My Big Day Events Blog: Weddings, Events, Deals, Ideas, Planning, Colorado in the Know!

Christmas Parties Gone Wrong

12/21/2021

Christmas Parties Gone Wrong; All Work and No Play...Celebrating the Holidays with your Work Crew

By Carrie Stadtmueller, Content Conductor

There are many types of Christmas traditions out there, but none perhaps as steeped and as important as planning the PERFECT holiday office party! The perfect office party is just the right blend of structure and professionalism with just enough of a relaxed atmosphere where people can cut loose enough with some fun and slight indulgences. A time to celebrate a year of accomplishments!

We’ve helped many companies and businesses plan perfect celebrations with class and flair. And, it’s always great for our clients to know that they have an extra set of eyes and hands on site to help should things get out of hand - or slightly out of control.

How can things get out of control, you might ask? Well, anytime you mix good food, good drink, good music, and good fun – you run the risk of things getting out of control. Take these examples for instance:

“Office Christmas Party”
Starring Jennifer Aniston & Jason Bateman

If you’ve ever held a job, chances are, you’ve also had to deal with the annual work holiday party. As mentioned above, as event planners - we’ve planned a few! Let us just say - the characters in this movie probably could have used our help!

This movie follows an office holiday party that gets wildly out of hand as a branch manager uses the event to impress a potential client while trying to close a sale and save company jobs.

One major tip: Remember that this is still a business event.
While it is oky to relax and have fun when you’re at a workplace party, don’t loose sight of the fact that this event is still sponsored by your boss, and you should still remain professional.

Best of the Christmas Parties - The Office

The Office has great examples for what “not to do” on so many occasions. This compilation of their holiday parties is a gold mine! But, there is one rule that really sticks out in this…

Holiday Party Tip: Don’t drink too much!
If your employer is offering you a drink and you don’t mind - accept, but watch and limit yourself!
If there is one place you cannot afford to lose your senses, it is at an event that is hosted by your boss and attended by your coworkers. You do not want to be the talk around the watercooler the next Monday!
Best advice - probably stick to a two drink maximum. This will allow you to enjoy yourself without having to pay for it later!

Die Hard
Starring Bruce Willis

While some people may argue whether or not this is truly a Christmas movie (IT IS!) - one thing is certain, it definitely holds some holiday office party lessons to follow.
Holiday Party Tip: Don’t bring uninvited guests.
Your party hosts have been planning for a certain amount of guests. Most caterers and venues require a base payment per guest. It is not appropriate to add to your hosts’ expenses by bringing extra guests to the event.

Holiday Tip: Do introduce yourself to others at the company.
If you work at a larger company, make it a goal to talk with a certain number of people with whom you haven’t spoken to or don’t know that well. Holiday parties can be great networking opportunities.

Holiday Tip: Do arrive and depart on time.
Arriving fashionably late is not appropriate in a corporate setting. You also do not want to be the last one to leave either. Make sure that you are following the time that is listed on the event invitation.

When you choose to celebrate appropriately, your office holiday party can be a great way to build strong team ties and camaraderie and celebrate a year of accomplishments or milestones. Follow these tips to have a great time!

-Your MBD Event Planning Team

Contact MBD Marketing & Events

Small Business. Big Impact.

Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068

Email Us

We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken

Holiday Proposal Inspiration

12/12/2021

By Carrie Stadtmueller, Content Conductor

We are smack dab in the middle of prime Engagement Season, and Christmas is the crowning jewel - no pun intended, of dates when smitten gentlemen like to pop the question. And it’s no big surprise why – twinkly lights, decorated trees, winter wonderlands – the setting and decor is pretty much-taken care of for you. It’s practically a Hallmark Movie waiting to happen! The holidays are already a romantic time of year, it’s no wonder, many couples capitalize on the romance of it all!

If you are looking into popping the question this holiday season, there are some things you may want to consider before you get down on one knee:

Think about what your partner likes
Is your partner a private person? If so, a proposal in front of your entire family over Christmas dinner might not be the best option – even if you both absolutely love each other’s families. If they are a more private person, perhaps a quiet walk on a snowy path in the woods? Or a horse-drawn carriage in on a crisp winter’s night under twinkle lights downtown? There are still ways to involve your families and friends after she has said yes — which leads us into the next consideration…..

