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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

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Funko "Hermey the Elf" Plushie, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Invite four or six friends over to watch a classic Christmas movie or two. Serve finger foods and tempting desserts, plus plenty of beverages.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Burgundy Snowflake Pillars, from Pier 1 Imports

Snowflake Beverage Napkins, from Crate and Barrel

Snowflake Ramekin, from Crate and Barrel

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

We Wish You a Merry Christmas, by Enya, on YouTube

I Wish You a Merry Christmas, by Bing Crosby, on YouTube

Buy "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" MP3 by Perry Como on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Leek Tart Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Nana's Molasses Popcorn Balls (Instructables)

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Hot Buttered Rum Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Raspberry Cordial Recipe, from Cocktails 365

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Peppermint Brownie Trifle Recipe, from Dashing Dish

Popcorn Bucket Cake Recipe, from Erica's Sweet Tooth

Fruit Mince Pie Pops Recipe, from Raspberri Cupcakes

Maple Cranberry Cookies (Modern Mrs. Cleaver)

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

"Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas," on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:

Candy Christmas and Hot Cocoa Bar, from Hostess With the Mostess

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Pacifica "Creme de Menthe" Soy Candle, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Invite five or six adult friends over for an evening of holiday karaoke. That's a good number to stick to - too few and everybody becomes too shy to sing; too many and nobody gets a chance to participate. Serve easy finger snacks and nibbles, plus plenty of beverages to bolster courage and keep your singers' voices strong.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Kissing Ball, from Crate and Barrel

Jester Votive Holders, from Crate and Barrel

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

Party Tyme Christmas Karaoke CDG, on Amazon

Buy Brenda Lee's "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree" MP3 on Amazon

Jingle Bell Rock, by Bobby Helms, on YouTube

Buy "Jingle Bell Rock" MP3 by Bobby Helms on Amazon

Buy "Jingle Bell Rock" MP3 by Brenda Lee, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Stuffed Mushrooms Appetizer, from Martha Stewart

Roasted Garlic, Onion and Peppered Almonds Recipe, from Kitchen Belleicious

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Snowflake Cocktail Recipe, from Cocktails 365

Candy Cane Cocktail, from The Hip Stir

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Chocolate Mint Thumbprint Cookies Recipe, from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Snowball Cookies Recipe, from Lululu at Home

Gingerbread Truffle Pops Recipe, from Dashing Dish

CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:

Merry, Modern and Bright Holiday Party, from Hostess With the Mostess

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Meri Meri "Tis the Season" Cake Stand, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Invite all your friends to stop by from say noon through ten during your holiday open house. Keep coffee on and hot water for tea; put appetizers in the oven every couple hours; keep snacks and desserts out, freshening your table every few hours. Make cocktails as guests arrive, and perhaps have a punchbowl available. Invite guests to stop by and visit, pick up any presents you might have for them, sit and relax and enjoy a festive party. Keep fun Christmas movies playing on one of your televisions, but have the sound down low so people can still visit easily and hear each other.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Santa Claus Teapot, on eBay

Jolly Holiday Snowman Dinnerware, from Pier 1 Imports

Kim Seybert Red Holiday Placemats, from Neiman Marcus

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE PARTY INSPIRATION:

Elf Party, from The Party Dress

PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Votivo Christmas Sage Candle, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

Christmas with Weezer CD, on Amazon

Now That's What I Call Christmas CD, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Olive and Goat Cheese Turnovers Recipe, from Chez Us

Pesto Palmiers Recipe, from Books-n-Cooks

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Santa's Hat Cocktail, from Shes Daily

Cranberry Liqueur Recipe, from Gourmet Magazine

Peppermint Spoons, from Crate and Barrel

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Potato Tart with Bacon, Gruyere and Rosemary Recipe from Fifteen Spatulass

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Christmas Truffles Recipe, from Tidy Mom

Eggnog Cheesecake Recipe, from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Christmas Petit Fours

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

Bake Me, I'm Yours Christmas, on Amazon

Cool Holiday Food Art, on Amazon