Truly Madly Sweetly

CELEBRATIONS | by KAT SPELLMAN and ROBIN AVNI

AFTER A YEAR OF GOOD BEHAVIOR, WE’RE RELEASED from the constraints of humble and serious. Call it Cabin Fever if you must, but following a year of hunkering down, women are looking for new ways to celebrate in a manner that’s true and authentic, crazy-mad with passion, plus sweetly meaningful and memorable.

Austerity trumped fun at most parties last year, with everyone reigning in any obviously extravagant spending, and many forgoing big celebrations, even brides postponing nuptials. In 2010 we’re seeing a bit of clemency granted for the festive-focused party-goer, as well as the party-giver.

This isn’t to say we’ll see a backlash of the last year’s woes and enter a 2010 of drunken revelry and can-you-top-this celebrations. Not at all. Rather, we’ll witness a general renewed interest in special touches for entertaining at home, with a focus on more intimate gatherings. At dinners for four, six or eight, hostesses will infuse get-togethers with a distinct personal touch.

As with every year, good food and drink will remain the core component of any celebration. But watch as diverse dishes — Indian curries, Latin-inspired stews, even the humble brisket — infuse the more formal dinner-party menu, and the comfy items — finger foods, soups and barbecue — provide fuel for potlucks in the park, or on the couch for a night of video-gaming.

The Food Network and the soon-to-be-launched Cooking Channel will continue to inspire culinary creativity and a can-do attitude. After all, the cookie swaps, potlucks or corporate cooking events all share the same common goal — let’s eat!

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EXCERPTED FROM 10 INSIGHTS FOR 2010 by Lifestyle Insights.
For more information: robin@robinavni.com.

© 2009 robinavni | lifestyle topics, insights & trends llc and Kat Spellman. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be duplicated or redistributed in any form without written permission.

Edited by MOLLY MARTIN; image source: iSTOCKPHOTO.