There’s an automated solution, though. For my latest parties, I brought the HP Sprocket Photo Booth Machine ($600), and it was a hit. It’s a 21-inch-tall, portable photo booth that both automatically prints 3 x 4-inch pictures and lets you download digital versions via a QR code. I love that you can create events on the device and set up customized filters—mine had the word “Soupsgiving” on the bottom, though it was in an incredibly small font compared to the regular filter designs—and you can also add settings like how many prints of one picture guests can print. We left the default setting of two on for the soup-themed Friendsgiving, but I think I’ll bump it up to at least three for future gatherings. Make sure to stock up on HP’s Zink paper packs ($40 for 50) for the photo booth to print with, especially if it’s a big gathering. It will need both Wi-Fi access and a power outlet.
HP
Sprocket Photo Booth Machine
HP
Sprocket Zink Photo Paper
How to Automate Your Drinks
I love a good cocktail, especially for a holiday party. But it’s not only hard to come up with a good holiday recipe, it’s not easy to keep those cocktails flowing while also hosting. Luckily, there are now home bartending machines that can make drinks a snap. I tested the Bartesian cocktail machine during Thanksgiving, and it was a huge hit for everyone to pour their own drink ahead of Thanksgiving dinner. It works similarly to a Keurig with cocktail cups you place into the center console, and there are four canisters of alcohol you’ll fill up and plug in so that the Bartesian can mix in the right booze.
It worked pretty seamlessly, but for my next party, I’m putting a sign that says “Tab Should Point to You”; multiple people didn’t realize you have to fit the cocktail cup correctly into the device or it won’t work. The gin and rum cocktails also share a spot, but I don’t want to swap out the liquor all night, so I’m taking out all the gin cocktail packets so no one ends up with a gin-filled Yuletide Hurricane like my husband did (he said it was still good!). I also really like all the holiday options Bartesian has—both the Festive Collection ($25) and the Holiday Collection ($25) were a hit.
-
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
-
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
Bartesian
Cocktail Machine
How to Automate Your Appetizers
Screenshots: Nena Farrell
Feeding a crowd is hard. Feeding a crowd that includes some serious allergies and dietary restrictions doesn’t make it any easier. In the spirit of automating everything I could, I turned to ChatGPT to come up with my appetizer for a group that featured two vegetarians and someone whose allergies include avocado, beans, shellfish, and eggs. (Getting those two sets of friends their protein needs at the same time has a singular overlap in the Venn diagram of what they can all eat: tofu.)
