2020’s Christmas season may not be what anyone thought it would be. Yes, we may be ending the year still safe in our homes, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate the festivities even if we’re physically distant from our friends or family.
If you’re still in the process of planning your virtual parties, here are a few cool ideas that will make your virtual party an awesome way to end the year on a positive note:
(PS. This list is not in any order)
7. Care packages from Send A Smile PH
Photo by Vivien del Valle-Borres
Started by Family and Community Medicine resident Dr. Pb Gaddi, Send A Smile PH is a start-up business venture that brings surprise care packages to the homes of your friends and family.
In her practice, Dr. Gaddi notes that many of her patients have been experiencing negative emotions due to the current pandemic, and she also experienced this herself when she had to go into isolation. That was when she decided to start a business that would help bring smiles to people who need it.
Send A Smile PH specializes in surprise care packages with comfort food that can last for up to 2-3 months, and even curated items that fit a certain theme such as aromatherapy, stationery, and a lot more.
True to their word of sending smiles, they also go out of their way to make your care packages as personal as can be—from printing out a heartfelt letter to including a special picture of you and the recipient.
It’s a great way to let your friends, family, and co-workers know how much they really mean to you!
Follow them on social media: @SendASmilePH
6. Painting kits with cocktails from Sober Art MNL
If you’re looking for something that will keep the group occupied while having loads of fun, check out the painting kits from Sober Art MNL!
Sober Art MNL was started by two best friends who wanted to take a break from all the stresses brought to us by this whole year. What better way to do that than with art and a good drink?
Their paint-by-number kits actually come with cocktails from their partner business. It’s a complete package for a party with your artsy (or artsy-at-heart) friends.
They can also make customized paint-by-number kits from your own photos to make the activity even more personal.
You can get your paint-by-number kits for only PHP 550 (for original designs)! PS. They deliver nationwide.
Follow them on social media: @soberartmnl
5. Sweet fondue boxes from The Fondue Box
Photo by Vivien del Valle-Borres
During Christmas parties, one of the things I really look forward to is the dessert. And if you’re like me, you probably think you won’t have the chance to enjoy party-worthy treats this year. Well, thanks to The Fondue Box, we can!
Started by two sisters, Chef Abi and Pola del Monte, The Fondue Box steers far away from the normal grazing boxes with cold cuts, cheeses, and crackers. The Fondue Box offers an overload of sweet goodies such as Christmas-tree-inspired pancakes, fluffy marshmallows, cinnamon rolls, fresh strawberries, and hazelnut-chocolate dips with colorful holiday sprinkles!
This holiday fondue box is sure to surprise and delight anyone who loves cute and sweet things. I personally love that I can enjoy the perks of having somewhat a dessert buffet right on the comforts of my couch.
And because they focus on the goodies instead of the frills, these boxes won’t burn a hole in your wallet, too! Their fondue box starts at PHP 349.
Follow them on social media: @thefonduebox
4. DIY ice scramble from KCravers
Photo by Vivien del Valle-Borres
Because the cold never bothered us anyway, we’d love to have this DIY ice scramble kit at any party! Honestly, what better way to celebrate the holidays than going back to the good old days of childhood and enjoying this classic dessert?
KCravers offers a special Winter Christmas Edition of their ice scramble kit. It includes ice blue shaved ice, winter-inspired sprinkles, and all of your favorite toppings: marshmallows, chocolate chips, rice crispies, and even chocolate and strawberry syrup!
KCravers also includes a set of syringes for the syrups–and for Instagrammable photos. They also offer a full party set that comes with a minimalist cake.
Honestly, I’d love to have this even on normal days.
Follow them on social media: @kcravers
3. Party in a box from Crating Wonder
Photo by Vivien del Valle-Borres
If you really want to bring the party to your friends’ and family’s home, put it in a box with Crating Wonder!
Crating Wonder was started in the midst of the pandemic by supermom Saraah Santos. After creating themed boxes for friends celebrating milestones, she thought of offering the “#boxedinparty” which has two meanings: party essentials in a box for every attendee, and parties being boxed in into our own homes.
As Saraah says, “Apart is only one letter away from being a partY!”
Crating Wonder offers everything you need for a virtual party at home–from food, drinks, decor, activites, to giveaways. They even include ice breakers and guides for the party hosts. Perfect for our new normal virtual parties!
Follow them on social media: @crating.wonder
2. DIY Gingerbread House Kit from Chloe & Zuri’s Emporium
Here’s a virtual party activity that will bring you back to childhood: decorating your own Gingerbread House!
Chloe & Zuri’s Emporium just started offering kits with Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses which you can assemble and decorate all by yourself.
Chloe & Zuri’s Emporium actually takes pride in offering legit gingerbread house cookies. They flavor it with ginger, cloves, nutmeg or cinnamon, and sweetened molasses—making it actual gingerbread and not just the usual gingerbread-shaped sugar cookies.
While it’s legit gingerbread, they also altered the recipe to cater to the Filipino taste; perfect for kids!
Their Gingerbread House Kit includes 11 pieces of gingerbread cookies, icing, candy sprinkles, dragees candies, gummies, candy canes, marshmallows, and a cake board for easy displaying!
Follow them on social media: @chloeandzuri
1. DIY Cocktails from Boozebox
Photo by Vivien del Valle-Borres
What’s a party without good drinks? If you want to send some booze to your friends and add a one-of-a-kind experience, let Boozebox handle it for you.
Boozebox isn’t like any other cocktail delivery service in the Metro. They actually offer DIY cocktail kits! The idea came from Boozebox founder Chiqui Abad’s very own desire to try mixing drinks herself. I’m sure at one point you were also curious about bartending, and here’s the answer to that!
Each Boozebox includes all the ingredients for creating your chosen drink. To complete the whole bartending experience at home, they even include fresh lemons and apples (according to the drink you chose) so that you’d really make the drink from scratch–starting from chopping up your fruits!
Boozebox won’t just send you drinks for parties; they’ll also provide a fun activity with these kits. That’s a real boozy party.
Their kits start at PHP 750!
Follow them on social media: @boozebox.ph
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