As the holidays roll around, you probably have an idea of what the festivities will look like. Holiday traditions are no joke! Every year, your mom insists on watching White Christmas. Twice. Maybe your dad cooks up a delicious Christmas ham. (Sometimes he burns it, but you eat it with a smile all the same.) Gift exchanges, opening presents, cookies for Santa - everyone’s holiday rituals are different but always held near and dear.
Let this be the year you incorporate wine into your holiday traditions. Here are 7 creative ways to celebrate the season with vino, year after year!
Want to learn about your wine preferences in time for the holidays? Take our quick wine quiz, and get matched with wine you’ll love!
1. Pair wine with holiday dinner
Starting out small, pairing wine with your holiday meal is a seamless way for wine beginners to weave wine into their holiday traditions. No matter what you’re cooking or what you celebrate - there’s a wine pairing for it.
2. Host a bottle swap
Invite your friends over for a wine gift exchange! Have your guests bring their favorite bottle of wine, all wrapped up and ready to be gifted. Then draw numbers (white elephant style) and let the exchange begin. Swap bottles, stories, and wine knowledge. Everyone ends up bringing a new wine home to try!
3. Participate in a wine tasting
Get your friends or family together for a holiday wine tasting. Visit a local vineyard in your area, follow along with a Youtube tasting video, or lead the group yourself. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to host your own wine tasting. If you’re more of a visual learner, check out this step-by-step Youtube video on How to Drink Wine, led by our Wine Educator, Julie.
4. Bring a bottle as a host or hostess gift
‘Tis the season for sharing the love! Get in the habit of bringing a bottle with you to every holiday party, get together, or gathering. Your host will be appreciative of the kind gesture, and you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy for paying it forward.
5. Open a bottle of bubbly on Christmas
Who said sparkling wine is only for New Years Eve? Any occasion is worthy of a bottle pop. Plus, sparkling wine is actually one of the most versatile pairing wines so it’s perfect for Christmas dinner, Mimosas on Christmas morning, or lighting the fireplace and queuing up a feel-good Christmas movie.
6. Make festive cocktails
Mulled wine season is upon us, people! Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up our favorite mulled wine recipes with an easy step-by-step guide. Red wine hot chocolate is another personal favorite of ours. While we love a good glass of wine, mixing up a festive cocktail can make for some special memories.
7. Get your DI-wine on
From centerpieces to festive decor, there are so many ways to upcycle wine bottles, corks,m and boxes. Did you catch our blog post on how to reuse your Bright Cellars box and all those empty wine bottles? Make it a yearly tradition that the whole family looks forward to.
In Vino Finito
What’s your favorite wine holiday tradition? Let us know!
