Saturday, December 27, 2014

Christmas Party #27: Snowman and Sledding Party

Snowman Beverage Dispenser, from Macy's

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Joyful Snowmen, from Pier 1 Imports

Invite four or five other families over to go sledding or make snowmen - assuming you have snow. If not, take the night off from partying, clean your house, and bake yummy things for tomorrow's party!

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Jacquard Snowman Kitchen Towel, from Sur la Table

Wilton "Woodland Friends" Baking Cups, on Amazon

Snowman Salt & Pepper Shakers, on Amazon

Snowman Teapot, from Pier 1 Imports

Snowman Cookie Jar, at Neiman Marcus

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:



Sleigh Ride, by Andy Williams, on YouTube

Buy "Sleigh Ride" by Andy Williams MP3 on Amazon


"Sleigh Ride" by Ella Fitzgerald on YouTube

Buy "Sleigh Ride" MP3 by Ella Fitzgerald on Amazon

Buy the Puppini Sisters' "Jingle Bells" MP3 on Amazon for 99 Cents

"Sleigh Ride" Lyrics


Frosty the Snowman, by Bing Crosby, on YouTube

Buy "Frosty the Snowman" MP3 by Bing Crosby on Amazon

Buy "Frosty the Snowman" MP3 by Ella Fitzgerald on Amazon

Buy "Frosty the Snowman" MP3 by Fiona Apple on Amazon

CHRISTMAS SLEDDING PARTY APPETIZERS:

Snowman Cheese Ball Recipe, from Betty Crocker


Figs and Prosciutto Recipe, from Martha Stewart


Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe, from Oopsey Daisy Blog


Creamy Chevre and Caramelized Onion Toasts, from Raq in the Kitchen


Cheese Balls Three Ways, from Martha Stewart

CHRISTMAS SLEDDING PARTY BEVERAGES:


Mulled Wine Recipe, from Martha Stewart


Pumpkin Spiced Hot Cocoa Recipe, from 3 Kids and Us

Hot Buttered Mulled Cider and Rum Recipe, from Well Seasoned Willy

Cider Rum Punch Drink Recipe, from Verses From My Kitchen

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

White Christmas Chili Recipe, from Taste of Home


Caramelized Onion Tart with Olives Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Fig, Pancetta and Bocconcini Pizza Recipe, from Spicy Ice Cream


CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:


Christmas Red Velvet Snowman Cake Recipe, from Raspberri Cupcakes


Snowflake Sugar Cookies Recipe, from Erica's Sweet Tooth


Coconut Snowmen Macaroons, from Diamonds for Dessert

SLEDDING PARTY INSPIRATION:



Ice Skating and Sledding Party, by Moodylicious Children's Spa

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

Fireside Feasts & Snowy Day Treats, on Amazon

History of the Snowman, on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:

Nordic Ware Snowflake Shortbread Pan, on Amazon

How to Create a Cheese Plate (Our Best Bites)

3 Tasty Drinks to Warm the Bones (One Hungry Mama)

Friday, December 26, 2014

Christmas Party #26: Boxing Day Party


Moonstruck Milk Chocolate Tumbled Caramelized Hazelnuts, on Amazon

BOXING DAY PARTY ACTIVITY:

Christmas Owls Dinnerware, at Macy's

Invite just a small group of four or five friends over for a very relaxed, very casual after-Christmas afternoon party. Everyone might be Christmased-out, so keep things light and stress-free. Many of your friends might be away for the holidays still, but those who remain or who have returned already may be grateful for a respite from family. It's great to relax with good friends after potentially stressful family visits.

Serve light snacks and appetizers, avoiding a big heavy entree as your guests might be overstuffed from the previous day's festivities. If guests come in the morning, make omelettes and serve festive oatmeal.

