A humble party I threw together in 2012 back in Washington DC has now turned into a mega-event in my LA backyard. In its original conception, Deck the Balls was an intimate ball-themed potluck/competition in which guests would bring ball-shaped foods to pair with the penis shaped gingerbread cookies my ex-husband Matty and I made each Christmas, as a couple. (I totally forgot about this cookie connection until I read the original Deck The Balls post, thank goodness for this blog). Prizes were awarded in three categories (best salty, best sweet, and most creative), and my friends all BROUGHT IT.
Fast forward to 2023, when I had moved to a new house in LA and had yet to throw a backyard bash in my backyard, which is actually an ideal backyard for parties. So just in time for the holidays, I brought back Deck the Balls! This time, the West Coast Edition. Deck the Balls turned into an epic 100 guest affair, complete with the original spherical food potluck competition (and instead of just me as judge, there was secret balloting among attendees), and the crucial addition of The Yarns, my go-to party band led by my friend Matt, my partner Rob, and featuring the saxophone skills of my dear friend Sam Sanders. The Yarns have played my Black Tie and/or Pajamas Birthday Party, and now, TWO Deck the Balls events, so they’re basically my house band. The best part of bringing back Deck the Balls was that original attendees from the DC edition, Matt Thomps and Bryan Tradup, DROVE DOWN from SF to attend! They are the only two guests who have attended every Deck the Balls that was ever tossed.
Last year, the ball innovations included chicken pot pie, but as balls. Omusubi, but as balls. Spicy Numbing Mala Rice Balls won in the savory category, and Friend Tim’s Chocolate Bourbon Balls won in the sweet category. Bryan, who had cooked chicken meatballs from Costco just for funsies, actually WON in the “Balls I Just Like Licking” category, but was sleeping through the election results, somehow, right behind the band’s backdrop.
The vibes at these events are unmatched. The live music is electric and wonderful thanks to such talented musicians among my friends. This year I couldn’t squeeze in the party before leaving for two weeks in Taiwan, so Deck The Balls was thrown as a New Year’s Eve event. New Years involves ball dropping, so, why not! Amid a doggie emergency (our pup Oscar was operated on earlier in the day, more on that later), we were still committed to convening friends and loved ones. So glad we did. Jotting down a few special little moments from last night so I don’t forget:
- Friend Shay squeezing melon-sized grapefruits (sent from McAllen, Texas by my friend Skyler), by hand, for our signature cocktail: Sparkling Paloma
- Matt Thompson getting called up literally 30 seconds before having to swing Twist and Shout, learning the key, and totally crushing it. Or as the kids say, he ATE IT UP!
- Lindsay showing me a photo of the painting that Friend Alex painted of her and instantly tearing up, so moved was I about this art and how clearly Alex saw Lindsay
- Rob showing his sons the food laid out on the tables and then reading, of one of the snacks: “Corn Puff Crack. [Pause]. Don’t do crack.”
- My high school graduation tea co-host Chrissy’s little brother, who I had never met, showing up to the party and suddenly recognizing it was him after lingering on his face for a moment and seeing his sister’s features in his face
- Ailsa and Blake’s exuberance and joy, dancing along to the live band
- Matt and Lindsay singing along to Always Be My Baby, not just the main tracks but also how they knew EVERY backup track too, and harmonized
- Hot Rob and Sam making music together to “You Never Can Tell,” and Sam and Misty on At Last was magical
- Losing my voice earlier in the day and persuading the doctor to give me steroids so I could make it through the party.
I’m sure more will come to me later, but I’m just so full of joy after hosting friends and hopefully, helping connect people to each other. Happy 2025 and let’s hug one another tight through whatever is to come.
