Saturday, December 6, 2014

Christmas Party 6: 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

Friday, December 5, 2014

Christmas Party 5: Christmas Tree Trimming Cocktail Party

Martha Stewart Christmas Glitter Glue Set, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Elf Feet Ornament Kit, on Amazon

Gather together a few other craft-obsessed women, settle in at your dining table, and make your own homemade Christmas ornaments!

After you're done making fabulous ornaments with your own personal touch, you can swap the ornaments with other guests, keep your own ornaments to gift to friends, or immediately hang them on your own tree.

Since this is a weeknight/worknight party, keep the guest list kid-free; the party should end before 10pm.

Eat a simple meal (soup and salad, plus a crusty bread perhaps?) and nibble on storebought cookies as you work.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT MAKING PARTY DECORATIONS:

Ornament Tablecloth and Napkins, from Crate and Barrel

Ornament Appetizer Plates, on Amazon


This is a worknight party, so keep cleanup simple by serving on paper plates. Try ornament-themed napkins and paper plates if you can find them.

No need to put up any special decorations for this party - your regular home Christmas decorations will keep the party festive.

Be sure to have your outdoor Christmas lights turned on when guests arrive!

CHRISTMAS PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Spiced Chestnut Candle, from Williams-Sonoma

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:


Christmas Wrapping, by The Waitresses, on YouTube

A crafty crowd will probably appreciate hip, folksy, or alternative Christmas music, plus some fun pop-styled Christmas songs. Put lots of female vocalists on your playlist. Think Christmas songs covered by famous musicians; Annie Lennox's new Christmas CD; the Christmas album by Cyndi Lauper, Destiny's Child's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", Mariah Carey singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, or soft holiday songs by Chris Isaak.


Annie Lennox Christmas Cornucopia, on Amazon

Perhaps your guests would enjoy listening to Harry Connick Junior's "What a Night" Christmas album while they work on their ornaments.


Depending on the demographics of your party guests, they might enjoy the Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album CD.


The "Maybe This Christmas Tree" various artists compilation has fun songs: Lisa Loeb singing "Jingle Bells," the Death Cab for Cutie version of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and the Raveonettes performing "The Christmas Song."


2000 Miles, by the Pretenders, on YouTube

Buy the Pretenders "2000 Miles" MP3 on Amazon for 99 Cents


2000 Miles Cover, by Coldplay, on YouTube

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Holiday Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe, from Party Bluprints Blog

Goat Cheese Amuse Bouches Recipe, from Eat Well 101




Cooking Nook's Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pastry Pockets

Since this is a worknight party, I wouldn't stretch out the appetizer and cocktail hour too long - you need to get busy creating your ornaments! I might stick with just two nice appetizers plus a bowl of olives or cocktail peanuts guests can help themselves to.

Mushroom Onion Tartlets (Simply June)

Parmesan Pita Crisps (Good Housekeeping)

Roasted Red Pepper Mini Pizzas (Busy Cooks)

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Cranberry Spice Cocktail Recipe, from Marie Claire



Moonstruck Classic Hot Cocoa, on Amazon


This is a party, so serve something fun and bubbly. But not too bubbly - people have to drive home tonight and get up for work in the morning! Instead of champagne, how about a sparkling white zinfandel, a sparkling syrah just for fun, a not-too-dry Riesling, or a deliciously sweet Asti?

For non-drinkers, serve hot tea, decaf coffee, apple cider, or something red and sparkly such as Izze sparkling pomegranate soda or your own homemade cranberry juice punch.

Cherry Whiskey Smash Cocktails, from How Sweet it Is

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Eggplant and Goat Cheese Mock Lasagna Recipe, from Snark and Pepper


Martha Stewart's Freeze-Ahead Lasagna Primavera

Since you'll be busy at work all day and crafting an ornament at the party, keep your entree simple. Make a lasagna the night before, for example, and quickly throw together a delicious green salad. Pop a loaf of garlic bread in the oven just before guests arrive, set out a dish of sliced cantaloupe or a bowl of grapes, and you're good to go.

