Happy Box Blog

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a Christmas elf? We typically imagine what we have seen in the movies (I know you’re picturing Santa Claus and the movie “Elf” right now). You’re seeing a small picturesque winter village with a lot of hustle and bustle, Christmas decor, and of course, the holiday cheer that you can feel through the screen. 

Well, here at Happy Box we equate our holiday season to the real life North Pole, except that we are located in the beautiful city of Hoboken, New Jersey, and in lieu of the picturesque scene, reindeers, snow and all, our warehouse is packed to the brim with boxes and gifts and the sound of holiday jams. The holidays are our busiest season and the holiday cheer is real. We are constantly rushing to meet deadlines of filling and sending out gifts and handwriting holiday cards for our customers, and thankfully we have an amazing team that works extremely hard to help recipients feel the cheer of receiving a Happy Box. 

From beautifully packing the gift boxes to writing hand written notes, they do it all! We wanted to show what it is like to be a real life elf so we asked our fulfillment team a few questions about their experience so you can also see what it’s like!

Meet the Elves: 

Corinne, Fulfillment Team Member 

What’s your top holiday gifting tip?

Make your gift as personal as possible! We can either write a card for you, or you can send a virtual audio/video message of yourself - it really adds that extra touch your recipient will love! 

Liezel, Fulfillment Team Member

What do you think the perfect gift should contain?

Something unique that you can't get everywhere else, like our quirky holiday light cup!

Kat, Fulfillment Operations Manager 

What is the atmosphere in the warehouse during the holiday season?

Festive AF! We like to keep things pumped up and energized! We play the BEST holiday music & decorate the warehouse.  We're always laughing and bustling, keeping that elf workshop vibe going and loving every minute of this fast-paced time of year.

Callie, Strategic Projects & Operations Manager

What’s your favorite part about packing care packages for family and friends during the holiday season?

I love knowing how happy the recipient is going to be when they unwrap the gift! I also love packing care packages for friends and family that are super curated and specific to them.

And of course we had to ask our two Santas these questions, 

Hannah, Co-founder 

What is the atmosphere in the warehouse like during the holiday season?

We blast holiday music and hustle hard - the warehouse is buzzing with activity and really fun to be around. We have an amazing, super fun team and we all genuinely enjoy hanging out with each other so that definitely helps the vibe.

Ariel, Co-founder

What do you think the perfect gift should contain?

It MUST have chocolate. That's 100% necessary.

Happy Holidays!

With holiday shopping close to reaching its peak, it’s important to remember to shop small this holiday season--and every season! As a small, women-owned business that invests in other small businesses, Small Business Saturday is very important to companies like Happy Box as it gives local businesses increased exposure to help consumers find new, great brands and companies.

For this year’s Small Business Saturday we wanted to highlight just a few of the amazing small business vendors we source some of our products from, and we wanted to hear from them why it’s important to shop small this holiday season!

Wax Cabin Candle Co.
Founded in 2016, Wax Cabin Candle Co. seeks to light up the room – your room – with your favorite scents. Scents that make you feel lovely, cozy…and even boozy! 

Jennifer Gunn, founder and chandler of Wax Cabin Candle Co. says it’s important to shop small because “Small businesses build products with sweat and yes… sometimes tears! They have heart and hope in each product and a sale contributes directly to the strength of my business and family.” You can shop her candles on our Build a Box option and on her website here! Fun fact: we started a podcast about business and beyond with Jen called the Totally Happy Podcast. We’d love it if you had a listen!

Gumball Poodle
Just in time for the winter season, Gumball Poodle creates fun and creative socks that “lets you tell the world what you think without saying a word.” Their snarky sayings on their socks are what differentiates them from other brands and makes them so popular. 

According to Gumball Poodle’s founder Erica Easley, “Independent brands are led by artists, hustlers, and dreamers. They are the vibrant connection between humanity and industry. There is no better way to support creativity and community than shopping small!” Shop Gumball Poodle on our Build a Box option or on their website here!

