Stay-In Swearing-In: Celebrate Obama at Home

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MILLIONS CROWDING the Metro to hear Barack Obama take the oath of office Jan. 20. A Sarah Palin-chilly weather forecast for the subsequent parade. Ball tickets that cost as much as your mortgage payment.

Yeah, the inauguration and its political parties sound fun, but they also sound stressful. So, if you can't stand the: A) cold, B) crowds or C) idea that Rahm Emanuel might spill a drink on your frock, consider staying in and feting the new first fam.

Party down in a manner that celebrates both the Obamas' Chicago roots and a few of their favorite foods, drinks and tunes.

» POLITICAL PARTY TRICKS
The swearing-in of a new commander in chief happens only every four or eight years, but the swearing-in of a new keg can happen as quickly as you can drain the old one. Stimulate the party economy by letting people bid for their drinks. And if you must play a drinking game in these serious and pomp-filled hours, we suggest doing a shot every time Obama uses the word "hope" "change" or "America" in his inaugural address.

You also might try a Sarah Palin geography bee, a "Mad Libs"-style speech-writing contest or just a bit of jubilant dancing (review the Obamas' steps on "Ellen" for pointers). Obama's iPod is stocked with everything from Aretha and Jay-Z to jazz greats such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis.

» DRINKS
In the spirit of a fresh era, serve a healthy aqua fresca, below, aka juice diluted with water and sweetened with sugar. The potion represents the Obamas' fave cuisine, Mexican. Chef Joe Raffa of Oyamel (401 Seventh St. NW; 202-628-100) recommends using a winter citrus fruit. You can also toast the new prez with a glass of Obama's preferred libation, a glass of vino. (He had a 1,000-bottle cellar back in Hyde Park!). Sit beverages on Obama and civil rights hero coasters (above, four for $45, Apres Peau, 1430 K St. NW; 202-783-0022).

» DECORATIONS
Still waiting for a personal bailout? Be like Congress and decorate your pad with red tape. D.C. interior designer Tracy Morris recommends red streamers or construction tape hung from the banisters and walls. Any old Sears shopping bags around your the house? Cut out the logos, paste them on top of one another on the wall and create your own Sears Tower.

For table decor, "scatter pieces of Wrigley's gum. The silver wrappers will give the tables a sparkle and remind your guests of a Chicago landmark." And you can always buy one of those life-sized cutouts of the big O (about $40, Prankplace.com or some Party City stores), which will be the closest you'll come to hanging with the big guy, you hermit.

» BITES
Chi-town is famous for its deep-dish pizza and butchered meats. We suggest the latter, since a pizza delivery guy would likely get caught in mad, bad traffic. Whether it's a Wrigley Field-style hot dog in a poppy seed roll or a brat, sausages seem appropriate in a place with so many politicians who are, um, full of bologna.

Get your fill from chef Jamie Stachowski of Stachowski Charcuterie (wares shown; 202-413-7355). "Chicago has plenty of sausage offerings. You can do an ethnic kielbasa, an all-beef frankfurter or even a blood sausage." Or host a Washington.-versus-Chicago snackdown by adding a platter of half-smokes from D.C.'s legendary Ben's Chili Bowl (1213 U St. NW; 202-667-0909).

Written by Express contributor Erin Hartigan
Photo by Emmanuel Dunnand/AFP/Getty Images