The Square Life

What’s a more appropriate date night idea for this time of year than a date centered on giving?

Begin by inviting a few couples over to your house or apartment for dinner. After they arrive, they will choose or select an ornament you have previously taken from a “Giving Tree” and/or “Angel Tree” from the local mall or grocery store. The ornaments will usually include the age, gender and a few items the recipient either needs or wishes for. (Choose ornaments that contain items you know your guests can afford.) Along with the ornament include a food assignment; i.e., salad, dessert, rolls, etc., for the guests to shop for and bring back to the dinner party. As the host, you may want to supply the main course. (A pre-made food item from the deli would work just fine.) Your guests will then be given a certain amount of time to shop for the gifts that their “angel” wished for on the ornament as well as their dinner assignment. It is also a time for couples to enjoy each other’s company alone. This is not a contest to see who can get the most, the best, or the craziest gift. These gifts are going to someone who might not have much of a Christmas without you. Dollar stores and larger chain retail stores will have many items that will fill the needs on your list.

Return to the party home and share the items you bought with the group. Set aside the gifts in separate bags or boxes with the corresponding ornaments attached to them. You may also take time to wrap the gifts, but only if the organization you received the ornaments from will let you. Most ornaments will have instructions on whether or not this applies.
Complete the evening by setting up a buffet of everyone’s food items and enjoy the company of all the party members.

To add a little variety to the date, have everyone bring their favorite Christmas album to listen to later, or warm things up by inviting everyone to wear their ugliest Christmas sweater (the uglier the better). Or, if you want to plan ahead, have all those invited bring any spare change that they have saved over the last month to the party. See how much money can be collected and donate it to a favorite charity.

However you decide to make this date your own, remember to have fun and enjoy making spirits bright.

“Giving Trees” can be found at malls and college campuses, as well as local hospitals and grocery stores.