Copper Cow
Copper Cow is on a mission to bring you barista-free lattes that are made with carefully vetted Vietnamese coffee beans and whole, natural ingredients.

Debbie Wei Mullin, Founder, says “Small-business founders are passionate about what they do and how their work makes a positive impact. When you support Copper Cow Coffee, you’re supporting a woman-owned business and sustainable coffee farms in Vietnam.” 

Shop Copper Cow on our Build a Box option AND Curated Gift Boxes or on their website here!

Faithwaites
Faithwaites is a York, UK-based design shop making fun stuff for you, your home or the people you love. They have the cutest products that are perfect for anyone on your list this year from totes, to tee-shirts, and children’s clothing! 

Cat Spilman, founder of Faithwaites says, “Supporting a small business isn't only about financially supporting someone's hard work, it's about making interpersonal connections that are too often overlooked today. You're connecting with a maker, and helping to build a chain of thoughtful interaction which is rewarding on so many levels.” Make sure to include some of the onesies we offer in your next gift box when you build your own or shop them on their website here!

Astor Chocolate 
Astor Chocolate is a family owned business that began in 1927 in Czechoslovakia and moved to the US in 1950. Four generations of chocolate making! What makes them so successful is that their chocolate is a combination of European quality and American innovation!

Tori Halfon, Director of Sales and Operations believes supporting a small business is important because “small businesses are the lifeblood of our nation. Small businesses employ over half of the total workforce in the US and supply half the GDP for our nation; yet they are more fragile and reliant on support than mega-companies. Small businesses can’t survive long in the face of disaster, and the past 2 years have been disastrous for most small businesses in multiple complex ways. It’s more important than ever to shop small”. Make sure to include one of their many Moodibars when you Build a Box with us or you can shop their products on their website here!

Binnie & Clode
Binnie & Clode is a small startup with both a passion for creating candles and home products with a minimalist design and for giving back to the earth and its inhabitants. They create beautifully designed and scented candles. Did we mention that a portion of proceeds from every product is donated to animal rescue and environmental organizations? 

Federico Schauvinhold, owner, says he loves running a small business because “it allows me to give back to my community. I enjoy connecting with my customers and hearing their thoughts on my products. As a small business, I'm able to pivot much more easily based on customer feedback.”  Shop their products with our Build a Box option or view them on their website here!

We hope this list has given you some gifting suggestions if you are trying to shop small this year! 

Read more:

• A Letter from the Founders: Why it's so Important to Shop Small this Holiday Season

Yes, giving gifts is hard normally, let alone trying to figure out what to get your entire team, who all have different interests and all are working remotely! But before you throw in the towel and get them an e-gift card, here are 5 reasons sending a unique and impactful gift this Holiday Season could make all the difference.

• It's cheaper to retain your employees than hire new ones: Think about it: the countless interviews, trainings, and months and months of onboarding. Replacing an unhappy employee is ALWAYS more expensive than retaining a good one. Showing appreciation for their work is a small way to say “please don’t leave me,” but in a corporate, totally appropriate way.
  

• Remote work is here to stay. Gone are the times of team-building “escape the rooms” and Corporate Happy Hours! “Forced Fun” (which did always end up being fun!) is much harder to achieve these days, and engaging your team is absolutely crucial when  your work culture is remote. Sending a little something helps teams feel connected in a continuously disconnected working environment
  
  
• Employees don't leave jobs, they leave their bosses. We feel this one. Showing gratitude, empathy and rewarding your team is absolutely essential to being the type of boss your team can really rally behind. Look, jobs are hard sometimes. There is ALWAYS something your team doesn’t want to do, or something  they didn’t sign up for (that’s why it’s not free). Showing Gratitude and Appreciation for your team is just one way to ensure a healthy working relationship and just maybe  make up for a late night or the dreaded weekend work assignment.
  
