31 Days of Christmas Parties: Party 5: Christmas Wreath Making Party

Green Holly Wreath Kit, at Paper Source

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Ornament Wreath Tutorial, at Hope Studios

Gather a few friends, neighbors or some children to make homemade wreaths for all your front doors. Whether they're made of paper, real evergreens, wood branches, velvet strips or silk flowers, your handmade touch will bring extra joy to the season.

Poinsettia Picks, on Amazon

Set out a snack food buffet on a side table, so your guests can help themselves while they work. This way you can spread out your wreathmaking supplies all over your dining table. Wreath making takes up a lot more room than making Christmas ornaments or writing and decorating Christmas cards.

At the end of the night, I suggest photographing each person holding their wreath before they leave. Print out pictures on paper to include in your guests' Christmas cards this year; or take the easy way out and just Facebook the pictures.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Wreath Placemat and Napkin, from Crate and Barrel

Meri Meri "Merry and Bright" Cupcake Kit, on Amazon

Holiday Owl Garland Kit, from Paper Source

Caspari Ribbon Wreath Guest Towels, on Amazon

You're already making some decorations as part of the party, so just be sure your Christmas lights are lit, a few fragrant candles are lit around your home, and there's a fire burning merrily away in your fireplace.

Present your party's Christmas wreath theme by serving on Caspari wreath paper plates.

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

"It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas," by Bing Crosby, on YouTube

Buy Bing Crosby's "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" MP3 on Amazon for 99 cents

Buy Perry Como's "It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" MP3 on Amazon for 99 Cents

Watch Perry Como "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" on YouTube

Dean Martin "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" on YouTube

Buy Dean Martin's "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" MP3 on Amazon for 99 Cents

Ultimate Classical Christmas Album, at Amazon

Making wreaths is such a traditional, time-honored Christmas activity, that I would recommend sticking to real traditional songs and classical or choir music.

Avoid music that might get too boring (such as Gregorian Christmas chants) but also try not to play anything too rock or pop or modern. Pick songs with a good upbeat tempo so you aren't falling asleep while crafting your wreaths.

50 Most Loved Christmas Carols, on Amazon

Leonard Bernstein: The Joy of Christmas, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Herbed Holiday Spread Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Mini Sausages Wreath Recipe, from Free Fun Christmas

Christmas Meatballs Recipe, from Taste of Home

Walnut Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches, at Taste of Home

Because this is a weeknight party and the wreath making supplies will take up all of the dining table, you might want to set out a buffet for snacks and appetizers. Use your sideboard or buffet if you have one, or two end-to-end card tables if you don't. Reserve your coffee table to place coffee, cocoa, drinks and desserts on at the end of the evening.

Slice a fresh baguette of French bread, set out a storebought spinach artichoke dip, offer a fruit tray and a veggie plate with dip, and serve a baked brie at the last moment. (It will get cold and harden fast, so be sure to invite your guests to dig in right away). A bowl of olives here, a bowl of peanuts there, a small plate of pickles and pickled corn will round out your party offerings.

You can also set out some baked appetizers from Trader Joe's, fingerling potatoes rolled in olive oil and sea salt on skewers, and finger sandwiches.

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Winter Dreams Cocktail Recipe, from Nutmeg Nanny

Baileys Cherry Cafe Cocktail Recipe, from Marie Claire

Peppermint Patty Cocktail, at What To Drink

Offer a traditional non-alcoholic drink or two (apple cider, non-alcoholic eggnog, punch) and your signature cocktail for the evening. Open a bottle of red wine too and make that available.

Comfort and Joy Tea, at Republic of Tea

Later on, when it's time to signal the evening's end approaching, offer hot coffee or tea (both with decaf options), hot cocoa or hot spiced apple cider.

(Just for fun, check out the Christmas Shot Glass Wreath. I don't recommend it for this party though!)

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Christmas Wreath Cupcakes, by Phaedra's Adventures

If you have the time and talent, bake and decorate Sandra Lee's wreath cookies the day before the party.

Cranberry Coffee Cake, at Ifood.tv

Serve desserts on your coffee table, so guests have an excuse to get up and stretch after hunching over their wreaths for so long. Offer just two choices - perhaps a nice hefty slice of fresh baked gingerbread cake, or a slice of cranberry coffee cake