There is no doubt about it. The pretty lights, glittering decorations and warmth and vivacity of the Christmas and New Year season really put a shine on the dark days of winter. So much so that the aftermath, when all is bare and bleak again, can be depressing. We have hung our sparkly evening dresses back in the wardrobe, taken down the tinsel, enjoyed the last kisses under the mistletoe, and there will be no more dancing through to the wee small hours. All the joys of the celebration seem to be behind us. The decorations are back in their boxes and the next big excitement, Valentine’s Day, still seems ages away.
Well, we have the perfect answer for you! Rather than succumb to the January blues, why not carry on celebrating? And what better way to have a really good knees up than to plan one of the jolliest parties around? Burns Night falls on January 22nd, the anniversary of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Celebrating Burns Night is guaranteed to be great fun. You can go all out for the Scottish theme, and serve the traditional haggis, served up with the famous “Selkirk Grace.” The supermarkets always stock extra supplies of the famous meat pudding at this time of year, and it is easy to prepare, you just boil in water. Make sure to add the traditional accompaniments of mashed “tatties and neeps” (potatoes and swede to everyone who doesn’t hail from north of the border.)
For a simple pudding, you could make cranchan, which is a lovely combination of whipped cream, toasted oatmeal and raspberries. A “wee dram” or a tot of good whisky will be the beverage of choice to go with this Burns Night Feast.
Scottish reels are a wonderful way to get everyone up and dancing, and they are easy to pick up as you go along. The music is so lively and toe-tapping that even the most reluctant to take to the dance floor will find themselves getting up for a go.
As for what to wear, well, it’s always dashing to see men in kilts, but it is by no mean obligatory. As luck would have it checks and plaids are really in fashion this year (in fact they never really go out of fashion) but you don’t need to wear tartan. Have a look at Bonmarche for some inspiration to pick out a party dress. Ideally, you want something with lovely swirling skirts for all that reeling. Paisley is an ancient pattern that originated in Paisley, outside Glasgow, so you could give a nod to Scottish authenticity, by choosing the lovely maxi in Paisley print with its knot front. This dress is a stunner and revives the old print in a lively and bold manner, and would look great on the dance floor. The Jersey Abstract print dress, which comes with a super waterfall cardigan, has wonderful full skirts and will have you shouting “Hoots” well into the night.
If you weren’t planning on dancing, then there are several houndstooth and dogtooth checks as options to wear for dinner which again, pay homage to the host country’s long tradition of weaving mills and fine cloth tweeds.
If Burns Night does not appeal, why not get together with a group of friends and plan your own “Come Dine with Me” group? This is such a brilliant ploy to put together a string of sociable evenings and you only have to host it once. Cooking, chatting and laughing together, all in the spirit of good natured rivalry, is sure to brighten up a sequence of dark, cold nights.
So, don’t hang up your dresses! Keep them at the ready and carry on celebrating. Spring is just round the corner, after all.