Check with your partner’s friends and family
Are you thinking about asking your significant other to marry you during gift opening or some other party or event? You may want to let someone else know so that it isn’t a complete surprise to EVERYONE else there. They are all going to want to be a part of the big event. You’d hate to have someone miss out, and they can all serve as extra help!

Weather
If you’re planning an outdoor proposal, you will want to keep the weather in mind. If you live in Colorado - this is just a given - you always want to have a backup plan. We think a snowy proposal could actually be very romantic – however, a blizzard, not so much!

Plan ahead
Don’t assume that you’ll be able to walk into your favorite restaurant or bar for drinks. We are still living in a pandemic. Some establishments are still operating under limited capacity. So please – plan ahead! Don’t wait until the last minute to call for reservations! This time of year is always busier and typically gets booked months in advance.

You may also need to enlist other vendors to help you pull off your perfect proposal – florists, event rentals, musicians – whomever you may choose to help with your Big Day – this is a very busy time of year for event professionals. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Don’t have your dream of a holiday proposal thwarted by poor planning.

Creative Proposal Ideas
My Big Day has curated an entire Pinterest Board full of creative Holiday Proposals. Follow this Board of ideas to inspire your big ask:
https://www.pinterest.com/MyBigDayEvents/the-perfect-proposal/

Top 7 Winter Activities in Northern Colorado - Home for the Holidays

12/11/2021

Colorado is so beautiful in the wintertime, with snowy mountains and lots of festivities! It’s the perfect time to have some fun while remaining safe with the whole family.
We are bringing you our top picks for activities in Northern Colorado for winter this year!

With the COVID pandemic in mind, there are lots of options for safe fun. From festive light displays to ice skating at the Promenade Shops at Centerra, there are plenty of budget-friendly activities outdoors where you can keep a safe distance while having a great time. Getting creative with fun at home activities is another way to celebrate and enjoy your time with your family while keeping warm all from the comfort of your own home.

Outdoor Winter Activities in Northern Colorado

1. Downtown Fort Collin’s Santa Quest
Go on a scavenger hunt around Old Town for Santa! If you find them all you can be entered for a chance to win gift cards!

2. Loveland Winter Wonderlights
See the beautiful lights at Chapungu Sculpture Park this December. A romantic night out or a fun family night to see Santa and his reindeer!

3. Bundle up for a Cross Country Ski
Everyone can cross country ski! In town or up in the mountains, get on some snow gear and explore a beautiful snowy day! We recommend some of the trails in Estes Park!

4. Hunt for the Loveland Holiday Gnomes
Back by popular demand, get ready to hunt for Herbie (Loveland’s holiday gnome) and all of his gnome friends around Loveland! Herbie and his friends have homes at various locations throughout the city. To play, you must download EVENTZEE, a free mobile app, to find out where they are, meet each of them, and complete each of their challenges. You’ll snap photos of yourself with the gnomes and be entered into our contest through the app to be able to win one of the grand prizes below.
All players who successfully complete all of the challenges on the app will win a holiday prize!

Home for the Holidays-Fun Activities to do at Home

1. CP Holiday Train at Home"Canadian Music Hall-of-Famer Steven Page and The Strumbellas will lead an all-star cast of performers aboard the CP Holiday Train for the 2021 "Holiday Train at Home" concert."

2. Make a Hot Cocoa Bar for a Family Movie Night
Make an ordinary family movie night extraordinary with a hot chocolate bar. Marshmallows, caramel, peppermints, cookies, you name it! Let the family have their way with their hot cocoa!

3. Make Snow/Ice Sculptures
Give your snowman a mohawk! Design a winter wonderland with not just snow but ice as well!

For more ideas check out our Pinterest Board https://www.pinterest.com/MyBigDayEvents/education-k-12/winter-activities/

10 Guilty Pleasure Party Appetizers

12/9/2021

If you’re dieting for the holidays this year, you’ve come to the wrong place – the My Big Day team has rounded up ten of our favorite guilty pleasure party appetizers. No counting calories allowed!

