The koozies for the 3rd Annual 12 Bars of Christmas! I am so excited, because now we can really start to get people in the holiday spirit. We have 52 people who've RSVP'd for the pub crawl so far, but with over 100 who haven't yet responded, I am confident we'll hit at least 70 this year.
Three years ago we launched the first 12 Bars of Christmas, and didn't like the idea of everyone wearing Santa Suits, or matching tee shirts. Call me crazy, but I love to let people tap into their individuality, and go nuts with their costumes.
The rules of 12 Bars is simple. Pick 12 bar locations, and keep in mind you need to be able to walk between them, or at least the last 10. Tell your guests that they have to wear their finest holiday gear - tacky Christmas sweater, santa suit, antlers, slutty elf costume, whatever they want! They then bring money for the koozie, I charge $3 each, and then they'd better be prepared to drink their way through the day and night!
Determine your approximate number of attendees, and then approach the bar owners or managers, and let them know the date, the approximate time you'll be there, and how many people. If you can get drink specials, that's even better for your crew!
I always let the managers and owners know that all the people on my pub crawl will have matching koozies, and show them what they look like. That way, everyone can just show their koozie to get the drink special, and the bar doesn't have to print up bracelets or anything. We stay at the first bar for an hour and a half, and then try to limit to an hour each bar after that.
Next step! The invitation. I like to send it out at least 5-6 weeks in advance because the holidays get a little busy for everyone. We also always make sure our pub crawls are the same weekend every year! Always the Saturday before Christmas. Let the guests know the order of the bars, the drink special at each one, and how to join if they're late.
Then sing this little jingle....
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, A frosty beer just for me.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Two friends a laughing
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Three stout ales
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Four full glasses
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Fiiiiive Jaaaaaager bombs
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Six straws a sipping
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Seven drinks a spilling
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Eight drunks a singing
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Nine dudes a stumbling
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Ten shots a downing
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Eleven pints guzzling
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Twelve bars of crawling
