Saturday, December 8, 2012

Party 8: Girls Night In Holiday Party

Jewel Cut Martini Glasses, at Pottery Barn

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Etched Red Stemware, from Pier 1 Imports

Invite six or seven ladies over for a fun festive girls' Christmas cocktail party. Put on a couple fun holiday movies in the background, but keep the sound on low so your guests can still enjoy talking to each other.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Naughty and Nice Reversible Pillow, from Pier 1 Imports



Red Stemware, from Pier 1 Imports

CHRISTMAS PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Winter Forest Candle, from Williams-Sonoma

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:



"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses, on YouTube

Buy "Christmas Wrapping," MP3 by the Waitresses, on Amazon

Buy the Puppini Sisters' "Santa Baby" MP3 for 99 Cents on Amazon


Merry Christmas, Have a Nice Life CD, by Cyndi Lauper, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:


Veggie Shots Recipe, from The Hungry Housewives


Goat Cheese Pops with Herbs, Pecan and Bacon Recipe, from Mom it Forward

Spiked Apple Cider Dip, from 1 Fine Cookie

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Apple Crisp Martini Recipe, from Chin Deep

Apple Cider Margaritas, from How Sweet it Is

Christmas Cosmo, from Savvy Housekeeping

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Seven Layer Holiday Pasta Recipe, from Betty Crocker



Maple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe, from Daisy at Home

Christmas Crunch Salad Recipe, from Taste of Home



CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:



Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe, from Tidy Mom


Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies Recipe, from Sweet Pea's Kitchen


Cranberry Bars Recipe, from The Picky Cook


Candy Cane Blossoms Recipe, by With Sprinkles on Top


Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Pops, from What Megan's Making

CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:


Glitzy and Golden Jewel-Toned Holiday Party, from Hostess With the Mostess

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:

Mollie Makes Christmas: Living and Loving a Handmade Holiday, on Amazon

Friday, December 7, 2012

Party 7: Christmas Movie Party #1


The Original Christmas Classics DVD, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:



National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation DVD, just $8.08 on Amazon

Invite friends over for a casual relaxed evening of festive Christmas movie viewing. Everyone can lounge, enjoy snacks and beverages, and get into the holiday spirit.

Plan to show two movies. Begin the party early enough in the day to allow time for two feature films, as well as a half hour at the start of the party for socializing, and a half hour intermission between.

Wilton Snowflake Baking Cups, on Amazon

To make the party run more smoothly, announce the movies ahead of time. That way you and your guests don't sit around wasting time debating which movie to show. Guests should feel free to drop by for the movie they prefer to see, and leave if they aren't interested in the second film.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE PARTY DECORATIONS:


Funko "Rudolph" Plushie, on Amazon


Tree Candle, from Crate and Barrel

CHRISTMAS MOVIES:



A Charlie Brown Christmas DVD, on Amazon

Show holiday comedies for adults (such as Four Christmases, Love, Actually, Fred Claus, and Deck the Halls.

If guests are bringing their kids, present more family friendly fare, including Home Alone, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and The Santa Clause.

Or go way traditional, showing It's a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE PARTY APPETIZERS:

Gouda Cheese Logs Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Cranberry Pear Salsa Recipe, from How Sweet it Is


Christmas Chocolate Pretzel Rods, from Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons


Caramelized Onion Spread, from Cooking Light


Pistachio and Pine Nut Brittle, from Cooking Light

Serve finger foods, snacks, and things that are easy to eat. No need for entrees or a sit down dinner for this casual movie viewing night.

Candied Cream Cheese Nut Ball (Modern Mrs. Cleaver)

CHRISTMAS MOVIE PARTY BEVERAGES:

Sleigh Ride Cocktail Recipe, from Spiced Blog

Peppermint Martini Recipe, from Every College Girl


Poinsettia Cocktail, from Urban Gastronomy

Serve a nice mix of hot or cold options, alcoholic and non alcoholic. Eggnog would be festive, as well as some fun, colorful cocktails embellished with sparkling sugar.

CHRISTMAS MOVIE PARTY DESSERTS:

Cookie Filled Christmas Tree Candies Recipe, from Sugar Swings


Hot Chocolate Santa Hat Brownies Recipe, from Shugary Sweets



Christmas Chocolate Pretzel Turtles, from With Sprinkles on Top


Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Whoopie Pies (Flour on My Face)


Peppermint Bark Cookies, from My Blessed Life

Cranberry Eggnog Cake (Baker by Nature)

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS MOVIE PARTY PLANNING:



Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas Book, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS MOVIE RELATED LINKS:


A Better List of Holiday Movies (ChicagoNow)

The Disney Diner's Top 25 Christmas Movies List

It's a Wonderful Movie

Wilton Gingerbread Man Baking Cups, on Amazon

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Party 6: Christmas Tree Trimming Party


Meri Meri "Tis the Season" Christmas Tree Centerpiece, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Magenta Striped Ornament, from Pottery Barn

Invite five or six adult friends over to help you decorate your Christmas tree. Set out big bowls of your ornaments and garlands for them to choose from. Reserve the star or your tree topper for yourself or your spouse/partner to put on the tree at the very end. Serve your guests snacks and appetizers to nibble on as they work; then serve dessert after the tree is finished. Skip a fancy sit down meal as this is a weeknight party.

CHRISTMAS TREE TRIMMING PARTY DECORATIONS:

Green Christmas Tree Candle, from Sur la Table


Beaded Plaid Pillar Candles, from Pottery Barn

CHRISTMAS PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Fresh Balsam Candle, from Bath and Body Works

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:


Bing Crosby's "Deck the Halls" on YouTube

Buy Bing Crosby's "Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly" MP3 on Amazon

Buy Danny Kaye's "Deck the Halls" MP3 on Amazon

Buy "Deck the Hall" MP3 by Nate King Cole on Amazon


O Christmas Tree, by Aretha Franklin, on YouTube

Buy "O Christmas Tree" MP3 by Aretha Franklin on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Pesto Pinwheels Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Vegetable Christmas Tree Recipe, from Taste of Home


Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe, from Taste of Home



Slow Cooker Meatballs with Orange Marmalade Recipe, from The Chic Life


Fried Mozzarella Recipe, from Martha Stewart

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Merry Berry Christmas Drink Recipe, from MyRecipes.com


Warm Spiced Cran-Pom Toddies, from MyRecipes

Tinsel Bellini Cocktail Recipe, from Marie Claire

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Christmas Tree Sandwiches Recipe, from Taste of Home

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Peppermint Candy Tarts Recipe, from betty Crocker


Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake Recipe, from The Picky Cook


Green Tea Christmas Tree Cookies, from Diamonds for Dessert


Five Minute Fudge Wreath Recipe, by Tidy Mom

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY PLANNING:

Creative Christmas Tree Decorations, on Amazon

Inventing the Christmas Tree, on Amazon



101 Tree Trimming Ideas Book, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:


Plan a Tree-Trimming Party (Entertaining.About.com)