So I'm having a Christmas Party:

And I need to know what's always a BIG hit at parties... What do you like to eat and drink most at parties?? What desserts do you prefer?? How do you like the set-up: munchies and pickings or buffet dinner?

I'm trying to decide what to do-- also, ANY other advice you can give (this is my first attempt at hosting a party all by myself). Music suggestions- or specific Christmas type music suggestions?? Grab bag or no grab bag?? What to do? A little favor type gift for everyone who comes?

Ladies, can you bring out your inner Martha Stewarts for me please? Thanks so much- ANY advice would be greatly appreciated.

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

the layered nacho dip - it has sour cream, salsa, cheddar cheese, nacho meat, beans (if you want), all layered - heated up and served with tostitos - sooo yummy

you could also do a fun christmas themed drink - there was just one in Instyle magazine

have fun

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

wait danielle, are you catering food or making it?

Lets make it pot luck so it would be less work for you. I like it buffet style.

hmmmm.we can listen to the radio stations that have christmas music and/or just like z100 and stuff.

ive never played grab bag so that would be fun.

No favors girls. You have to save for your wedding!!!

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

OH and I want to do grab bag but have NO clue HOW to do it- The only time I did it was last year at my sister's party, I got drunk and didn't know that other people were allowed to take the gift from you-- I was so delighted with the gift I got that when one of her co-workers tried to take it from me I threatened to kick her azz in a drunken rant.

So, yeah-- If we do it I just won't drink

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

I do a cold nacho dip

container of sour cream mixed with a pouch of taco seasoning, layer on top salsa, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, etc

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Message edited 11/20/2006 8:44:18 PM.

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Pomagranate Martini's

1 oz vodka
1/2 oz Cointreau® orange liqueur
3 oz pomegranate juice


Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker 1/4 filled with chopped ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.Serve in a martini glass!


Have fun!

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

ooh thanks for the martini recipe-- that sounds DELICIOUS!!!

I'm going to do that along with my famous "southern comfort punch" which is what led to the grab bag incident of 2005 so i'm going to stay away from it this year but other guests can have it-- it's delicious. i actually got it from the martha stewart site- apparently, good girl martha collected some SERIOUS alcohol recipes while in prison.

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Posted by DaniRella

ooh thanks for the martini recipe-- that sounds DELICIOUS!!!

I'm going to do that along with my famous "southern comfort punch" which is what led to the grab bag incident of 2005 so i'm going to stay away from it this year but other guests can have it-- it's delicious. i actually got it from the martha stewart site- apparently, good girl martha collected some SERIOUS alcohol recipes while in prison.

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

I love a party filled with wine and apps! I have an incredible spinach artichoke dip that I got from a friend and made for every party I hosted or went to last year. YUMO!

Spinach/Artichoke Dip

½ cup grated Romano Cheese
1 clove garlic
1 10oz package frozen spinach, thawed, and squeezed to remove water
1 6.25oz jar artichokes, drained and patted dry
8 oz package of cream cheese- softened
2 large eggs
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Tortilla chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375

Put Romano cheese in food processor with metal blade. Turn motor on and drop garlic thru feed tube to mince. Stop machine and add spinach, artichokes, cream cheese and eggs. Process until thoroughly blended. Put in medium bowl. Fold in mozzarella.

Transfer to a baking dish. Bake until heated through- 20-25 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips!

Note: if you don’t have a food processor, you can still make this receipe by hand- but don’t try to use a blender- been there, done that and it doesn’t work!

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

this is the way we do grab bags:

everyone pics a number out of a hat.

you lay all the gifts on the floor, and everyone is in a circle around them.

the person with the highest # pics first.
then the second higest # pics - they can either take the gift from the last person - or pick a gift - if they take the last persons gift the last person picks again.

then the next person can take a gift from those two, or pick from the pile, etc.

so the person who has #1 can pick from anyone, so its better to pick a lower #.

then when they are all picked, everyone opens them!!

its a good way to keep everyone involved!

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Posted by Jessica

Posted by DaniRella

ooh thanks for the martini recipe-- that sounds DELICIOUS!!!

I'm going to do that along with my famous "southern comfort punch" which is what led to the grab bag incident of 2005 so i'm going to stay away from it this year but other guests can have it-- it's delicious. i actually got it from the martha stewart site- apparently, good girl martha collected some SERIOUS alcohol recipes while in prison.

so how many people are coming?

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Thank you Kim!!!!!!!!!

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Dani I have a fabulous recipe for the layer salsa they are talkign about...its 7 layer dip...I'll send it to you.

Honestly...Trader Joe's(don't know if ya have those in NY) Make great appetizers. They have fabulous spanakopita, just pop it in the oven...and then serve it all pretty..

Voila!!

Oh...I wish I could make it!!! Trust me..Pete and I were looking for an excuse!!

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

i want to come

i love what everyone else has already recommended- martinis, taco dip, etc. i would also recommend homemade chocolate chip cookies - who doesn't love them?!

Message edited 11/20/2006 11:04:09 PM.

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

Posted by Dolcezza

Dani I have a fabulous recipe for the layer salsa they are talkign about...its 7 layer dip...I'll send it to you.

Honestly...Trader Joe's(don't know if ya have those in NY) Make great appetizers. They have fabulous spanakopita, just pop it in the oven...and then serve it all pretty..

Voila!!

Oh...I wish I could make it!!! Trust me..Pete and I were looking for an excuse!!

Re: So I'm having a Christmas Party:

mm everything is osunding so good, I can't wait