Time to let you in on a little secret.... My most successful New Year's Eve party ever- EVER- owes a large part of its fabulosity to this inflatable mattress.

It was not a sex party. Let me stop ya right there, you dirty thing you.

Here's the scoop- I'd heard so many people complain for so long that NYE was too much pressure. They either didn't have a date or they didn't know what to wear or they DID know what to wear but their sassy new heels were causing blisters an hour after leaving the house or they got in a fight with their husband because he wouldn't admit he had to much to drink and wanted to drive.... blah blah blah. It's a night with a lot of hype but not a lot of fantastic success stories afterwards.

I got sick of all that yapping. So I decided to throw a party with a twist. A Pajama Party. Yep. You could come dressed HOWEVER you wanted or usually wear when you go to sleep (with the disclaimer that any nude sleepers would have to submit polaroids first before gaining Full Monty clearance. For the visual protection of all.)

The ladies who love to vamp it up could come in baby dolls and stilettos. The husbands who throw a fit when you try and get them out of the house twice a year could come in sweat pants and white undershirts. Flannel pajamas and cozy slippers were a favorite too. Basically, wear whatever you feel most comfortable in was the idea. Let all that come second to the drinkin' and the fun.

Oh, that worked well. To say the least. Not only did it add huge entertainment value because of all the different directions people took it in, but people kept commenting on what a RELIEF it was to just feel comfortable all night long. Really, really comfortable. So that was good.

Also good? The purchase of a couple of these air mattresses. Queen size is key. And while I put them on two-by-four pallets I quickly nailed together, I could have just as easily gone without that step. I tossed some colorful bedding and a ton of cushions on them, set a breakfast-in-bed type elevated tray in the center of each with hors d'oeuvres (sidenote: cereal bar was also a hit, as was the gourmet popcorn- think slumber party snacks) and voila! The place was transformed into a giant bedroom. Best of all, guests were told ahead of time they were welcome to crash there after and avoid the drive home. Which many did.

One of the best nights ever. And have since re-used those air mattresses for everything from camping trips to out-of-town holiday guests to napping zones in the backyard for the kids.

Love these.