  
• People care about who they work for. The Pandemic led to a lot of reevaluation. “Is this the right job?” “Is this the right culture?” There’s no doubt people are leaving jobs now more than ever in favor of work-life balance and appreciation. A little gift can go a long way here.
  

• Ramp up that productivity and bottom line. If nothing else, retention can actually increase company revenue by 25 to 95%* So, if you’re not gifting to lift their spirits, do it to lift your bottom line!

The Holidays are a great time to thank your team for all their hard work. Start with Happy Box. We’ll help you curate the PERFECT gift, and we’ll handle all the details (like shipping to each doorstep) without you lifting a finger.

Learn all about our corporate gift offerings and check out our Holiday 2021 Lookbook. Need something quick and in a pinch? Build a care package in a few clicks or shop our best-selling curated boxes, ready to ship.

From now through Dec 1st, 2021 get 5% off** your custom corporate order of 50+ boxes ordered through our team - just mention this blog post! Email corporate@happyboxstore.com or begin our inquiry form to get started.

Want more insight? 

• How to Create the Perfect Client Holiday Gift
• 5 Reasons Corporate Gifting is Great for Business
• 2021 Holiday Corporate Gifting Trends
• Our Creative Approach to Corporate Gifting

*source: https://www.godelta.com/blog/relationship-marketing-gift-ideas-to-improve-customer-experience. **ends 12/01/2021 

Client gifting for the holidays is easy, if you know the right “formula.” Luckily, at Happy Box, we’ve curated and shipped tens of thousands of corporate gifts, so we have seen what gift thematics and what types of gift combinations work best. 

Written by: Brigid Fallon, Marketing & Partnerships Specialist

Whether you want a new drink to try at that upcoming holiday party or you're becoming your own mixologist in the kitchen, we have a few festive drinks that will surely get you into the holiday spirit (no pun intended). Be warned, there was no extensive research or trial and error in the search for some seasonal cocktails. Instead, we went straight to the source, our trusted Happy Box team. Below you’ll find linked   our team’s top fizzy, festive, & fun drinks that you should DEFINITELY try. Don’t be fooled - some may seem like the traditional drinks you have every.single.year but there will be a few holiday twists, I promise. 

Spiked Cider

Recommended by: Callie, Strategic Projects & Operations Manager

Starting off on a more traditional note, Spiked Cider is a must, no, a necessity during the fall and winter months. You can’t go wrong with it because it’s delicious AND makes the house smell all warm and fuzzy. However, it can take up to 2-3 hours but the labor aspect is very minimal and you’ll feel like a witch brewing up something special. 

Christmas Old Fashioned

Recommended by: John, Inventory Operations Manager, Happy Box Store

We are still continuing the traditional cocktail route and staying with the classics. Up next, we have an Old Fashioned with a holiday twist - this one includes sugared cranberries…It’s the embodiment of the holidays, just in a glass.

Christmas Moscow Mule

Recommended by: Sarah, B2B Partner Success Sr. Manager

 Okay, this one may just taste like Christmas. We have the Christmas Moscow Mule, or the “Yule Mule” if you want to sound even more festive when presenting this  holiday drink. This is pretty much a regular Moscow Mule, but with the addition of sugar and cranberries, it’s the perfect drink for Christmas (and even Thanksgiving). 

Snowflake Martini

Recommended by: Brigid, Marketing & Partnerships Specialist 

When the weather outside is frightful, a snowflake martini is so delightful! Get with the holiday theme with this beautifully white drink. This cocktail takes 5 minutes to make and you may end up on the naughty list with how good it is. 

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Recommended by: Nia, Graphic Designer 

Get the marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint sticks ready! Some people prefer to stick to their OG hot chocolate, no other flavor added. I admit it took me a very long time to try peppermint hot chocolate (weird, I know) but it’s worth it. If you’re not in an alcohol kind of mood and you’re just relaxing by the fire watching Holiday movies, Peppermint Hot Chocolate is the drink for you. And if you are feeling crazy, add in some peppermint schnapps or vodka of choice with no judgement from over here.

