LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ultimate host knows the holiday season is a marathon not a sprint. So while you’re basking in the afterglow of a glorious Thanksgiving meal and countless kudos from family and friends, remember, now’s not the time to rest on your laurels, but instead gear up for even more gatherings and show-stopping soirées.
For more than 80 holiday seasons, the cranberry experts at Ocean Spray have provided quick and easy ways to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and parties are no exception.
"Hosting a holiday party doesn’t have to mean added stress," said Kristen Borsari, Ocean Spray’s Director of Brand Marketing. "In fact, getting guests involved takes the pressure off of you and allows everyone to share in the success of the celebration."
Whether you’re starting a new tradition or adding a twist to a classic holiday gathering, here are three ways to guarantee success with your guests!
Deck the Halls
Hate decorating alone? Invite friends to join in the fun! Have each of your guests bring a decorative vase while you provide all the trimmings. Use crimson cranberries in place of floral beads for a festive Cranberry Flower Arrangement, or for those a bit craftier, choose an activity like making a Cranberry Holiday Wreath. Everyone can get creative and add their own personal touches to create beautiful décor featuring fresh cranberries.
Cookie/Dessert Swaps
Holiday baking can be a bit overwhelming but adding friends to the mix can make it a merry event! Invite them to bring or bake their favorite cookies or desserts like Merry Mint Cookies, using Craisins® Dried Cranberries, then, swap cookies so everyone has a deliciously decadent plate to take home. After all, it’s the season for sharing! If you want to step up your game, create a little competition and have guests vote for the best tasting or most creative cookie. Give winners who go above and beyond these Marshmallow Snowmen as a prize to take home.
Gift Brigade
Everyone can use some extra hands during the holidays. Why not make gifting a DIY occasion? Invite guests to bring different items like dry cookie ingredients, homemade jellies or sauces and put them together in decorative jars. Not only will you enjoy some stress-free time with friends, but you can make cute, thoughtful gifts like Cranberry Orange Sauce Gift Jars or Caramel Corn and Craisins® Snack Mix to share and enjoy with relatives and co-workers.
In need of a last-minute gift idea? Be the giver of good taste with SodaStream and NEW Ocean Spray® Sparkling Juice Drink Mixes! SodaStream and NEW Ocean Spray® Sparkling Juice Drink Mixes provide the perfect pairing for gifting with festive flavors like Cranberry, Cranberry Raspberry and Cranberry Grape.
Visit the special holiday Plan-It guide on www.oceanspray.com for great holiday recipes for gobbling, or giving! And share your holiday happenings with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
About Ocean Spray
Ocean Spray is a vibrant agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry and grapefruit growers in the United States, Canada, and Chile who have helped preserve the family farming way of life for generations. Formed in 1930, Ocean Spray is now the world’s leading producer of cranberry juices, juice drinks and dried cranberries, and is the best-selling brand in the bottled juice category. The cooperative’s cranberries are currently featured in more than 1,000 great-tasting, good-for-you products in over 50 countries worldwide. With more than 2,000 employees and nearly 20 cranberry receiving and processing facilities, Ocean Spray is committed to managing our business in a way that respects our communities, employees and the environment. In fiscal year 2012, Ocean Spray posted record-high gross sales of $2.2 billion and net proceeds of $338 million.
About SodaStream
SodaStream International (NASDAQ: SODA) is the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of home beverage carbonation systems, which enable consumers to easily transform ordinary tap water instantly into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Soda makers offer a highly differentiated and innovative solution to consumers of bottled and canned carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Our products are environmentally friendly, cost effective, promote health and wellness, and are customizable and fun to use. In addition, our products offer convenience by eliminating the need to carry bottles home from the supermarket, to store bottles at home or to regularly dispose of empty bottles. SodaStream products are available at more than 60,000 retail stores in 45 countries around the world, including over 15,000 retail stores in the United States. For more information please visit www.sodastream.com. To download SodaStream's investor relations app, which offers access to SEC documents, press releases, videos, audiocasts and more, please visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soda-ir/id524423001?mt=8 for your iPhone/iPad, or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theirapp.soda for your Android mobile device.
