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This Saturday, we’re having an open house for our neighbors. I just love open houses, as opposed to a formal holiday party. They’re so fun and casual… there’s no pressure to have dinner done and on the table at a certain time. And its perfect for when you’re including kids in the celebration.
For our party, we’re expecting roughly 35-40 people, 12 of which are children. We’ve discovered that there are a few essential elements of an open house:
1. The Drink Table: Have a variety of beverages ready to go. I recommend tubs filled with ice – you can pick up beverage tubs cheap at Target or Home Goods. We have one with beer, one with sodas (for holidays, go with Izze’s (in red and green) and some Pellegrino. And we have a smaller tub to chill white wine. Add some red wine on the table, as well and you’ll have most of your bases covered. We also usually do a fun beverage – for the holidays, try Pomegranate Champagne Punch.
I also found some great drink recipes on this magazine I want to try:
2. The Food Table: PLAN. Make a menu that features dishes that are all made ahead of time and can be served at room temperature. For appetizers, think a cheese tray, veggie tray, a sausage platter… things that can safely sit out for a few hours and still taste great. For the main dish, you can’t go wrong with a ham or tenderloin. They are made ahead of time and you just need to set the out and let everyone enjoy! Salads make great side dishes – a big green salad and orzo with roasted vegetables. And for dessert, finger foods are perfect. Mini cheesecakes, cream puffs, brownies… easy peazy!
3. Entertainment: Keep the kids busy! Set up a craft table to make Christmas cards, organize a scavenger hunt or a service project or do like we do… make gingerbread houses!
4. RELAX! Have fun, mix and mingle with your guests! All you need to do is occasionally walk by the tables to see if something needs refilling – if you really want to relax, hire a few babysitters to both watch the kids and keep an eye on the tables for you. Then you’ll be a guest at your own party!
For lots of ideas, check out ! Keep posted on the latest publications on twitter, facebook and pinterest as well.
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