The Holidays Are Gone. But Why Can't the Magic Linger?

Creating magic that dances across memory doesn't just happen with the wave of a wand. What distinguishes Christmas 2017 from the same event in the same home with the same people a year later?  If you're like many, you love the traditions:  The family's favorite food, Grandma's familiar holiday china, and, perhaps, a rousing round of Jingle Bells.  Well, remember that Thanksgiving blog post about "going rogue" for the holiday? Apparently, according to author Chris Heath in his latest book, The Power of Moments, "Routines are great, but it's often the unexpected script-breaking moments that we carry with us for the rest of our lives."

I guess my family will confirm that I've been an "off-script" everyday (and professional) planner most of my adult life.  Our three kids will tell you about our famous (or infamous) bad manners dinner.  Goopy, gloppy, soupy food was served sans silverware, napkins, or polite behavior to shocked kids with elbows firmly planted on the table.  There was a rowdy corn-on-the-cob duel...and just maybe a loud contest of apres-meal "vocalization." Whether or not this (steeped-in-laughter) dinner is your personal cup of tea, let me tell you that it was never forgotten!  And, oh, by the way, please don't try this at home without pre-loading your family on the silly purpose of just having some fun together.

So here's an unexpected any-night family dinner idea to chase away the chilly winter doldrums:

Beach Blanket Buddies
Announce that dinner attire is a bathing suit and flip-flops.  Lay out colorful summer beach towels and crank up the heat.  The food, a floor picnic, can be anything from a hot dog and chips to fried chicken and potato salad.  You know, think "picnic fare."  A nice frosty tray of popsicles or a root beer float is the perfect ending.  If you're totally into creating the summer ambiance (like I was), drag out a few beach balls and colorful umbrellas.  You can even slather sunscreen on your kids (like I did), adding that fragrance of summer to the sensory experience you are creating.  We watched the movie Summer Rental with John Candy while we ate.  It was PG-13, but kind of a classic.

In our Corporate Chef cafes, we try to incorporate the "unexpected" in order to create a dash of community building, with a dollop of connection opportunity to spark conversation, along with some pretty great food.  Everyone loves to watch a Silicon Valley High Tech exec flipping pancakes at lunchtime (hey, breakfast fare works for any meal).  Or an afternoon Boba Tea Tasting.  We even bring in local cookbook authors for a book club meeting paired with a cooking class and a lively thumbs-up review of their culinary accomplishments.

Have I piqued your interest?  Try a little something out of the ordinary.  Make sure you add some fun sensory delights to the experience and into the memory bank.  It doesn't take a magic wand to invite your inner child to come out to play.  And record January as a month to remember.  Happy New Year Y'all!

P.S.  If you need an idea or two, give me a shout at thefoodsage.blogspot.com.  Love to help.