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CHRISTMAS PARTY PLANNING
Party Ideas For Christmas
by
http://www.Celebrating-Christmas.com
We wait all year to feel the crisp,
cool air, hear the faint jingle of bells from unidentified sources
and the chance to get together with our closest friends and loved
ones. Christmas parties are guaranteed each season and grow more
popular each year. If this is a year you are considering throwing
your own Christmas party, here are a few tips to help you along the
way.
Decide whether you would like the
people that you entertain to enjoy a formal or casual Christmas
party. Keep in mind that the more formal the party, the more
expensive it can be with the types of appetizers, foods and
beverages that should accompany such and event.
If you choose to go with a casual
gathering, consider throwing a dessert party. You simply
can’t go wrong with desserts and the people who will be your guest
would most likely love to participate and bring one of their own
creations! Even a small cookie tray is a wonderful addition to any
‘dessert’ party. If you will have kids at your party, set aside some
plain sugar cookies and set up an area for the children to frost and
decorate their own desserts.
A party doesn’t always have to take
place in your home. Make your outdoor decorating an official
party each year. Depending on your climate, there can be activities
appropriate to the weather conditions that can be done along with
the decorating.
Whatever type of party you decide to
throw, a big bowl of punch can go a long way and take away
the mess of soda and juice bottles. Even a punch with lemon-lime
soda, lemon juice, orange juice and rainbow sherbet will look
festive and satisfy everyone.
Go on a shopping party! Invite who
you would like to share the afternoon with, eat a light lunch and
spend a few hours shopping. If you would like to have some quiet
time after the shopping, gather at someone’s home to wrap the gifts
together and enjoy some quiet conversation.
If you feel you would like to give
back to the community and share a gathering with special people that
way, schedule a day to volunteer in a soup kitchen or sort
through donations at a local charity. Invite and get a commitment
from those you would like involved and consider that your Christmas
party. Go Christmas caroling afterwards for a perfect ending!
These are just a few ideas to get you
started thinking about the kind of holiday party you would like to
share with the special people in your life. Enjoy this very special
time of the year!
Visit Celebrating Christmas for
more
Christmas Party Themes and Ideas.
CHRISTMAS RECIPE
Caramelized Upside-Down Plum Tart
- by
http://www.AllHolidayRecipes.com
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 pound dark Italian prune plums, halved and pitted
Pate Brisee (Recipe Follows)
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup cr?me fraiche or sour cream
1 teaspoon kirsch
Directions:
In a 9 inch skillet with an ovenproof
handle, melt the butter over moderate heat. Stir in the 1/2 cup of
the sugar. Arrange the plums, cut-side up, in concentric circles and
cook until the sugar begins to caramelize, 15 to 20 minutes. Let
stand until completely cool.
On a generously floured surface, roll
the Pate Brisee into a 12 inch circle. Drape the dough over a
rolling pin and flip it over the caramelized plums. Trim off the
excess dough. Roll the edges down so that the crust lies flat on top
of the fruit but reaches the edges of the pan. Refrigerate, covered,
for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425F. In a small
bowl, combine the heavy cream with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Brush
this glaze over the dough. Using a fork, prick the dough in several
places and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
In a small bowl, combine the cr?me
fraiche, kirsch and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar. Immediately
invert the tart onto a large platter. Serve warm or cold with the
flavoured cr?me fraiche.
Pate Brisee
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick (4 ounces) cold butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons sugar
pinch of salt
2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
In a food processor, combine the
flour, butter, sugar and salt. Process until the mixture resembles
coarse meal, about 8 seconds. Add the water and process, turning the
machine on and off, until the mixture resembles small peas, about 5
seconds.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly
floured surface and knead lightly, just until the dough holds
together. Flatten the pastry into a 6 inch disk. Wrap in plastic
wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Visit All Holiday Recipes for more
Christmas
Recipes.
CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING
An Old Fashioned Christmas Tree
by
http://www.mykindaliving.com
Handmade and simple ornaments adorned trees of the past. With
these ideas and tips you will be able to create a simple yet
beautiful old fashioned Christmas tree.
Getting Started:
The trees were most often small, not like our large trees of
today and placed on a table. The tree was held in place by putting
dirt or sand in burlap and wrapping it around the tree. To achieve
this look while still using a tree stand simply wrap the burlap
around the stand and tie to the tree trunk with a bit of raffia.
The Lights:
Although trees of the past sported small candles tied to the
tree, this is far too dangerous. So don’t feel guilty about using
Christmas lights. After you have gotten the tree situated in its
stand the next thing you will want to do is string the lights. You
will want to use a more pale white light and put on lights in
abundance. The pretty twinkle of the lights will add charm to the
tree.
The Garland:
Now you will want to put on the garland. Garlands were most often
made out of food items. The most common were cranberry or popcorn
garlands. To make one use a needle and strong thread and string the
cranberries or popcorn on until you have reached the desired length.
Rope could also be used as a garland. Another fun idea is a button
garland. Using thin rope attach buttons every couple of inches for a
fun effect. Start with the top of the tree and work your way down
when you are putting on the garland. There is no set way of doing
this you can have it hang in small curves, or let it flow down the
tree in large curves. A good way of know how much garland you will
need is by this rule for every foot of tree you will need about 2
yards of garland.
Article Continued at
An Old Fashioned Christmas Tree
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS
Crocheted Shell Wreath Ornament
by
http://www.iLovetoCraft.com
What you will need:
Caron Christmas glitter 4 -ply
worsted wt yarn
G/6-4.25mm hook
1 cover from a 1/2Ib parkay container about 3 1/2" around
21 - small red pom-poms
1 red bow ribbon
hot glue and gun
small amt fishing string
Gauge: Not important to over
all size.
Finished Size: 6" around
Stitches:
shell: 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc
Directions:
First you need to cut the center out
of the cover.
Rnd 1) Join yarn around cover chain 1, sc around container working a
total of 60 sc. Join in ch 1: 60 sc.
Rnd 2) Chain 3, counts as first dc, dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same stitch,
skip next two stitches, * 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next stitch, skip next
two stitches; repeat from * around join in ch 3: 20 shells
Rnd 3) Chain 3, skip two stitches sc in between next two stitches, *
ch 2, skip two stitches, sc in between next two stitches; Repeat
from * around join in chain 3.
End weaving in all ends.
Finishing:
Take 3 pom poms put together and glue
to wreath, repeat this until you have 7 sets leaving room for your
bow on the top part of wreath and hot glue that in place.
Using a small amt of fishing string
attach that and tie in a knot of top of wreath for hanging.
You could also add this to a window
for a window hanging.
Visit craft site I Love to Craft for more
Christmas Craft Projects.
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