Now that the World Series is over, it means that the holidays are right around the corner – and so is our annual AYC Holiday Party with White Elephant Gift Exchange and Blunder Bucket nominations!
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
6:30 Social – 7:00 Dinner – Program to follow
Location: Dave and Buster’s
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy / Suite 1100 / Tempe AZ 85281
Here’s the game plan:
- The Bullpen: Bring a wrapped gift in the ballpark of $0-$30. Think White Elephant! (Although participating in the gift exchange is totally optional!)
- Draw Numbers: We’ll draw numbers to set the batting order.
- First Pitch: The leadoff hitter chooses a gift from the bullpen and opens it for all to see.
- Steals: Each player who follows can either “swing” for a new, wrapped gift from the pile or “steal” a gift from a previous player.
- Tag: If your gift is stolen, you can choose a new wrapped gift or steal from someone else (you can’t immediately steal back the same gift).
- Three Strikes and You’re Safe: A single gift can be stolen a maximum of two times after the original opening. (We don’t want this party going to 18 innings…)
- The Final Inning: Once all the gifts have been opened, the first player gets one final chance to “force a trade” with any other player.
- Game Over!
Who will be our Vin Scully of the evening? Get excited, cause we’re bringing back Fay Powell and Olivia Jackman to do the play-by-play!
Bring the kids! We’ll provide the gifts and activities for the kids.
Over the past handful of years the White Elephant has turned into a MASSIVE booze exchange. This, in short, is boring. We all can go and buy a bottle of Capitan Morgan – it’s not an interesting, exciting, or funny gift. We are looking to make things a little more entertaining this year. Think outside the box – shop inside your own home or garage… I mean are you really using that salad spinner?
Some great examples to consider:
- Sailing stuff you don’t use (think, that celestial navigation book you never read and never will)
- A wench handle from an old boat
- A framed photo of a former Commodore
Some not great examples:
- A bottle of rum
- A “nice” bottle of wine
- A gift card
So step up to the plate and bring something unique!
Speaking of plates, you’ll need a big one for our delicious holiday buffet!
- Grilled salmon with tomatoes and basil
- Prime rib
- Green beans almondine –V, GF
- Parmesan brussels sprouts –V, GF
- Citrus rice –V, GF
- Cheese tortellini alfredo w/bacon
- Romaine, berry & pecan salad –V, GF
- Assorted rolls w/whipped butter –V
- Dessert
Unlimited coffee, soda and tea. Cash bar. V = Vegetarian / GF = Gluten Free
And while the Commissioner’s Trophy is nice and all, it holds nothing on the AYC Blunder Bucket! Our prestigious Blunder Bucket award recognizes every manner of dropped ball: who do you know that had a launch fail, a de-masting, perhaps someone you know fed a Lake Pleasant Donkey? Nominate them to have their name added to the bucket and the honor of hosting this lovely relic in their home. Eric Bruce currently holds the Blunder Bucket for his launching incident landing his boat on the rocks. It’s good-natured fun! So bring your stories *and* your humility. If you have plans that will not allow you to attend, you can use our Nomination Form to describe the blunder, and we’ll include it in the nominations. Remember, you must have witnessed the blunder in person, and it should have occurred since our last Blunder Bucket nominations in May of 2025.
RSVP’s are required! No payments can be accepted at the event.
Adult – $40.00 per person. Includes buffet, taxes, tip & nonalcoholic beverages.
Children 12 and under eat free from the children’s menu.
Whether you bring a home run gift or a swing and a miss, it’s sure to be a grand slam of a good time!
Let’s play ball!
