We’re roughly one month from December, the annual can’t-eat-another-cookie, party-every-weekend month. No matter what holiday you celebrate, this is a month jam-packed with open houses, cocktail parties and cookie exchanges. Be ready for anything — even drop-by guests — with today’s Freebie Friday giveaway, the SkateModerne Teal Logo Tray.
SkateModerne makes couture furniture and trays in any size or pattern, but the one we’re giving away is 12 3/4″ x 12 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ and made of teal faux shagreen. (It’s both chic and environmentally friendly.) Load it up with an ombre decander filled with your favorite spirits, cocktail glasses and a few bar snacks for an instant (and portable) party. Or, use the tray as part of an of-the-moment teal-themed party.
To be entered for a chance to win this chic tray, simply leave us a comment in the field below before 12/11c on Monday, October 31.
This week’s question: What’s your best holiday entertaining tip? Do you have a go-to cocktail? A theme party that people look forward to all year? A super-simple homemade favor? Tell us in the comments below.
My great grandmother's cheese straws are a must!
WE KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH LOTS OF FINGER FOODS SO OUR FRIENDS CAN WALK AROUND AND MINGLE WITH EACH OTHER. SAUSAGE BREAD PIN WHEELS ONE OF THE FAVORITES.
Relax and have fun! Holidays are for spending time with friends and family, so don't get so stressed that you forget that part
Hi guys i am new here….:)
i would like to share…that presently i am living in costa rica and we have a home that we would like to sell it, if someone is interested to retire or live in costa rica e-mail me for the info…thank you…have a wonderful night everyone….
Doing as much preperation as possible the night before, and having great background music!
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What’s your best holiday entertaining tip? Do you have a go-to cocktail? A theme party that people look forward to all year? A super-simple homemade favor? Tell us in the comments below.
The simpler you make things, the better they will go. It's always really about people getting a chance to share and spend quality time with one another. So, my best tip is to invite the right mix of people who share a great deal in common. And, it's always good to have cheerful holiday music, make a bit more sparkling (candles, silver napkins, a beautiful tablecloth), hot mulled cider, good wines. No matter what, though, it's really all about the wonderful company.
I find that if I cook, bake, prepare much of any holiday or "company" meal ahead of time, then I can join in the conversations and fun. Guests love to help with something like dessert, i.e., making fondue, making s'mores, dipping pretzels in microwave melted chocolates (white & brown), making imitation turtles with Rolo candies and pecan halves. They work up their appetites as they "work", and then eat their reward products. Grandchildren in particular are very pleased and proud of their accomplishments.
I always have apple cider simmering on the stove. That way guests have something delicious to drink and the house smells incredible!
DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF CHANCES ARE PEOPLE REMEBER THE COMPANY NOT THE LITTLE THINGS SO STOP BREATH RELAX AND HAVE FUN
We do appetizers more than meals on holidays. Maybe an excuse to eat all day long, but it seems to work. Also having planned games with prizes seems to go over really well. I also try to have projects for the little ones, they love cutting and pasting. One year we had them find someone similiar to their parents in magazines and tell why they thought they were alike. That brought some funny comparisons. We made a simple scrapbook that we still take out and laugh about.
have something for everyone
Christmas music in the background, the smell of warm cookies in the oven and laughter filling the entire room
I like to make lots of different cookies and treats in the weeks belore Christmas, and freeze them. Then I can easily pull out a tray of yummy homemade treats any time we entertain over the holidays.
Nice tray!
This shagreen tray is so chic! Super luxe!
When company comes, I love collecting plants/flowers from my yard and arranging them in baskets or trays.
Just bringing a little nature inside to enjoy!
The smell of my mothers nut bread cake she is deceased but I loved it so much!!!!!!
This is not strictly "holiday entertaining," but my friends look forward to our Christmas in July party. We all dress in thick, tacky sweaters, reindeer headbands, etc, and enjoy making gingerbread, peppermint schnapps-infused hot cocoa, and everyone's cultural Christmas food. We also do a white elephant gift exchange. Who says the holidays only come once a year?
I do as much as possible in advance so that I'm not stuck in the kitchen the entire party!
Season for wine and appetizers. With lil xmas music. and xmas tree in every room of the house!!
