Entertaining

A Christmas Caroling Party is my favorite.  It can happen anytime during the holiday season and it can be formal or impromptu.  You can carol at home our outside, you can carol at the home of others.  You can have a party of progressive caroling.  You can have separate parties for family, friends or co-workers.  Caroling at Christmas time truly brings people together in a very special way – All Family Resources has a free Christmas Caroling Kit that truly is a gift to both the carolers and the listeners.   Have a great caroling party and a wonderful holiday season.

How to get the Caroling Kit.

Go to: http://www.familymanagement.com/holidays/index.html

The All Family Resources Christmas Caroling Kit includes all you need to have a memorable holiday gathering.  Find everything from invitations, to caroling safety tips, you'll have the lyrics to print out, the melody to listen to, recipes for holiday cookies, hot cider and appetizers. You'll also find wonderful holiday poems and "How to's" for making those very special holiday gifts.

Every year my husband and I give a Christmas party, mainly for his family, as mine is too far away. We always invite a few friends too. It is usually the second Saturday before Christmas, because everyone gets so busy any closer to the big day. We ask all the ladies to bring a dessert and Brian and I make the meal. It is come as you are, but we tend to dress up a bit, lots of Christmas music,,lots of loving companionship. We talk alot and hug alot and just have a gret time. Everyone goes home with containers full of leftovers for the next days lunch, and each child has a little gift. My husbands family knows how important Christmas is to me and the go out of their way to encourage and support me. I am truely loved.

My favorite party is when the family is all together on Christmas Eve, starting at about 3pm. There are about 15 of us. Being Scandinavian, that is our main celebration of Christmas. We eat an Americanized Swedish Smorgasbord until we waddle, then we gather in the living room to sing carols by candlelight, usually with guitar or piano accompaniment, sometimes a capella. All of us except the grandbaby are musical, and the songs are very heartfelt and beautifully harmonious. When we get tired of singing, someone shares a special reading about Christmas, someone reads the Christmas story from the Bible, others share stories or comments. We then open gifts, more or less one at a time. Toward the end, all semblance of order breaks down, with everyone talking, laughing, shrieking, thank-youing and so forth. The carpet is totally covered in paper and bows. Then we all gather back in the dining area for Christmas cookies, candies, Jesus birthday cake, punch, cider, nuts, glogg, dried fruits and more. Eventually everyone goes home, taking paper plates with shared leftovers. Dave and I load the dishwasher, bag all the happy trash, and put away all the folding chairs and put the tablecloths and napkins in the washing machine, then fall into bed nearly dead, but oh, so happy. This party is why I am a Christmas fanatic. Marti in Missouri

My favorite holiday party would have to be the Christmas Eve celebration at my home when all our children can make it home. Tradition holds to the German Wurst Salat and brochen, Spiced Cider, Muled Wine. We eat, watch Christmas themed movies, play board games, listen to music and settled the little ones in for Santa's visit. This includes the cookies, sandwich and milk; plus we leave carrots for the reindeer. Being the Nana now, I get the joy of watching my children hopping to get all this done while the kiddos sleep.

I love to throw any kind of party, but our Holiday Open House has to be one of my favorites. I love it to be a time where people can come to our house, relax for a while from having to run around and accomplish things, and enjoy a beautiful setting and good food. :) I use it as a time to let them know how much I cherish their friendship, and to show off a little cooking and baking that I don't do during any other time of the year.

Lori Stilger

www.mygabbygoodies.biz/585

My all-time favorite party is our church's Christmas party. Everyone brings finger food and then people offer entertainment. Some of the talent is truly talented and some is using the word lightly. For several years, our pastor's family dressed up as cows and lip-synched cow Christmas carols. (Angels we have heard on high, moo, moo, moo, moo, moo) One year I dressed up as a farmer and my family dressed up as chickens and we sang "Ghost Chickens in the Sky." You just never know what will happen. Then we have a gift exchange where we draw another family's name. People who have moved away come back just for this party.

Elisa

I have 2; the first one is the soup supper on Christmas Eve between the children's service and the midnight service. I make a big pot of Potato Soup and a homemade pound cake.

Families from our church come over between the services to eat, and just be happy.

The second would be Christmas Morning breakfast. My children, mother and sister and husband come over to open stockings and have brunch. I make all foods that are already prepared so all I have to do is heat and serve.

This is a special time for our family, and I cherish each and every minute.

My favorite party to give would have to be our Christmas Eve party which usually consists of family. We go to church and then come home and have a meat tray, chips, veggies, good bread, and homemade goodies. We also then get to open ONE gift each. This is a tradition my mother started with me and since she is gone now it is one I cherish.

My favorite kind of party to attend is a movie night party during the holidays - it is usually casual and has lots of finger foods and just a relaxing time.