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TeresahRN
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Start New Holiday Traditions with Your Family
The holidays can be expensive, but this year take the opportunity to create new holiday traditions with your family that will last a lifetime (and won't hurt your wallet). Family holiday traditions are something to look forward to every year, and help build the cozy festive atmosphere. Your new holiday tradition will become a staple within your home and an important part of your celebration for years to come.
Here are some ideas for holidays traditions to try:
•Decorate the tree as a family: Take time to string twinkling lights and hang favorite ornaments on your tree. Play your favorite holiday music and make some delicious holiday snacks to munch on as you work. You can also add one new ornament a year (take turns as family members getting to choose or create something homemade) and remember the story that comes with how it came to trim your tree.
•Bake holiday cookies for the neighbors: With this holidays tradition, your house will smell delicious and your neighbors will be delighted when you drop by with some sweet treats. It’s also a great way to get out for a walk and see the Christmas decorations that others have put up on their homes!
•Watch a Christmas movie marathon: Mix classic movies like “A Christmas Carol”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Miracle on 34th Street” with modern favorites like “Elf”, “Love Actually”, and “The Holiday.” Pop a big bowl of popcorn to share, make hot cocoa, and snuggle up on the couch together. If you have several favorites, watch one movie per night in the days leading up to Christmas.
•Volunteer to serve food at a shelter: Think of others during the holiday season and spend a day at your local food shelter or food bank, sorting donations or serving meals to those in need. This is a wonderful holiday activity to do with kids to teach them about helping those in need.
•Explore holiday traditions from around the world: How do others celebrate the holidays? Your whole family can learn something new about international cultures and try out their holiday traditions for a change. Learn how to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” in different languages. You can also read about the history of Saint Nicholas who visits homes in many European countries, or about the three Magi who deliver gifts in Spain, Mexico, and Argentina. Instead of hanging stockings off the fireplace, try leaving out your shoes as children do in the Netherlands and France and see what goodies they are stuffed with in the morning. If you live in an area that doesn’t get snow for the holidays, have a barbecue on the beach like the Australians down under!
Come up with your own new ways to celebrate the holidays with traditions that make the season special. Simply spending time together engaging in meaningful activities can be a wonderful way to form long-lasting memories that your family can always share.
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TeresahRN
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Top 10 Reasons to Send a Holiday eCard
Along with all of the planning associated with the holiday season, there are also tons of holiday greetings to send to friends, family, and co-workers. Rather than spending lots of money on paper holiday cards, send free ecards for the holidays through Punchbowl. No matter what kind of look you want, Punchbowl offers a wide variety of options and customized colors and layouts. Everyone will find someting that fits their needs. Spare the expense, save time, and send free holiday greeting cards this year!
1.You can include everyone on your list. If you have 117 people in your address book, and the set of paper greeting cards come in packs of 100, then inevitably there will be people who don't make the cut. You can send holiday ecards to absolutely everyone on your list.
2.You can send eCards from the comfort of your own home. There's no need to brave the traffic or try to find time to get to the store or post office during a certain set of hours. You can use Punchbowl's digital greeting cards at anytime of day or night from the comfort of your couch.
3.You can decide the exact date and time the eCard arrives. Timing something to arrive in the mail on a certain day, especially around the holidays, can be a challenge. With a free holiday e card you can decide exactly when you'd like your greeting to arrive in the recipient's inbox. You can even schedule it to send at sundown on the first day of Hanukkah or bright and early on Christmas morning.
4.You can help the environment. When you choose not to use paper, you save trees. Every little bit counts when it comes to the environment. Reduce, reuse, recycle!
5.You can save yourself the cost of printing and mailing. Punchbowl's free holiday ecards are designed to have the look and feel of a paper card. It's a cost-efficient way to send your thoughtful and meaningful messages during the holiday season.
6.You can easily add your family photo. Everyone has their photos stored on a computer nowadays. Punchbowl has an assortment of holiday photo cards that allow you to upload your own image from the files on your computer. You can show off your latest family picture, special images of a new house or renovation, a winter scene from your backyard, or an adorable family pet.
7.You can write a personal message. Tired of out-of-the-box greeting card messages? Now you have the opportunity to write your own! If you need some guidance, check out these holiday card wording ideas.
8.Your recipients can easily respond to your greeting. After someone views the free holiday card, they can easily reply with a holiday greeting of their own. As they say, those who give shall receive. Help spread the holiday spirit!
9.Your recipients can save the card. Anyone who receives your holiday e card can easily save it to look at later or display on their iPad for all to enjoy! Rest assured that your card won't end up in the trash come New Year's.
10.It's fun! It's a delightful experience to choose the design you like such as the wreath holiday ecard above; customize it with special accents like postage, an envelope liner, and a rubber stamp; and write your own message. A holiday eCard is also fun to receive.