Whip up any of these recipes (double or triple them to feed a crowd), and you’ll be getting all the compliments. To promote safe partying during the pandemic, we’ve chosen bite-sized apps for your guests. Bonus: Dishes are optional and clean-up is easy.

Whether you need a little help planning your next event, or want to show up the day-of with everything done, our team with over 15 years of experience in the event industry is here to help. Book now.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

A little spicy? Yep. Super indulgent? Yes. Totally addictive? You bet.

Yield: 12 poppers

Ingredients

12 jalapeno peppers, approximately 3-4 inches long
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
½ c. mozzarella cheese
½ c. Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese
½ tsp. smoked or regular paprika
¼ tsp. garlic powder
⅛ tsp. onion powder
salt, to taste
12 slices thin-cut bacon, cut in half
24 toothpicks

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking pan with foil and place a baking/cooling rack on top, to keep peppers from getting soggy.
Wearing gloves, cut peppers in half and carefully remove seeds and membranes. A spoon is a great tool for this.
In a medium-sized bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add the other cheeses and spices and mix until smooth and ingredients are evenly distributed.
Spoon cream cheese mixture into each pepper and level off the top. Wrap with half a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick and place on prepared rack.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until crispy and slightly browned on top. If bacon is not crispy enough, turn to broil for 1-2 minutes, watching very carefully.

Cream Cheese Tortilla Bites

Quick and easy (only 4 ingredients!) and vegetarian.

Yield: 36 bites

Ingredients

6 8-inch tortillas
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
2 tbsp. everything seasoning, divided
2 tbsp. Butter

Directions

Divided equally, spread the cream cheese over the tops of the tortillas.
Sprinkle each with 1 tbsp. everything seasoning, roll up, and cut into 1-inch sections (six per tortilla, plus ends).
In a large frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the tortilla bites, cut side down, and cook 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. Serve warm.

Feta and Spinach Puff Pastry Appetizers

These fancy pastries look as good as they taste and are sure to impress. Vegetarian.

Yield: 27 pastries

Ingredients

16 oz. frozen spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained, chopped, and squeezed dry
½ c. green onions, chopped
8 oz. crumbled Feta cheese
4 oz. Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
6 cloves garlic, minced
½ stick butter, melted
3 eggs, beaten, divided
3 sheets of puff pastry

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Using a cheesecloth or clean dish towel, squeeze a much water as possible out of chopped spinach and artichokes.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine spinach, artichokes, green onions, cheeses, salt, pepper, garlic, butter, and two beaten eggs.
Roll each sheet of puff pastry out to 10x10 inches. Using a pizza cutter, divide each sheet of puff pastry into 9 equal squares.
Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray. Press each puff pastry square into the bottom and sides of the tins. Place a heaping tablespoon of spinach mixture into each square. Bring each corner up and twist to seal.
Brush additional egg onto each pastry. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Ritz Crackers Party Sandwiches

Yes, the nostalgic snack is still a party favorite. Customize with your own favorite cheese and meat, or cheese and roasted veggies.

Yield: 48 sandwiches

Ingredients

96 Ritz crackers (3 sleeves)
½ lb. thinly sliced deli ham
⅓ lb. thinly sliced swiss cheese
5 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp. salt
2 tsp. poppy seeds
1 tsp. dried onion flakes

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 24 crackers flat side down in the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish. Tear the ham gently to create small strips, and gently fold a slice on top of each cracker.
Cut the cheese into 1-inch squares and place one piece on top of each piece of ham. Top each sandwich with another cracker, round side up.
Microwave butter until melted, about 45 seconds. Gently whisk in dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Pour the butter mixture evenly over the sandwiches, dividing evenly between the two pans. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and dried onion flakes.
Bake 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and crackers are lightly golden brown. Serve warm.

Crockpot Apple Butter and Bourbon Meatballs

Sweet and tangy. Add hot sauce for an extra kick.

