| For many of us the holiday season is a chance to | | | | It's also a crowd manager. People come and go at |
| entertain our family and friends. There are so | | | | different times so you can invite more people |
| many opportunities and ways in which this can be | | | | knowing they won't all be there at the same time. |
| accomplished. I think in part that is why we like | | | | Either time of day you might consider serving |
| and enjoy this time of year. It is easy to | | | | small sandwiches, platters of holiday cookies and |
| decorate our homes with Poinsettias, pine cones, | | | | drinks. You can serve glasses of wine, hot |
| and beautiful centerpieces. I decorate my mantle | | | | chocolate or apple cider if children are attending. |
| with fresh garland, oranges with cloves, pears, | | | | You could serve cups of soup in small soup bowls |
| pomegranates and candles. I love scented candles | | | | or coffee mugs like Creamy Potato and Leek |
| that make our homes smell wonderful and give | | | | Soup. Spiced nuts and candies are popular. Set up |
| the room a glow. Lights on the house and | | | | a pretty buffet, with a menu resting on a place |
| wreaths on the door all tell us it's the holiday | | | | card holder or small plate stand. Invite guests to |
| season. Light a fire in the fireplace if you have | | | | serve themselves. Be prepared to restock your |
| one and relax with family or friends. | | | | platters, so it looks fresh for newly arriving |
| One of the most ideal ways to entertain is the | | | | guests. And be sure to welcome everyone. If you |
| holiday cocktail party. This is generally quite simple. | | | | have the time, fill a small cellophane |
| One can send out written or printed invitations | | | | To me Christmas Eve is of the most cherished |
| which I prefer over the trendy 'e-vite' mania. If | | | | night of the year. Anticipating its arrival is |
| it's a small gathering phone call invitations are | | | | especially fun if you have children. Generally, it's a |
| appropriate. Once you determine the number of | | | | dinner event, and circumstances may dictate |
| guests attending you can start to write a list of | | | | what you serve. If you have family for dinner |
| drinks and appetizers you would like to serve. It is | | | | you may already have traditions that transcend |
| not necessary that you serve every drink under | | | | the years. Some people find themselves without |
| sun. Keep it simple by offering three or four | | | | family and invite friends that are in the same boat |
| drinks you know your guests will enjoy. You don't | | | | to share the holiday. Either way, serving good |
| want to stand near the stove all night, so serve | | | | food and drinks are a must. I know families that |
| hot and cold appetizers. People love Hot Bacon Dip | | | | go all out with appetizers, a cocktail hour, followed |
| and Hot Artichoke Dip with assorted crackers or | | | | by hot soup, beautiful salads, ham or smoked |
| pita chips. You could serve a cheese platter, a | | | | turkey, potato and leek gratins, and roasted |
| pesto bruschetta and fresh cold shrimp with | | | | vegetables. Some people like to keep it simple |
| cocktail sauce. The general rule is that you will | | | | with Christmas Eve soup, sandwiches and drinks. |
| need seven appetizer servings per person if | | | | For me, I prefer the fancier Christmas evening |
| cocktails are not followed by dinner. One more | | | | dinner. |
| thing: You do not need to pull everything out the | | | | I want guests to walk in the door, think my |
| second your guests arrive. Take their coats, and | | | | house smells wonderful, the table is beautiful and |
| serve drinks immediately, interest peaks when | | | | the food is fantastic. I want a seasonal dessert |
| you bring something new out of the oven. | | | | like an eggnog cheesecake or a cheesecake |
| Having a holiday open house is an old fashioned | | | | covered in chocolate ganache. I like to serve Irish |
| favorite. It can be a Sunday afternoon family | | | | Coffee following dinner and call it a night after all |
| event or a Friday night after work event. Either | | | | we have to get to bed so Santa can come! |
| way, it's a nice way to say "stop by, and visit". | | | | |