If you didn’t notice, there was no egg nog found here, sorry if you were disappointed…I know I’m not! 

We hope you try these festive drinks and have a happy holiday season! If you loved these recipes and tried them out yourself, post a picture on Instagram and make sure to tag us at @happybox. Cheers!

• Reach out today to get started on your proposal by emailing corporate@happyboxstore.com
• Learn more about our creative process in creating corporate gift campaigns
• Check out all Corporate Gifting Offerings and view our Corporate Gifting Lookbook

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Referenced sources:

• people.com/style/2020-made-americans-even-more-excited-to-practice-self-care-according-to-a-survey/
• www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/20200612/80-of-americans-intend-to-regularly-practice-selfcare-after-covid19-pandemic 
• www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2021/09/01/the-242-billion-business-of-corporate-gifting-turned-from-a-routine-to-a-priority-in-the-pandemic/?sh=7aabc5a86ac2 
• https://smarthustle.com/giving-season-for-businesses/#.YViPR0bMJ6o

Happy Box is excited to announce that launching today we are partnering with Bright Pink, an amazing organization that helps educate women on their risk for breast and ovarian cancers.

Bright Pink is the only national non-profit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. 

Live on our custom box builder is our NEW “Bright Pink” box, designed in pink and teal to represent both breast and ovarian cancer awareness. Not only will Happy Box be donating $1 for every purchase of this box to Bright Pink, but additionally on each box is a QR code to Bright Pink’s “Assess Your Risk” Quiz so each recipient can understand their risk and take charge of their health. Start shopping and support the cause today.

Bright Pink states that 80% of cancers in young women are discovered by young women themselves. “We hope that in doing this partnership and shipping out these boxes, we’ll drive awareness to not only the amazing work Bright Pink is doing, but also to each woman recipient about the potential risks they may face when it comes to their health,” said Hannah Redmond, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Happy Box.

By focusing on health rather than cancer, Bright Pink inspires women to improve their overall lives. Working closely with women, they help assess their risk and create a personalized prevention plan. 

“As we are a women-founded company, Bright Pink’s mission means a lot to us,” said Ariel Redmond, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Happy Box. “As women, we should empower one another to proactively check our health.” 

Since 2013, over 1.7 million women have assessed their risk with Bright Pink and 600,000+ have learned they are at elevated breast and ovarian cancer risk. Learn what steps you can take now to reduce your risk of breast and ovarian cancer so you can take charge of your health, Take the Quiz.

Start building a box & add the Bright Pink limited edition box to your cart today to help make a difference today!

By: Taylor Maleski Lifestyle, Writer & Blogger at Tone of Taylor 

Written by: Brigid Fallon

Social media can be a negative place sometimes, but hey, it’s 2021 and strong, powerful women do NOT have time for that kind of energy (we’re too busy breaking glass ceilings). However, it also has the potential to effect change in positive ways. International Women’s Day (3/8) is a day that honors the great achievements of women and raises awareness about women's equality in society. This is why we want to highlight women who choose to spread positivity as well as empower other women on social media. These accounts will grace your feed by inspiring you through daily advice, memes, and quotes to spread good and raise one another up. 

So while International Women’s Day is one day of the year, be inspired every day by following these amazing accounts:  

Sara Blakey (@Sarablakely) 
Businesswoman, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist, Sara Blakley is the founder of Spanx, a brand of body-slimming undergarments, leggings, swimwear and maternity wear. In 2012 she became the world's youngest female self-made billionaire (if that’s not inspiring idk what is). Through her philanthropy work she continues to back a fund for female entrepreneurs. Her instagram account is full of personal pictures of her family as well as career and self-love advice that every woman should hear. Sara is the ultimate power woman being a mom of four AND an inventor.

