31 Days of Christmas Parties: November 25, 2012

Gingerbread Estate, from Williams-Sonoma

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Gingerbread Man Measuring Spoons, at Pier 1

Invite five or six ladies, or two or three couples, over to a grownup gingerbread house decorating cocktail party. Or alternately, invite two or three other ladies with their one or two children apiece.

Cobblestone Gingerbread House Kit, from Cost Plus World Market

Set out pre-baked gingerbread house pieces, enough for each guest to take home a house. Also bake extra pieces in case of breakage. Set up your kitchen counter or dining table with decorating supplies: frostings, sprinkles, spatulas, sparkles, gels, frosting tips, candies and other decorations.

Monaco Pre-Assembled House Kit, from Cost Plus World Market

After offering delicious appetizers, finger foods and snacks, invite guests to decorate their houses. Serve dessert after most guests have completed their houses, then take pictures of each guest proudly holding their creations.

CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY DECORATIONS:

Ginger Paper House Kit, from Paper Source

Gingerbread Kitchen Towel, from Sur la Table

Gingerbread Boy and Girl Salt and Pepper Shakers, on Amazon

Your home might not be decorated for Christmas quite yet, unless you got inspired after Thanksgiving and worked on it already. For this party, add a few gingerbread-themed touches here and there - a kitchen towel, a tablescape, a gingerbread welcome mat, or other themed items.

Gingerbread Kisses LED Decorative House, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:

Gingerbread House Decorating Party, from Glorious Treats

Gingerbread Decorating Party from Amy's Party Ideas

Ally Hudson's Gingerbread Party

HGTV's Gingerbread House Party Inspirations

The Price's Annual Gingerbread House Party

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

Dean Martin's "I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," on YouTube

Buy Dean Martin's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm on Amazon for 99 cents

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, by Kay Starr, on YouTube

Buy Kay Starr's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" for 89 Cents on Amazon

Frank Sinatra "Mistletoe and Holly," on YouTube

Buy "Mistletoe and Holly" by Frank Sinatra, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Caramelized Onion Mushroom Apple Gruyere Bites Recipe, from Table for Two Blog

Caramelized Onion Tartlets, from Cooking Light

Apple/Blue Cheese Chutney, from Cooking Light

Christmas Holiday Party Finger Food Ideas (Savoring the Thyme)

Fa-La-La Finger Foods for Holidays (My Wedding Reception Ideas)

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Gingerbread Spice Tea, from Celestial Seasonings

Gingerbread House Teapot, on eBay

Serve cocktails or coffee made with Amoretti gingerbread syrup.

Gingerbread Martini, from Mom, What's for Dinner?

Offer a manageable variety of non-alcoholic beverages too, both cold and warm. Cider, hot cocoa, hot coffee, hot tea, 7-up, and a couple of fruit juice options would be nice for your busy decorators.

Gingerbread Martini (The Martini Diva)

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Gingerbread 7 Layer Bars, at Something Swanky

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes Recipe, from What's Cookin Chicago

Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe, from Tidy Mom

Pumpkin Gingerbread Cheesecake Recipe, from Mommy's Kitchen

Chewy Ginger Chocolate Cookies Recipe, from Joy the Baker

Serve easy-to-eat desserts (cookies, cupcakes) so your guests can nibble easily while working on their gingerbread houses. Be sure to serve at least one or two gingerbread treats, but don't go overboard. Offer other flavors too.