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Candy Cane Crackers, at Sur la Table

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Poinsettia Holiday Crackers, from Pier 1 Imports

Invite several friends and family members over - whoever is in town and has not left for the holidays. Make sure to invite any single people or people with far away families. That way none of your friends spends Christmas Eve alone. Light a fire in your fireplace if you have one; make things cozy; put on soft Christmas music; and offer festive treats, snacks and entrees. Besides any cocktails or alcohol you might serve specially tonight, have coffee, hot cocoa, hot tea and nonalcoholic punch or cider available.

Open holiday crackers and invite guests to wear the silly hats.

CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY DECORATIONS:

Red Ruffle Stocking, from Pier 1 Imports

Holly Dish Towel, from Crate and Barrel

Holly Apron, from Crate and Barrel

CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY MUSIC:

Buy "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" MP3 by Frank Sinatra on Amazon

Buy Ella Fitzgerald's "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" MP3 on Amazon

"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by Julie Andrews on YouTube

Buy "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" MP3 by Julie Andrews on Amazon

O Holy Night, by Bobby Vinton, on YouTube

Buy "O Holy Night" MP3 by the Puppini Sisters on Amazon for 99 Cents

CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY APPETIZERS:

Brie in Puffed Pastry Recipe, by Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Cinnamon Apple Salad Recipe, at The Sweets Life

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Garnet Punch Recipe, from Gourmet Magazine

Egg Nog, from The Hip Stir

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Christmas Eve Dinner Menu, from Mad Hungry

CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY DESSERTS:

Candy Cane Macarons Recipe, from Gourmet Traveller

Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies Recipe, from Cake and Allie

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

The Little Big Book of Christmas, on Amazon

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook, on Amazon