Ideas & Tips — Celebration

As the seasons change, so does what we want out of a beer. Gone are the days of light, crisp lagers and wheaty hefeweizens — it's time for dark, heavy brews with seasonal ingredients and spices, perfect for drinking while warming your feet by the fireplace. Known as winter warmers, these beers have what it takes to stand up to the cold weather, namely, strong dark flavors and alcohol levels that are sure to keep you warm: Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale, 5.9% ABV, Boston, MA: Named for the generous and hospitable business owner in A Christmas Carol, this beer is chock full of...

You've invited everyone over to your home for New Year's Eve, and now it's time to start getting into the nitty-gritty of party planning and preparation. Hosting a New Year's party can be understandably stressful: People have high expectations about how they want to ring in the new year, and good preparation can mean the difference between a hopping party and a drunken, disorganized mess. Here are some tips to help you provide the best experience possible for your guests: Make a list. As in any situation where there are a lot of tasks to get done at once, it's helpful...

It's that time of year again: Time to raise a glass with family and friends and toast to being safe inside with food, drink and a functional heating system. The holiday season is one of the biggest times of year for cocktails, given all the swanky parties that go on, so it stands to reason that there are an abundance of holiday cocktail ideas to choose from. Impress your friends and coworkers at parties by trying some of these out: Rosemary-scented champagne: Add rosemary-flavored simple syrup and a shot of rum to a flute of champagne for a holiday flavor with...

You've only just walked in the door at the annual family holiday gathering, and already two aunts and a grandma have flocked around you to offer cookies, cakes and snacks. So it begins. Eating sensibly during the holiday can feel like an uphill battle, with factors from the cold weather to pushy relatives threatening the hard-earned integrity of your waistline. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average American gains one to two pounds every year during the holidays, which may not seem like a lot on its own but can add up over a lifetime. Keep these tips...

Some simple preparation can help you avoid the stressful rush of trying to find a last-minute birthday gift for your sister-in-law, a housewarming gift for your best friend or a Christmas gift for your family. Huffington Post contributor and editor-in-chief of Gifts.com Dana Holmes recommends designating some space for your gift stash, and filling it with universally appealing. "To avoid spending every spare moment gift shopping, I like to stock up on fun gifts and match them with their rightful owners when the time comes," Holmes writes. "I call this my 'gift closet.' I have a few shelves stocked with...