Put on football, soccer or a funny non-Christmasy movie for people to enjoy. Set out board games, card games or other diversions.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Martha Stewart Gold Leaves Serveware Collection, from Macy's

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

Do You Hear What I Hear, by Andy Williams, on YouTube

Buy "Do You Hear What I Hear?" MP3 by Andy Williams on Amazon

Buy Whitney Houston's "Do You Hear What I Hear?" MP3 on Amazon

Buy Johnny Mathis' "Do You Hear What I Hear?" MP3 on Amazon

Good King Wenceslas, by Loreena McKennitt, on YouTube

Good King Wenceslas, by Bing Crosby, on YouTube

Buy Bing Crosby's "Good King Wenceslas" MP3 on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Roasted Bacon and Goat Cheese Truffles Recipe, from How Sweet Eats


Asparagus and Cheese Mini Quiche Recipe, from Girl Plus Food


Ham and Gruyere Thumbprints Recipe, from Martha Stewart

Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe, at Steph's Bite by Bite

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Candy Cane Cocktails Recipe, from She's Becoming Doughmesstic

Winter Wonderland Cocktail Recipe, from Marie Claire

Mocha Nog Punch Recipe, from Exhausted Mom Diary

Cuppa Good Cheer Recipe, from What to Drink

Fizzy Fig Cocktails (The Party Dress)

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Baked Ham with Cranberry Curry Glaze Recipe, from Spoonful

Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe, from Taste of Home


Rustic Winter Potato Leek Tart Recipe, from Katy Elliott


Cranberry Eggnog Scones Recipe, from Once Upon a Recipe

Three Bean Holiday Chili Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Sausage Wreath, from Time to Cook Online

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Hot Cocoa Pudding Mugs Recipe (Love From the Oven)



Peppermint Marshmallow Brownies Recipe, from She's Becoming Doughmesstic


Candy Cane Cupcakes Recipe, from Cake and Allie


Cherry Pie Shortbread Bites Recipe, from Raspberri Cupcakes


Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe, from Dashing Dish

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas Party #25: Christmas Day Brunch


The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Laurel Long, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Christopher Radko Christmas Tree Figurine, at Macy's

Invite local friends and family members over (long after their morning gift-opening time) for brunch. Keep it stress-and-obligation free. This is a great party for people who aren't traveling to visit relatives and don't want to be "alone on Christmas" but need downtime too. They can come to your brunch, go home and relax in front of their fireplaces. Serve a hearty festive brunch, encouraging people to eat comfortably on your couches rather than sitting formally at your dining table.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATIONS:

Kurt Adler Christmas Tree Toppers, at Macy's

Bordeaux Wreath, from Neiman Marcus

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:


Joy to the World, by Bing Crosby, on YouTube


Joy to the World, by Whitney Houston, on YouTube


The First Noel, by Frank Sinatra, on YouTube

Buy Sarah McLachlan's "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" MP3 on Amazon

Buy Johnny Cash's "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" MP3 on Amazon

Buy "Carol of the Bells" MP3 by Celtic Woman, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:


Christmas Bread Recipe, from Taste of Home


Pear Cranberry Muffins Recipe, from Hungry Girl Por Vida


Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, from Annie's Eats

Christmas Jam Recipe, from Taste of Home

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

The Rudolph Drink Recipe, from What to Drink

Blood Orange Mimosas Recipe, from Gourmet Magazine

Mistletoe Mojito Recipe, from YumSugar

Noel Spritzer Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Serve hot, strong coffee flavored with seasonal tastes such as these from Amoretti: Chai, Cinnamon, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Nutmeg, and Pumpkin Spice.

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Christmas Brunch Casserole Recipe, from Little House Living

Christmas Tree Pancakes Stack Recipe, from Betty Crocker

Christmas Morning Frittata Recipe, from Taste of Home

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, from Better Homes & Gardens


Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe, from Dashing Dish


Eggnog Waffles Recipe, from Cake and Allie


Holiday Syrup, from Crate and Barrel

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Breakfast (Baking for the Boys)

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Chocolate Chestnut Truffle Cake Recipe, from Food to Glow

Traditional Christmas Cake Recipe, from Adeline and Lumiere


White Christmas Pie Recipe, from What Will We Do Today?


Citrus Gingerbread Trees Recipe, from Hungry Girl Por Vida

BOOKS FOR PARTY PLANNING:

I'm Dreaming of a Chocolate Christmas, on Amazon

Sweet Christmas: Homemade Peppermints, Sugar Cake, Chocolate-Almond Toffee, Eggnog Fudge, and Other Sweet Treats and Decorations, on Amazon