by Dan McCormick
As the temperature drops and football season really kicks up, thoughts inevitably turn to the same thing: the holidays. Eggnog and candy canes are a classic way to celebrate the holidays, but if you want to spice up Thanksgiving and yuletide standards, then read on. These ideas will give your holiday party an added twist that keeps your guests entertained and jovial. Just be sure to let your guests know as early as possible about your upcoming party — it's a busy time of year and schedules fill up quickly.
Post-Thanksgiving Cocktail Party
Thanksgiving is a holiday that's easy to love; it’s about good food, and visiting family and friends. All too often, though, people have to choose between seeing family, friends or other loved ones on this holiday. Keep the spirit of giving thanks going and throw a cocktail party after "Turkey Thursday" has passed. Celebrate the occasion with those you couldn’t see earlier, and maybe meet some new friends yourself.
These tips for festive hors d'oeuvres will get your post-Turkey Day cocktail party started, but the rest is up to you:
Honey-roasted turkey skewers. Use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving dinner, or a roast chicken from your favorite grocer. Break the meat up into large chunks. Wrap each chunk with a small piece of thinly sliced of bacon, skewer with a toothpick and roast at 400 degrees on a wire rack set atop a baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. Drizzle with honey and enjoy.
Pan-fried stuffing squares. This is a great way to use leftover stuffing. Press the cooled stuffing in a wide, shallow baking dish and cut into 2-inch squares. Fry over high heat in butter or olive oil until a nice crust is developed. Top with a small spoonful of mashed potatoes (regular or sweet potatoes will do) and serve.
Cranberry cocktail fizz. Cranberries and alcohol are a great combination, but don’t stop with the classic Cosmo. Mix two equal parts vodka and cranberry juice (start with 1 oz. each) and add a splash of ginger beer. Serve over ice, garnish with lime and toast to good food and better friends.
Decorate your hors d'oeuvres table with a seasonal pumpkin centerpiece.
Cookie Exchange
Everyone has a favorite cookie and that cookie is the best one there is. Period! Why not prove your recipe rules at a cookie exchange party? Invite guests to bake batches of their favorite holiday cookie to share. Sugar, gingerbread, spiced shortbread, snicker doodles and even a classic chocolate chip cookie are all classic favorites. This is a tasty way to share memories and holiday traditions with others.
Here are some suggestions to make sure your cookie exchange goes well. Be sure to provide plenty of milk.
Holiday cheer to go. Send cookies home with guests so they can share with others. Be sure to provide some sort of container — either re-sealable bags or disposable storage containers will do.
Share the holiday spirit. Invite guests to provide cookie recipes before the party and print out copies in a handy 3x5 inch format for all the guests. The holidays are a time to share, and that includes the recipe for Grandma’s Gingerbread. You never know, one guest may have just the idea to take your recipe to the next level!M
Not everyone is a baker. Prepare a batch of sugar cookie dough for guests who enjoy decorating, but not baking. Sprinkles, rock sugar or candy-coated chocolates can make great additions to a basic sugar cookie, not to mention a few dabs of frosting once they’re done baking. Or prepare a gingerbread house structure and leave it out for guests to decorate.
New Year’s Brunch
As with Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day is a time when everyone goes to one party or another, sees one group or friends or spends the holiday with family. While most celebrations take place on New Year’s Eve, why not plan a New Year’s Day brunch for January 1st? Keep things casual, and the music low. No matter how hard your guests partied the night before, they will welcome a hearty brunch.
There’s no need to spend all of New Year's Eve in the kitchen with these tasty, pre-made ideas for brunch. Keep the festive atmosphere alive by replacing your chef’s hat with the sparkly party hat you picked up the night before, and welcome your guests to the New Year with some heartwarming fare.
New Year’s surprise frittata. Cube 6 to 8 slices of bread (sourdough works best) and line a 9x13 inch pan. Brown 1 lb. sausage in a skillet over medium heat, drain and scatter over the bread. Top this mixture with 1 1/2 cup shredded cheese (a spicy Monterrey Jack adds a kick). Mix 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 tsp salt and 1 tbsp pepper and pour over the sausage and bread. This pan can be left overnight in the refrigerator, but leave it on the counter for 15 minutes before baking at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
Overnight French toast. French toast is a brunch staple and one that can easily be made the night before. Prepare your favorite recipe but let the slices of bread soak overnight in the egg mixture. Shake off the excess and lay slices flat on a wide, shallow baking dish coated liberally with butter or non-stick baking spray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
Make mimosas. Mimosas are a classic cocktail that go perfectly with any brunch. Stir equal parts of sparkling white wine and orange juice and pour. It couldn’t be easier.
Give to Those Who Need It Most
Often, friends, loved ones and family enjoy sharing gifts with one another around the holidays, but consider those who may not be so fortunate. When planning your holiday party, ask guests to bring a canned good or two that can be donated to a local food drive, or a wrapped toy to donate to a local charity. These are modest gestures that can bring unexpected joy and happiness to your community. Giving such a gift is truly the best way to get in the holiday spirit.
Freelance writer and foodie Dan McCormick believes that when in doubt, add more butter. Or bacon. Or both.
Copyright 2010, Sears Brands, LLC. All Rights Reserved.