Hi, Alyssa here chatting about my favorite thing to do this time of the year……..planning a fun gathering of friends or family for a holiday party, but it is busy times so chances are timing is not on our side!? So, if your holiday party is a week away, and you’ve decided to be the host this year, don’t panic! We’ve gathered some great tips for throwing together a last minute holiday party, that will surely impress your guests. All recipes are linked to make it even easier!
Unlike Thanksgiving, where you sit at a table and load up on turkey and lots of carbs, Holiday parties are more about the mingling. And like entertaining guru Ken Fulk says “Don’t take anything—even the last dish of the night—too seriously.”
The sit-down dinner…
Food
Make it family-style, but elegant. Have your guests pass dishes around, which keeps the conversation flowing! Make sure you pick foods that can be made ahead of time so that your guests are still your focus at the party, and you are not running to the kitchen every 5 minutes.
Of course if you are serving a large party, more than 10-12, buffet style is always an option!
Creamy Winter Squash with Raisins and Sage // Winter Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts //Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloin (This recipe only takes 20 minutes!)
Decor
Play up your table settings; the table is the focus of course! Incorporate the traditional holiday elements like holly and pops of red and gold, and add personal touches like hand written place cards.
The Informal gathering…
Food
Keep the food simple, with tapas style and light bites that your guests can pop in their mouths.
One of the easiest things to put together is an antipasto platter. You can mix meats, cheeses, dried fruit, nuts, olives and dips. Be creative! (There is NO wrong way to arrange an antipasto platter) You can even make your antipasto into skewers, so your guests can just grab one and go.
Add a few hearty dishes, and something sweet of course (this can even be store bought!)
Turkey Cranberry Meatballs // Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms // Macarons from Bite in Houston (Something your guests can take home too!)
Decor
Since you aren’t decorating a dinner table, display the food and make it a part of your decor! Use festive trays and plates, and add holiday elements like strings of lights, garland, and red linens. You can even do easy DIY decorations, like filling a glass vase with colorful ornaments.
A 5-Minute Cocktail
Holiday Mule from Home Sweet Jones
One of the hottest cocktails right now is the Moscow Mule, and this one has a little holiday twist. It is easy to whip up, even if your guests have already arrived! (AND its only 192 calories!)
In addition to this, make sure you accommodate everyone. Have a bottle or two of wine, and some non-alcoholic beverages just in case.
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1 1/2 oz gin or vodka
- 2 oz chilled ginger beer
- 1 rosemary sprig
- orange slice, for garnish
- sugared cranberries, for garnish
Instructions
Combine simple syrup, cranberry juice, and gin. Pour over ice and top with ginger beer. Serve garnished with rosemary, orange wedge and sugared cranberries, if desired.
Happy party planning!
All photos from pinterest