If your choice is to stay home for New Year’s Eve, or if you haven’t made any choice yet, you are so in style. So says In Style magazine’s design editor Jacqueline Goewey.
“I don’t know what it is with this year,” she said. “People are just going to wait, do something last-minute, not like it’s a big serious deal.”
That does not bar a party, such as a progressive dinner on the order of 8 to 10 people, she said. Nor does it bar children.
“For some reason this year, it doesn’t seem like a night for sitters,” she said. “Kids are coming along.”
No elaborate provisions necessary–a dusting of colored sugar on their drink rims, a video, and you’re set.
1. An impromptu cocktail party
Dana Cowin, editor in chief of Food & Wine magazine, committed herself to throwing a low-stress holiday cocktail party this year. For a Chicago version, she suggested calling up a cheese guru at Fox & Obel market, 401 E. Illinois St., and asking for suggestions. Ditto for a charcuterie plate: “a big salami, a skinny chorizo, a thinly sliced porchetta, maybe a pate de campagne (inexpensive) and/or foie gras (pricier).”
What to drink?
“There’s this myth that cheese and red wine are the best partners, but they’re really not,” she said.
With something as unctuous as cheese, she said, refreshing whites are better, though not chardonnay because most American cheeses are too rich.
But, conveniently, she said, “it’s very hard to argue against Champagne!”
Speaking of which, Champagne cocktails are another trendy way to wake up that traditional sparkler.
Here’s one Chicago interpretation from John Fuente, chef and wine instructor at the Chopping Block, whose second location at 4747 N. Lincoln Ave. just opened.
Champagne julep:
1. Mix and mash a half-cup of Grand Marnier with 2 dozen fresh mint leaves.
2. Strain that, then put a tablespoon of it in a glass and pour Champagne of your choice over the top. (Fuente likes prosecco, an Italian sparkler, because it’s crisp, not sweet.)
Whether sipping wine, a humble sparkler or a Champagne cocktail, add a warm fuzzy. Faux fur glass rimmer, $10 for set of four; Lush Life, 866-587-4543.
2. Let old acquaintances be remembered
For a New Year’s party, an In Style colleague of Goewey says her friends are asking guests to bring a video of their favorite movie, queued up to their favorite scene. “Such a cute idea!” Goewey said.
Rife with fodder is John Hughes’ three-DVD “High School Reunion Collection.” Seminal 1980s moments come courtesy of “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles” and “Weird Science.”
3. The slumber party
There’s something so deliciously countercultural about curling up with an old movie (see No. 2) and popcorn on an eve so often overwrought. The new Gary Poppins Popcorn shop puts a gourmet twist on that option, with flavors such as spiced cinnamon and white-chocolate-covered candy cane.
