Respect the Regulars ~ Ornament

Respect the Regulars ~ They Know Where the Good Bitters Are

The same four friends have been at her counter every Thursday for years, and they have earned the right to open the fridge, name a drink, and tell the newcomers how things work. Loyalty is paid in brandied cherries. The regulars never need to ask twice.

• Who Honors Them: The host whose Thursday crew has assigned seats and standing orders.
• The Scene: A kitchen island with four stools and no empty ones.
• Gift Angle: For the friend who turned a home bar into a neighborhood.

The garnish your tree has been missing. Choose ceramic at 3 inches or aluminum at 3.6 inches; it comes with a hanging string and needs nothing more than a damp cloth.