{Holiday Party} Making Spirits Bright with Google #CityExperts in Atlanta Monday 08 December, 2014
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and it’s definitely holiday party season! As if I don’t go to enough events, the holidays amp it up even more and Google wanted to kick off the season with a Making Spirits Bright Party in Atlanta with #CityExperts. I’ve talked about Google’s City Experts program here, where people in participating cities have the opportunity to party with Google once a month by doing great local reviews of their town. I did my 50+ reviews (yes you have to do over fifty reviews to be a members) and now I am official and this was my second party with Google! In Google fashion, they went all out with their party.
So they had the party at this great venue called Park Tavern, which is actually a skating rink. Of course the City Experts had free access to complimentary skating, but because I was being silly that day I opted out. It was too many people, open bar, icy frozen rink…yeah I personally can be kind of clumsy so I just didn’t want to chance it…I would be holding onto the edge like a 5 year old the entire time (rusty ice skating girl). Outside of the skating rink, Google had it set up literally for a great interactive Holiday experience with different stations and tasks.
Google always provides great complimentary food, unlimited drinks and socialization. The stations I were talking about were broken down into different areas; The Hot Cocoa Station, The PhotoBooth Station, The Write A Letter to A Hero Station & Operation Christmas Child. Each Google City Expert was giving a piece of paper and you had to check off each activity at all the station with a sticker, and at the end of the completed sheet you get exclusive Google gloves. It was super fun, engaging and a great way to make sure you make your rounds at the party and do something out the box.
The Google Gloves garland for everyone who completed the holiday tasks
Everyone wanted Google gloves and to get them you have to finish all the task at each station. They had them cutely hanging up ready for everyone who participated. I wanted my gloves so I definitely went to each station!
The Apple Cider + Hot Chocolate Bar
This was a fun area. It wasn’t just your ordinary drink station it was basically a DIY beverage bar. I am not an Apple Cider fan, but I am a hot chocolate fan (especially mixed with some Baileys – that’s a great idea). All the toppings you want…but I may or may not have had more Bailey’s than hot chocolate in my cup. Don’t judge me…
The Write A Letter to A Hero Station. Simply write a nice letter to our soldiers serving overseas for our country wishing them well over the holidays.
I think sometimes we forget that while we are enjoying the holidays with our loved ones, we have American soldiers serving us and may not be able to make it home for Christmas. So Google set up this special station with blank Christmas cards to wish some American military men a happy holiday and cheer from us. I thought that was sweet.
The children toy section, where the City Experts selected the items they would give to either a little boy or girl for a personalize Christmas gift box.
Operation Christmas Child was amazing. Google had it set up to where there were empty boxes for little boys or girls waiting to be filled by the city experts.
The Operation Christmas child was a special station. It was for the City Experts to create customer Christmas care packages to gift to children who may not get much for the holidays. This touched my heart because it’s hard to think about little kids maybe not getting gifts but its an unfortunate reality for some. It was cute how Google had it set up, empty boxes pre-determined for a boy or girl and a separate table for a selection of items to fill the box with per gender. It was so amazing because it was a way for us to give that was already set up to give, we just had to do the rest. I filled my box up and then wrote a special letter to a little girl. I hope she knows I created her special box with love.
My favorite station of course was the photobooth station!
Ok so everyone knows my favorite thing basically in the whole wide world is to take picture. What I love on top of taking pictures is to crash a party’s photobooth and go a little crazy. My friend Nia + I were having a ball. In some of our pictures we decided we even belonged in a Gap/Old Navy/Target/insert-your-favorite-holiday-brand-here-commercial. We were super hamming it up for the cameras. But after closer look at all the pictures I am kinda serious – I want to be in an holiday commercial! #Bucketlist but until then I just had fun with my friends in a booth. If you have any connections or suggestions to make that happen for me in 2015 please hit me up! Nia is apart of the package too (lol).
So as you can see my friends and I dominated the photobooth and guess who was the ring leader? Yup this girl…always. I think I need photobooth rehab!
Me looking crazy because they were throwing fake snow at me and..I wasnt getting it anywhere but in my hair lol
If you are interested in being a City Experts in your city and want to start going to some cool Google parties near you, then check out more deets here. It was a great party again, I don’t expect any less from Google and I am sure next year it will be even more fun!
Will you be attending any holiday parties this year? Can you help me get into a holiday commercial for 2015?
About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty
This looks like such a cool event and well done you on writing 50+ reviews on your hometown! I love the look of the photo booth stand too, the props are fab, especially the Christmas lights to wrap around you! It seems as though Google sure puts on a great event and unlimited drinks – I wish I was there!
I love the pics- it looks like you had so much fun! I’m not sure of any parties I’ll be going to but I am having an open house on xmas eve so I guess I’m the party!
Wow, that looked like a real fun celebration. With complimentary food, drinks and a lot of people to mingle with, the party seemed to be so engaging. I think the photobooth station would also be my favorite. Happy holidays!