I make sure I have a kids party if I'm having and adult party. They feel special and have just as much fun as we adults do.
Don't drink too much.
Get things ready and make homemade treats! My mom's homemade cooking makes holidays unforgettable!!
We gather at a family member's house to bake cookies. The extended family comes so we get a wide variety of treats that are traditional for their families but new to us! In-laws, girlfriends, sisters, mothers and aunts. Its a great time to catch up with everyone and we get to leave with tons of goodies!
my christmas party is always a hit. fun decorations & new fun cocktails
Sangria is always a a big hit, especially if there is some champagne mixed in! Being able to enjoy the food with friends and family is always important, so I try to prepare items that allow me to do so. The point of having a party is to bring all of the people you love into your home, so I always make sure I get to enjoy the gathering just as much as everyone else.
Cooking things that make the house smell good close to the arrival time of my guests. Anything w/ cinnamon usually does it.
Cookie exchange, potluck, or share in the cooking. Don't overwhelm yourself. Let everyone contribute so you can enjoy the party too.
Christmas morning coctail with the whole family: Scarlett O’Hara’s…Southern Comfort, Cranberry juice, 7-up, and lots of cut limes. Red and green and delicious!!!
Hey, the comment section is above not below. Other than that we always make cookies and pies.
I enjoy entertaining all of my women friends with a Saturday afternoon tea. Tea sandwiches, cookies, scones, tea cakes…I make this a special time for everyone to spend time talking, laughing and teaching their children about how great it is to be a woman.
Love the teal color! Would look good just leaning on the back of a shelf maybe, like the current mirror trend.
One of my favorite holiday traditions is one that I share with my four bed girlfriends. We all live in different parts of the country, but each December we have a girls trip in a different city. This year we are going to charelston. We have a few mini Christmas traditions that we do on each trip, such as wearing matching pj's, watching elf and home alone in our hotel room, taking a picture of us sipping on our Starbucks "Christmas" cup, and taking time to catch up on what is going on in each of our lives. Over the past few years, several of the girls have gotten marrieds or engaged, gone to grad school or found their perfect job. It has been so encouraging that each one of us holds to our girls weekend Christmas tradition even in the midst of our busy lives and different zip codes!
Best, not bed
Every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas, my daughter & I spend time together baking different cookies and breads. We then put a variety of them in round, decorative tins and mail them with beautiful cards we find with coupons during the year to the elderly people we know have no family and are alone during the holidays in various states. The two of us are usually alone(without other family) for Christmas too, so we know how wonderful it is to be thought of during a busy holiday season.
I love Sangria and I have 2 great recipes. One for red and one for white. I just redid my den in teal and this tray would be great to serve my Sangria!
One of my fav colors but it is more aqua I think. We certainly would use it!
A couple of deserts that are always a big hit at my house are Melt-in-your-mouth cookies and Pumpkin mousse pie. The pie is super easy to make with no cooking involved and while the cookies are easy for me, my friends have found them challenging. Also agree with others that the people you invite make all the difference in the world and having nice background music that isn't overwhelming. Above all, make the time to enjoy yourself or how are your guests going to feel comfortable!
If you have a big family, ask everyone to chip in and help, with the food, the prepwork, and the clean-up, makes everything go alot smoother! Enjoy!
Make as much as you can the day before!
Every year I get together with my sister, niece and mom and we bake all day long for gifts for others and for memories for us. It's my favorite thing about the holidays.
I plan my party menus with all foods that can be made ahead of time. I am not interested in spending time in the kitchen cooking while my friends are having fun. Everything's ready to go when company arrives!
English crackers in honor of my mom. Always fun with a picture of everyone wearing their paper crowns.
Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Browine Mix is my go to last minute dessert. Crush some peppermint candy on top right after baking and they are instantly holiday worthy.
For all the holidays we are such a large group..We all bring something so just one person isn't left with all the preparations. And….not just one persons budget. Works for us..
A roaring fire in the fireplace is a nice touch.
Keep it simple, try to do as much as possible ahead of time so that when your guests arrive, you can relax and enjoy the festivities as well!!!
Either go super simple and casual or all out fancy and formal! Make sure you a have an awesome signature recipe so all your friends will remember that you make an amazing "something"