Saturday, December 24, 2011

Day 24 - Christmas Eve Party


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

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Day 21 - Christmas Holiday Open House


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