Lame Christmas party

I've hosted four Thanksgivings, four Christmas parties and three wine tastings in my time here.  I guess I was due for a lame party.  It wasn't bad - nobody yelled, nobody cried, nobody even said a discouraging word.  All of the guests will remain on Santa's "nice" list.

But it was just not a *good* party... and it is largely my fault.  I have new neighbors this year and I thought the idea of a joint party where we all leave our doors open and provide guests with the opportunity to mingle would be merry and festive.

It wasn't.  Guests seemed glued to the party they had been invited.  Those that did cross into another party did so timidly and cautiously asked permission.  Party fail.

Ann (who I knew would give it to me straight) said she had a great time because she had a chance to talk to some people she never gets to talk to but that the 3 party format just didn't work.  "I knew ____ was somewhere here because I saw her walk in but I didn't want to go hunt at the other parties to look for her."

******
My revelation:

Wine = Good.

Mulled wine = Great!

Mulled wine with orange juice?

Well, if I had it a restaurant the guy at the next booth would be asking to have what I'm having.