It's a damp and icy day here in Washington, D.C. The sort of day that makes me want to stay home and back and make soup and craft. Alas, it's also a day I need to be at work. But it does have me thinking  about how I can warm up my life by spending time with friends and loved ones:

• Host a Super Bowl party. Big tvs. Game food (chili, chips, burgers, sandwiches, etc.). Beer, soda, and water. You're golden.
• Valentine's Day is a great time for a special dinner for the person you love or for a group of friends who are single. Red food and drink and chocolate. That's all you need to know.
• Or how about an Oscar party? Oscar ballots, fashion commentary, finger foods.
• If you live in a snowy climate, you can have a sledding party. Enjoy sledding or cross country skiing, making snowmen and snow angels, even a friendly snowball fight. Follow it up with a big pot of chili, soup or stew and some hot cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream.
• If you have had enough of this winter already, have a Screw Winter party. Make a 60s beach music playlist. Invite your guests to show up in shorts and sundresses (under their coats and sweaters) and give them fake leis. Serve summery drinks like lemonade and daiquiris and other summer favorites.
• Mardi Gras! Hurricanes and Cajun food are one option. Or everyone can just bring what they plan to give up for one last big blowout.
• I've always thought that winter is a great time for a craft party. Open your home to fellow crafters. Set up some card tables and clear and protect the kitchen and dining room tables. Maybe set up your sewing machine. Guests can bring the craft project of their choice and work on it while socializing. Break for a treat like pie or cake and coffee and then get back to work.
• March Madness: Coming at the end of winter, a party for the selection show is fun. You can watch, tell the selection committee why they were wrong, and fill out your brackets.

Will you be entertaining this winter? If so, tell me how.