Have fun sending some happy holiday ecards to everyone in your life and spread the holiday cheer!
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TeresahRN
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Five Holiday-Inspired Theme Parties
Choosing the right holiday party theme can set the stage for your winter soiree. A theme is the perfect way to focus your creativity and will make it a lot easier to choose the decorations, food, music, and other components that create a fabulous party atmosphere.
Here are five tried and true winter holiday party themes that will make for a fun and memorable celebration:
•Ugly Sweater Party: This holiday party idea is the solution for those horrible sweaters you’ve had sitting in the back of your closet for too long. Give your guests a chance to wear their awful garments one more time before donating them to charity by hosting an ugly sweater party! Hold a fashion show and award prizes for the best and worst sweaters.
•Gingerbread House Showdown: Break guests into teams who each get their own gingerbread kit. Play holiday music, eat cookies, and have fun competing to decorate your gingerbread houses. Find three judges (grandmas, neighbors, etc) to fairly judge the showdown! Bake the gingerbread before the party and focus the competition on the decoration.
•Santa's Workshop Party: At this time of year especially, it's always important to think of those less fortunate. For this holiday celebration theme, ask guests to bring a gift for a child or family in need instead of (or in addition to) gifts you would normally exchanged at your party.There are a number of programs that can accept and redistribute presents such as Toys for Tots. A helpful tip: skip the wrapping paper so that organizations can easily view and sort their donations.
•Tree Trimming Party: Although this is one of the more traditional holiday party theme ideas, tree trimming parties are less popular today since hosts often like to have their trees decorated before their guests arrive. However, taking a modern spin on this holiday party idea can make for a lovely celebration. One way is to set up an ornament exchange with your guests. Light a fire, drink some eggnog, and let everyone get into the holiday spirit by spending time together around the tree.
•Secret Santa/Yankee Swap: Have your guests draw names and bring presents to exchange with one another. You can set a limit on spending ($10-20) and dare them to come up with the most creative ideas. Another take on this theme is a Yankee Swap gift exchange. Guests are chosen in a random order to select a gift out of the pile and then given the choice to keep their pick or swap it for another guest’s selection. It’s a fun and inexpensive way of exchanging holiday gifts!
Find the perfect theme for your celebration and then set to work to plan out all the details. Incorporate the theme into your online invitations, decorations, food, and more!
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TeresahRN
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Classic and Elegant Holiday Decorations
Create a classy and sophisticated atmosphere this year with beautiful holiday decoration ideas. Keep it simple, but add a unique touch here and there as a signature style for your party. Consider your color palette, centerpieces, place mats, pictures, and decor throughout your home.
Take advantage of these festive ideas for holiday decorations:
•Color Palette: Plan the color palette for your holiday decorating ideas based on the holiday and time of year. Feature deep reds, oranges, purples, and browns for fall colors. Christmas colors include red, green, and gold. Favorite Hanukkah colors are blue and silver. Combine solids with subtle patterns for an elegant effect. Use a colorful pattern for a tablecloth or napkins and tone down the other components of your decorations and table setting.
•Place Mats: Skip the tablecloth this year, and use place mats instead. Combine a subtle pattern on the place mats with bold colored napkins. Add solid colored plates in white or pick up on a color in the pattern of the place mats.
•Centerpieces: Add a bold accent to the table with a beautiful centerpiece. Select natural accents for your centerpieces, such as pine cones decorated with silver or gold glitter. Scatter the pine cones along a table runner. Complete your centerpieces with white candles to create a stunning and elegant effect on your holiday table.
•Pictures: Frame pictures of close family and friends from past holiday celebrations, and display them at a holiday party. Place photo albums on your coffee table and reminisce about old times. Talk about how fashion has changed over the years and how the kids have grown up.
Bring your ideas for holiday decorating to fruition and have fun displaying the decor throughout your home. Take pictures to remember your ideas and at the end of the holiday, carefully pack up the decorations for next year.
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TeresahRN
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Holiday Table Decorations
Entertain at your house this season and impress your guests with beautiful holiday table decorations. Take advantage of these fantastic holiday table decoration ideas for your party planning delight. Incorporate colorful homemade table ornaments, sparkly snowflakes, and beautiful flowers.
Fill the party with these holiday table decorating ideas:
•Table Ornaments: Make beautiful ornaments to adorn your holiday table. Purchase around twenty Styrofoam balls in a variety of sizes, a can of hairspray, and glitter. Purchase red, green, and gold glitter for Christmas decorations, and blue and silver glitter for Hanukkah decorations. Mix up some simple craft glue and water. Coat each Styrofoam ball with a thin layer of the glue and water mixture. Next, roll it in the glitter of your choice, and set it to dry on a toothpick stuck into a sponge. Once your homemade table ornaments are dry, set the glitter with some hairspray. Once you’ve created your ornaments, arrange a handful of each in a set of large glass vases. Visualize the ornaments in large glass vases next to lots of simple white candles in crystal candlestick holders or votive holders. Picture the gorgeous warm light at the dinner table as the colorful holiday ornaments reflect off of the glass.
