HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
The holidays are a hectic and busy time, and I have no time to cook and prepare for a last minute holiday cocktail party at home. My solution to such a dilemma? Order almost everything online for delivery.
The Williams Sonoma catalog offers amazing food that comes directly to your door. It is easy, quick and most importantly - everything is fresh and fabulous. Boxes arrive expertly packaged, with dry ice to keep the food fresh and intact. The desserts are wrapped in beautiful packages and boxes, and the cakes are even placed on gold plates that can easily serve as the dishware for the food.
Lara Shriftman is the co-author of Party Confidential, Party Confidential: New Etiquette for Fabulous Entertaining, Fete Accompli! The Ultimate Guide to Creative Entertaining, and Fete Accompli! Workbook - The Ultimate Party Planning Guide.
The Williams Sonoma catalog offers amazing food that comes directly to your door. It is easy, quick and most importantly - everything is fresh and fabulous. Boxes arrive expertly packaged, with dry ice to keep the food fresh and intact. The desserts are wrapped in beautiful packages and boxes, and the cakes are even placed on gold plates that can easily serve as the dishware for the food.
Lara Shriftman is the co-author of Party Confidential, Party Confidential: New Etiquette for Fabulous Entertaining, Fete Accompli! The Ultimate Guide to Creative Entertaining, and Fete Accompli! Workbook - The Ultimate Party Planning Guide.
Always serve a signature cocktail at parties, and makes this one something Holiday inspired!
The GREY GOOSE Pomegranate Fizz uses Vuevue Cliquot Champagne, GREY GOOSE vodka and pomegranate juice is what I served for this one. Here is the easy to follow recipe:
The GREY GOOSE Pomegranate Fizz uses Vuevue Cliquot Champagne, GREY GOOSE vodka and pomegranate juice is what I served for this one. Here is the easy to follow recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Parts Grey Goose Le Citron
- 2 Teaspoon Fresh Pomegranate
- 1 Part Pomegranate Juice
- 1 Cube Sugar
- 1 Dash Bitters
- 4 Parts Sparkling Wine
- 1 Pinch Orange Zest
Steps
- In the bottom of a flute glass, add the sugar cube and bitters allow to rest for a moment.
- Add GREY GOOSE Le Citron, fresh pomegranate and pomegranate juice. Stir.
- Top with sparkling wine. Present with orange zest.
It is also important to remember your guests who don't drink alcohol.
Sambazon's Acai Nog is a healthy twist on a holiday classic.
Sambazon's Acai Nog is a healthy twist on a holiday classic.
Samabazon celebrity fans include Matthew McConaughey, Salma Hayek and Gisele Bundchen
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Sambazon Original Acai Juice
- 1/2 Organic Banana
- 4 Oz Silk Soynog
Steps
- Blend till smooth, pour into individual cups or mugs, and top with a light sprinkle of nutmeg. Makes about four 6 oz. servings.
More Holiday Treats
- 10 Last Minute Ways to Spruce Up Your Home
- Get some Hot Holiday Party Looks
- Tips for Choosing the Freshest of Flowers for your next event.
Here, some tips on invitations, party do's and dont's, and how to choose your music for your party playlist.
Invitations
Create custom invitations by Bernard Maisner
Music
My party is going to be around 4 hours so I will need music to fill up that time and to set the mood for the party.
Some of my favorites :
Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts
Chic Tip: Appetizers are a great host gift that you can send ahead of time or after the party.
Invitations
Create custom invitations by Bernard Maisner
Music
- After you determine how long your party will be, make your playlist.
- Download your favorite songs off iTunes, or ask a friend to burn you some CDs. My brother is a DJ and he burns all of mine.
My party is going to be around 4 hours so I will need music to fill up that time and to set the mood for the party.
Some of my favorites :
- Billy Bob Thorton Boxmaster Christmas
- Classic Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra.
Lara's Holiday Etiquette Tips:
Invitation Etiquette
- Invite guests 2 weeks before since there are so many parties during the holiday season
- Remember to overinvite since there are so many parties during the holiday season
- If you send an evite make sure you BCC recipients
Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts
- DO Always RSVP
- DO Always bring your host a gift
- DO call if you are more than 15 minutes late for a seated dinner
- DON'T ever not show
- DON'T ever bring more than one guest unless you have cleared with the host in advance
Chic Tip: Appetizers are a great host gift that you can send ahead of time or after the party.
Remember to pick a color scheme and stick to it; I have chosen silver, glass and white for past parties, which are simple colors to work with, but today I am using, red, white and silver with crystal accents.
- Place red ornaments in a silver bow.
- Place white candles in crystal candleholders.
- Add festive decor like a wreath on the door.
- Try placing small bowls of red candy like Red Hots, red Jelly Beans or red M&Ms.
- Serve drinks on round silver trays lined with candy canes.
- Try a personalized Gingerbread Manor from Williams Sonoma as a centerpiece instead of flowers. These creations are made by hand so that no two are alike, with all-natural ingredients. They make the perfect decor, I am even going to use mine as the backdrop for my Christman card.
When choosing what to order for your last minute party keep in mind:
Food should include:
- Appetizers that are placed and passed
- Hot and cold options
- And desserts that are fun!
The food found in the Williams Sonoma catalog is ideal for last minute holiday entertaining and is delivered in one day and comes in beautiful packaging. They are the perfect and simple option because you just have to place them in the oven and follow the simple and easy directions that come in the package.
- The Italian Puff-Pastry Collection includes Garlic Herb Twists, Garlic-Parmesan White, Bean Croustades and boat shaped Smoked Mozzarella with Basil appetizers. All of these are made from scratch with fresh ingredients and are the perfect simple finger food.
- Hors d'Oeuvres Party Collection which includes Bacon & Chestnut Crostini; Four Cheese & Garlic Bundles; Spanakopita Triangles and Herb & Parmesan Cheese Straws. This collection is perfect for a holiday party, with savory bites that will please all of your guests.
- Neal's Yard Stilton Cheese Collection comes with two cheeses Strathdon Highland Blue and Coltson-Bassett Stilton. Created by one of England's premier cheesemakers, these are exclusive to Williams Sonoma.
- Williams Sonoma Holiday Petit Fours which come in green, white, and chocolate colors and are the perfect decadent treat for a holiday cocktail party.
- William Sonoma Home include Caramel-Filled Chocolate Dominoes or Buche de Noel which is a classic French holiday cake inspired by the traditional Yule logs.
Holiday Gift
Wrapping Tips
Wrapping Tips
Kwanzaa History and
Traditions
Traditions
Homemade Holiday
Décor
Décor
