Saturday, December 5, 2015

Christmas Party #5: Christmas Tree Trimming Cocktail Party


Meri Meri "Merry and Bright" Christmas Tree Centerpiece, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Wedgwood Teardrop Christmas Ornament, on Amazon

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:

Vintage Christmas Ornament Wreath, from Etsy

Airblown Inflatable Christmas Tree, on Amazon

Christmas Tree Embroidered Pillow Cover, from Pottery Barn

Ornament Trees, from Crate and Barrel

Folly Christmas Decorations, from Z Gallerie

CHRISTMAS PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Fresh Balsam Candle, from Bath and Body Works


CHRISTMAS TREE TRIMMING FASHION AND COSTUMES:

"Deck the Halls" Light Up LED Christmas Tree Apron, on Amazon

Whimsical Christmas Tree Hat, from Jacobson Hat Company, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS TREE TRIMMING 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 "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 TREE TRIMMING PARTY APPETIZERS:

Cucumber Tomato Bites with Creamy Parmesan Herb Spread, from The Comfort of Cooking

Pesto Tortilla Pinwheels Appetizer Recipe, from Home Cooking Memories

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 TREE TRIMMING PARTY BEVERAGES:

Spiced Hibiscus Cranberry Mojitos, from Pineapple and Coconut Blog

Mistletoe Martini Recipe, from Midtown Girl

Merry Berry Christmas Drink Recipe, from MyRecipes.com

Warm Spiced Cran-Pom Toddies, from MyRecipes

Tinsel Bellini Recipe, from Tastebook

CHRISTMAS PARTY ENTREES:

Christmas Tree Sandwiches Recipe, from Taste of Home

CHRISTMAS TREE TRIMMING PARTY DESSERTS:

Rosettes Christmas Cookies, from Proud Italian Cook

Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies Recipe, from Cooking LSL

Christmas Tree Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe, from Erica's Sweet Tooth


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


RECOMMENDED PAPER PLATES AND NAPKINS:

Tree Farm Paper Napkins, from Caspari, on Amazon

Oh, Christmas Tree Paper Plates, by Caspari, on Amazon

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS TREE TRIMMING PARTY PLANNING:

The New Christmas Tree, on Amazon

Creative Christmas Tree Decorations, on Amazon

Inventing the Christmas Tree, on Amazon



101 Tree Trimming Ideas Book, on Amazon

RELATED CHRISTMAS TREE PARTY LINKS:


Christmas Tree Bottle Stopper, from Pottery Barn

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

Tree Trimming Secrets (Martha Stewart)


--Copyright 2015 31 Days of Christmas Parties

www.31christmasparties.com

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Friday, December 4, 2015

Christmas Party #4: Christmas Movie Party #1


The Original Christmas Classics DVD, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:



National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation DVD, just $7.99 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 evening 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:

Airblown Inflatable Bumble, Santa and Rudolph, on Amazon

Rudolph Wreath, on Etsy


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, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Santa Clause.

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

CHRISTMAS MOVIE PARTY COSTUMES:

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Light-Up Costume, on Amazon

Buddy the Elf Movie Costume, on Amazon

A Christmas Story Leg Lamp Costume, on Amazon

Perhaps some of your guests might like to dress up festively and arrive at your party in costume - inspired by one of the movies you'll be showing tonight, for example. Or perhaps you're throwing a more-elegant, less-silly type of soiree!

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.

RELATED LINKS:

Candied Cream Cheese Nut Ball (Modern Mrs. Cleaver)

CHRISTMAS MOVIE PARTY BEVERAGES:

Boozy Apple Pie Milkshake Recipe, from Apartment Therapy

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:

Butter Mint Cut-Out Candy Cookies (Bake at 350)

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)

RELATED LINKS:

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:


Christmas Movie Classics Gift Set, on Amazon

A Better List of Holiday Movies (ChicagoNow)

Best Holiday Movies for Kids (Common Sense Media)

The Disney Diner's Top 25 Christmas Movies List

It's a Wonderful Movie

Our Favorite Christmas Movies (Parenting.com)

10 of the Best Christmas Movies To Watch This Season (Hello Beautiful)

20 Best Christmas Movies for Kids and Families (TimeOut)


--Copyright 2015 31 Days of Christmas Parties

www.31christmasparties.com

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