Mixed Green Salad With Citrus Vinaigrette (Food Network)

Rachael Ray's Mile High Lasagna

Giada's Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (Food Network)

Barefoot Contessa's Portobello Lasagna Recipe (Food Network)

Freeze Ahead Lasagna Primavera (Martha Stewart)

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Ornament Cupcakes Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Christmas Ornament Cupcakes Recipe, from Better Homes & Gardens

Christmas Ornament Cookies, from Haniela's

Steamed Chocolate Cake with CHocolate Sauce Recipe, from Lay the Table

The month is still young, so your guests will still be eager for rich, chocolatey desserts. (Later in the month they might feel bloated and sugared out!)

I suggest a nice rich chocolatey cake you can slice and quickly serve after your guests have finished with their ornaments. Offering tea and coffee with the cake is a social cue for the ladies to pack up their things and be ready to leave after dessert.

Bake the cake the night before, and leave it carefully covered under a cake dome so it doesn't dry out. You can always pick up a cake at the grocery store on the way home, but I prefer to put a little more handmade effort than that into my parties (even if I cheat and use a box mix).

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes, from What Megan's Making


Ghiradelli Brownie Mix 4-Pack, on Amazon

Or mix up a batch of brownies quickly the night of the party. Your house will smell fabulous, and the brownies will likely disappear so you don't have to be tempted by leftovers the next day like you might with cake!

Chocolate Cake (Recipe Rifle)

Chocolate Cake With Buttercream Cookie Dough Frosting (District Chocoholic)

Peanut Swirl Brownies Recipe by Ina Garten (Food Network)

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:



Christmas Ornaments to Make, on Amazon


Treasures for the Christmas Tree, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:


Christmas Ornament Stitchalong Blog

Christmas Reindeer Ornaments (Megpie Design)

Clothespin Reindeer Christmas Ornament Tutorial (Sew Gracious)

DIY Glitter Snowflake Ornament (The Glitter Guide)

Fabric Ornament How-To (V and Co)

Haul Out the Holly: Christmas Ornament Tutorial (Gwenny Penny)

Marsha's Ornament Exchange Party (Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive 365)

Regency Silhouette Christmas Ornament Tutorial (The Magic Bean)

Chocolate Peppermint Roll (That Went Well)

Christmas Ornament Making Party, from HGTV

Three Vintage Paper Ornaments to Make for the Holidays (Deck the Holidays)

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Christmas Party 4: Christmas Ornament Making Party

Martha Stewart Christmas Glitter Glue Set, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Elf Feet Ornament Kit, on Amazon

Gather together a few other craft-obsessed women, settle in at your dining table, and make your own homemade Christmas ornaments!

After you're done making fabulous ornaments with your own personal touch, you can swap the ornaments with other guests, keep your own ornaments to gift to friends, or immediately hang them on your own tree.

Since this is a weeknight/worknight party, keep the guest list kid-free; the party should end before 10pm.

Eat a simple meal (soup and salad, plus a crusty bread perhaps?) and nibble on storebought cookies as you work.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT MAKING PARTY DECORATIONS:

Ornament Tablecloth and Napkins, from Crate and Barrel

Ornament Appetizer Plates, on Amazon


This is a worknight party, so keep cleanup simple by serving on paper plates. Try ornament-themed napkins and paper plates if you can find them.

No need to put up any special decorations for this party - your regular home Christmas decorations will keep the party festive.

Be sure to have your outdoor Christmas lights turned on when guests arrive!

CHRISTMAS PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Spiced Chestnut Candle, from Williams-Sonoma

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:


Christmas Wrapping, by The Waitresses, on YouTube

A crafty crowd will probably appreciate hip, folksy, or alternative Christmas music, plus some fun pop-styled Christmas songs. Put lots of female vocalists on your playlist. Think Christmas songs covered by famous musicians; Annie Lennox's new Christmas CD; the Christmas album by Cyndi Lauper, Destiny's Child's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", Mariah Carey singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, or soft holiday songs by Chris Isaak.


Annie Lennox Christmas Cornucopia, on Amazon

Perhaps your guests would enjoy listening to Harry Connick Junior's "What a Night" Christmas album while they work on their ornaments.


Depending on the demographics of your party guests, they might enjoy the Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album CD.


The "Maybe This Christmas Tree" various artists compilation has fun songs: Lisa Loeb singing "Jingle Bells," the Death Cab for Cutie version of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and the Raveonettes performing "The Christmas Song."


