We made it! We made it to the holidays (the fastest and longest year ever)! Thinking of a very creative way to be mindful of social distancing, but still gather with loved ones and possibly make a new tradition beyond COVID times. This year has shown us what is important and how easy it can be to update traditions or the norms. Look no further than your own driveway, vehicle and Christmas decorations. Welcome to the holiday tailgate gathering! To kick-off the holiday season Pink Blossom Events, Seatown Sweets, A Platinum Event gathered outside on the grounds of JM Cellars with us. Vehicles circled around a firepit were decked out in festive holiday floral and decor. From a SUV offering wine and charcuterie to a pickup truck filled with holiday presents to another tempting the sweet tooth with hot cocoa and sugar cookies, it was a tailgate party full of Holiday spirit! A big thank you to Stephanie Cristalli Photography for capturing all the details!

Each vehicle or household can be given a theme based off food, drinks or decor. Maggie with A Platinum Event brought the most amazing charcuterie board and her adorable dog. A stylish set up of deep green velvet pillows and table runner. Mostly green or white florals with pops of red to make it festive. And what goes better with meats and cheeses than some delicious wine from JM Cellars.

Don’t forget the hot cocoa. Spiked for adults and extra marshmallows for the kiddos! Bring a thermos and paper straws. There are so many different flavors of hot chocolate now, you can really get creative. And don’t forget those Santa mugs.

I love sugar cookies all year long. But there is something about them around the holidays. Seatown Sweets is so creative with the shapes of her cookies, from classic snowflakes to a very detailed truck with a tree. She adds a stick to some so that you can use them for your decor, what a great idea. Bringing cookies to the party doesn’t mean they have to bake for days. Ordering them from a professional is an easy and great way to support your local small business and of course will save you some time.

A fun activity for kids and even the adults is a cookie decorating kit. You will want to eat as you decorate for sure. And again, a very easy idea that will entertain everyone and a lovely tradition to carry on throughout the years.

Who doesn’t love to sit in the back of a pick up truck? This was so fun to decorate with a tree that hung cranberry garland and adding the chair. Bring lanterns for candlelight if you stay out late and all the comfy pillows and blankets to snuggle in the back. The options are endless to how you decorate your truck.

Make this gathering not only about the snacks, drinks and sweets, but also gift giving. Evergreen Custom Gifting curates the best items for the custom gift boxes that would make any loved one feel special. Play a game or two, do a fun gift exchange, anything that you would do in the comfort of your home.

Your connection with your loved ones will not be the only thing that warms your heart…don’t forget your portable fire pit. If the weather doesn’t plan on cooperating, bring pop-up tents to set up next to each car. Don’t let rain or even snow stop you from enjoying your time, make it work for your event.

This idea is so fun and can be customized to you and your family. Have someone take pictures or even contact Stephanie Cristalli Photography to document this great gettogether. We all could have hung out all day enjoying each other’s company, keeping in mind of social distancing and keeping each other safe and comfortable. So go find a family member’s driveway, a parking lot or even a friend’s field. Bundle up, grab your holiday mask and enjoy the time decorating your cars, sharing delicious snack and making new traditions in the time that we might not be able to be as traditional as years past, with your favorite people.

Event Planning & Design: Pink Blossom Events

Photography: Stephanie Cristalli Photography

Floral: Sublime Stems

Cookies: Seatown Sweets

Venue & Wine: JM Cellars

Charcuterie Board: A Platinum Event

Custom Gifts: Evergreen Custom Gifting

Rentals: CORT Party Rental