NO MATTER how dreadful your lingering post-holiday hangover, it's inevitable that you'll be roped into attending some January fête or another. And of course you and your maxed-out credit cards will need to bring along a little something for the hostess. Our solution: package one of the bottles of wine you were gifted earlier this season in a Bob's Your Uncle wine bag ($12/six). Stamped with witty "made-up wine quotes" (i.e., they sound good but don't mean much) including Plummy With Strong Thrusting Overtones and An Explosion of Blackberries and Cranberry Zing, the basic brown bags are stylish, playful, and cheeky - far superior to those chintzy velvet totes you find by the register at the liquor store. And if you're looking for a little something extra, try the brand's colorful paper wine coasters ($9/36). Both are available at Vessel (125 Kingston Street, Boston, 617.292.0982 or 877.805.1801). Just keep away from the humorless wine snobs twirling their glasses on the opposite side of the room. @
