Eddie loves vodka, so I experimented with a variety of flavors and settled on Simply Cranberry Cocktail mixed with vodka and enhanced with a squeeze of lime and dash of kumquat. I used the 59oz bottle since I was making lots of servings. You can get a smaller/single serving version (13.5oz) for on-the-go, and if you love the other Simply beverages, you won’t want to miss Simply Cranberry Cocktail.
Of course – I had to craft a cocktail stir stick for the drinks. I used pink, yellow and orange felt flowers. I picked these colors to match the cocktail. I hot glued them in layers to a skewer. I added a pink rhinestone to the center for a pop of sparkle. I made the skewers a few days in advance of the picture night.
The first step was skewering kumquats. I added three per stick. Note: you can freeze kumquats for an extra pop of cold.
Tabathia says
I always have music at my parties, it gives the party a more festive atmosphere and I love playing oldies for the older people and what’s playing on the radio for the teens
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia says
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/199644064847630336
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Elena says
Nice music and fresh flowers make party more festive
elena150980@yahoo.com
Elena says
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/199674619282718720
elena150980@yahoo.com
Mami2jcn says
Lively music always makes things more festive!
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Mami2jcn says
tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/199855310293307392
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Rosa says
Nice decorations and pleasant music creates a better ambiance.
Rosa says
I twitted:
https://twitter.com/#!/roso1946/status/199855770068713472
AubreyLaine says
Decorations! Fun centerpieces!
family74014 at gmail dot com
Courtney B says
a pool and bbq pit make a party more festive!
vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
Courtney B says
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/199944444940779522
vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
Tj And Amy says
I like to use crepe paper and the hanging lanterns they are way cheap and you can use it for anything.amypugmire@live.com
Tj And Amy says
tweet. amypugmire@live.com
https://twitter.com/#!/1amypugmire/status/199947310594138113
akronugurl says
https://twitter.com/#!/akronugurl/status/199949688273768450
freebiel0ve@yahoo.com
akronugurl says
i would make cocktails 🙂
freebiel0ve@yahoo.com
Rebecca Graham says
I like to do a theme party with decorations.
rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
FreeIndeed says
music and decorations make it more festive
thepryfamily@gmail.com
FreeIndeed says
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/200276682408607744
thepryfamily@gmail.com
Amy says
My favorite way to make a party at my home more festive is selecting a theme. So, the decorations, food, drink, party favor and maybe dress code too, would all follow the same theme. It’s really festive and fun!
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/200336232285347841
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
Anonymous says
i add party music! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
Anonymous says
https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/200402959891316738 scg00387 at yahoo dot com
wigget says
games and partyware
AubreyLaine says
I love to decorate and make beautiful centerpieces!
family74014 at gmail dot com
chambanachik says
I like to hang decorations, put on some music, and make way too much dessert! 🙂
chambanachik@gmail.com
Karina says
i like having a party theme
karinaroselee at gmail dot com
Karina says
https://twitter.com/#!/karinaroselee/status/202153815695294465
karinaroselee at gmail dot com
JC says
Plenty of all sorts of desserts and music always help.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
JC says
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/202160012049649664
sy says
brave eddie! to make party festive I put on upbeat music and lots of snacks. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
songyueyu at gmail
sy says
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/202299742980550656
songyueyu at gmail
Tina says
lots of games and foods
merleandtina@yahoo.com
Tina says
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/202557684690591744
merleandtina@yahoo.com
Judy B. says
A theme, good friends and good & interesting food & drink
Judy B. says
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/BBirdie2/status/202851370943004672
abitnerdy says
I love throwing a themed party, everyone gets into mood, Arabian Night, Summer in the Hamptons, Breakfast at Tiffanys it doesnt matter, a theme makes everything so much more fun and festive 🙂 of course good music, great friends, delicious drinks and food too!
thank you for the opportunity + i love kumquats! 😀
abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com
abitnerdy says
https://twitter.com/#!/abitnerdy/status/203188408871419905
Kelly Massman says
I like to make things ahead so I can focus on the guests at the party!!! Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
adorable drink idea!
Wehaf says
I love a mix of simple and fancy dishes – the fancy ones make the whole party more festive! Music helps, too.
urchiken at gmail dot com
susie says
i like to have things ready ahead of time as much as possible so i can hang out with family & friends. close friends and great music always make things festive! 🙂
asucarr@aol.com
Melissa O. says
Homemade sangria, Mexican food, and upbeat music always works!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
cw says
Can’t do much entertaining in the home right now because our house is sooo tiny, but we do like to have BBQs in our back yard (when things warm up more). The music helps things be more festive and I love to put xmas lights in the trees. Never had kumquats…sounds interesting
Tiffany Winner says
i think almost every party or get-together needs a game of some kind
thismomwins@gmail.com
Katie (Lemon Jitters) says
Yummy finger foods and drinks are my number one party requirement. A close second – decorations!