This is a great post. I especially loved reading about the military table that was set up. We’re a military family and such things are near and dear to my heart. 🙂
What an amazing event! And you look gorgeous as always! We aren’t doing any holiday parties this year. We are keeping it low key and just doing a few small family celebrations instead.
I have heard google throws some of the most amazing party but not actually read about one. You look great btw and I agree with you would not recommend skating after a glass (bottle in my case) or two lol
Looks like that was a fun party. I’ve got two this year – our big one for the company is the one I look most forward too because I can bring The Hubs with me instead of going alone!
How fun! I love reading about your adventures! lol Love that they had all of the different stations set up. Get into the holiday spirit by focusing on others this holiday season. It really does help.
What a really fun party! I love that they had stations for you to create gifts for others! I am going to a few holiday parties with my friends! I can’t wait.
This looks like such a cool event and well done you on writing 50+ reviews on your hometown! I love the look of the photo booth stand too, the props are fab, especially the Christmas lights to wrap around you! It seems as though Google sure puts on a great event and unlimited drinks – I wish I was there!
The decor is great. Love that fireplace.
Looks like a great party! I love the gloves hanging on the string — must do this at my next party as the favors!
that looks like one fun party! I love the photo booth props that they picked out and I love that they had the fire for you to warm your hands with!
I checked but they don’t have any city expert program in my city. I’ll have to live the fun vicariously through you!
another fab party as usual! I love that Operation Christmas Child was there too!
this looks like it was such a fun party! I love that toys were collect for the needy.
I love the pics- it looks like you had so much fun! I’m not sure of any parties I’ll be going to but I am having an open house on xmas eve so I guess I’m the party!
Wow. Looks like a fun party and looks like you guys had a lot of fun!!!!
Omg looks.like y’all had a pretty fabulous time at the even more fabulous party!!! Love this time of year and all the fun stuff to do 🙂
Google knows how to throw a party!! We attended a party on Saturday and have two more this weekend. It’s party season!
Awesome photos! It looks like it was an amazing party!
Wow, that looked like a real fun celebration. With complimentary food, drinks and a lot of people to mingle with, the party seemed to be so engaging. I think the photobooth station would also be my favorite. Happy holidays!
This is a great post. I especially loved reading about the military table that was set up. We’re a military family and such things are near and dear to my heart. 🙂
It looks like you had a great time! What a fun event.
What a fun event to attend. I love that they had a station to write a letter to a hero.
What an amazing event! And you look gorgeous as always! We aren’t doing any holiday parties this year. We are keeping it low key and just doing a few small family celebrations instead.
So much fun! I totally live my life vicariously through your fun life. I haven’t been to a party in ages
Partying with Google sounds like a blast! I love that they were supporting Operation Christmas Child. We just stuffed our 2 shoeboxes last month.
I have heard google throws some of the most amazing party but not actually read about one. You look great btw and I agree with you would not recommend skating after a glass (bottle in my case) or two lol
It looks like you had a great time at the party. I love all the great photos.
You are always on the go! I love reading your blog just to see where you’re going to be next!
You must have unlimited energy, because you seem to be all go all the time. I can’t get you into a commercial, but I’m rooting for you!
Looks like a fun city experts party. I will be attending a few parties this year and I am looking forward to them.
Bailey’s at the hot cocoa bar?? Yes please! As always, looks like you had a blast.
what a fun party. Looks like everyone had so much fun
That looks like a party I would want to go to !
Looks like that was a fun party. I’ve got two this year – our big one for the company is the one I look most forward too because I can bring The Hubs with me instead of going alone!
Looks so fun and enjoying. I like to attend holiday party like this. You looks happy with your family and friends.
Looks like you had a great time, and got some great photos as well.
How fun! I love reading about your adventures! lol Love that they had all of the different stations set up. Get into the holiday spirit by focusing on others this holiday season. It really does help.
Looks like you had fun! I wish I could help you get into a holiday commercial for next year! Good luck!
This looks like a fun party! The apple cider and hot chocolate bar look especially tasty!
That looks like one seriously fun party! And I would have to agree with you – open bar & an ice rink spells disaster & ambulance all at one! LOL
This party sounds awesome! Looks like a great time. I’m with you on the skating. Liquor and ice don’t mix!
In other news, 50+ reviews?? I’d never make it! LOL!
What a really fun party! I love that they had stations for you to create gifts for others! I am going to a few holiday parties with my friends! I can’t wait.
Looks like an awesome party!!! I’ve been invited to a few parties but not sure if I’m up for it lol
Such a FUN party! You go to the BEST parties!
Looks like a fun party. The church i used to visit dod operation Christmas Child. Great cause.
What a cool event! It certainly looks like you had a lot of fun and did a lot of great things for children in need this season.
Kiwi, all I want for xmas is to party with you. I miss you girl!