Holiday Movie Marathon (Day 8)

I don’t know if you are like me but I love the holiday movies.  I look forward to watching the classics every year; White Christmas, Scrooge, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street, and the cartoon classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I usually have my favorite cashmere throw, some hot chocolate, and position myself on the sofa for a treat.  

This year I’m doing a holiday movie marathon (no more than three).  I will invite approximately six friends that I know enjoy holiday movies as I do and ask them to bring their favorite throw and movie.  If they don’t have the movies I will ask for suggestions and the movies with the most votes will win.  I’m sure I already have them or I will go to my neighborhood movie rental. 

I will set the mood by turning down overhead lighting only using the lights from the Christmas tree and the lights we used to decorate the windows.  I’m a big fan of the oversized chair and I have great oversized pillows for those that like the floor.  My menu will consist of buckets of popcorn, soda, water, and my favorite, nachos.  Of course I will have the candy treats along with some holiday desserts and hot chocolate. 

Once everyone arrives and settles in, let the movies begin.

Now, Let’s Get Inspired! 

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Girls Night In - Gift Wrapping Party (Day 7)

Every year you probably plan to wrap your gifts early and never get to it until the last minute.  Or, you are left alone while everyone else is celebrating and you’re wrapping gifts.  Well this year why not invite a few friends over for a light dinner, some holiday cheer, and wrap your gifts together. 

Make sure you invite an intimate group that is up for the task.  Have each person bring a roll or two of wrapping paper and their own scissors; think beyond red and green.  They should bring all gifts they want to wrap in the presence of others.  Choose a date and time that would be easy for all to attend.  If you choose a date closer to Christmas the more shopping will be completed.  If you purchased gifts for anyone that will be attending the party make sure you wrap those alone. 

Pump the holiday music and set out the supplies (wrapping paper, tape, name tags, ribbon, etc.).  Choose a space where you can create wrapping stations so everyone won’t be on top of each other.  Your menu does not have to be elaborate.  A small buffet of snacks and treats will do just fine.  When the wrapping is completed each person can keep any unused wrapping paper or they can leave with you for the next gift wrapping party. 

Holidays are a perfect time to enjoy with family and friends,

Now, Let's Get Inspired!   

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Holiday Cocktail (Day 6)

The holidays are among us and the parties are flowing.  When you give your gathering why not have a signature holiday cocktail.  Create a specialty drink that will soon become a yearly favorite.

Christmas Cheer Egg Nog

Ingredients:  1 oz of egg nog, 1 oz of peppermint schnapps
Layer egg nog first or stir ingredients together and enjoy

Cranberry Cocktail

Ingredients

2 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries, 1 cup pure maple syrup, 2 cups dry red wine, 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar, 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped, Thin strips of zest from 1/2 lemon, 2 teaspoons pink peppercorns, crushed, Pinch of coarse salt, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 cups seltzer

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put cranberries into a large, high-sided skillet; set aside. Bring syrup, wine, brown sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, lemon zest, peppercorns, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan, whisking occasionally.
2. Pour over cranberries. Cover tightly with foil, and bake until cranberries are soft but have not burst, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a bowl; cover with 1 cup cooking liquid. Let cool completely.
3. Bring 1/2 cup cooking liquid and the granulated sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, whisking until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to low; simmer until liquid has reduced and barely coats the back of a spoon, about 6 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; let cool completely. Syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use, up to 3 days.
4. Reserve 40 cranberries. Puree remaining cranberries and liquid in a blender.
5. To serve, place 10 reserved cranberries on each of 4 decorative skewers. Pour 1/4 cup puree and 1/4 cup syrup into each of four 12-ounce glasses; stir to combine. Add skewers, and fill glasses with ice. Top with seltzer, and serve.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookie

Ingredients:

3/4 oz Partida Blanco Tequila, 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps, 3/4 oz Godiva® Liqueur, 1-1/2 oz cream, candy canes (garnish), chocolate syrup (garnish)

Directions:

Rim martini glass with chocolate syrup and crushed candy canes. Shake ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into martini glass.

Toasted Macaroon

Ingredients:
1 oz coconut milk, 1-1/2 oz coconut rum, 1/4 oz Licor 43, 1/2 oz Partida Blanco Tequila, 1/2 oz Frangelico, toasted coconut (garnish)

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with toasted coconut shavings on top.

Now, Let's Start Mixing!

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Re-Gifting Party (Day 4)

I know that you know re-gifting is not cool, however, I know we all do it.  So, since we all do it why not have a Christmas re-gifting party.  This party is perfect if you are in a block club, small organization, or office party where everyone understands and gets the joke.

Keep the guest list small and intimate.  The smaller the group the more likely it will be a good exchange.

Make sure everyone brings a wrapped unwanted gift from the previous Christmas.  The goal is to bring the prettiest wrapped gift to entice others to want to choose it.  Please note, they should not bring a gift that was given by someone that will be attending the party.

Once everyone has arrived, have your guests draw numbers, this will be the order in which they choose a gift.  Everyone should wait until all gifts have been chosen before unwrapping.

I suggest to have a designated photographer, you don't want to miss the looks and the laughter. 

Now, Let's Get Inspired!   

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Christmas Carole Karaoke Party (Day 3)

In your home or at a venue who doesn't love karaoke.  

If you don't own a karaoke set nor do you want to buy one they can easily be rented.    

Create a Christmas playlist and off you go.  

All the pop artists as well as the classics make Christmas music so the choice is yours.  

For those that say they don't sing, make a few spiked holiday drinks and watch what happens.      

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Tree Trimming Party (Day 2)

Most of us have attended a tree trimming party at one time or another.  I have found them to be fun, and the tree gets trimmed in no time at all leaving the remaining time for partying.

There is little preparation needed as the focus is on trimming the tree.  You can start with a bare tree or have the lights on your tree before your guests arrive.  Choose one area and spread out your ornaments, garland, tinsel, lights, etc. making it easy for your guest to pick from.  

Buffet style would be perfect for this event.  Your guests can break when they want, grab a snack and return without problems.  It's always nice to have a holiday drink ready and waiting, your choice of alcohol or not (I say both).  Eggnog, cider, and hot chocolate are my faves   A nice choice of Christmas music playing on the Ipod is a must.

All in all a tree trimming party is an easy way to get family and friends together for lots of laughter, good times, and all on a low budget.  Oh, I almost forgot, don't forget to take photos.  Happy Holidays.  

Now, Let's Get Inspired!

  

  

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The Ugly Sweater Party (Day 1)

To all my fellow bloggers and blog readers, I am so excited about my next blogging endeavor.  My goal for the month of December is to give you 31 holiday party ideas and tips to help make this holiday season fun. That’s right, one idea/tip a day.  If you have any ideas of your own please add to the comments section.  Now, let’s get started.

If you have managed to go this long in life without obtaining some dreadful Christmas sweater you have done good.  However, for this party you definitely will need one.

Invite family and friends to put some use to that sweater they have hidden in the back of their closet.  Your party is guaranteed to be fun and your guests will have plenty to talk about. 
Just in case you don’t have a sweater visit your local K-Mart and you are sure to find them.  They are not expensive and your party photos will be something you will always cherish and remember.

Now, Let's Get Inspired!

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