Yield: 32 meatballs

Ingredients

⅔ c. apple butter
⅔ c. barbecue sauce
½ tsp. Hot sauce (optional)
⅓ c. bourbon
2 tbsp. Chili powder
32 oz. bag of frozen, pre-cooked meatballs

Directions

Combine apple butter, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and bourbon in a small bowl. Place meatballs in slow cooker.
Pour the apple butter and barbecue sauce mixture on top. Cook on low 2-3 hours and serve warm.

*On a time crunch? Place meatballs and sauce mixture in a saucepan and cook on medium low, stirring frequently, for 30-40 minutes or until meatballs are heated through.

Cranberry Havarti Bites

Decadent, creamy, and tangy.

Yield: 16 bites

Ingredients

Cranberry sauce, homemade or store-bought (make sure it is cranberry sauce, not cranberry jelly – you’re looking for a jam-like consistency)
One puff pastry sheet
Sliced creamy havarti, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
Fresh thyme, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone mat.
Unroll the pastry, then divide it into 16 small rectangles and brush with egg wash.
Drag a knife across each rectangle of dough along the edges to create a “crust.” Place a slice of havarti in the middle.
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Top each bite with cranberry sauce and a sprig of fresh thyme.

Cranberry Brie Crostini Bites

Cranberry + brie is a sophisticated holiday combo, and this recipe can be made in advance and then assembled in just minutes on party day.

Yield: 24 toasts

Ingredients

2 c. fresh cranberries
¼ c. packed brown sugar
1 orange, peeled and juiced (save the peels)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 sprig fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
1 baguette, sliced into 24 half-inch slices
1 tbsp. olive oil
½ tsp. salt
8 oz. brie, sliced into 24 pieces

Directions

Combine cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, orange peels, vanilla, and rosemary in a small pot. Bring the liquid to a simmer and stir frequently until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are falling apart and a jam-like consistency has formed, 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and fish out orange peels and rosemary stems. If jam is too tart, add more brown sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Slice baguette into 24 half-inch slices. Brush each side with olive oil, then lay on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, flipping halfway.
To assemble the bites, top each toast with a slice of brie and a tablespoon of cranberry jam. Garnish with rosemary if desired. *Jam will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

Twice Baked Potato Bites

Like a mini baked potato with all the toppings, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Yield: 12

Ingredients

12 small red and gold potatoes
2 tbsp. Cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp. Sour cream
½ c. cooked, crumbled bacon
2 tbsp. Chopped fresh chives
½ c. grated cheese of your choice
½ tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
Olive oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss potatoes with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Roast 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. Cool until they can be safely handled, about 20 minutes.
Slice off just the top of each potato and scoop out the insides with a small spoon or melon baller, leaving about ⅛ inch of potato. Put the scooped out potato into a bowl.
To the same bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream, ¼ c. grated cheese, ¼ c. crumbled bacon, and 1 tbsp. chopped chives. Mash and mix until smooth.
Fill potato shells with potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F 15-20 minutes until heated through. Top with remaining cheese and bacon and heat 5 minutes more. Sprinkle with remaining chives.

Antipasto Skewers

These snacking skewers are like a portable charcuterie board, without the touching-something-someone-else-has-touched.

Yield: 18 skewers

Ingredients

18 6-inch wooden skewers
18 cheese tortellini cooked and cooled
¼ c. Italian salad dressing or vinaigrette
18 large black olives, pitted
18 cubes havarti cheese (about 8 oz.)
18 slices of salami or prosciutto
18 cherry or grape tomatoes
18 to 36 fresh basil leaves
18 marinated mozzarella balls

Directions

After cooking tortellini, transfer to a container with a lid, and add dressing or vinaigrette. Toss lightly. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, up to overnight, to marinate.
Thread the ingredients onto the skewers in any order you’d like. A pleasing order: olive, havarti, salami or prosciutto (folded), tortellini, tomato, basil, marinated mozzarella.

Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls on a Pretzel Stick

These salty, satisfying game-day snacks make a popular party app.

