Friday, December 9, 2011

Day 9 - Christmas Cupcake Party


Mrs. Claus Christmas Aprons, from Pier 1 Imports

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:



Sleigh Cupcake Holder, from Crate and Barrel

Invite five to seven adult friends over for an evening of holiday baking and cupcake decorating. Send every guest home with at least two dozen decorated cupcakes they can use to gift or share or serve at their own holiday parties. Buy several inexpensive boxed cake and frosting mixes, have the cupcakes baked already and ready to go. Set out bowls full of decorations, dragees, frosting pens, gels, tips and sprinkles. Serve guests a light meal and tempting snacks. Bring out a non-cupcake dessert at the end of the evening.


Meri Meri Tis the Season Cupcake Kit, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:



Christmas Cupcakes Napkins, at Sur la Table


Jolly Holiday Prep Bowls, from Pier 1 Imports


Chocolate Cupcake Ornament, from Sur la Table

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:



Swingin Christmas Party CD, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:



Apricots with Basil, Goat Cheese and Almonds Recipe, from Shutterbean


Hot and Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper Dip Recipe, from How Sweet It Is


CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:



English Christmas Punch Recipe, from The Hip Stir

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:



Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Portabellos Recipe, from Annie's Eats


Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets, from Once Upon a Recipe

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:



Iced Eggnog Cookies Recipe, from Hungry Girl Por Vida


Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe, from The Picky Cook

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:



Holiday Cupcakes, by Annie Rigg, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:


Christmas Cupcake Ideas (The Party Dress)

Christmas Cupcakes, at Hoosier Homemade

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Day 8 - Christmas Tree Trimming Party


Meri Meri "Tis the Season" Christmas Tree Centerpiece, on Amazon


Candy Cane Swirl Candle, at Sur la Table

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:


Invite five or six adult friends over to help you decorate your Christmas tree. Set out big bowls of your ornaments and garlands for them to choose from. Reserve the star or your tree topper for yourself or your spouse/partner to put on the tree at the very end. Serve your guests snacks and appetizers to nibble on as they work; then serve dessert after the tree is finished. Skip a fancy sit down meal as this is a weeknight party.

CHRISTMAS TREE TRIMMING PARTY DECORATIONS:



Christmas Ornament Stocking, from Target

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:



Bing Crosby's "Deck the Halls" on YouTube

Buy Bing Crosby's "Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly" MP3 on Amazon

Buy Danny Kaye's "Deck the Halls" MP3 on Amazon

Buy "Deck the Hall" MP3 by Nate King Cole on Amazon


O Christmas Tree, by Aretha Franklin, on YouTube

Buy "O Christmas Tree" MP3 by Aretha Franklin on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:



Slow Cooker Meatballs with Orange Marmalade Recipe, from The Chic Life


Fried Mozzarella Recipe, from Martha Stewart

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:



Mint Hot Cocoa Recipe, from Jazzy Sinatra


Warm Spiced Cran-Pom Toddies, from MyRecipes

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:



Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake Recipe, from The Picky Cook


Green Tea Christmas Tree Cookies, from Diamonds for Dessert


Five Minute Fudge Wreath Recipe, by Tidy Mom

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY PLANNING:



101 Tree Trimming Ideas Book, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:


Plan a Tree-Trimming Party (Entertaining.About.com)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Day 7 - Christmas Crafts Night


Ginger Paper House Kit, at Paper Source

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:



Gingerbread Man Garland Kit, at Paper Source

Invite five or six craft loving women to your home to work on individual craft projects with cheerful, inspiring company. Serve finger food appetizers and desserts, but not a sit down meal. Spread craft supplies (paper, pens, glue, stickers, felt, glitter, tape, etc.) out on your dining table, and encourage people to bring their current holiday projects.

At the end of the evening, serve dessert, and photograph guests holding up the lovely things they've created.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:



Candy Cane Santa Teapot, on eBay


Snowmen Towels, from Pier 1 Imports


Tree Candles, at Sur la Table

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:



"The Christmas Song" by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, on YouTube

Buy "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" MP3 by Nat King Cole, on Amazon

Buy "The Christmas Song" MP3 by Bing Crosby on Amazon for 99 Cents

Buy "The Christmas Song" MP3 by Celine Dion, on Amazon


"I Saw Three Ships" by Blackmore's Night on YouTube


"I Saw Three Ships" by Sting on YouTube

Buy "I Saw Three Ships" MP3 by Sting on Amazon for 99 Cents

Buy "I Saw Three Ships" MP3 by Nat King Cole on Amazon


"Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives, on YouTube

Buy Burl Ives' "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" MP3 on Amazon

Buy Harry Connick, Jr.'s "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" MP3 on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:



Festive Cabot Cheddar Tree Recipe, from Cabot Cheese


Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip Recipe, from The Picky Cook

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:



Pomegranate Vanilla Sangria Recipe, from How Sweet Eats

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:



White Bean and Mushroom Tart Recipe, from Zesty Cook

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:



Eggnog Macarons Recipe, from Cake and Allie


Kristina's Molasses Crinkles Recipe, from Alexandra Cooks


Christmas Lofthouse Style Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies, from What Megan's Making

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY PLANNING:



Fa La La La Felt, on Amazon


Mini Christmas Crochet, on Amazon


Christmas Crafting in No Time, on Amazon

PARTY INSPIRATION:


Kick-Ass Christmas Craft Party

RELATED LINKS:


Bling Bling Christmas Button Tree (Oopsey Daisy Blog)

DIY Pompom Pine Cones (My Blessed Life)

Homemade Hand Warmers (V and Co)

How to Make a Homemade Snow Globe (Our Best Bites)

Muffin Tin Christmas Advent Calendar (Love Sweet Love)