The stretch between December 26 and January 1 is an emotional kaleidoscope. Let’s call it Fizzmas Week – The Festive Twilight—that curious week when time feels both endless and fleeting, when holiday leftovers meet New Year’s resolutions, and when joy, reflection, and a hint of chaos swirl together. Here’s a day-by-day guide to navigating Fizzmas Week, complete with themed activities and perfectly paired cocktails to lift your spirits or soothe your soul.

December 26: The Busiest Un-Shopping Day of the Year

Mood: Relief and mild regret. It’s time to return, exchange, or “repurpose” those gifts that missed the mark.
Activity: Arm yourself for the sales and the customer service lines, or cozy up and begin the “Great Decoration Decluttering.”

Cocktail: The Boxing Day Spritz
Light and invigorating, this spritz helps you face the crowds or spark joy during tidying.

Recipe:

• 1 oz Aperol
• 2 oz leftover sparkling wine (Domaine Carneros Brut, anyone?)
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• Top with soda water
• Garnish with a twist of orange and a sugared cranberry.

December 27: Pajamas and Pie Recovery Day

Mood: Blissful inertia. Let’s lean into lounging and finally finish that pie no one has room for on Christmas Day.
Activity: Movie marathons, book reading, or a full-on nap festival.

Cocktail: The Pie à la Mode Martini
A decadent dessert drink to pair with leftover pie.

Recipe:

• 1 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz Irish cream liqueur
• 1 oz apple cider
• Dash of cinnamon
• Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass, and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

December 28: Goal-Setting or Procrastination Day

Mood: Reflective. It’s time to journal, make vision boards, or optimistically browse gym memberships you won’t use 🥸
Activity: Dream big… or delay and doom-scroll instead.

Cocktail: The “Visionary” Gimlet
A classic with a zesty twist to fuel your imagination.

Recipe:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz lime juice
• ½ oz simple syrup infused with rosemary (simmer equal parts water and sugar with rosemary sprigs, then cool and strain)
• Shake with ice, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

December 29: Clean Slate Sunday

Mood: Determined. Clear the fridge, organize closets, and rid your space of clutter to make room for the new year.
Activity: Purge the leftovers, donate unworn clothes, or finally organize that junk drawer.

Cocktail: The “Fridge Forager” Sangria
A resourceful way to use up remaining wine and fruit.

Recipe:

• 2 cups red or white wine (whatever’s open)
• 1 oz brandy or orange liqueur
• ½ cup orange juice
• Any leftover fruit (orange slices, berries, apples, or pomegranate arils)
• Top with soda water for fizz. Serve over ice.

December 30: Penultimate Party Prep Day

Mood: Anticipatory. The countdown has begun, and it’s time to polish the champagne flutes and plan your NYE look.
Activity: Draft New Year’s Eve playlists or perfect your “midnight toast” speech.

Cocktail: The Glitter & Gold Mule
Glamorous with a bit of sparkle to set the tone for the coming celebration.

Recipe:

• 2 oz vodka
• ½ oz elderflower liqueur
• 3 oz ginger beer
• ½ oz lime juice
• Edible gold glitter to garnish (or a gold sugar rim). Serve in a copper mug.

December 31: The Last Hurrah

Mood: Jubilant! This is the crescendo of The Festive Twilight. Celebrate with gusto and anticipation.
Activity: Dress up, toast to the year gone by, and embrace the midnight magic.

Cocktail: The Midnight Kiss
A luxurious bubbly cocktail worthy of the occasion.

Recipe:

• 1 sugar cube soaked in bitters
• ½ oz Grand Marnier
• Top with chilled champagne or sparkling wine
• Garnish with a twist of lemon and a sprig of thyme.

January 1: Lazy Resolution Day

Mood: Hopeful and slightly hungover. Start the new year gently, with quiet gratitude.
Activity: Take a walk, binge-watch something uplifting, or tackle your first “new year” to-do.

Cocktail: The Hair of the Dog Bloody Mary
Reviving and savory, this classic helps you ease into 2025.

Recipe:

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz tomato juice
• ½ oz lemon juice
• Dash of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce
• Pinch of celery salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika
• Garnish with a celery stalk, pickles, or a shrimp skewer if you’re fancy.

The Festive Twilight reminds us to savor life’s limbo moments, to find joy between the chaos of Christmas and the glittering promises of New Year’s. Cheers to turning the page with laughter, love, and a drink in hand!

Gregory Dean, SOMM&SOMM

Closing the Curtain on Fizzmas Week

As Fizzmas Week – The Festive Twilight bubbles to a close, we stand at the threshold of a new year, brimming with possibility. This peculiar in-between time—caught between the sparkle of Christmas and the fireworks of New Year’s Eve—reminds us that life is as much about the in-between moments as it is about the grand celebrations. It’s a time to reflect on the past year, with all its highs and lows, and to embrace the hope of what lies ahead.

Whether you spent the week decluttering your space, sipping cocktails with loved ones, or simply lounging in your coziest pajamas, know that each moment is a small gift. Just like the perfect fizz in a sparkling wine, it’s the little bubbles of joy, connection, and even introspection that make the journey worthwhile.

As the clock ticks toward midnight on December 31, let’s toast to the promise of a fresh start. Let’s enter the new year with hearts full of gratitude, glasses brimming with hope, and the confidence that we can handle whatever comes our way—one sip, one step, one moment at a time.

So here’s to you and yours: may your New Year be bright, your challenges met with grace, and your Fizzmas Week memories last all year long. Cheers! 🥂