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Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Ornament, at Sur la Table

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Invite eight to ten adult friends over for a holiday wine tasting party. Serve five or six different red wines, two white wines, and two or three dessert wines for the tasting. Offer plenty of food and snacks, as well as lovely festive desserts.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Winterberry Hurricane, from Pier 1 Imports

Holly Botanical Towels, from Williams-Sonoma

Festive Stripe Cordial Glasses, from Pier 1

CHRISTMAS WINE TASTING PARTY INSPIRATION:

Wine and Dine Holiday Party, from The Party Dress

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

For a sophisticated soiree, play the Big Band Christmas album in the background. Free of vocals, it's pleasant to listen to and won't distract from the conversations.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, by Loreena McKennitt, on YouTube

Buy Nat King Cole's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" MP3 on Amazon

Buy "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" MP3 by Annie Lennox, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Sausage Cheddar Balls Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Spicy Pecans Recipe, from Martha Stewart

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Serve several different wines at your tasting. Also offer coffee, tea, and water.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Moonstruck Dark Chocolate Tumbled Ice Wine Raisins, on Amazon

White Chocolate Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe, from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Spiced Baked Muscat Custards Recipe, from Spicy Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fondue, from Crate and Barrel

Gingerbread Trifle with Cinnamon Recipe, from The Fig Tree

Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies Recipe, from My Baking Addiction

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

Nigella Christmas, on Amazon

Christmas 101, on Amazon