Yield: 30

Ingredients

12 oz. softened cream cheese
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. Dry ranch seasoning
1 c. (about 1 lb.) cooked, finely chopped bacon
1 tbsp. Parsley
30 pretzel sticks

Directions

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese. Add cheddar and ranch mix and beat until combined. In a small bowl, combine bacon and parsley.
Use a melon baller to scoop out a ball of the cheese mixture. Roll into a ball, then roll to coat in the parsley and bacon mixture. Repeat until all balls are made.
Place a pretzel stick in the middle of each cheese ball and serve.

Visit our Party Appetizers Pinterest board for many more party-worthy recipes. For more party planning tips and ideas, follow My Big Day on Facebook and Instagram.

Utilizing Event Sponsorships in Your Business Marketing Plan

11/30/2021

Event Sponsorship can benefit your marketing and sales
By Carrie Stadtmueller, Content Conductor

Event sponsorship can be a great cost-effective way to reach your customers, and allow you to reach targeted niche markets without the expense of traditional advertising.

Through sponsorship, your business won’t directly promote your company or product, but you will pay to support an event or cause that your customers care about. Through this support, your business is then associated with the event by customers, attendees, media, and the larger community as a whole.

The many benefits of sponsorship

There are many benefits associated with sponsorship - many are related to promotional opportunities. If you are looking to sponsor larger events on a nation-wide level scale, there are multiple opportunities to get your branding on items and in the hands of event attendees.

Local causes such as sports teams or charity drives might offer more limited spaces for branding and products, but they also allow you to reach a more specific local audience.

In all its forms, event sponsorships offer a certainty that traditional advertising simply cannot. They can also help you meet multiple marketing goals at once. Here are just a few:

Shape consumer attitudes. When you sponsor an event that your customers care about, you create positive feelings about your brand.
Build brand awareness. One of the best reasons to sponsor an event is to guarantee an audience that needs your product. If you sponsor a tradeshow geared toward your industry, you are marketing towards an audience that is product-specific.

If it’s a non-profit you’re supporting, you’re getting your name out in the community, building brand visibility - perhaps getting your logo on a t-shirt, creating brand visibility long past the event!

Build Relationships. You can build trust with potential customers. You can form relationships in your community with attendees, other event sponsors, and the event production team. This is an awesome opportunity to network!
Generate Leads. Event sponsorship will put your name and brand top of mind for prospective customers. The larger the event, the more attendees and potential leads for your business to draw from.
Generate media exposure. Media coverage can be expensive. Advertising is expensive. If you can sponsor a local event or industry trade show, you can capitalize on the media presence of that event. Media coverage often includes the names of the sponsors, and at the very least, your logo will be tied to the name or branding of the event. The positive publicity will increase the visibility of your brand, product, and services.

How you can add sponsorship to your marketing plan

Adding an event or non-profit sponsorship to your marketing plan should be a part of your overall marketing strategy. You should spend time asking the following questions:

What causes align with our company’s values?
Have we worked with this non-profit or cause before?
What sort of financial support do they expect from sponsors?
What kind of exposure or benefits do they offer sponsors at different levels of sponsorship?

It doesn’t have to be a huge event to make a huge impact on your business. You should choose something that makes the most sense for your brand and mission, and most of all, something that you believe in.

My Big Day Marketing & Events can help

My Big Day Marketing & Events works with a variety of non-profits and can help your business find an organization to partner with. We can do the research for you and find the right sponsorship level that will benefit your business as well as the non-profit, making it a win-win for both!

If you are interested in finding out more about how an event sponsorship might benefit your small business, please reach out for a consultation.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Drinking Game!

11/23/2021

When the holidays draw near, do you feel the need to reach for a beer?
The relatives are in town, and you are putting in your time with the family...

Well, spike that eggnog, Sparky, grab your favorite moose mug, and play My Big Day's "Christmas Vacation Drinking Game!"

What you will need for this game: an beer, eggnog, wine, or your drink of choice, a Santa hat & a single shot of your choice (perhaps a lime Jello shot topped with cat food).

*** Disclosure: please don't drink to put up with family, then drive.

My Big Day Drinking Rules:

Take One Drink Every Time...

