Online - December 17, 2004

Booze Clues

Pylones Flask

Holiday party, the fantasy: slinky new dress, magical spins on the dance floor, stare affair with hottie bartender.

Holiday party, the reality: two-hour schlep to boss’s estate in rented Chevy (help yourself to the box of zinfandel!), or dodging Uncle Paulie at Aunt Patty’s (where “festive attire” translates as “sequined snowman sweaters”).

No wonder this overdose of seasonal spirit sends you running to the bottle. Don’t get depressed about it. Celebrate the tipple with a cheery-chic new Pylones Prohibition-Busters flask. The stainless-steel babies come in two bright, enamel, speakeasy-cool designs. The sailor man wears seaworthy-blue stripes and has a tiny face on the screw top. You’ll be more welcome than a Saint Bernard when you whip out the Pink Cross as the DJ starts yapping. Flasks fit neatly and discreetly in a pocket or bag and are so cute they almost disguise what’s inside.

Not that you should want to.

This time of year an extra kick in the punch never hurt anyone.

Available online at target.com.