•Branches with Snowflakes: Purchase decorative branches from your local craft store and spray paint them silver. Use stencils to make snowflakes out of poster board or foam board. Cut them out and cover them in silver glitter. Arrange the branches in glass vases, and use fish wire to hang the snowflakes from them.
•Flowers: Decorate with traditional holiday party table decorations such as vase full of flowers. Select deep color flowers such as red, orange, and purple. For a night time holiday party, place colorful LED lights in the vase to make the water give off a festive color.
Make sure not to make the centerpieces too tall, as guests will want to chat throughout the holiday party at their tables. Have a very happy holiday season!
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TeresahRN
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Holiday Decorating with Cranberries
Cranberry decorations are a beautiful and festive way to dress up a home or holiday venue for the winter holiday season. Check out some great ways to incorporate this natural décor element indoors and outdoors. It's obvious why this little red berry packs a lot of holiday decorating punch!
Get inspired by these cranberry decoration ideas:
• Create cranberry Christmas decorations and centerpieces by filling clear cylinders and apothecary jars with real or faux cranberries. Place a large pillar candle in the middle and light when entertaining.
• String cranberries on some fishing line or craft wire to make a cranberry decoration garland. Hang the garland on the Christmas tree, across the mantel, or strung through a chandelier.
• Create chic floral centerpieces by filling square vases with cranberries and water. Add calla lilies, roses, and natural twigs to complete your arrangement.
• Make a welcoming cranberry wreath by gluing cranberries to a foam wreath (cover the foam with a trash bag for a stronger bond) and hang on the front door.
• Cranberry holiday decorations can involve drinks too! Whip up some cranberry ice by freezing a tray of ice with cranberries. Add a cube or two to white wine or champagne.
Decorating with cranberries is an easy and affordable way to insert color into your holiday decor. Real cranberries will last for several weeks, so your look will last well through the holidays.
Fun Holiday Activities for Kids
These holiday activities for kids are a great way to involve kids in all the festivities over winter break. With this list of kids holiday activities, you are sure to keep everyone happy and full of holiday spirit!
Get inspired by these holiday ideas for children:
•Cookie Decorating: Whip up a fresh batch of cookies (sugar cookies work well), wait for them to cool, and then get to work decorating! You can use cookie cutters to create fun shapes or simply draw designs onto your cookies. To embellish your treats you can use frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chips or nuts. Don’t forget to leave Santa a plate of cookies and a glass of milk!
•Caroling: This tradition is age-old, but is still a wonderful holiday activity for kids. Walk around the neighborhood, admire the Christmas lights and put a little cheer into the day! Whether you’re singing on or off key, everyone will be delighted when you visit. Print out lyrics to your favorite holiday carols and head out for a singing adventure. If you’d rather stay out of the elements, gather everyone around the piano for an at-home sing-a-long.
•Gingerbread House Neighborhood: Build a mini neighborhood out of gingerbread houses! You can make your own gingerbread house pattern pieces (follow this gingerbread recipe) or buy them pre-made from the grocery store. Use icing to assemble your house and to “glue” on your decorations. Gumdrops, peppermint candies, mini candy canes, red hots, colored icing and other types of sweets will make your winter wonderland come to life!
•Let It Snow!: If you happen to live in an area of the country that gets snowfall during the winter months, bundle up and head outside into the snowy yard. Build a snow fort, make a snow angel or go sledding. Then, head home to warm up with some hot cocoa next to a crackling fireplace.
•Fly with Santa: There are so many Christmas activities for kids, but this is one of the coolest. Each year on December 24th, you can watch Santa’s flight around the globe with the NORAD Santa Tracker. Watch as he visits countries around the world and see when he will reach your house.
Share these holiday activities for kids with others and have fun celebrating the season together!
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TeresahRN
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Holiday Crafts for Kids
There are so many creative and fun kids holiday crafts ideas that you can easily enjoy at home with just a few basic supplies and some imagination! Gather everyone together to spend some quality time away from television and computer screens this year. Create beautiful crafts that you can display in your home for holiday decorations.
Here are some of the best holiday craft ideas for kids:
•Cotton Ball Santa: The supplies for completing some original Christmas crafts for kids can be found right in your own closet. To create a cotton ball Santa all you need is a paper plate, cotton balls, construction paper, markers, a pair of scissors and some glue. Have kids draw Santa’s face on their paper plate and then cut out a hat from red construction paper. Glue one cotton ball to the tip of the hat and add more for the trim. After you attach the completed hat to the plate, give Santa a big white beard and moustache made of cotton balls.
