British Expatriate Network

Has anyone ever tried holding one of these in the US at their house on Hogmanay??  Does it work???  LOL.....

OK - well I took the plunge last night and sent out a mass email to a lot of friends asking how much interest there would be in a Hogmanay bash at our place on December 31st this year - from late afternoon to whenever after midnight.  I was somewhat surprised to hear that quite a lot of folks *are* actually interested in attending!!!

So - I promised some Scottish flavor to this party - and now I'm wondering just what I'm going to do LOL.  Here's what I need suggestions on what to get and how and where to get it:

Scottish Themed:

Food (just munchies and nibbles - not meals - nothing too expensive)

Drink (preferably alcoholic but not necessarily so)

Music (what type would you suggest and where should I get it?)

Decorations (where do you go to get fun tartan stuff??  Hobby Lobby??)

I'd love any input!!!!  

KR

Don't think the food needs to be particularly Scottish but you could try getting a Haggis as that will be all most people will want to gag on.

Of course any good Scotch for drink, Irn Bru available at most online UK stores

Tatan paper and material is available at most craft or sewing places

I guess you could drive them all crazy with bagpipe music......!!!!!

Get lots and lots of booze.

Ginger wigs, fried food and Harry Lauder should get that authentic Scottish vibe.

I did a scottish themed party in 2001 and it was a huge success. I made stovies which to get the right mushiness had to be steeped for several hours, cooking on a low heat. They went down particularly well with our American friends who couldn't believe it was simply, potatoes, meat and stock cooked for a l-o-n-g time. Tattie scones, shortbread, macaroons, tablet and clottie dumpling. As many of our friends are Scottish, they wore their kilts and casual shirts. Some of the music was Scottish, traditional and modern. Of course, it goes without saying there was plenty of beer and whisky to had.

Thanks for the input. I am Scottish, of course, so I was just trying to get some pointers about where to go for some of the stuff I need. I wish it wasn't so hard to source British stuff in the US.

I'll likely look for some shortbread and stuff like that - but I'm guessing it'll be easier to just also supply good "normal" food. And plenty of alcohol. LOL. I may even invest in a bottle of Lagavulin for the bells.......

KR

Traditional fighting etc.

I have no idea but hope it goes really well - it should be something completely different for your guests.

I'm off to a wedding on New Years Eve, of all days.

ROFL!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Good one - that might actually come to pass - you never know! :wink:

KR

I have all the Bay City Rollers LP's on vinyl if you'd like to borrow........

Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that. oops

Debs x lol

Just don't expect many Americans to stay past 9 oclock.
I bet the only ones who see it through to the end are Brits .

Of course the food should be short bread and the booze a few bottles of Johny Walker black label .

the music bagpipes and the games>>>>

QUESS WHATS UNDER THE KILT ) prize for the winner ) lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

Ugh Johnny Walker?!?!?!?!? I think I'll stick to my upper-class bottle of Lagavullin for the bells if it's all the same!!! lol lol

KR

Are you taking them first footing after midnight?

There is a counselling forum being set up as I type.....