Ellen calls Clark "Sparky"
Someone is wearing an ugly holiday sweater
There is singing or bells shaking
The swimming pool is referenced
Clark is wearing a sports team article of clothing

Additional Rules:

The entire group takes a drink whenever an advent calendar door is opened.

You must yell “Shitter’s Full!” any time you leave to use the restroom, otherwise you must finish your beer when you return.

The first person to say “Get me somebody! And get me somebody while I'm waiting!” when Frank Shirley appears on screen for the first time chooses a person to finish their drink.

The first person to stand up & fully complete the “knock on the door, peek in…” correctly WITH hand gestures during that scene gives two drinks.

At any point in the movie, you can point to someone & yell "RUSS!" If they do not respond with "Right here, dad" they must take a drink (max once per person, this could get out of control).

Anytime someone misquotes a line in the movie, they have to wear the Santa hat until it gets passed to the next person.
When the movie is over, the last person wearing the Santa hat has to shotgun a beer & finish by saying “Ahh, It’s good, It’s good. It’s good.”

"A Christmas Story" Drinking Game - MBD Marketing & Events

11/22/2021

We've noticed that our followers really appreciate game ideas... especially drinking game ideas.
With a rough couple years behind us, and a global pandemic still lingering, we understand for the need for 'at home' party ideas!

Since our "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Drinking Game" is so popular, we decided to add
"A Christmas Story Drinking Game" for those of you looking to add some variety to your regular holiday program viewing!

"A Christmas Story Drinking Game"

Rules: Party safe, try to place with drinks that don't have super high alcohol content! (You will be drinking a lot this game!) To pad your stomach prior to playing, kudos to the host for providing some "Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double-beatloaf."

Drink every time:

The words "Red Ryder" are mentioned
"Christmas" is said
"You'll shoot your eye out" is said
Ralphie fantasizes
Santa is on screen
A Christmas carol is played
Ralpie's brother cries
Someone quotes the movie
Ralphie's mother appears to be intoxicated.
Anyone curses/swears with gibberish!

Finish your drink:

When the lamp arrives
When a Triple Dog Dare occurs
Ralphie shoots his eye out

Group Rules:

Everyone must yell "Oh Fuuuuudge" every time someone exits the bathroom while playing.
Bonus: If anyone can hold a bar of soap in their mouth for 1 minute, they can assign drinks to anyone else throughout the game!
Together the group must sing, "Deck the harrs with boughs of horry, fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra" at the right point in the movie.

Enjoy!!!

Holiday Tips: Tools for Monitoring Your Own Intoxication

11/12/2021

With the holidays quickly approaching, we know many of you are eager to celebrate with coworkers, family, and friends. During the winter holidays, 40% of highway deaths are alcohol-related. Keep yourself and those around you safe by using one (or both) of these tools to monitor your own alcohol consumption.

As the marketing team for No DUI Larimer, we have some great tools we recommend for some extra safety for you and your loved ones.

DRUIDapp for iOS and Android

The DRUID app applies neuroscience to assess a user’s level of cognitive and motor impairment due to any cause, including alcohol intoxication, marijuana use, fatigue, and injury. It works like a video game, and records hundreds of indicators to detect impairment in just three minutes.

The app is comprehensive (tests for many causes of impairment), accurate, fast, easy to use, and free. Unlike impairment due to drugs or alcohol, impairment due to fatigue, illness, chronic condition or injury, like concussion, cannot be determined by measuring the presence of an impairing substance in bodily fluids – blood, urine or sweat.

And for some drugs, particularly marijuana, testing for its bodily presence just doesn’t work. Marijuana causes impairment for an hour or two, but remains in your system for three weeks or more. During that time, it has no impairing effect. A test for its bodily presence is not useful to determine your ability to operate a vehicle or other machinery, or your well-being, because it does not measure impairment.

DRUID can help keep you safe if you:

Have been drinking alcohol
Are impaired due to fatigue, illness, a chronic medical condition, or prescription medicines
Treat chronic pain using medical marijuana
Use marijuana or illegal drugs recreationally

DRUID is available in the App Store and Google Play.