•Pine Cone Trees: Another idea for holiday crafts for kids is to make homemade pine cone trees. For this project you will need a pine cone (gathered on a nature walk or purchased at the local craft or decor store), playdoh or mini pots, green paint, glitter and some beads or sequins. First stand your pine cone upright using either a small ball of playdoh or a mini planting pot as the base. Paint the pine cone green and let dry. Kids can then decorate their small Christmas trees with glitter, beads, sequins and add a small star to the top.
•Coffee Filter Snowflakes: These will look great hanging in the windows or on the mantle! Fold coffee filters into thirds or quarters and create your snowflakes by cutting small shapes along the folded edges with scissors. To add some color to your snowflakes, you can dip the folded filters into colored die to achieve a cool tie-dye effect. See how many different patterns you can create!
•Reindeer Puppets: Kids can easily make their own characters for a holiday puppet show. A brown paper lunch bag can serve as the body of your reindeer, while antlers can be made by tracing two hands on red construction paper. Cut them out and glue or tape the hand prints behind the reindeer’s head. You can either draw on the face or use silly googly eyes and a pom pom for the nose (red if it’s Rudolph!). Let kids invent a story for their characters and perform it for friends or family.
•Holiday Garlands: Trim your home with homemade holiday garlands made from either popcorn or paper. Pop a big batch of popcorn (make extra to snack on!) and thread the kernels onto strands of thread using strong craft needles. Another option is to create rings out of strips of colorful construction paper, link them together and hang them around the house.
These kids holiday crafts are a wonderful way to make your own decorations and treats, while also creating memories and traditions to celebrate the season.
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TeresahRN
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5 Tips for Attending a Holiday Party
With numerous invitations to parties filling up your calendar, the holidays can be a busy time of year. Now consider what it's like to be the host! The art and etiquette of attending a holiday party can be challenging even for a social butterfly, but with a few simple pointers you can gracefully navigate through the season.
Be a great guest with these tips for attending holiday parties:
•Ask your host if you can bring anything. There is a high probability that they will decline, but it is always good holiday party etiquette to ask. If they accept, ask your host what they recommend you bring, what they need, and what the other guests have already agreed to contribute to avoid arriving with a duplicate dish.
•Make sure to wear appropriate attire. While most holiday gatherings with family tend to be very casual, it is good to find out the standard dress code if you are visiting another family, going to a Christmas cocktail party, or a work holiday party. If you can’t find out that information from the host, the standard holiday party advice is that it is always safer to dress on the nicer side. Women can use smart accessories such as jewelry, scarves, and clutches to easily dress up or dress down an outfit. For men, a button-down shirt and khaki or chino pants will always look put together.
•Be clear on the important details.While the holidays are all about celebrating with friends and family, make sure you know what arrangements your hosts have made for their event so that you do not risk overstepping any boundaries. If invited to a cocktail party, for example, inquire beforehand whether children or other family members are also invited. It is also a good idea to find directions for where you are going ahead of time, especially if it is a new location.
•Bring a gift for your host. When attending a holiday party host by a friend or family member, you should always bring a gift for the host. It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant, just something that shows you are appreciative. Some ideas include a bottle of wine, box of chocolates, or even some homemade bread or cookies. If you’ll be attending a lot of events during the holiday season, buy a few traditional hostess gifts, tie each one with a pretty ribbon, and put them in the trunk of your car. That way you’ll be prepared wherever you go.
•Be on your best behavior. Being around new people, relatives, or co-workers can be stressful at times, but it is important to keep your cool and be a pleasant guest. This is especially crucial if you are attending a work holiday party. Other holiday party tips are to keep alcohol consumption to a minimum, be aware of your surroundings (i.e. don't use inappropriate language around kids, etc), and try to have conversations with new people. If you see someone who looks uncomfortable, make a new friend!
•Be helpful! While at the party, offer to help the host put out food, clean up, take out the trash, etc. Many times they will decline, but even if they do it is always good to be mindful to clean up any mess that you might make personally.
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TeresahRN
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Holiday Party Attire
Figuring out what to wear to a holiday party can be stressful, especially when you’re bombarded by a slew of winter holiday invitations to cocktail soirees and family celebrations. While appropriate holiday party attire can vary from occasion to occasion, you don’t need to buy a new outfit for each separate event. These simple tips will help you make the most of your holiday party clothes all season long and look stylish at the same time.
Get inspired by these tips for holiday party attire:
•Men: Make sure you have all the staples in your closet such as a pair of dress pants, a pair of casual khakis or chinos, a selection of button down shirts (always unwrinkled and ironed!) that can be worn with or without a tie, a suit jacket, a pair of dress shoes, and a pair of more casual footwear such as loafers. Avoid loud or cheesy ties, sneakers, socks that don’t match your shoes, and ugly Christmas sweaters (unless that’s the theme of the party!).