2000 Miles, by the Pretenders, on YouTube

Buy the Pretenders "2000 Miles" MP3 on Amazon for 99 Cents


2000 Miles Cover, by Coldplay, on YouTube

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Holiday Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe, from Party Bluprints Blog

Goat Cheese Amuse Bouches Recipe, from Eat Well 101




Cooking Nook's Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pastry Pockets

Since this is a worknight party, I wouldn't stretch out the appetizer and cocktail hour too long - you need to get busy creating your ornaments! I might stick with just two nice appetizers plus a bowl of olives or cocktail peanuts guests can help themselves to.

Mushroom Onion Tartlets (Simply June)

Parmesan Pita Crisps (Good Housekeeping)

Roasted Red Pepper Mini Pizzas (Busy Cooks)

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Cranberry Spice Cocktail Recipe, from Marie Claire



Moonstruck Classic Hot Cocoa, on Amazon


This is a party, so serve something fun and bubbly. But not too bubbly - people have to drive home tonight and get up for work in the morning! Instead of champagne, how about a sparkling white zinfandel, a sparkling syrah just for fun, a not-too-dry Riesling, or a deliciously sweet Asti?

For non-drinkers, serve hot tea, decaf coffee, apple cider, or something red and sparkly such as Izze sparkling pomegranate soda or your own homemade cranberry juice punch.

Cherry Whiskey Smash Cocktails, from How Sweet it Is

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Eggplant and Goat Cheese Mock Lasagna Recipe, from Snark and Pepper


Martha Stewart's Freeze-Ahead Lasagna Primavera

Since you'll be busy at work all day and crafting an ornament at the party, keep your entree simple. Make a lasagna the night before, for example, and quickly throw together a delicious green salad. Pop a loaf of garlic bread in the oven just before guests arrive, set out a dish of sliced cantaloupe or a bowl of grapes, and you're good to go.

Mixed Green Salad With Citrus Vinaigrette (Food Network)

Rachael Ray's Mile High Lasagna

Giada's Butternut Squash Lasagna Recipe (Food Network)

Barefoot Contessa's Portobello Lasagna Recipe (Food Network)

Freeze Ahead Lasagna Primavera (Martha Stewart)

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Ornament Cupcakes Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Christmas Ornament Cupcakes Recipe, from Better Homes & Gardens

Christmas Ornament Cookies, from Haniela's

Steamed Chocolate Cake with CHocolate Sauce Recipe, from Lay the Table

The month is still young, so your guests will still be eager for rich, chocolatey desserts. (Later in the month they might feel bloated and sugared out!)

I suggest a nice rich chocolatey cake you can slice and quickly serve after your guests have finished with their ornaments. Offering tea and coffee with the cake is a social cue for the ladies to pack up their things and be ready to leave after dessert.

Bake the cake the night before, and leave it carefully covered under a cake dome so it doesn't dry out. You can always pick up a cake at the grocery store on the way home, but I prefer to put a little more handmade effort than that into my parties (even if I cheat and use a box mix).

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes, from What Megan's Making


Ghiradelli Brownie Mix 4-Pack, on Amazon

Or mix up a batch of brownies quickly the night of the party. Your house will smell fabulous, and the brownies will likely disappear so you don't have to be tempted by leftovers the next day like you might with cake!

Chocolate Cake (Recipe Rifle)

Chocolate Cake With Buttercream Cookie Dough Frosting (District Chocoholic)

Peanut Swirl Brownies Recipe by Ina Garten (Food Network)

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:



Christmas Ornaments to Make, on Amazon


Treasures for the Christmas Tree, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:


Christmas Ornament Stitchalong Blog

Christmas Reindeer Ornaments (Megpie Design)

Clothespin Reindeer Christmas Ornament Tutorial (Sew Gracious)

DIY Glitter Snowflake Ornament (The Glitter Guide)

Fabric Ornament How-To (V and Co)

Haul Out the Holly: Christmas Ornament Tutorial (Gwenny Penny)

Marsha's Ornament Exchange Party (Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive 365)

Regency Silhouette Christmas Ornament Tutorial (The Magic Bean)

Chocolate Peppermint Roll (That Went Well)

Christmas Ornament Making Party, from HGTV

Three Vintage Paper Ornaments to Make for the Holidays (Deck the Holidays)