BACtrack

BACtrack is a personal, portable breathalyzer specifically designed to help you make better decisions while drinking. BACtrack allows you to estimate your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) in seconds and tells you when your BAC will return to 0.00%, so you can stay safe and consume alcohol responsibly.

A number of factors affect how quickly an individual’s BAC rises and falls, including: age, gender, rate of consumption, drink strength, body type, fat/muscle content, metabolism, medications, food, carbonation, and certain medical conditions. Whether you drink regularly or only occasionally, your own BAC may surprise you. Knowing your true BAC at any time allows you to make safer decisions for yourself and those around you.

Research suggests that education about blood alcohol content contributes to fewer incidences of impaired driving. BACtrack technologies have helped people avoid fatal accidents.

Purchase a BACtrack for yourself or someone you love for as little as $39.99. Coupons are often available.

Follow No DUI Larimer on Facebook and Instagram for local news and more safe drinking tips.

10 Non-Traditional Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in 2021

11/9/2021

Blog by Sarah Biekert, Punctuation Prodigy

Local regulations have changed significantly since Thanksgiving last year (with a bit of back-and-forth). We know many of you aren’t ready for a big indoor gathering this year. We’re big fans of finding a way to celebrate no matter what – so here are 10 non-traditional ways to observe Thanksgiving 2021.

1. Share a meal with a neighbor. This isn’t a new tradition, but it’s especially suited to this year. Many of your older and/or immunocompromised neighbors have been spending lots of time alone for the past year and a half. And, let’s face it – most of us, whether we live alone or not, could use some extra kindness these days. What better way to cheer someone up than to bring over a warm Thanksgiving dinner plate?

2. Share a meal with a stranger. The pandemic has also been especially isolating for those who are homeless. If you have qualms about giving out cash, why not share a warm meal instead? Prepare a few extra plates this year, and give them to others in need.

3. Drive-by decorations. To share some holiday cheer with anyone who drives by, consider decorating your yard or home exterior for Thanksgiving. Purchase your own decorations for a DIY project, or hire a company like Card My Yard for decoration and cleanup services. You can even order decorations for a loved one’s yard! Card My Yard Wellington serves Fort Collins, Laporte, Windsor, Timnath, and Wellington; Card My Yard Greeley serves Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Severance, Johnstown, Milliken, Eaton, and Loveland.

4. Video call with built-in games. New video-call apps are multifunctional. Developed with the pandemic in mind, apps like Bunch and WAVE allow you to video chat while playing real-time screen games with participants. Game options range from family-friendly classics like Uno and Scrabble to video games like Call of Duty.

5. Or...play a board game on video with friends and family. If figuring out a new app sounds more like a chore than good entertainment, use the video platform you’re most comfortable with and play with a real board and cards. Make sure the other participant has the same game available. Bingo is an easy video call game for all ages; simply take turns calling. You can even find Thanksgiving-themed Bingo games.

6. Simultaneous movie night. Cue up a Thanksgiving film or favorite holiday movie while on the phone with a friend (make sure to press play at the same time!) or use an app like Teleparty (previously Netflix Party) that synchronizes video playback for a group and adds a group chat (compatible with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO.

7. Send thank-you notes. Thank-you notes aren’t just for Christmas and birthdays. Take some time to consider the people you are thankful to have in your life, and make Thanksgiving an opportunity to show them how much you appreciate them. Show gratitude for friends, family, coworkers, and your neighborhood trash pickup workers and postal workers. A handwritten note is always extra meaningful.

8. Recipe exchange. Switch things up a bit this year by adding someone else’s favorite recipe to your Thanksgiving meal. Before the holiday, swap a recipe with a friend or family member who won’t be at your house for Thanksgiving. Each participant cooks the other’s recipe – extra fun if you’re on a video call while you’re doing it. You may just find a new favorite recipe.

9. Outdoor games. Colorado weather permitting, let the family burn some energy (or calories) with outdoor games. Outdoor air circulation means you can invite the neighbors over, too. Games like cornhole, Badminton, horseshoes, and charades are fun for adults and kids.

