Saturday, December 20, 2014

Christmas Party #20: Winter Wonderland Party

Wilton Elegant White Cupcake Stand, on Amazon

WINTER WONDERLAND THEME PARTY:

Snowflake Candleholder, from Crate and Barrel

Cast a wintry white spell over your home and your party. Decorate with lavish silver, white, and crystal decorations. Avoid or remove anything too colorful, anything gold, or anything that isn't sparkly. Serve white foods and beverages, plus icy cold desserts. This party is about chill, celebrating frost, and welcoming winter's cold embrace.

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Snowflake Pillow, from Pier 1 Imports

This is ideal for a themed dinner party, or a comforting bread-and-soup meal after an evening hike through snowy woods. If your friends are outdoorsy, invite them to a snowy bonfire, a winter walk, a touristy sleigh ride, a Christmas tree farm activity, or even just building snow creatures on your front lawn.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Snowflake Placemat, from Crate and Barrel

Whimsy Collection, from Z Gallerie

WINTER WONDERLAND PARTY INSPIRATION:

White Wonderland Christmas Party, from Bird's Party Blog


White Christmas
Party Menu, from Bird's Party Blog

WINTER WONDERLAND PARTY FRAGRANCE:



Joie de Noel Candle by Votivo, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:



Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney's "Silver Bells" on YouTube

Buy "Silver Bells" MP3 by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, on Amazon

Buy the Puppini Sisters' "White Christmas" MP3 on Amazon for 99 Cents


Winter Wonderland, by Bing Crosby, on YouTube

Buy Bing Crosby's "Winter Wonderland" MP3 on Amazon for 99 cents


Winter Wonderland, by Dean Martin, on YouTube

Buy "Winter Wonderland" MP3 by Dean Martin on Amazon for 99 cents


Winter Wonderland, by Ella Fitzgerald, on YouTube

Buy "Winter Wonderland" MP3 by Ella Fitzgerald for 99 cents on Amazon

Buy the Puppini Sisters "Winter Wonderland" MP3 on Amazon for 99 Cents

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:



Parmesan, Gruyere and Thyme Puff Pastry Twists Recipe, from Pardon My Crumbs

Serve white crackers with white cheeses; white ranch dip with white crudites.

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Warm Vanilla Cider Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Santa's Whiskers Recipe, from Rum Dood

Peppermint White Russians, from Cake and Allie

Winter Wonderland Martini Recipe, from What to Drink

CHRISTMAS WINTER WONDERLAND PARTY ENTREES:

Turkey and White Bean Soup Recipe, from Small Wallet Big Appetite

Serve white foods such as mashed potatoes.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Christmas Snowball Cakes Recipe, from Barbara Bakes

Rum Cakes Recipe, from Baker's Royale

Let it Snow Cupcakes Recipe, from Cupcakes Garden


White Christmas Cupcakes Recipe, from MyRecipes.com


Snowflake Sugar Cookies, by Bakers Royale


Sparkly Winter Cake Recipe, from Bakingdom


Sugar Cookies Recipe, from Chocolate and Carrots


White Chocolate Swans, from Chocolate.com


Snowflake Pretzels, from Crate and Barrel

RELATED LINKS:

Unlock the Spirit of the Holidays (The Party Dress)

White Christmas Cocktail Party Preview (Desert Girls Vintage)

Winter Confections (The Party Dress)

Friday, December 19, 2014

Christmas Party #19: Holiday Wine Tasting Party


Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Ornament, at Sur la Table

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

A Wine Lover's Christmas Kitchen Towel, from Sur la Table

Invite eight to ten adult friends over for a holiday wine tasting party. Serve five or six different red wines, two white wines, and two or three dessert wines for the tasting. Offer plenty of food and snacks, as well as lovely festive desserts.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Christmas Wine Bottle Accessories, from Pottery Barn

Winterberry Filled Candle, from Pier 1 Imports

Festival Swirl Cordial Glasses, from Pier 1 Imports

CHRISTMAS WINE TASTING PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Fleur de Noel Candle by Michel Design Works, on Amazon


CHRISTMAS WINE TASTING PARTY INSPIRATION:


Wine and Dine Holiday Party, from The Party Dress

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

For a sophisticated soiree, play the Big Band Christmas album in the background. Free of vocals, it's pleasant to listen to and won't distract from the conversations.


