Well I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing Christmas day. It was a very enjoyable day around our house which consisted of playing video games (my daughters got Guitar Hero 3 from Santa) watching a movie on DVD, partaking in some old-fashioned family conversation and of course consuming some good food and wine.
'Tis the season to share some holiday cheer together, so as we start to wind down 2007 and
finalize our plans to celebrate the New Year there's probably a party or two next on our schedule. My overview of holiday promotions wouldn't be complete without including something from our alcohol beverage marketers. So, here's an interactive holiday season online campaign that's designed to help party hosts "Make it Memorable" as well as guide guests on what to bring to the party.
Beam Global Spirits & Wine and The Absolut Spirits Co. have partnered to create www.4Cocktails.com that offers both holiday entertainment tips and gift ideas. 
It features Cathy Riva, host of the “Party Girl” program on cable’s Discovery Home Network, who shares entertaining tips that will "wow" guests and bring "joy to the world" – or at least to the party! Tips are included on a web page they've titled "Cocktailtainment", which reminds me a little of the word "Retailtainment" Wal-Mart coined a few years back.
Riva is also featured in periodic online chat segments to help solve such consumer party problems like what to do when a host runs out of food or drinks. Visitors can also engage in live online chats with other cocktail experts who share their expertise such as Jacques Bezuidenhout, a bartender from the San Francisco area with more than 16 years of experience from around the world. Plus at the peak holiday times (like now) visitors can get live help by calling a special phone line, 1-877-4Cocktails.
“With more than two-thirds of adults 21 and older attending up to five parties during the holiday season, it is no surprise that there is some anxiety associated with the holiday,” Beam U.S. Marketing Vice President Victor Rutstein said in a statement. “4Cocktails is a smart approach to educating consumers about holiday entertaining.”
The Web site also offers a searchable directory of drinks recipes highlighting brands owned by Beam and Absolut such as Jim Beam Bourbon, Absolut
Vodka, Cruzan Rum, Plymouth Gin, Starbucks Liqueurs and DeKuyper
Cordials. Currently the seasonal holiday drink featured is Maker's Mark Holiday Egg Nog. There is also an online drink calculator that helps to estimate the liquor needs for the size party a host is planning.
So cheers, salute, salud, slainte. Happy New Year and as they all say, remember to be safe and drink responsibility.
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