Any excuse to craft, right? Also, I already love the ‘Simply’ juices so I really want to try this one!
ms-texas says
we don’t entertain a lot but when we do – good food and music make it festive
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
ms-texas says
i tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/205266782490083328
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
The Sunshyn says
Games and snacks make our gatherings more festive. Interactive video games seem to add a great deal to the socializing now.
chainmail (at)iwon (dot) com
The Sunshyn says
I tweeted this
https://twitter.com/The_Sunshyn/status/206172350390087680
chainmail (at)iwon (dot) com
Heather H says
Love the homemade cocktail stick. I’ve never thought about doing that, but I’ll definitely have to in the future. I like to have a signature cocktail that compliments the food and just the right amount of decorations for a festive get together.
Tiffany Winner says
tweet https://twitter.com/thismomwins2/status/206510221399572482
thismomwins@gmail.com
MANDY83 says
lots of decorations and desserts!
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
MANDY83 says
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/206806595227750400
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
Dee says
I love making a party more festive by making cupcakes catered to the theme of the get together as well as themed ice cubes! 🙂
deeg131 at gmail dot com
Dee says
tweeted http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/206815148424433664
deeg131 at gmail dot com
Kerry says
I like to make sure I have a lot of different types of foods to suit everyone’s taste.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/206938101925425152
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
Christina says
My favorite way to make a party or get-together at my home more festive is selecting a theme but with simple decorations. I love to prepare homemade finger food, nice dessert and drinks. Love your Simply Cranberry Cocktail idea, will plan it for my next party. Thanks for the giveaway.
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
Christina says
I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/ctong2/status/207031244096143361
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
Angel Jacklyn says
With our family, food is the way to the heart. SOOOO with lot’s of food, specially made for the party BY all the party guests!
kytah00@yahoo.com
Angel Jacklyn says
2nd entry tweet https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/207240899753816064
eclairre says
Having music or decorations that correlate with the occasion or season always makes it more festive! ! eclairre(at)ymail(dot)Com
MCantu1019 says
I make sure to have plenty of different foods and drinks.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com
Gina M Maddox says
tweet-https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/207634829301383170
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Gina M Maddox says
I love to add great music and lighting to make a gathering more festive.
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
D Wagner says
My favorite way to make a party more festive is to homemake as many of the decorations as possible after I have settled on a theme. My favorite way to make it more fun, however, is to get everything I possibly can done in the day or two before the party so I’m not frazzled at the party 🙂 A stressed host is always a downer…I know you didn’t ask for the last part, but I thought I’d throw it in there for anyone reading 🙂 Thanks for hosting this and the great ideas!
D Wagner says
Sorry, my email is revfer1@gmail.com
Ami says
Definitely with music and a great centerpiece on the table!
Priscilla G says
I use my Sizzix Die Cut Machine or my Cricut Machine and cut out shapes that go with my theme and either I decorate them or have them out for children to decorate. Then I hang them with fish line. It is a great decoration and something to keep kids busy when adults want a break.
I also have plenty of food and drinks out.
Nancy Kelley says
Big Bowl of Awesome Homemade Guacamole topped with fresh diced tomato – served with a ton of fresh stone ground tortilla chips from our local Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory (Lime flavored!). Your drink will go perfect with the chips an guac!
DeniseL says
I always like to have a theme for the food & drink. We did a taco bar one year for my daughter’s birthday and all the appetizers and drinks were authentic Mexican too.
dmarie824@aol.com
DeniseL says
tweeted!
https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/208769074669420544
dmarie824 at aol dot com
Betty C says
We like outdoor grilling with lots of music and cold drinks. We usually don’t have a theme because it just good friends getting together.
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/209436979610394624
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
Emily N. says
tweet https://twitter.com/prizepuzzle/status/209466615752953856
Linh C. says
Lots of food and drinks!
jwfong says
I love having tons of little finger foods as the main course! You can have a huge variety of food to offer and appetizers are always delicious!
jfong1130 at yahoo dot com
jwfong says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/jfong1130/status/209840481964789760
jfong1130 at yahoo dot com
angie lilly says
FOOD! Lots of food! I always make my parties pot lucks, so there is always tons of yummy vegetarian/vegan food to munch on. Plus this makes it easier on the host! I supply drinks within reason and usually one main dish, like a pot of chili, and then everyone else brings the appetizers and desserts! Works like a charm!
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
angie lilly says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/210043563466174464
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
ewhatley says
We have a theme for every event and encourage guests to dress accordingly.
mybeachylife at gmail dot com
Deb says
I do like entertaining and my favorite thing is to do theme parties. I customize my food, drinks and decorations/decor around a theme and everyone really enjoys it….I just try not to get too hokey!
purplelover04 says
I love having bring a dish party it help everyone feel like that are a part of it and it keep me from having to cook everything and every love to show of by bring the best dish.
purple_lover_04 at msn dot com
purplelover04 says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/210401770562789376