8 Days of Christmas, Day 5 - Christmas Entertaining

So your hosting a Christmas party. I am too, on Christmas Day! A massive party with 30ish people. The whole family. Anyway. Whatever type of Christmas party you are having, refer to this post!  




To give gifts or to not give gifts 
Do you want to give Christmas presents to your party guests? Before you decide you may want to ask yourself a few questions....... 
- Are you close to this person? 
- Do you usually give this person a gift? 
- Is there another occasion where you should give them a gift? 
- Have they gotten you a gift? 

There is a middle bar. If you don't want to give your guests gifts you could give them party favours. These are much less expensive.


Ideas for Christmas Party Favours  
-Gingerbread Stars wrapped with cellophane and ribbon
-A jar of homemade jam or chutney  
-A mixtape of your favourite songs or Christmas carols(See here for Christmas Carols you may be interested in) 
-A hand soap or moisturizer (see here and here)  

Food  
Go for food that suits the mood, the people and the weather. If it's casual don't have a massive turkey. If it's actually on Christmas don't be afraid to be a bit extravagent.  
For Christmas recipes and menu's see this post  


Decorations 
See here   

Festive Conversation Staters
Plans for the New Year
Plans for Christmas
Christmas Wishlists 
Christmas Food 

Getting into the Spirit 
As I always say with parties BE PREPARED! Stay calm and have fun. Listen to Christmas music to get into the spirit more. Spray your house with pine tree spray if nessercery, just make your house as Christmasy as it can be  

Thanks for reading
Hope you enjoyed
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Isabella


  

A Complete, Awesomely Awesome Guide to Entertaining

I love parties! Who doesn't? But I do agree they can be stressful! So here are tips to having perfet parties that are enjoyable and memerable. 


Atmosphere 
When I say atmosphere I mean decorations. Having decorations creates a nice atmosphere. Have at least one decoration in your entertaining space that is not usually there. Candles and flowers are simple but effective. Having an arranged centrepiece can also look beautiful. Your centrepiece can be pinecones or a pumpkin or a cluster of candles. 

A theme is important. This isn't a corny theme. It's something like Black and white or Autumn or Floral. Also, send out invites. Paper ones are beautiful.  Placecards add to your theme and also get rid of the confusion of the 'where do I sit' dilemma.  

Theme ideas 

Floral 

Tips and ideas for a floral theme  

-Have a vase filled with flowers in the centre of your table. 

-Maybe a single flower on a napkin on top of your plate.  

-Have a floral design if you have a paper invitaion  

-Tie a flower around the back of people's chairs  

-Give people a flower bunch, a pot plant or a seed packet tied with a ribbon for a favour  

-Have cupcakes with little sugar flowers on top 

-For a matching menu match with the Bistro menu (see below) 

Black and White Sophisticated 
Tips and ideas for a black and white theme  
-Black and white candles 
-Black and white ribbons tied on people's chairs 
-Black and white ribbons tied around people's cutlery  
-You can incorporate black and white birds in birdcages as centrepieces or designs on place cards and invites. 
-For a matching menu go for the Formal menu (see below)  

Asian Inspired Theme 
Tips for an Asian Inspired theme.  
- Wooden boat dishes are great for this. 
- Paper lanterns 
- Jasmine Tea 
- Bananna Leaves for placemats. 
- Incense burning  
- For a matching menu choose the Asian menu



Hostess 

So as a hostess it can be stressful but it isn't if you plan ahead. SO THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. 


Here's a timeline of when you should do what. 


2 Weeks Before Party (4 Weeks for more formal party) 
Send out (or email, or text) invites. 


3 Days Before Party. (2 Weeks for formal party)
Decide on theme and menu.  


2 Days Before Party 
Shop for everything that won't go off (in other words anything but meat).  


1 Day Before Party  
Make anything that can be made at this point.  


Day of party 
Prepare everything else. 
PARTY!!!  


Other tips 


1. Wear a dress (casual if it's a casual party) 
2. Be super nice to your guests even if you're stressing out on the inside. 
3. Send thank you cards after the party. 
4. Offer them a drink when they walk in. 
5. Finish cooking AND THEN CHANGE 
7. Seem very calm 
8. Have a shower before they arrive (duh)  


Food. 


Now for my favourite part. Menu putting together. I've found some of my favourite recipes and put them together to make a menu. Click on the word and the recipe will appear.  


Bistro Menu 
Amuse Bouche - Crushed Pea and Artichoke Crostini  
Entree - Crispy Sardines with Lemon and Mint  
Main - Bocconcini-stuffed Meatballs with Tomato sauce 
Dessert - Mini Berry Tarts 


Formal Menu 
Entree - Pumpkin Gnocchi with Spinich Pesto  
Main - Osso Bucco  
Dessert - Chocolate Fondant 


Asian Menu  
Share everything! 
Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)  
Char Siu Bao (Bbq Pork Buns)  
Peking Duck Pancakes 
San Choy Bow  
Bannana Fritters with Green Tea Ice Cream  


Hope you enjoyed! Happy Partying
Stay FABULOUS 
Xoxoxoxoxoxo 
Isabella 










   

  

Perfect Parties

So your having a party and your out of ideas here are a few ideas you can incorporate. 

Put a single flower in a jam jar for a contemporary decoration. 

For a easy canape, place a dumpling (see next post) in an asian soup spoon and top with chilli oil.  

Try gazpacho soup served in shot glasses. 

Try a decorate your own pizza party or maybe a make your own sushi party. 

Try putting coloured sugar on white frosted cupcakes. 

Try filling brown paper bags with candles for majestic decorations. 

Have a slideshow playing on a projector with photo's or music videos.