4 Tips for Hosting the Perfect Destination Party That POPS

It's that time of year again when you're expected to return home for the holidays. But what if you didn't? Instead of cramming into the Amtrak train on a freezing winter day toward your mother's apple pie, take your Christmas or Hannukah holiday and head the opposite direction with your best friends. And don't look back! Adam Groffman from Travels of Adam offers up some tips to make your holiday getaway that much more special. In his own words:

1) Learn the art of cocktails
If there's one thing that just about everyone can agree on during the holidays, it's the importance of the holiday cocktail. Man up before the holiday and learn how to make a few signature cocktails. Big brands like Absolut even include recipes on their websites. You'll be the star of the holiday dinner and then you needn't worry about making constant small­talk. Just whip out that cocktail shaker, a bottle of Absolut Warhol Limited Edition, and wow your friends with a perfect Absolut Vodka Martini.

2) Even if you're traveling, you can still cook!
Even if you're traveling over Christmas, you probably don't want to miss the carb­heavy holiday meal. It's just too good to miss! So when you plan your destination party, book yourself into an AirBNB apartment rather than hotel. Just make sure the apartment has a decent kitchen. Your holiday will be that much more memorable and much better than the stuffy package meals you'll get at the hotel restaurant.

3) Take a class to escape the humdrum
What better way to treat yourself during the holidays than to get out of the house and go learn something new? Check Groupon or other local deals websites for bartending or cookery courses when you're in a new city. They're fun things to do as a small group of friends or family and plus you'll learn something ­ and that's really the best gift you can receive.

4) Plan an epic NYE party
The holidays can be a long, draining season especially as you fit in a seemingly endless amount of visits to old friends and family, but take New Year's Eve and plan something special for you. Two ways to do this: plan something romantic with your partner, or else plan a crazy holiday escape with your best friends. I vote for the latter. Sure there's New York City on NYE, but why not plan something abroad to smaller cities with equally epic New Year's events? Edinburgh, Scotland puts on the annual Hogmanay celebration with live music, street food and enough beer and whisky to make your holiday memorable.

Adam Groffman is a globetrotter and self-styled hipster. He covers city trips in Europe and around the world, writing about expat life, festivals, nightlife and LGBT tourism on his personal travel blog, Travels of Adam.

Enjoy responsibly. Absolut® vodka. Product of Sweden. 40% alc./vol. distilled from grain. ©2014 Imported by Absolut Spirits Co., New York, NY.