The holiday’s are here, and most of us are ready to kick back a little and celebrate with family and friends. Traditions, tried and true and a few new ones too, I am ready to embrace the season!
Is it possible to host a holiday gathering and actually enjoy it? Yes, yes, and yes! Join me in making a point of not stressing out this year and really let ourselves enjoy the holidays and everything it brings. The key is to keep it simple. Presence over presents.
So, how do we throw a fun, engaging, warm, holiday get together? Great food, festive cocktails and a playlist made up of a mix of sing-along seasonal songs!
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Food
No slaving in the kitchen for hours on a multi-course meal.
A big charcuterie board checks all the boxes for an interesting, delicious display of food. You can get as creative as you want with contrasting flavors, varying textures and palette of colors. Charcuterie is a wonderful choice because it provides a mixture and variety of meats and cheeses to suit everyone’s preferences.
Styling Your Board
- A nice paddle shaped board ( you know I love the boards Backwood Design Co. )
- Add meats. Roll, stack, fold, depending on what you’re adding
- Include small bowls/dishes for condiments. (Olives, jams, jellies)
- Cut and place the cheese. It’s nice to have some variety here, (soft, medium, hard/ mild, medium, strong), choose your favorites.
- Add fruit. ( grapes always look great, but some pear paired with a Gorgonzola is a treat as well)
- Add crackers
- Add fresh herbs for style. (Rosemary at this time of year is perfect)
- Add dried fruits
- Fill any spaces with nuts.
Charcuterie Options:
- cured meats
- various cheeses
- cherry tomatoes
- fruit
- preserves
- dried fruit
- nuts
- pickles
- olives
- crackers
- bread
- bread sticks
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Holiday Cocktails
Add a little festive cheer by offering a few different Holiday cocktails. It doesn't take much to get a little fancy here and your family and friends will love the effort! Here are a few to try:
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Holiday Playlist
By December, we are ready for all of the Christmas songs! Those classics that pretty much everyone knows the words to, playing as we shop, prepare and mingle.
Here are a few to add to your get together.
Contemporary
- All I want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey
- Last Christmas – Wham
- Underneath the Tree – Kelly Clarkson
- Mistletoe – Justin Beiber
- Winter Wonderland – Michael Buble
Classic
- White Christmas – Bing Crosby
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra
- You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscroft
- Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
- Baby It’s cold outside – Dean Martin
Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!
