Host the Perfect Game Night

For Sports Fans: Watching a big game becomes an event when you add festive food and sparkling wine. Set up prediction brackets, create friendly wagers (winner takes home a bottle), and toast every major play. The combination of competition on screen and celebration in hand makes for electric energy.

Four in a Row (Connect Four): Set up a tournament bracket where winners advance and losers rotate in. The quick rounds (usually 5-10 minutes) mean everyone gets multiple chances to play, and you can keep a leaderboard on a chalkboard or poster board. Add a house rule: whenever someone gets four in a row, everyone toasts.

Other Great Options:

• Card games: Poker, Hearts, or Euchre work well for longer, sit-down play
• Trivia: Holiday-themed questions keep things seasonal
• Charades or Pictionary: Gets everyone laughing and moving
• Dice games: Yahtzee or Farkle for casual, conversation-friendly play

The key is choosing games that allow for conversation, don't require intense concentration, and let people flow in and out as they refill plates and glasses.

Create Your Space: Transform your living room or den into a cozy gathering spot for the evening. Dim the overhead lights and rely on the warm glow of candles and string lights. If you're watching a game, position seating in a semi-circle around the screen. For board games, set up card tables with elegant tablecloths and ensure everyone has a comfortable seat.

Holiday Touches:

• Scatter pine branches, winter berries, and small ornaments on side tables
• Use white and gold as your color palette for a sophisticated holiday look
• Play soft music or holiday jazz before the game begins
• Set out velvet throw pillows and cashmere blankets for extra coziness

Create a dedicated area for your wine. Use ice buckets filled with a 50/50 mix of ice and water to keep bottles perfectly chilled throughout the evening. Arrange flutes or coupes on a silver tray, and keep cocktail napkins within easy reach. This becomes both functional and a beautiful focal point for your gathering.

Spiced Pear Sparkler

Start with this seasonal cocktail that combines pear liqueur with crisp sparkling wine. Get the Spiced Pear Sparkler recipe from our blog
Serve as guests arrive to set a festive tone from the start.

First Course: Charcuterie Board

Build your board with:

• Three cheeses: soft (Brie), semi-hard (Comté), and something bold
• Charcuterie: prosciutto, salami, pâté
• Accompaniments: cornichons, Dijon mustard, fig jam
• Bread, crackers, grapes, and nuts Arrange on a large wooden board and let guests graze throughout the evening. This works perfectly for game nights since people can nibble between turns.

Truffle Rosemary Popcorn

Chamarro BBQ Chicken

The slightly sweet BBQ sauce complements the acidity of sparkling wine. Serve on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing between games or during halftime.

Dessert: Sweets and Sparkle
The Sweets and Sparkle collection features artisan chocolates for a perfect last bite!

The French take their sparkling wine seriously, and a few key techniques will elevate your hosting:

Opening the Bottle: Hold the cork firmly while slowly rotating the bottle (never twist the cork). Aim for a gentle whisper rather than a loud pop. Save the dramatic pop for when your team scores the winning goal.

Proper Pouring: Tilt the glass slightly and pour slowly down the side to preserve those precious bubbles. Fill glasses only two-thirds full, which allows the wine to breathe and prevents spills during exciting moments.

Temperature Matters: Sparkling wine should be served at 45-50°F. Too cold and you'll mute the flavors; too warm and you'll lose the refreshing quality. Check bottles periodically and rotate them in the ice bucket.

Throughout the Evening: Never let a guest's glass sit empty. Assign yourself or a co-host as the "champagne steward" for the evening. A simple "May I top you off?" keeps the celebration flowing.

As guests arrive, greet everyone with Spiced Pear Sparklers and direct them to the charcuterie board. Let groups naturally form around different games or pre-game warmups. Whether it's the big game or tournament play, keep popcorn and chicken circulating throughout. Refill sparkling wine regularly. If you're doing game tournaments, update the bracket and keep energy high with periodic toasts. Bring out the Sweets and Sparkle for a sweet finale. This is when conversation deepens, winners celebrate, and everyone relaxes into the evening's last hour.