SoGal Foundation (@imsogal)
As it says in their insta bio, the SoGal Foundation is on a “mission to close the diversity gap in entrepreneurship and investing globally”. The foundation is the largest global platform for the empowerment of diverse entrepreneurs and investors. Founded by Yiqing Sun, she felt that the road to entrepreneurship was very lonely since it is a male dominated industry and there was not enough support for women within this industry. She created the SoGal Community during her time at USC and it immediately began to gain global recognition. We stan this entrepreneurial foundation with it’s main goal to support women in business!

Sallie Krawcheck (@sallie.krawcheck) & Ellevest (@ellevest) 
Sallie Krawcheck is the founder and ceo of Ellevest, “a financial company for women, by women”. Their overall mission is to help women get more money into their hands by offering career coaching, financial planning, and investing services. The instagram account for Ellevest is full of inspirational quotes, tips, and tricks on how to achieve your goals as a woman. Along with her work with Ellevest, Sallie is also the chair of the Ellevate network, a global professional network for women. Her professional goal is to help women achieve their fullest potential professionally and financially. 

Dr. Akilah Cadet (@changecadet) 
Self-appointed as the “Olivia Pope of Diversity” Akilah’s platform is specifically to ensure change for people of color everywhere and overall has great content that empowers. The Change Cadet offers multiple services that help your personal development as well as group development aimed towards anti-racism, diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. They encourage followers to be uncomfortable in order to impact change and their instagram is full of informational quotes, personal stories, and ways for you to get involved to create your own change. 

Ladies Get Paid (@ladiesgetpaid)
Ladies Get Paid is a service that helps women in their financial and professional endeavors. By becoming a member you are accessing a worldwide network of women that offers education and resources to help you advance! They instagram a lot of informational posts about helpful webinars, the guests that will be included in their “fireside chats” as well as memes and inspirational quotes.  A must follow!

The Female Collective (@femalecollective)
The Female Collective is an amazing resource if you need some self-care content and quotes about self-love (let’s be real.. Everyone needs that). Founder and activist, @candacereels created this platform as a way for women to be celebrated, supported, and empowered 24/7. 

And finally...

Girlboss (@girlboss)
Girlboss is a community that brings together ambitious, career-driven women who are redefining what makes them successful. On their aesthetically pleasing Instagram account, Girlboss offers advice, relatable memes, and brings awareness to women’s achievements. They also have an amazing podcast called Girlboss Radio Podcast which provides honest and uplifting content that will leave you feeling like you can achieve anything! If you need motivation- get on the Girlboss train.  

Whether you need a confidence boost, advice, ways to get involved, or some life motivation- these instagram accounts and their organizations as whole are our go-tos. All of their missions mean a lot to us and as women we should be hyping one another up everyday! 

Happy International Women’s Day, you’re beautiful and strong. Now go seize the day! 

Written By: Brigid Fallon, Marketing & Partnerships Specialist @ Happy Box

Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day in Quarantine
If you don’t already know, Galentine’s Day stems from an episode of the popular TV series, Parks and Recreation that came out in 2010. Every February 13th, fictional character Leslie Knope hosts a brunch to celebrate the lovely ladies in her life which then became the unofficial holiday that allows women to celebrate each other single or not. Compared to the daunting pressure of Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day is known for its pink themed celebrations and anything heart shaped that you can get your hands on. 

This year has made us appreciate our friends and family SO much more. Even though you may not be physically there to shower your BFFs with love and affection, the Galentine festivities must go on! We’ve come up with a few ideas on how to celebrate Galentine’s Day ~covid style~. 

Rom-Com Movie Tandem Watch Party
Have everyone pick out their favorite romantic comedy and grab the popcorn and wine! There is no better way to celebrate Galentine’s Day than to live vicariously through Kate Hudson in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” We suggest streaming through teleparty, zoom, and hulu watch party so both you and your socially distant friends can swoon over Matthew McConaughey together.

