Grab a glass of your favorite wine, get dressed, invite some friends, and host the ultimate virtual happy hour!
Even introvert me is missing happy hours with friends! I cannot imagine what all you extroverts are feeling! But thankfully there’s a way we can still have those moments of celebration and connection even while we’re social distancing! With the help of technology we can now see our friends + family members and come together to celebrate happy hour! Connecting via FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and Zoom is a great way to get in a little socializing, connect with your loved ones, and have some serious fun! Plus it is a little more special than a quick text or phone call.
So today I’m partnering with Risata Wines to share seven tips on how to host…
the ULTIMATE VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR
No.1 Send a Fun Invitation
I know it would be easier to place the event on your iPhone calendar or send out a shared calendar invite, but where is the fun in that? Make the event different, more exciting that your weekly zoom financial meeting by creating a well-designed digital invitation. Use a site like Paperless Post or Canva to create the invite and email it out to each of your guests. Paperless Post allows you to send directly from their site and receive RSVPs directly. While Canva allows you to be a little more creative (in my opinion) you do have to send the invitations yourself via email or could even send via text. But let’s be honest, we all have that extra five minutes to make that happen!
Below are a couple I created on Canva to give you a little inspo!
No. 2 Suggest a Drink
Everyone is obviously free to sip on whatever beverage they would like but sending out a drink suggestion makes it a little more personal and exciting. Plus if you’re sipping on the same wine, you can chat about it and maybe feel even more like you’re sitting in the same living room together having wine night.
My tip is to choose a bottle of wine that everyone can easily pick up at the store on their next essential grocery store run. Keeping it simple allows them to spend less time in the store and more time at happy hour! If everyone has different taste palettes when it comes to wine I have a few recommendations for you…a little something for everyone!
The Warm Weather Lover:
Risata Sparkling Rosé: crisp sparkling wine with aromas of strawberry, raspberry and delicate floral notes. I absolutely love sipping this sparkling rosé once temperatures warm up a bit! It is so light, refreshing, and perfectly bubbly.
The Sophisticated Type:
Scarlet: seductive semi-sweet red, with flavors of raspberry, cherry and strawberry that entice you with every sip. One of Risata’s newer wines – I have not yet had the chance to try.
Raven: exquisitely bold wine with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and currant that will leave you wanting more. Another one of Risata’s newer wines – I have not yet had the chance to try
The Sweetheart:
Risata Moscato d’Asti: seductively sweet, boasting juicy stone fruit, tart citrus and floral honey flavors. The wine is fresh and fragrant. This is a favorite of several of my girl friends I have introduced to it! They cannot get enough of the sweet + tart combination.
Pink Moscato: bursting with juicy flavors of strawberry, cherry and raspberry, finishing sweet and well-balanced. Very similar to the sparkling rosé just without the bubbles and a little sweeter!
Red Moscato: sweet red wine with juicy ripe raspberry, strawberry and nectarine flavors. This frizzante wine finishes sweet, yet with balanced acidity and slightly creamy mouth-feel.
The Bubbly
Risata Prosecco: aromas of peach and pear which lead into juicy flavors of Pink Lady apple, citrus and white peach. My absolute favorite Risata wine! This is our go to when picking up a bottle of prosecco! Light, refreshing, and pairs well with juices to create mimosas/cocktails.
No. 3 Grab Yourself a Fabulous Glass
Pull out those amazing wine glasses you received as wedding gifts but are too afraid to use in fear guests may break them. Or the unique thrifted glasses you scooped up last summer but haven’t had a chance to use yet. Now is the time to use, show off, and enjoy these fabulous glasses! You might find your drink even tastes a little better sipping out of a new glass!
We have so many we NEVER use! I’m actually not sure why we don’t but we always seem to reach for the same 2-3 glasses. So I have to say, I am pretty excited to pull out some fun glassware it show it off to my girl friends!
No. 4 Get Dressed for the Occassion
I think it’s save to say that a majority of us have fallen into the rut of wearing loungewear, workout wear, or our pajamas everyday. And NO JUDGEMENT HERE but y’all, it is time to get dressed! Pull out your favorite spring dress, the new top you haven’t had the chance to wear yet, or even just a great pair of jeans you haven’t worn in the last four weeks.
Trust me, it will feel good to put in a little effort and wear some normal clothes! Not only that but you’ll also feel more like you’re at a real happy hour if you’re wearing something other than your pajamas for the third day in a row.
My girlfriends will find me wearing my favorite jeans and a cute top or floral number with my favorite headband, a great pair of earrings, and maybe in a new pair of wedges I haven’t had the chance to wear yet.
No. 5 Create Your Scene
There is two parts to this.
The part for your friends: Make sure you’ve tidied up a bit where you’re setting up shop (where you’re taking your zoom happy hour). Put away laundry away, remove any cups/dishes from today’s meals, and just tidy up the space overall.
The part for you: create space that feels a little different, a little more enjoyable. One that puts you in the mood for happy hour! Maybe set out your favorite snack (more on this below) or create a mini charcuterie board to go with your wine. Light a candle or turn on your essential oil diffuser. Play a little music in the background – just make sure it’s low enough so it doesn’t interfere with your conversation.
