holiday party ideas

thanksgiving has come and gone, and now it's time for the happiest time of year - the christmas season! everyone by now has most likely either been invited to a party or has decided to host one of their own. i have gatehered a few ideas for holiday parties from themes to recipes for those of you who have decided to be hosts.

[themes]

- cookie exchange -
this is a great idea for a girls night in. gather all of your girlfriends to exchange cookies and cookie recipes. get crafty with the recipes and write them down on pretty scrapbook paper with colorful ink for all the attendees.

- handmade ornament exchange - 
tell your guests to come with handmade ornaments to exchange. as the hostess, be equipped with your favorite do it yourself ornament instructions and supplies. after exchanging ornaments, gather everyone around and let the crafting begin! they will go home with two new meaningful ornaments. (find ornament instructions here)

- mistletoe and martinis -
 deck the halls with mistletoe and the bar with martinis! have a few selections of holiday martinis and mistletoe around every corner!

[recipes]

[yummy mummy blog]

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
 makes about 16 

Sugared Cranberries Ingredients

2 cups fresh cranberries 

1 cup good maple syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

Directions

Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight. 

Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour. 

16 crackers

8 oz Brie cheese

cranberry chutney or cranberry relish

fresh mint for garnish

Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. 

[better homes and gardens]

Prosciutto, Spinach, and Pasta Casserole

Ingredients
 

2 2/3 cups dried bow ties, penne, or ziti (8 ounces)

2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges, or 5 medium leeks, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, crushed

1 3/4 cups milk

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

2 ounces prosciutto, cut into thin bite-size strips

1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped

directions

1. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain; rinse pasta with cold water. Drain again.

2. In a large saucepan cook onion and garlic, covered, in hot butter about 5 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and anise seeds. Add the milk and chicken broth all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Stir in the cooked pasta, spinach, and prosciutto. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.

3. Bake, covered, in a 350 degrees F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand about 5 minutes. To serve, stir gently and top with chopped tomato.

4. Makes 6 servings

[martha stewart]

sparkling pear and cranberry cocktail

ingredients

2 tablespoons dry cranberries
1/2 cup organic pear nectar
32 ounces Moscato d'Asti wine
8 small sprigs fresh rosemary

directions

Put cranberries in a small bowl; add 2 tablespoons warm water. Soak until cool, about 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and refrigerate until serving.

Divide pear nectar evenly among eight tall champagne glasses. Add cranberries, and then gently pour the Moscato d'Asti into the glasses. Garnish each with a rosemary sprig.