Although throwing a holiday party will probably never be stress-free, the host should have as good of a time as the guests
- Host an Open House - This is a casual gathering where your guests' arrival time is staggered so that you're never overwhelmed by having too many people in the house at one time.
- Serve Room Temp Foods - Prepare food that can sit on your table for the duration of the party. This way your friends eat when they want, rather than at a specific time when the food is still hot. Also, select items that are easily consumed with a single utensil.
- Server a mixture of beverages - Give your guests lots of choices from wine to beer and even a few holiday drink recipes that will be sure to spice up any part.
- Set up Seating Areas - Organize your furniture so that your guests have ample space to walk around and meet each other as well as areas where they can sit down in small groups.
- Fanning the Festivity - There's no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than singing. Organize neighborhood caroling, gather around the piano or plan out holiday karaoke.
Mini French dip sandwiches, little individual cheese balls, and bacon-wrapped dates will keep your decorating crew well-fed. For the finale, set out chocolate fondue. The Night Before
- Pick up roast for French dip and gather all recipe ingredients.
- Add mini sandwich rolls to the shopping list to replace full size French rolls.
- Round up supplies for ornaments and garland: popcorn, cranberries, construction paper, glitter, and tape.
- Cook date appetizers and green beans. Place in serving dishes; cover and refrigerate.
- Let kids roll mini cheese balls in nuts, chopped parsley, or poppy seeds; refrigerate.
- The best rule of thumb for a perfect tree: lights, lights, and more lights. So put up the tree and string it with plenty of lights.
- Add roast to slow cooker around noon; put your feet up and relax.
- Mid afternoon: turn on holiday music and start making ornaments and garland.
- Just before party starts, fix Candy Cane Cocoa and coffee. Keep warm in thermal carafes, in a slow cooker, or on the stove.
- Place drink toppers, and mix-ins (whipped cream, chocolate syrup, liqueurs) near beverages and let everyone add their own finishing touches.
- Sip beverages, nibble on appetizers, and start decorating.
- As decorators finish, set fondue on a coffee table. Let everyone plop on the floor or couch and admire their handiwork as they indulge in a chocolate reward.
If you need a fun new holiday activity for kids, let them turn iced cupcakes (from scratch or a mix) into colorful dessert ornaments in three simple steps.
- Decorate iced cupcake tops with patterns of tiny bright colored candies: mini red and green jelly beans, red hots, or gummy candy circles.
- Flip a miniature ReeseÕs peanut cup upside down and nestle it in the icing onto top of cake.
- Break a miniature pretzel (your ornament hook) into a jagged piece with a rounded edge and insert into peanut butter cup. Eat and enjoy!
