AmericanWinery.com

We are still building our holiday traditions here at AmericanWinery.com, the current dilemma is whether or not to hold a White Elephant gift exchange.  Although most people understand the purpose of the game, many hate getting stuck with a horrible gift.

To get a little more comfortable with the idea of this type of exchange, I decided to explore its roots and shed some light on the controversial White Elephant.

Image via Ryan McCullah

By definition, White Elephant “refers to a gift whose cost exceeds it’s usefulness.”  This is important to remember, the intent of this game is not to get a gift you’d really like to have because even if you do, it will most likely get stolen and spoil your mood.  The game takes its rules from the once popular Yankee Gift Swap.  Some people argue that you can open a gift and then trade it away, but today, most people insist that when it’s your turn, you can only choose a new gift, or a gift that has already been opened.  If someone takes your opened gift you can choose another.

While gag gifts are fun, why not create our own Christmas tradition with a few friends and some different rules?  I call it Wine Elephant.

1. Set a price range  -  ie:  $20 and under or $35-$50 (you could even insist on reds or whites, sparkling, and desserts)
2. Everybody (or each couple) brings a great bottle of wine – in a sealed wine gift bag
3. Draw numbers to decide who goes first
4. Each subsequent turn can either steal an already opened wine, or open a new bottle.  (No choosing your own wine!)
5. After the bottle has exchanged hands two times, it’s frozen.  (The third person with the wine gets to keep it.)
6. After everyone has had a turn, number 1 gets one more chance to trade their gift (if they are unhappy with theirs).
7. Everyone’s special bottle is theirs to keep!

During the holiday season, there are a myriad of events and get-togethers, all of which call for a delicious glass of wine. It’s about that time – time to stock up on holiday wine.

Alas, your holiday gift-giving list just keeps growing and you’re on a budget. Don’t despair! You can find amazing holiday wines under $20 a bottle, keeping your holidays jolly without cutting the naughtier folks off your list!

Here are some suggestions of great holiday wines under $20 for any occasion – and I’ve even included some of my favorite holiday wine traditions.

First, there’s the holiday open house.

When I was younger, my mother would pay me $5 an hour to play Christmas songs on the piano while church members, family and friends would descend on our heavily-decorated home and eat all of our cookies. My little brother was responsible for delivering me an assortment of cookies throughout the course of the evening so that I wouldn’t miss out.

Now that I’m a bit older, I’m off the piano keys and in the role of hostess. Tasty appetizers and delicious wine pairings are served at my holiday open house – and here are few favorites that fit the bill without breaking the bank.

Tasty appetizers and delicious wine pairings

Hosmer Winery Sparkling Wine
This delicious sparkling wine
is paired perfectly with
saltier appetizers!

Balboa Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Chocolate, cheeses, and Cabernet
Sauvignon, oh my! I love to pair this
luscious cab with these finger foods.

Forth Vineyards Late Harvest
Sauvignon Blanc
Rather than spend my day in
the kitchen baking, I serve liquid
dessert. This little delight from Forth
Vineyards is a sweet finish to a
holiday shindig!

Trimming the tree
Last year was the first year I had my own Christmas tree in my very own house – and I’ll admit, I listened to the RatPack Christmas album at full volume and sipped the bubbly while decorating. I am a whirlwind of arms, legs and tinsel when I get into it, so this year I’m helping to spill-proof myself with sparkling wine… in a can!

Wrapping gifts
Every year, our family commits to “keeping it small this Christmas.” Then Christmas morning rolls around and there are a zillion gifts under the tree. I myself am guilty of going a little over-board, which makes for a full evening of wrapping gifts when everyone’s out of the house. A sweet gift-giver deserves a sweet bottle of vino – and Solis Winery is just the ticket!

What are your holiday wine traditions? What will you be sipping this holiday season?