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Poinsettia Table Runner, from Pier 1 Imports

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Rise of the Guardians, on Amazon

Invite five or six adult friends over for an all-day-long video game party. Encourage people to dress comfy or come in their pajamas. Set up your Wii, Playstation, or Xbox for a day of gaming. Ask people to bring extra controllers or games you might not own. Try to select games that multiple people can play together rather than single person shooters. Make snacks and tasty drinks available later on. Serve breakfast type foods earlier in the day; switch to popcorn and salty snacks as the day wears on.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Holiday Snowflake Oven Mitt, at Sur la Table

Set out popcorn, chips and other salty snacks in colorful bowls. A snack buffet will let your guests munch and nibble between gameplay sessions. I tend to do wintry and snowflake/snowman decorations for this party, not Santa/Christmas specific ones. Everybody is a bit Christmased out at this point.

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters' "The Twelve Days of Christmas," on YouTube

Buy The 12 Days of Christmas MP3, by Bing Crosby, on Amazon for 99 Cents

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Popcorn Snowmen Recipe, from Spoonful

Cranberry Almond Streusel Muffins Recipe, from Daily Homemade

Eggnog and Cranberry Scones Recipe, from Vanilla Garlic

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Poinsettia Sparkler Cocktail Recipe, from Pammy Cakes

Yuletide Punch Drink Recipe from Marie Claire

Cozy Pama Cider Cocktail Recipe, from Marie Claire

Orange Cranberry Milkshake Recipe, from The Pearfect Pear

Merry Margarita, from The Hip Stir

Eggnog for Breakfast: 5 Festive Recipes (TheKitchn)

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Gingerbread Caramel Corn Recipe, from Heather Christo

Christmas Pancakes Recipe, from Raspberri Cupcakes

Snowflake Pancake Molds, from Crate and Barrel

If guests come over early enough, serve them snowflake-shaped pancakes.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes (Little Toast)

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Eggnog Cupcakes with Nutmeg Frosting Recipe, from Bird on a Cake

Cranberry Meringue Pie Recipe, from The Baker Chick

Bourbon and Brown Butter Brownies Recipe, from Raspberri Cupcakes

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

Christmas With Family and Friends Cookbook, on Amazon