December 2010
9 posts
5 tags
Hi Hater
Q. I hate New Year’s! Hate it. Last year, I had some friends over to combat the hatred, but I can’t rig a balloon drop two years in a row. What are some alternative ways to celebrate New Year’s? I have zero money, hate the cold, and I don’t wanted to get barfed on. I also don’t want to ring in 2011 in a way that makes me contemplate suicide.
A. This better...
8 tags
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot?
Q. I’m having a big New Year’s party. Two of my friends (Clarice and Hermey) recently had a falling out. Clarice seems fairly mellow about it, but Hermey is rumored to be avoiding any social activities that involve Clarice. Do I have to send Hermey a warning e-mail that Clarice may be in attendance? I’d rather not have tufts of claymation fur strewn around my apartment if a...
4 tags
Xmas with Future Ex-coworkers
Q. Since my supervisor let me use her season tickets for the Eagles last week, I’m officially obligated to get her a gift. Ditto for her colleague, who’s paying for me to come to the holiday luncheon. And as long as I’m faking generosity, I should probably acknowledge the two part-timers in the office too. But I’m a broke grad student, so it’s gotta be on the cheap....
3 tags
Baby Blues
Q. My step-sister recently had a baby (her second one). When she spawned the first one, some family members told me I was being “mean” for refusing to hold Junior/making a big deal about him. I am not a baby person! How can I avoid holding Junior Junior without starting WW3?
A. Unless this was an immaculate conception, you seem to be missing the “holiday” theme I’ve...
3 tags
Personae Non Gratae
Q. Ok so I have another un-invited guest related question. Now during the course of a year my boyfriend and i host a myriad of parties, barbecues, and gatherings in general. For the most part, so long as we can physically accommodate, our philosophy is the more the merrier. However there is this one couple who due to a multitude of social failures (including last year calling me...
5 tags
Bah! Humbug!
Q. I’m hosting my annual Cookie Extravaganza this December. I’m trying to keep the invitation list smaller this year, for the sake of my waistline, but I have some friends that travel in a pack. Like wolves. How obligated am I to invite wolves I only see at other wolf’s events? I don’t have relationships with some of them, but I am bound to get a few emails if so-and-so...
6 tags
No Gag Gifts, No Gift Cards, And Nothing That He's...
Q. Dear YLMT, How does one figure out what level of gift to get a fairly recent but fairly serious boyfriend at Christmas? Sincerely, Terrified
A. Are you asking from which level at the mall to get your gift? There’s usually a map by the entrance for that.
Sorry. Making fun of your phrasing is a gift I give to myself (one that is of the highest order), but is of little use to you. Does...
4 tags
taxidermychurch asked: I'm a lady, so I bring host/hostess gifts to holiday parties (I also RSVP to things, which is the first step on my path to self-congratulation.) What do you recommend for under $20 for 1) foodie friends 2) wild friends and 3) fashion-forward friends?
3 tags
Holiday Help
Can’t figure out how to get out of your family’s xmas gathering?
Need to upstage an ugly holiday sweater party?
Looking for something that’ll help you outdo last year’s New Year’s Eve soiree? (Answer: alcoholic whipped cream)
Still confusing Hanukkah with Kwanzaa?
Well worry not. I’m dedicating the rest of the month to answering your December dilemmas. So...