•Women: Whether you choose a dress or pants, there are many options for holiday party wear. Incorporate some bright and cheery color into your wardrobe; dressing up in holiday reds and greens can be a lot of fun! Wearing both together, however, can veer into costume territory and come off as a bit cliché. You can also add some sparkle to your outfit with jewelry, but keep the advice of Coco Chanel in mind: remove one accessory before you leave the house so your look remains clean and uncluttered. Heels are not always a necessity, except for formal events, so a nice pair of flats can be worn instead. If you live in a location that gets chilly or snowy in the winter months, invest in a good pair of boots and a warm coat that you can wear with your holiday party attire. Last but certainly not least, keep your look sophisticated and refrain from showing off too much, especially if you’re going to be in an office setting where it is important to appear professional.
•Kids: Holiday party outfits for the kids should follow the same guidelines as for parents. There are so many great options available that can also be worn year-round. Boys can wear khakis with a collared shirt or a nice sweater, while holiday parties are the perfect opportunity for girls to don a favorite party dress over a pair of tights. If you’re headed out the door into cold weather, don’t forget hats, mittens, and jackets for everyone!
There are also a few general tips to keep in mind as you choose your holiday attire. Look polished, but not overdone, and always use your judgement skills to determine what holiday party outfit will be appropriate. Fin
ally, feeling comfortable is important. Make sure you are free to enjoy yourself and the holiday party season!
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TeresahRN
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Choosing the Perfect Holiday Party Dress
One of the best parts about going to holiday parties is deciding what to wear or treating yourself to a new dress. It's the perfect excuse to splurge on a fantastic holiday party dress that will wow your friends, family, and co-workers. While it's fun to dress up, sometimes finding the perfect holiday party dresses can be overwhelming. There are a ton to choose from and you want to pick what's best for your silhouette and coloring. You also have to take into consideration the theme, venue, and occasion for the holiday party so you aren't over or under dressed. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you pull off the right look this holiday season.
•Christmas Party Dress: This time of year is one of the only times when dresses in holiday colors isn't cheesy. Go for Christmas party dresses that play off the traditional Christmas colors of green and red. Take into consideration the weather and make sure you have something to cover any bare areas in case you're spending some time outdoors in the cold. It's likely that you'll be mingling and moving around a lot, so choose a dress that is comfortable and that you can wear again.
•New Year's Eve Dresses: It's the night when you celebrate days past and look forward to days in the future, so pick a New Year party dress that is celebratory and fun. Don't be afraid of sparkles or adorning yourself with jewels and funky jewelry. Even if you don't wear heels on a regular basis, use this night as a reason to go against the norm. It's the perfect time to be glamorous and super flirty so don't shy away from New Year party dresses that accentuate your figure, or is in a color you wouldn't normally wear!
•Office Holiday Party Dresses: Depending on the type of company you work for, pick an office party dress that doesn't go against the general dress code policies. Keep it simple and understated as well as comfortable, so you can walk around and talk to people. Conservative colors and keeping skin exposure to a minimum is smart too. You want coworkers to focus on you and what you have to say, not how little you're wearing.
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TeresahRN
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How to Host a Cookie Exchange Party
Fulfill your sweet tooth cravings, and get tips about how to host a cookie exchange party! Host a holiday cookie exchange party with your friends and family, and share yummy cookies with one another. Start your cookies exchange planning well in advance and take advantage of these helpful tips.
Helpful tips for planning a Christmas cookies exchange:
•Guest List: Invite between 10-20 people to a residence or venue for the cookie exchange. Plan the event on Punchbowl and use beautiful cookie-themed holiday invitations for friends and family. Make sure to specify the cookie exchange party theme on the invitation and ask each guest to bring a certain number of cookies. Explain that guests should leave the party with the same amount of cookies they brought to the party. (Example: If you expect ten participants, including yourself, everyone should bake 11 dozen cookies. That way everyone will go home with 1 dozen of each variety.) Also note if you would like your guests to provide copies of their recipe.
•Decorations: As part of the cookie exchange party planning, prepare the party space with decorations. Lay down an attractive tablecloth and complement it with decorative trays. Guests may choose to pre-package their cookies, or you can gather festive display trays, top them with doilies and have them available so each guest can display his or her cookies. Supply holiday themed bags or cookie tins for the cookie exchange, and have guests take them home at the conclusion of the party.
•Menu: Serve a light lunch or brunch before the cookie exchange, or plan the party around a meal time. For lunch or brunch, serve finger sandwiches or bagels and fruit salad. Complement the cookie exchange with beverages for guests such as coffee, tea, fresh juices, and milk.
•Activities: Start the event off with a brief meet and greet for those unfamiliar with one another. Plan the cookie exchange as the main activity for the party. When the guests arrive, ask everyone to display their cookies on the cookie trays. Invite guests to walk around and fill their cookie tins or bags with an assortment of cookies.
