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The holidays are just around the corner and I always feel so unprepared. I have great intentions, but I never seem to do the thing I would like to do most—have a party. When you think of a holiday party, you automatically think of beautiful food, perfect decorations and the latest in evening fashions.
It can all seem so overwhelming and intimidating to a potential hostess that it just doesn’t happen. Before you know it, another holiday has come and gone and the party is placed on a list for next year. Some people are just blessed with the wonderful gift of entertaining. Everything they do is magazine perfect. Unfortunately, most people do not really fit into that category, so the rest of us need something a little more practical.
Day Parties
Parties don’t have to be at night. I know the weeks get really busy and there is something going on almost every night in December. It is exhausting. If you want to get together with some good friends, try Saturday-morning breakfast or brunch. If cooking is a problem, purchase a frozen breakfast casserole or quiche and serve it with raisin bread and strawberry jam. Add a fruit salad and some cream-cheese-filled croissants and brunch is complete. You will be surprised how many people will enjoy a morning gathering. The party can be for adults or it can be a family affair. Kids will love it, too. Plus, it leaves the rest of the day for shopping or preparing for that Saturday-night party for the office.
A holiday cookie exchange is another daytime party, mostly for women, but it is not exclusive. This little gathering can be hosted during the week or on the weekend for working girls. We all want to have holiday cookies, but most of us are too busy to bake more than one or two favorites. If everyone attending bakes enough of just one special recipe to share six cookies with each guest, you will end up with dozens of cookies to serve at your next party. If the party is early in the month, put the cookies in a plastic sealed container and freeze them until you are ready to serve. They will be as fresh as the day they were baked. Cookie exchanges are very casual gatherings. The refreshments can vary depending on the time of day, but I think mid-afternoon snacks suit this party perfectly. Coffee and punch served with a cheese ball and crackers, a fruit tray and an array of bite-sized pastries is all you need. The fun is in seeing all of the delicacies the guests have brought.
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Creative Parties
White Elephant parties are always such fun. Have all your guests bring a gift to exchange. The secret is that all of the gifts have to be recycled. They need to be something you have sitting around the house or something you have received as a gift yourself. The gifts are placed under the tree in no particular order. Numbers are drawn from a hat, and the numbers determine the pecking order for selecting the gifts. The first person makes a selection from under the tree, but in the end, he or she will get a second chance to steal from someone else. Each person can either take a gift from one of the guests preceding, or select a new one from under the tree. Any one gift cannot be stolen more than three times. At that point, the final owner gets to keep the gift without the threat of losing it. These parties are also very casual. They can be done spontaneously, too. That is part of the fun. If the party is not planned, but just thrown together, everyone feels at ease and there is no fuss.
Having a “come as you are” party is fun any time of the year. It is perfect for busy working people who really don’t have planning time. If you find yourself with a free night, call several friends at about 7 p.m. or later and ask them to come to your party. The only stipulation is that they have to come just as they are. It doesn’t matter if they are in their PJs or still dressed for work. If they are wearing a facial mask, too bad for them. Throw on a coat and join the party. Food can be really casual for this party, as most people will have eaten dinner. Just a few snacks and some drinks served casually will make for a good time. Half of the party time will be spent laughing at how guests actually show up. You can call it an early night, especially during the week, but it will be great fun for everyone.
Saturday or Sunday afternoon is the perfect time for a Christmas movie marathon. Pick up popcorn on the way home from work on Friday. Add some special Christmas candies, cookies, soda and spiced tea, and you have a party.
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Don’t forget the Music
One thing I miss about living in the north is Christmas caroling. We would gather a group together and go strolling down the sidewalk singing carols until our lips were frozen. We would ring the doorbell and sing, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and then sing another carol or two before moving on. People were so receptive. It was a feel-good time. When we were too cold to go on, we would all gather in front of a fire with hot chocolate and cookies at someone’s home. There was no big fanfare, but it really felt like Christmas. I think it would be great to experience that more here in Texas. It makes for very special memories.
No matter what kind of party you choose, make sure you have great Christmas music. Some people prefer the traditional Bing Crosby carols and some like the more contemporary artists, but keep the music playing. It brings the spirit of Christmas right into your soul. You don’t have to have special Christmas dishes or silver tea sets to make Christmas serving beautiful. Use inexpensive crystal trays and bowls for serving food. They sparkle in the candlelight and match any color decor. Adding a little sparkle to your everyday decor will spruce things up in a hurry for that Christmas gathering. Add glitter-coated sprigs of dried or artificial flowers to existing floral arrangements and your centerpiece will come alive in an instant. Making big bows with holiday ribbons that attach to candlesticks and pictures will highlight simple accessories. Using dim light with candles makes any room look and smell like Christmas. Those little things can make really big statements.
Remember, it is not how much time or money you spend on your Christmas party that matters. It is the quality of time you have with family and friends that the counts the most. If you are totally stressed out about making everything perfect, you may not enjoy your own party.
Have a wonderful time this holiday season. Enjoy those you love with the true spirit of Christmas.