Christmas Parties

Last year I tried to go to 3 holiday parties in one evening and made it to one. A mixture of alcohol and snow prevented me from getting to all of them in one evening.

This year I limited myself to two an evening. Weekends are busy and December only has a few weekends before the holidays, so they get pretty packed.

There are different kinds of Holiday Parties I attended this year, work, friends, family, acquaintences.... bars, houses, halls, resturants..... large, small, intimate, professional..... but all had amazing food, delicious drinks and great company.



Here are some things I look for at Holiday Parties:

Star Cookies - My friend Sarah makes these tiny gingerbread star cookies. She sandwiches them together with home-made carmel and they are delicious! Every year she saves me some, even if I can't make her annual shindig (I did make it this year!!! and was rewarded with EXTRA star cookies - SCORE!)

Fondue - fondue parties are so much fun... I am lucky to have a bunch of fondue stuff but haven't hosted a fondue party (yet). The first one I went to was the best a couple years ago they had three tables of fondue set up with everything you can imagine. I will do a fondue party post soon I promise.

Music - I like classic Christmas Music playing softly in the background, nothing loud or overpowering, my fave part of holiday parties (besides great food and drink) is mingling and chatting with people.

Festive Decor - I am not saying go nuts, but if it's a holiday party, we need some lights, greenery and red or gold colour themes people!

Naniamo Bars - Any home-made version of this is amazing, store bought is ok the rest of the year, but at Christmas, home-made it is.

Artichoke & Asiago Dip - I go crazy for this stuff.

Spinach Dip & Sourdough - What can I say? I am a dippy girl... I love dips, fondue, sauces.... Spinach Dip is a classic appie but I can make an AMAZING dip that an old friend taought me years ago. I will post the recipe soon.

Eggnog - Holiday Must. Avec Booze.

Alcohol - I like a wide selection. If it's a bar or restaurant it's all good, house parties should have a variety of booze or let guests know to BYOB. I often Bring a bottle of my fave when i go to a dinner party or house part, or if I host I plan a feature drink and have a wide selection of alternatives... I also tell people to bring a bottle for the bar that way we have even more variety and everyone can help themselves. Beer Drinkers... you are outta luck, I am not a beer drinker, I usually have a case in the fridge for my hubby and that's that.

Tarts - A typical dessert but if done right are memorable and a sweet treat & easy to serve at parties, less mess than cake or pie or other desserts.

Meat - Sausage Rolls, Swedish Meatballs, boneless wings, anything bite-size and hearty... I am all for vegetarian alternatives but we need to keep the carnivores happy also. I was a vegetarian for 10 years, but now, meat is on the menu always.

Safe Ride Home - If it's a small party, spare rooms, DD's or transit/cab ride home should be available or planned. Larger parties I think cab vouchers are a great neccessity, though I hope everyone is responsible enough to plan ahead and plan a safe way home.

I know that's fairly random and broad but those are the things I like most and/or need from Holiday Parties.