and should not be viewed as failure, or lack of willpower. Most of the time, not being able to follow through is because we didn’t have a plan. So how you ask “can this be the year I actually keep my New Year’s Resolutions?” We created this guide to offer up great tips and ideas that will surely help you succeed.

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Set Realistic Goals

If your mission is to lose weight, good for you! Just don’t set goals that aren’t attainable – or at least right away. Let’s say for instance you want to shed 30 pounds. Set your sight on the first 5 to start. It’s much more realistic and not that hard to do. Then, when the first 5 pounds are gone, go for the next 5 pounds and so on. You’ll see results as you go along and taking baby steps will take the pressure off, giving you a stronger feeling of accomplishment.

Make It Fun

The hardest thing about making resolutions can be that it feels more like a chore than actually making a change for the better. If you add fun into the mix it’s so much easier to get where you’re going. A perfect example is when we make the decision to eat healthier. The intention is there, but many times the spirit isn’t and we give in to temptation. One solution may be to take a healthy cooking class with like-minded resolutioners.  You get the social aspect of being with others which can be fun, plus you learn healthy, delicious recipes that will keep you on track.

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Use Technology

Whatever your resolution is, chances are there’s an app for that. Technology can help you remain accountable for everything from food intake to sleep patterns. You just have to look. Want to be more productive in your daily routine? We found an app that stops you from wasting hours on ‘time suck’ websites that keep you from the really important things you should be focusing on.

Find A Partner

Partners with similar goals are great for a couple of reasons. To begin with, if you have someone to ‘report’ to you are more likely to follow through. You also have a likeminded companion to whom you are accountable. If you planned for going to the gym with them 3 days a week, and you decide you ‘don’t feel like going’ one day, now you are disrupting someone else’s routine as well. A partner with the same goals will ensure that you have each other to lean on and you’ll also motivate one another to succeed and thrive.

Make it a Habit

Statistically, they say it takes 21 days to form a habit so if you make it past the initial 3 weeks your chances of success dramatically improve. With that in mind, why not stop thinking of your New Year’s resolutions as ‘have-to’s’ and start thinking of them as new habits – good new habits!

Don’t Let a Stumble make you Fall

Setbacks happen and are a fact of life. If we were all perfect, we wouldn’t need to set New Year’s Resolutions at all. If you slip or lapse back into bad habits, just reset and start over. There is no time limit when it comes to improving yourself.

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Our New Year’s Resolution & Free Shipping!

Happy New Year from your friends at The Pajama Company!

Our New Year’s resolution is MORE Pajama Days! And, we want you to join us.  After all, don’t you deserve a little more cozy?!

Now through Sunday, we’re offering free shipping on all orders over $75. Use “2015” at checkout. Happy Shopping!

We think Pajama Days are one of the BEST ways to be good to yourself. Check out this post for tips on how to create a relaxing Pajama Day. We’ve got the perfect Pajama Day treats for you here, because it’s all about comfort and that includes food. And, just in case you need more convincing, read this post about how it’s GOOD for  you to be lazy!

Photo Credit: Caaru via Compfight cc