Dinner and Dessert à la Zoom
If eating your feelings sounds about right- we’re all for it. Host a virtual GNO and have everyone order in their favs. Afterwards satisfy that sweet tooth and have a lil’ dessert party. Bake some galentine themed sweet treats that you can happily indulge.  Here is some treat inspo to share with your girls.

Jam out to a not-so-sad playlist
Hop on over to Spotify- they have so many different playlists for any occasion or mood that will definitely pick up your spirits. Have a dance party or go for a drive to really get in touch with your inner Mariah Carey. 

Get Outside
These winter blues are hitting hard right about now. If you can, go on a socially distant walk/hike with your friends! When it’s harder to get a gossip sesh in over brunch, take it to the trails and burn some calories!

Cheers to Friendship!
Host a virtual Galentine’s cocktail hour and have everyone create a Galentine’s themed drink. Here are some pink and pretty cocktails that will definitely taste as good as they look.  

Send your Gals some Valentines
No doubt the best part of Valentine’s Day as a kid was picking out the perfect Valentine’s to give to your classmates! You’re never too old to send some valentines to your BFFs. Relive your youth and see what cute and fun valentines your local store has to offer. You can also check out our Valentine’s Gift Guide that has many lovable gift options your long-distance gal will appreciate. 

Treat yo’self 
Celebrate YOU. Have the ultimate spa night in by throwing on your favorite pj’s, picking out a face mask, and having a movie, tv show, or podcast ready to play. Oh and don’t forget your go-to take-out place that you have on speed dial.

Written by Brigid Fallon

*I’m worried about your extroverted friend, send them a text*

This year has been tough to say the least. Everyone has had tremendous ups and downs and will continue to ride that roller coaster next year. With “Social Distancing” being the new normal and the unknowingness of how long that will last, it feels so d*mn hard to be positive and to stay connected under these circumstances. With the New Year approaching, we wanted to come up with a guide that can help you feel less isolated and more connected in fun and creative ways. Together, let’s resolve to stay in touch this New Year (and all year)! 

Make Regularly Scheduled Facetime “Dates”
Facetiming is downright the easiest way to connect to your long distance people. As someone who usually hates talking on the phone, I have become accustomed to facetiming my friends and family daily and it makes feeling connected so much better. Make regularly Facetimed “Dates” that you have set in stone. When it’s marked on your calendar you have no excuse to cancel and it will make you feel so much better! You can also do Facetime dinner dates with friends and your S/O- make the same recipe or order in dinner. There are other ways that you are able to video chat online; Google Hangout and Zoom! 

(Virtual) Book Club
Do you miss your in person book club where it was less talking about the book and more gossiping and wine? Don’t worry! With Zoom and Google Meet you can send a link to your girls and continue the discussions about your favorite reads right now. Send your club the same bottle of wine to make it feel even more like the 2019 version of book club.

Netflix and Chill
Binge watching shows and movies with your long distance BFF or S/O is so much easier now with Teleparty, formally Netflixparty. If you have the Chrome Browser, you can download the Teleparty extension and start watching shows from HBO, Netflix, Disney, and Hulu at the same time as your friends. Invite your friends to watch a movie by sending them an invitation link and voila, let the bingeing begin! 

 Send “Old Fashioned” Letters/Cards
There is something so sentimental about receiving a letter in the mail. Hand written notes are significantly more special rather than sending an email or quick text. Buy some cute stationary and keep your friends up to date with a more authentic and personalized touch.  

New Hobby with a Friend
Getting into a new hobby is the perfect way to start off the new year and name a better way to re-clique with friends! Start a workout together. Exercising alone is fine but exercising with friends makes it so much more bearable. Together you can hold one another accountable and it’s the perfect way to de-stress. If working out is not your cup of tea get into DIY projects! There are so many projects and crafts that you can do together that are affordable and cute *cue a deep pinterest search hole*. And finally, get into cooking! If you’ve been eating out a lot and it’s taking a toll on your wallet this will help you save and you’ll become a master chef. Start by finding a new meal to make once a week and go from there. Cheers to new skills! 

