Holiday Entertaining Link-Up

I'm very excited to be linking up {hopefully if I can get my act together} all week with these lovely ladies!



I absolutely love the holiday season and I'm even more excited to be celebrating with these TWO lovely ladies this year! 


So I can't wait to read all about every one's preparations!

Today I'll be linking up with Nina over at According to Nina for some tips on holiday entertaining!

Almost every year since we got married in 2005, Skip and I have hosted a big holiday party for our friends and family!  We did have to cancel it last year when I had never ending morning sickness, and this year we're going to have to postpone it again since I will be throwing Skip a *huge* 30th birthday party at the beginning of January.  But anyways, our holiday party is one of my most favorite things of the season!

We keep it pretty lo-key and simple over all....just focusing on good food, great friends, and lots of laughs.  The menu for the last party we had back in 2009 focused around appetizers and desserts.  Because let's be serious, those are every one's favorite things!
Here's a list of what I made.
Appetizers:
- Bruschetta with fresh mozzarella cheese
- Crudites with onion dip
- Spinach dip {in a bread bowl} with Tostitos
- Humus with pita chips
- Mini pizzas
- Cocktail franks
- Cream cheese and bacon crescents
- Cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches

Desserts:
- New York style cheesecake
- Key lime pie
- Chocolate chip cookie pie
- Decorated sugar cookies
- And peanut butter bon-bons.
 
 
I have done a sit-down buffet style dinner in past years, but those require me to be in the kitchen most of the party, and I would much rather mingle!  I put all the food out at the start of the party, and people were free to graze all night long. 

Decor was pretty easy as the house was already decorated for Christmas!  I used plastic plates, cups, utensils, etc to make clean up a breeze as well!

Most years we also did a secret Santa.  I made sure to have people RSVP a few weeks before the party, and then I randomly drew names for everyone.  We did a $20 limit on gifts, and people could ask anonymous questions of the person they drew to figure out the best gift.  It was a great party activity to open the gifts during the night as well. 

Now for some pictures of our parties over the years {you can see we've had them at both our teeny tiny condo, as well as our more-spacious house!}

The table is set!  Simple Christmas tree centerpiece

Somebody had to come in an ugly sweater!

Taking pictures, making memories
Opening gifts!


Great friends

The host and hostess

Comments

  1. LindseyDecember 12, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Looks like you sure know how to throw a party!!! Love the menu!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AdrienneDecember 14, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    What a great looking party! Can't wait to see more!

    Adrienne
    http://www.lavitaebellaamp.com

    ReplyDelete

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