God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, by Loreena McKennitt, on YouTube

Buy Nat King Cole's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" MP3 on Amazon

Buy "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" MP3 by Annie Lennox, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:



Sausage Cheddar Balls Recipe, from Martha Stewart


Spicy Pecans Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Blue Cheese Biscuits with Pinot Noir Butter (How Sweet it Is)

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

16 Wines to Get or Give for Christmas (St. Louis Tribune)


Serve several different wines at your tasting. Also offer coffee, tea, and water.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:


Studio Oh! Christmas Holiday Cake Boards, on Amazon


Moonstruck Dark Chocolate Tumbled Ice Wine Raisins, on Amazon

Strawberry Santa Hat Cupcakes Recipe, from Bird on a Cake



White Chocolate Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe, from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Spiced Baked Muscat Custards Recipe, from Spicy Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Belgian Fondue, from Crate and Barrel


Gingerbread Trifle with Cinnamon Recipe, from The Fig Tree


Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies Recipe, from My Baking Addiction

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:



Nigella Christmas, on Amazon


Christmas 101, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:

DIY Jingle Bell Wine Glass Charms (Miss Party)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Christmas Party #18: Vintage Retro Old Fashioned Christmas Party

Vintage Inspired Snowman Apron, from Sur la Table

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Retro Aluminum Tumblers, on Amazon

Invite ten to twenty adults over for a retro-styled Christmas cocktail party. Encourage guests to dress in vintage 1940s or 1950s costumes if you're into that sort of fun. Serve retro themed foods, play vintage Christmas songs, and offer a couple retro activities (stringing popcorn for the tree for example).

RETRO CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Nutcracker Napkins from Michel Design Works, on Amazon

Paper Holly Garland Kit, from Paper Source

Meri Meri "Merry and Bright" Garland, on Amazon

Ribbon Icicle Ornaments, from Crate and Barrel

Retro Glitter Glass Ornament, from Pottery Barn

RETRO CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:

A Retro Peacock Christmas, from Hostess with the Mostess

Santa Dining Table, from The Partiologist

RETRO CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

"Santa Claus is Comin to Town" by Bing Crosby, on YouTube

Buy Bing Crosby's "Santa Claus is Comin to Town" MP3 on Amazon

Buy Andy Williams' "Happy Holiday" MP3 on Amazon

Buy "Blue Christmas" MP3 by Elvis Presley on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Christmas Candle Cheese Spread Recipe, from Taste of Home


Spicy Sausage and Fresh Herb-Stuffed Mushroom Caps Recipe, from The Luna Cafe

Cranberry Congealed Salad, from MyRecipes

Festive Ham and Cheese Wreath Recipe, from Betty Crocker

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

The Tom and Jerry Cocktail Recipe, from Science of Drink

Hot Buttered Rye Recipe, from MyRecipes.com



Apple Pie Spiced Cider Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Mulled Wine Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Poinsettia Punch Recipe, from Saveur

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Goat Cheese and Rosemary Fondue Recipe, from Heather Christo

Confetti Potatoes with Pearl Onions Recipe, from The Kitchn

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Poinsettia Cheesecake Squares Recipe, from Betty Crocker


Butterscotch Gingerbread Recipe, from Distracted Homemaker


Lime-Glazed Coconut Snowball Cookies, from Sweet Pea's Kitchen


Candy Cane Cake Recipe, from MyRecipes

Santa Hat Cupcakes Recipe, from With Sprinkles on Top

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

The Twelve Knits of Christmas, on Amazon


Have Yourself A Very Vintage Christmas, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:


73 Vintage Aluminum Christmas Trees (Retro Renovation)

Vintage Christmas LPs for Your Holiday Party (Modern Retro Woman)