Download Games on your phone
If you don’t have a lot of time to chat, or there’s just no new updates in your life but still want to feel connected, download games on your phone to play with friends. Some of my favorites are Trivia Crack, Words with Friends, and Gamepigeon which lets you play games right through imessage.

Send a Care Package
And finally, there is nothing more special than receiving a well thought out gift in the mail. Let your friends know that you’re thinking about them by sending a care package. With Happy Box, you can shower your friends with love by building your own or picking from our curated collection and it’s so simple! 

Just because we have to stay distanced doesn’t mean we have to be distant. Staying connected is now more important than ever. With creativity, and of course technology staying in touch is so much easier. With these tips and tricks you’ll be in touch with friends and family no matter how many miles apart you are.

Written by: Brigid Fallon, Marketing Intern

Here at Happy Box we love to divulge in holiday treats and drinks and we never shy away from trying something new and neither should you. This year has been quite different, and so can your dinner whether it’s adding a new dish or drink to the menu. Regardless if you’re feasting safely with friends or family, our team came together to share our festive favorites that you should definitely add to your list. None of us are top chefs but these recipes will definitely make you feel like you’re on Barefoot Contessa and your guests will think so too.

Bacon Jam Cinnamon Rolls

"I recently came across this recipe for Bacon Jam Cinnamon Rolls and I knew I had to try these for the holidays! I will personally use crispy turkey bacon but who can turn down warm cinnamon rolls period...(plus this recipe uses my favorite jam from Trade St. Jam & Co - Cranberry, Raspberry, & Sage). Excited to add this to my recipe book!" - Marquise

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread
"This is my favorite holiday recipe and I make it every year, going on 11 years. It is THE BEST pumpkin bread recipe there is (with 10,000+ 5 star ratings on allrecipes.com, seriously.) Pro-tip: cut the sugar in half and double the spices (especially the cloves....my fave!), makes for a less sweet, spicier treat. Oh and always eat it warm." - Hannah 

Mulled Wine
"My favorite dessert is Pecan Pie ...HOWEVER baking is not my strong suit. I typically make a trip to Petee's Pie's in the city during the holidays to pick up some of my favorites. Something I CAN make and have mastered is Mulled Wine. For those who do not know, mulled wine is heated red wine and winter spices such as cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. It really hits the spot in the winter. You can find my favorite recipe here: Mulled Wine Recipe | Gimme Some Oven.  Trust me on this one, it’s delicious. Pro tip: Keep the heat on a low simmer and make sure you don’t let the wine bubble. It will burn off the alcohol… something you don’t want.”- John

Linzer Tart Cookies
“It’s not Christmas without cookies and my family has been making Linzer Tarts for as long as I could remember- it’s a staple in our family. We make loads of these to give to family and friends every year and I must say it is a favorite. With powdered sugar and raspberry jam, it’s the epitome of Christmas in a cookie and you cannot go wrong with making these.” - Brigid  

Cinnamon Rolls
This is my mom’s old recipe we’ve been using for years. We always eat them on Christmas morning! - Callie 

Ordering from Local Restaurants!
"The holidays are crazy, and sometimes, you need to throw in the dish-towel. I love finding festive faves at local restaurants. I feel good knowing i’m supporting local spots, and there are no dishes to do! I’ve never felt better ordering takeout." - Ariel

Written by: Brigid Fallon

The holidays look slightly different this year - consider Thanksgiving the appetizer. That doesn’t mean you can’t be festive this holiday season, you’ll just need to adapt to a new normal and make new memories in new ways. It’s definitely time to get creative. 