P.S. Canva has created some really creative Zoom Virtual Background Templates if you want to use one of those vs. creating a scene at your home.
No. 6 Snacks, Snacks, Snacks
Let’s be honest, we all know a happy hour isn’t that happy without some snacks! Plan ahead and share a snack idea with your guests. One that will pair well with your drink recommendation.
Or ask everyone to send a recipe for an appetizer, small plate, or dessert. A little virtual potluck along with your virtual happy hour. You could choose a theme or simply ask everyone to send their favorites!
A couple of my favorites:
Brookies
Charcuterie Board
Cinnamon Apple Bread
Two Pairing Ideas:
Risata Sparkling Rosé + Dark Chocolate Chips and Strawberries – could also make chocolate covered strawberries!
Risata Moscato d’Asti + Jalapeño Cashews
No. 7 Sit back and Enjoy!
Now for the best part – sit back and enjoy this time with your friends (or family)! You’ve pulled together the ultimate virtual happy hour and now you get to reap the rewards! Drink that fabulous glass of wine out of your fabulous cup while wearing real clothes and catch up with those you love! Cheers y’all!
OMG this is so fun!!! Joshua on zoom is cracking me up! As soon as we’re all moved in let’s do this! And I’ll be making a batch of those margs you posted or pouring a glass of Risata rose!
-Morgan
the HER chronicles [] http://theherchronicles.com
Yay 🙂 so glad you think so! He is such a hoot – you know he was eating up his time in front of the camera haha. And yes, that sounds absolutely wonderful!
xo Laura Leigh
This is amazing! LOVE the idea of the fun invite. My best friend and I were just talking about how we’re going to send a fun invite for Cinco de Mayo! Also, I LOVE that glass – the bigger the better;)
Dana | The Champagne Edit
Thanks GF! It was honestly so much fun to put invites together for upcoming happy hours. Definitely made it a little more exciting. Y’all should definitely create one for Cinco de Mayo – that’d be so fun! I also didn’t realize how large these glasses were until pulling them out for my last happy hour haha. Proves pulling out the glasses you never use is very beneficial and fun haha.
xo Laura Leigh
Love these tips and tricks, especially now that we’re all having virtual happy hours on the regular. Such a fun way to mix things up! Love your little corner, too!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Yay! I am thrilled to hear that 🙂 Definitely agree with you – a fun way to spice things up. And thank you!
xo Laura Leigh
oooh i love the idea of sending out invitations! ive got a few weekly standing zoom dates, but this would add such a fun aspect 🙂 thanks for sharing your tips gf and most importantly, CHEERS!
xx reb // thecrystalpress.com/blog
thank you gal! definitely builds the excitement even more. of course gal – thank you for reading and cheers to you as well!
xo Laura Leigh
Zoom calls have what has been getting me through these tough days. It’s so great to have “interaction”.
Kate || Kate Koutures
Yes girl! They are so necessary!
xo Laura Leigh
This sounds like SO much fun!! Great idea. I totally want to do this!
Lizzie
It really is such a blast! My girl friends and I have had so much fun. You should get one on the calendar!
xo Laura Leigh
This is such a great idea. I love it! I will have to throw one this week. Picking out a drink and getting dressed will be my favorite parts!
-Lily
http://www.withlovelilyrose.com
Thank you gal! Yes – definitely makes things exciting and spices up the typical day to day we’re all experiencing right now.
xo Laura Leigh
I love this idea. I am gonna suggest it to my girl friends 🙂
❥ tanvii.com
Thanks gal! Hope y’all have a blast!
xo Laura Leigh
Talk about a great idea! While I haven’t done this with close friends or family yet (I think I’m the only human on earth that hasn’t utilized Zoom), I have hosted happy hour on Instagram Live about three times on my bookstagram. It’s been so fun and such a great way to pass the time. Thanks for the suggestion of wines here! I wanna try the prosecco!
Aw thank you Stephanie! I appreciate that. That sounds so fun! Of course – you will love the prosecco – it is so good!
xo Laura Leigh
These are great tips! I love having happy hour on Facetime with friends right now!
Thanks Greta! It is such a fun way to connect and socialize while still distancing ourselves.
xo Laura Leigh
Such an important time to stay connected and this is a great idea to keep it fun! xoxo, Sarah
Couldn’t agree with you more!
xo Laura Leigh
Oh yesss this sounds like a great idea x
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Thank you GF! It always so much fun!
xo Laura Leigh
Such a great idea!! Loving all of the names of the wines too! I actually got dressed today and it really did feel good!! Side note, what color is your nail polish? ❤️❤️
Thanks gal! Aren’t they fab? Love Risata Wines! So I actually created the nail polish by mixing two OPI colors together – Dutch Tulips and Got Myself into Jam-Balaya
xo Laura Leigh
Such cute ideas for making a virtual happy hour fun— love this!
Thanks gal! So glad you enjoyed the post!
xo Laura Leigh
So much fun! I need to do this with my girlfriends!
You absolutely do gal!
xo Laura Leigh