Younger Daughter is currently at her overseas duty station in Europe. Like many military personnel, she finds herself far away from family during the festive season of Christmas.
Her solution? She's throwing an "Orphan Party" on Christmas Eve, which will continue at least until midnight and probably later. She has a spacious apartment and large terrace, so lots of people who have no other family nearby will join together and make merry. She did this last year as well, and apparently it was a wonderful success.
We talked to her a couple days ago, and she explained the plans. Apparently the guest list is now up to 23 (including some children and, no kidding, two German shepherd puppies). She's offering the space, including a portable fire pit on the terrace, and the guests are bringing everything else
Besides decorating her apartment, she's assembling themed flowers consisting of bundles of pine branches, berries, and white flowers, some of which will be suspended from the ceiling to make fake mistletoe.
Even more fun, it's a pajama party, so everyone will show up in (modest) sleep wear. There will be a prize for the best pajamas.
All food, all beverages (alcoholic and otherwise), all snacks and treats, are being brought by the various guests. (Her words: "I'm not making a damned thing.") Younger Daughter has personalized gifts for everyone – everyone! – and she splurged a bit for these, including stockings for the kids. (The kids' stockings will contain candy, chocolate, small toys, and – just to annoy the parents – harmonicas.) The packages under the Christmas tree shown above are just some of the gifts she's wrapped for her guests.
Someone is bringing a hot chocolate bar, where the beverage can be enjoyed plain or mixed with Kahlua or Irish cream or other modifiers. Someone else is bringing all the necessary ingredients for s'mores, to be toasted over the fire pit. Yet someone else is bringing a karaoke machine so people can sing Christmas carols.
Above all, the guests are cognizant that children will be present, so everyone plans to keep things fairly wholesome. For those choosing to indulge in adult beverages, Younger Daughter is making sure everyone has designated drivers, and in a few instances she's offering spare beds and floor space for those who just want to sleep it off.
Oddly enough, a card game I used to play with the girls when they were young – called King's Corner – has become quite the sensation among Younger Daughter's cohorts. Apparently they're planning a King's Corner playoff during the party, with a Nerf gun prize.
Last year's party had about 20 people and just by chance there were no children present. She said everyone had a blast. Weirdly enough, one of the highlights was the cigars and chestnuts one guest brought. At the time, Younger Daughter was living in a different apartment with a massive patio, so people assembled around the fire pit smoking cigars and playing a game in which they tried to toss chestnuts into others' drinks. Sounds odd, but apparently it was a smashing success.I simply love the idea of an Orphan Party. If Younger Daughter, like so many of her fellow military personnel, are forced to be far away from loved ones over the holidays, I'm glad they're celebrating together.
King’s Corner! Haven’t played that in a long time! For that matter, haven’t met anyone who knows what it is in a while!
ReplyDeleteBack in the late 60s early 70s when hubby was in the Navy, we always invited singles to our home for Thanksgiving and Christmas day. We did this because when he was single it was offered to him and he said it made a world of difference to be with others for the holidays. Bless your Younger Daughter for being so wonderful and thoughtful
ReplyDeleteNot have much family, this is such a great idea! but I would nix the harmonica's
ReplyDeleteOnly if they are replaced by kazoos! The best ever gift for kids, and the parents simply love the beautiful melodies they ring out!
DeleteWhat a wonderful plan! My nephew and his wife are in Okinawa, I’ll have to ask him what their plans are for their first Christmas away from extended family.
ReplyDeleteMy son just got transferred to Okinawa and just found an apartment yesterday! It will not be his first Christmas away from home though since he has been deployed many times during the season.
DeleteI just looked up King's Corner. This sounds like a lot of fun and a wonderful idea for a party!
ReplyDeleteI was stationed in Belgium in the early 90s, it's a small American community there around Mons and Chievres, and bonds can get pretty tight among friends. Some of the best holidays I ever spent were in Europe.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThe chestnut toss sounds like a version of Beer Pong. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_pong
ReplyDeleteI remember a game I played when attending a friends party. It is best with a larger crowd like the one younger daughter is having. All attendees bring one modest gift ( a price limit should be set) wrapped and no tag so it remains anonymous. It can be as simple a battery , an extension cord or a jar of nuts. The gifts get placed in a pile or a basket or box. The gifts can be wrapped in a non conspicuous way like a candy bar in an oatmeal box type of thing. When you are ready to start the game all you need is to pick a piece of paper with a number from 1 to how many will participate out of a hat. Number 1 gets first pick and unwraps in front of everyone, number 2 is next and has a choice, steal from number 1 or pick a new one. If number one got stolen then they pick again. The best number to have is the last one, everyone can participate including children and of course there will be couples conspiring on trying to get the best one. This was always very enjoyable and gets everyone closer especially when some people don't know some of the attendees, lots of laughter due to some of the wacky items people bring.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma learned how to play Kings Corners, we called it Wagon Wheel, and she taught us grand kids. Also Canasta. We spent many happy hours playing those games as a family. Thanks for the memory!
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