We’ve come up with a few tips on how to host a virtual party this season that will keep everyone’s spirits up. Whether it’s a family Christmas celebration, a friends get-together, or an office party- we got you.

But first, how do you start? 
Well, it’s simple. Decide what platform you want to use; Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facetime. Create an invitation to send via text, e-vite, email, or even a paper invitation to make it even more formal and real. Make sure the invitation is sent on time with the correct time and date as well as the link to the meet. No one wants to be waiting for a zoom call that doesn’t exist...

Tip #1: Plan your virtual party in advance 
Whether you planned a theme, a gift exchange, or a hefty heap of holiday activities, You want to make sure there is no awkward silence! Keep it light and fun.

Tip #2: Do something fun and creative for food and drinks *yum*
Food and drinks are key, just ask Santa. He doesn’t bother going to a house unless he gets milk and cookies, and your guests expect the same. Also, due to Covid, people have become connoisseurs in both food and drinks whether it’s charcuterie boards, making bread, or becoming mixologists. 

Everyone could use a drink and treat after this whirlwind of a year so here are a few easy ways to mix in the part of the holidays that everyone looks forward to:

• Wine Tasting: have everyone find a fun wine and curate a list of all the wines to send out to your group. Then, have everyone go buy a bottle of each for an at-home wine tasting! Put on your PJ’s and taste each one together, one by one and discuss like the classy ladies you are. 
• Recipe Exchange: Have everyone exchange recipes to one other person that they have to make for the virtual event. You can use a generator online or do it yourself. Recipes can range from appetizers to dessert, it is up to you! Be sure to make them ~holiday~ themed!
• Cookie Decorating: You can either have members bake their own cookies or send cookie kits right to their door for a fun night of decorating. 
• Christmas Carry-Out Night: This is for those looking to keep things really simple but still feel connected. Decide on a local restaurant (if you live locally) to eat at, the way you normally would if you were going OUT to dinner, and all friends order from the same place, It’ll feel like you all are in person at the same place!
• Virtual Cocktail Hour: if you are keeping it simple, plan a cocktail hour. Invite your group and encourage them to become a mixologist for the night by sending a list of cocktail ideas that they can make at home! Happy Box has plenty of cocktail mixers, cocktail accessories, and syrups to choose from, and even a cute, helpful hangover kit so you can show your friends and family some TLC after a crazy night of virtual drinking. Check out our Hot Toddy Box that delivers your cocktail needs.

Tip #3: Plan Activities
To make this feel like a real party or event, keep the party busy! Consider offering prizes for games.

• Host an Ugly Sweater Contest: Make an ugly holiday sweater the mandatory dress code and vote on who has the ugliest/most festive. This will also help people get into the holiday spirit. Have everyone vote on who’s is the best 
• Secret Santa/White Elephant: Have everyone participate in Secret Santa with a little time in advance. Use a generator online like Elfster that sends their chosen person via text or email and set a price limit! Make sure everyone includes their address so members can get their gifts in time for the event. Happy Box is the ultimate gifting destination for long distance giving and secret santa- so check out our curated holiday boxes or create your own gift!
• Holiday Charades: You can create a holiday-esque list for charades that you send to everyone via email/text. Divide everyone into teams and each team guesses what was chosen off the list; it can be a movie title, song, book title, virtually anything! 
• Name that Holiday Tune: Create a playlist of holiday cover songs  and play the song for a few seconds. The person to guess the name of the song first , wins a point. Keep track of the points and announce the winner at the end.
• Holiday Trivia: Find questions and answers online that go hand in hand with the theme of your party. If it’s a cocktail themed party, make it about mixology and drink history; if  it is a bunch of your childhood friends make it about each other and some memories! Divide everyone into teams and let the games begin!  

Covid-19 has changed so much within the last year but that is no reason it should change holiday rituals. Yes, a virtual holiday party will look slightly different but with this guide you’ll be hosting a party that doesn’t actually suck. Yay! Merry Zoom-mas.