Cookie exchange party planning doesn't have to be stressful. It's a time to catch up with friends and try new recipes! Smile in anticipation of a spectacular array of cookies to enjoy during the holiday season.
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TeresahRN
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Cookie Exchange Ideas
One of the best things about the holiday season is all the yummy treats! ‘Tis the season for baking and candy-making and cookie exchanges. If you’ve been invited to a cookie exchange party and need some cookie swap ideas, look no further. Find tips about how to choose the perfect recipe, when to make your cookies, and how to package them.
Here are some helpful ideas for cookie exchange creativity and etiquette, which will help you know what to expect:
•Share A Favorite Recipe: Do you have a family recipe that has been passed down through the generations? Or maybe you have your own cookie creation that others simply swoon over every time you bake them. One of the best cookie exchange ideas is to share your most popular baked goody. Don’t hold anything back! You’ll impress the other guests and they will thank you for sharing the pièce de résistance.
•Bake Them Fresh: There are two very important ideas for cookie swap preparation that you need to keep in mind when you’re planning for the cookie exchange party. The holidays may be hectic, but it’s essential that you make your cookies fresh either the day before or the day of the event. Homemade goods can dry out quickly and nobody wants to eat a stale cookie. Here’s an insider tip: an apple wedge placed inside your cookie container can boost freshness. Just be sure to replace it every day. It’s also important to be aware of any allergies that the other guests may have. Don’t share your great aunt’s famed peanut butter drop cookies if they are going to cause one of the fellow guests to drop!
•Package Them Prettily: Some wrapping ideas for cookie exchange party include mason jars, decorative Chinese food containers, wicker baskets, or traditional round tins. Tie a holiday ribbon around the packaging or affix a cheery Christmas bow. Include a card with the recipe (if you’re willing to share) and a note saying whose kitchen they came from.
Now swap ‘til you drop!What’s the final tip for this list of Christmas cookie swap ideas? Have fun! You’re sure to go home with a bundle of sweets and some new ideas to try out in the kitchen.
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TeresahRN
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Holiday Protocol for Vegetarians
Party planning can be stressful, but what about planning a vegetarian holiday meal? Traditional holiday meals often center around a large meat dish, which can pose a problem if any of the guests are vegetarian. As a host, it’s important to make accommodations for your guests’ dietary preferences, and as a guest, it’s important to communicate with whoever is hosting the party. Follow these tips so everyone can have a relaxed and enjoyable holiday meal together.
Here are a few ground rules for both hosts and guests, plus some ideas for a vegetarian holiday menu to keep your holiday vegetarian friendly!
•For Guests: Tell your hosts ahead of time about your dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian—there are so many varieties of choices to make about your food preferences, but the best thing is to be specific and clear with your host so there are no surprises the day of the party. Another thoughtful gesture is to suggest some of your favorite vegetarian holiday recipes or to offer to bring over a dish to share. That way you will be sure to have something that you enjoy eating, while also introducing others to something new!
•For Hosts and Hostesses: Rule number one for hosting a party is to not isolate your vegetarian guests. Instead, solicit their help in planning the menu and ask about their likes or dislikes. Once you have some great new holiday vegetarian recipes to make, don’t co-mingle your animal foods with non-animal foods and expect your vegetarian guests to eat around the meat. It may offend them or make them sick. You can choose recipes that will appeal to other non-vegetarian guests as well by sticking with the meatless versions of familiar comfort foods (lasagna or quiche for example). Finally, if you are a vegetarian personally, try and include a few dishes with chicken or fish for your meat-loving friends.
These tips for planning a vegetarian holiday will make sure that everyone is included and feels welcome. Take the opportunity to try some new dishes and share your favorites with friends and family!
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TeresahRN
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How to Make a Holiday Trifle
Christmas trifles are the perfect dessert to serve at a large Christmas or holiday gathering you’re hosting—they serve a large crowd and look sophisticated and elegant. Trifles are also fabulous because you can personalize them by adding favorite flavors into the trifle such as different types of fruits, nuts, or toppings.
This recipe for Christmas trifle can be served family style, which takes the pressure off of the host to plate and allows family and friends take as much or as little as they wish. For smaller gatherings, create individual trifles in fun goblets, wine glasses, or mugs. Either way, the holiday trifle will undoubtedly be a hit at any holiday party this year and everyone will be asking for the Christmas trifle recipe.
