Throwing a Christmas party is the best excuse to dress up in your own home. I recommend purchasing a timeless "Party Skirt".
You can purchase a Party Skirt on http://www.skotapparel.com/
The "Heart and Soul" Crewneck paired with the Party Skirt is from Old Navy, and one of my favourite purchases from there! (Only $15!)
When your guests arrive, it is always a must to welcome them with a beverage. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like an Eggnog Martini, and for those non-eggnog lovers, a Candy Cane Martini.
For an Eggnog Martini you will need:
1 oz (30 mL) eggnog
1 oz (30 mL) amaretto
1 oz (30 mL) vodka
Whipped cream & cinnamon or nutmeg are optional!
Step 1:
Combine Ice, Eggnog, Amaretto, and Vodka in a shaker and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds
Step 2:
Strain into a martini class
Step 3:
Garnish as you wish! My preference is a little bit of whipped cream, nutmeg and a cinnamon stick to use as a stir stick.
For a Candy Cane Martini you will need:
2 ounces Strawberry Vodka
4 dashes white Creme De menthe
2 1/2 ounces Cranberry Juice
Ice Cubes
Frozen Cranberries
Step 1:
Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.
Step 2:
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake well until combined. Strain into prepared glass and serve immediately.
*I also like to add a couple frozen cranberries. Not only does it add a little somethin' somethin' to the martini, it helps keep it cold while drinking with out watering it down!
Going onto table settings. I feel like the way your table is set up is a preview of the food to come. To start, you want to make every guest feel special. How perfect are these Kate Spade place cards? Not only do the sayings help the guest feel more at home, but the gold confetti is to die for!
I think it is pretty obvious that I love anything white and gold, so I think a white and gold themed table is perfect for Christmas. Right now Chapters/Indigo has the cutest glasses with gold rims. They are a must have and selling fast!
I will post some of my favourite christmas dinner and dessert recipes soon, but what is important right now is the break right after dinner, going into dessert. For my family, that usually consists of Coffee or Tea, but since its Christmas I think its okay to pull out some Hot Chocolate and Baileys. Why not have a Hot Cocoa bar? Make each guest a cup of Hot Cocoa (and Baileys if they want) and let them take a walk over to the Hot Cocoa bar which, for me, would consist of toppings such as peppermint candies (add a great peppermint taste when they start to melt), caramel, cinnamon sticks (my favourite stir sticks), chocolate, whipped cream, marsh mellows, graham cracker crumbles, and some paper straws (striped of course). Not only is this something that your guests will LOVE, its cheap and easy to do.
After dessert is over, yes your party can come to a sad end, but it does not have to!
Before planning this party, why not plan an Oprah's favourite things? Let everyone know who is coming, how many people will be joining, for example 10, and set a price range, for example $20. Then, each person goes out and buys (in this case) 10 of the same items that they love that are maximum $20 each. For this idea, you could go out and buy 10 of your fave nail polish colour, and then add it with a Starbucks card. You all sit around and share what your favourite item is that you purchased and give them to everyone. By the end of it, you all will leave the a bunch of cool different items that I am sure you will love! Not to mention that this calls for lots of girl time, laughter, and a great start to the Christmas holidays.
One last thing, don't forget champagne if you do Oprahs favourite things!
Grab a couple bottles of bubbly to celebrate a time of Joy, Happiness, and Love!
Cheers!
