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Merry Berry Soap and Lotion Kit, from Crate and Barrel

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Peppermint Mug, from Crate and Barrel

Invite eight or ten friends over, encouraging them to bring silly or unwanted gifts they recently received. Provide one actually useful or potentially wanted gift to keep things interesting. Encourage guests to swap gifts and trade. Meanwhile, serve festive snacks and treats, but not a full sit-down meal. Play music (perhaps easing off on the holiday tunes a bit) and provide board games and card games after the gift exchange is over.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Peppermint Dish Towel, from Crate and Barrel

Peppermint Floating Candles, from Crate and Barrel

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time, on YouTube

Buy "Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time" MP3 by Paul McCartney on Amazon

We Three Kings, by Ella Fitzgerald, on YouTube

Buy "We Three Kings" MP3 by Olivia Newton John on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Biscotti (Little Toast)

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Rosemary Gin Fizz, from Once Upon a Recipe

Gingerbread Man Cocktail, from The Hip Stir

Whiskey Sour Punch, from MyRecipes

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Cinnamon Chip Scones Recipe, from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Chocolate Raspberry Forest Cake Recipe, from Chocolate and Carrots

Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes Recipe, from Erica's Sweet Tooth

Moonstruck Chocolates Peppermint Bark, on Amazon

Eggnog Cheesecake Bars, from Brown Eyed Baker

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY PLANNING:

The Book of Holiday Awesome, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:

Mermaids sand Martinis' White Elephant Christmas Party

RELATED LINKS:

White Elephant Gift Exchange, on Wikipedia

White Elephant Gift Exchange

4 Tips for a White Elephant Gift Exchange (MSN)

How to Throw a White Elephant Party, on Squidoo

How to Throw an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party (Serenity Now)