How to make a holiday trifle:
Ingredients and equipment:
• Three 8-9 inch white cakes
• A large trifle bowl (or a large glass bowl)
• 3-4 cups vanilla pudding (can be store-bought)
• 2 pints fresh strawberries
• 1 pint fresh blueberries
• 2 bananas
• 3 kiwis
• 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping
• 1/4 cup blanched, slivered almonds or pecans
• 12 maraschino cherries
Directions:
Slice your strawberries, bananas, and kiwis into thin slices for easy layering. Cut the white cake into 1-2 inch cubes (angel food or pound cakes work well). Start with a layer of white cake, then put a layer of the vanilla pudding. Next, layer some fruit and nuts. Repeat this process until the trifle is almost filled to the top. For the final layer, spread whipped cream or whipped topping to cover. Garnish the top with cherries and any leftover fruit and nuts. Make sure to keep the trifle refrigerated until ready to serve.
Remember that there is no one way for how to make a Christmas trifle. Switch up any of these ingredients to customize the trifle for guests and try different types of fruit, nuts, or pudding flavors. It's also a great dish to bring to a party as a guest and ask friends for their suggestions on Christmas trifle recipes.
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TeresahRN
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Hosting a Holiday Cocktail Party
Taste-testing holiday party cocktails are the perfect occasion to invite friends and family members over to celebrate the season with you. Whether you want to host a casual mix and mingle or a dressy soiree, these parties are easy to organize and your guests can enjoy chatting over drinks and yummy bites. To begin planning your event, here are some holiday cocktail party ideas to inspire you.
•Holiday Cocktail Party Invitation: Find the right invitation that is going to set the tone and let your guests know what to expect! Punchbowl has a wide selection of free digital invitations that can be sent out via email or shared on your personal social networks. Once you create your event, choose a design with a fun motif if you’re throwing a relaxed party or one with a sleek layout for a formal occasion. You’ll want to be sure to include all of the important details including the host/hostess, date, time, place, RSVP information, and any other notes.
•Holiday Cocktail Party Decorations: Again, cater your decorations to match the desired atmosphere of your party. Balloons are an easy and versatile way to achieve a fun and bubbly feeling in your venue. Use colored balloons to set a bright color scheme or stick with simple silver and white for a touch of elegance. Tie them in bunches on the stairwell or in the front entrance or let them float freely to the ceiling. Flower arrangements and candles are other ways to get creative with your party decorations.
•Holiday Cocktail Party Menu: Pick delicious dishes that are easy to prepare so you can spend your time enjoying everybody’s company. Shrimp cocktail, mini burger sliders, vegetarian hummus dip, deviled eggs, and bruschetta are all great options for savory starters. Add some sweet desserts as well such as mini cupcakes, chocolate croissants, or fruit tarts.
•Holiday Cocktail Party Favors: Thank your guests for joining you by sending them home with a thoughtful little gift that shows your appreciation. A book full of holiday recipes is a nice way to commemorate the occasion. You can also package hot cocoa mix and marshmallows in a fun holiday mug. Homemade snow globes are another whimsical present that you can personalize with your own touch.
Take the time to celebrate with your loved ones and enjoy your holiday cocktail party. Stir up some signature drinks and toast to a very happy holidays together!
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TeresahRN
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Stir Up Amazing Holiday Cocktails
Make a delicious holiday cocktail for the winter season and gather the necessary ingredients to stir them up during a holiday party. Enjoy holiday cocktails such as the Peppermint Twist, White Christmas, and Cranberry Snowdrift Martini. Put these delicious treats on the drink menu rather than the dessert menu and give friends and family something sweet to sip on while opening presents.
Make these holiday drink recipes:
•Peppermint Twist: Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour 1 ounce of peppermint schnapps, 1 ounce of Kahlua and 1 ounce of brown crème de cacao into the shaker. Shake the mixture and strain it into a cocktail glass. Garnish the drink with a candy cane on the side of the glass.
•White Christmas: Fill a glass with all of the following holiday drink recipe ingredients: 4 ounces of eggnog, ½ ounce of white chocolate liqueur, and 1 ounce of Southern Comfort. Sprinkle the top of the drink with chocolate flakes for a decadent finishing touch.
•Cranberry Snowdrift Martini: Put ice in a cocktail mixer and combine 1 ounce of white cranberry cocktail juice, 1 ounce of white crème de cacao and ½ ounce of white chocolate liqueur. Shake the mixture and strain it into a martini glass. Wet the rim with water and dip in sugar. Pierce cranberries on a cocktail toothpick and place in the glass as a garnish. Add sprinkles of shaved white chocolate to the top of the drink.
Don't get ahead of yourself and make all the holiday cocktail drinks at once. Take it slow and pick one holiday cocktail recipe at a time to make in addition to the other holiday party staples such as eggnog and hot chocolate.
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TeresahRN
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Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drinks
If you’re planning on hosting a party this winter, giving your guests the option of non-alcoholic holiday drinks is a good way to make sure that everybody can find something that they like. This is an especially good idea if it is a big family gathering and there needs to be an assortment of holiday drinks for kids as well. Find festive non-alcoholic alternatives!