10. Surprise someone with their very own parade. Cooped up grandparents and at-risk family and friends will love watching from the front porch as you drive by in decorated cars or strut down the sidewalk (in full costume, of course). Share some Thanksgiving cheer with those who aren’t comfortable with or able to leave the house this year.
Happy Thanksgiving from the My Big Day team!

Put our team in charge of your next private, corporate, or nonprofit event and have decades of combined marketing and event planning experience at your disposal. Contact us to get started.

How to Set Up a Self-Service Bar for Your Holiday Party

11/7/2021

Entertaining for the holidays can have you juggling many roles: chef, bartender, performer – even family mediator. Setting up a self-serve bar for your holiday party gives you more time to enjoy your guests, but it may not be as simple as you think. Here are some tips to DIY a successful self-serve bar for the holidays.

Keep the drink selection simple

As the party host, it’s up to you how many drink options you’d like to supply for your guests. You can stick to just beer and wine, add in a themed cocktail, or stock all the basics of a full bar and allow guests to create their own drinks. Here are some staples to consider:

Scotch
Vodka
Gin
Tequila
Rum
Red and white wine
Beer
Mixers like: club soda, cola, diet cola, tonic, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, orange juice, and cranberry juice
Extras like: champagne, brandy, and pimms
Garnishes: orange peel, lime, lemon wedges, or other fruit

Pre-mix drinks

If you’d like to serve a signature cocktail hassle-free, you can pre-mix ingredients and serve them in a large beverage dispenser. To keep drinks cold without diluting them, chill ingredients thoroughly before mixing, then: add ice cubes made out of your non-alcoholic ingredients, add frozen fruit, or choose a beverage dispenser designed to keep liquids cold.

Write cocktail recipes for guests

If your guests like to be a bit more hands-on, you can provide the cocktail recipe and let guests mix their own drinks. Choose a signature cocktail or two and print the recipes on paper or cardstock, write them on a chalkboard, or even on a mirror. If a drink requires an exact measurement, be sure to have that measuring utensil available. Don’t forget to provide any garnishes.

Choose drinks that complement your theme or occasion

This is the fun part: brainstorming signature drinks to suit your party theme or occasion. Warm, rich drinks are welcome at a cozy fall or winter party. Traditional drinks like mulled wine are a festive addition to holiday parties. And fresh, fruity drinks are ideal for summer get-togethers. For ideas and inspiration, check out our list of eight signature cocktails for your next event or five fall-inspired cocktail recipes.

Purchase the right amount of alcohol for your party

Party duration, number of guests, type of alcohol, and type of party all affect how much alcohol you’ll need to purchase. This drink calculator from Evite is a great place to start.

Have supplies readily available

The supplies you’ll need depend on the complexity of your drink offerings. Even the most basic self-serve bar will need:

Glassware or cups
Corkscrew (if serving wine)
Cocktail napkins
Bar towel
Ice (and a serving utensil)
Trash can

Other supplies to consider include:

Jigger (measuring glass)
Shaker
Fruit and garnishes (pre-cut)
Drink stirrers
Cocktail shaker
Strainer
Champagne flutes
Short and tall glasses
Wine glasses
Stemmed cocktail glasses

eep your guests (and yourself) safe

With a self-serve bar, you won’t be able to keep track of how much alcohol each guest consumes. Look for signs of intoxication (loud speech, slurred speech, stumbling, rude behavior, etc.) and discourage any guests you suspect to be impaired from driving. Be ready to call ride services, offer a room for the night, or even to call police if things escalate. Check your local and state laws: As party host, you may be held responsible for the actions of impaired guests, even after they’ve left your property.

Sound like a lot? With some planning and drink prep, anyone can provide their own self-serve bar this holiday season. But if you’re short on time or just don’t feel ready, you can book all of these services with On the Rocks.

You’ll get a consultation with us to discuss drink ideas, how much alcohol you’ll need to purchase, and delivery coordination. On the day of your event, our TIPS-certified bartenders – trained in safe service and preventing drunk driving and underage intoxication – will serve your guests, so you can be worry free.

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