Here’s a list of some delicious and festive non-alcoholic holiday drink ideas:
•Mulled Cranberry Cocktail: Super seasonal and yummy! Combine 1 quart cranberry juice, 1 cinnamon stick and 2 whole cloves in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Meanwhile, combine ½ cup cranberries, ½ cup sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir gently until the cranberries pop and are coated with the sugar mixture. Pour the mulled cranberry juice into four mugs and garnish with the sugared cranberries.
•Christmas Punch: You can still use your punch bowl to serve this non-alcoholic version of a party classic. You’ll need 20 ounces of frozen raspberries in syrup (partially thawed) and 12 ounces frozen lemonade (thawed). Combine and blend until smooth. Strain this mixture into a punch bowl, being careful to remove all seeds. Stir in 46 ounces pineapple juice and add 64 ounces chilled lemon-lime soda right before serving.
•Spiced Lemonade: This beverage can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Combine 9 cups water, 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup raw sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla and ½ teaspoon ground cloves in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the sugar has dissolved, you can reduce the heat to a simmer until your lemonade is fragrant. Serve with lemon slices for garnish.
•Toasted Marshmallow Shakes: One of the most original and decadent non-alcoholic holiday drink recipes you’ll come across! Toast 5 jumbo marshmallows under a broiler or flame until they start to crisp evenly. Blend together 1 tablespoon whole milk, 1 large dallop plain yogurt, and 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream, being careful to not overmix (stop just when you see your shake sticking to the sides of the blender). Next add three of your toasted marshmallows to the blender until they are broken up and distributed evenly. Pour your shake into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, garnish with your final two marshmallows and serve with an extra-wide straw.
Other choices for a classic holiday drink recipe are traditional apple cider or hot chocolate. These non-alcoholic holiday drink recipes will add a delicious touch to your party!
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TeresahRN
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Spiced Eggnog Recipe
If you are hosting or attending a Christmas party this year, try this spiced eggnog recipe. Spiced eggnog is a fun twist on the holiday classic. Not only does it give traditional eggnog recipes an extra kick, it's also great for serving large crowds.
Start with this basic homemade eggnog recipe. Use an electric mixer to beat 6 eggs in a large bowl. Gradually add 3 cups milk and 8 tablespoons sugar to your mixture until it has thickened slightly. Set your burner on the lowest possible setting and heat your ingredients in a pan until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Be patient! Next add 3 teaspoons vanilla essence and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled. To make the low-fat version of this easy eggnog recipe, you can substitute with egg beaters, skim milk, and artificial sweetener.
Now to spice it up! To make an eggnog recipe with alcohol, add 1 ½ ounces spiced rum per glass to 4 ounces of eggnog, stirring together. Top with a pinch of either nutmeg or cinnamon. Serve and enjoy!
You can, of course, make non-alcoholic eggnog for kids and other guests by using rum flavoring from the spice aisle. Another delicious eggnog recipe is eggnog punch. This is typically made by mixing a quart of eggnog with a pint of vanilla ice cream. Then, slowly add a quart of 7-Up or Sprite.
These egg nog recipes are sure to give your party guests a new taste of one of winter’s most popular and traditional drinks. Serve it warm or chilled and don’t be surprised if you are asked to share your mixology secrets!
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TeresahRN
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Fun & Unique Holiday Party Idea: Hot Cocoa Bar
Hosting a hot cocoa party is a fun and creative way to celebrate during the holidays. The holidays are often very busy with parties, family gatherings, and school activities and sometimes the typical cookie decorating won't cut it. Hosting a hot cocoa bar not only sounds delicious, but it also makes for a fun and festive focal point for your guests. The hot chocolate bar idea is unique—the goal is to impress guests and leave them chatting about your creativity long after the event is over!
A hot cocoa party is a great way for guests to cozy up to a warm mug of tasty hot cocoa customized with bite-sized add-ins. Here's how to host a hot chocolate holiday party that no one will forget!
1. Set up a display of festive, holiday-themed mugs.
2. Prepare a carafe or two of hot chocolate that you make yourself from scratch or by using a premade kit.
3. Finely chop add-ins (see suggestions below) and display them in decorative cups and trays.
4. For the over twenty-one crowd, have a few mixers like peppermint or butterscotch Schnapps, Kahlua, or rum to give the drink a little punch.
Add-ins for hot chocolate party:
• Mini marshmallows (white or red/white/green)
• Peppermint sticks
• Flavored syrups
• Flavored whipped cream
• Candied ginger
• Cinnamon sticks
• Chopped-up candy bars
• Chocolate truffles
• Caramel squares
If you want to add a little more fun to the hot cocoa Christmas party, ask guests to invent a fun name for their concoction then go around the room and have everyone share the name of their drink. Vote on the most creative and award a hot chocolate-themed prize to the winner!
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