ENTERTAINING
Hosting a Holiday Soirée BY ALICIA WOOD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ALICIA WOOD LIFESTYLE aliciawoodlifestyle.com I alicia@aliciawoodlifestyle.com @aliciawoodlifestyle on Instagram
‘Tis the time of year when friends and family gather to celebrate the holiday season with good food, drinks, and of course, gorgeous home décor. While I love entertaining throughout the year, the Christmas season is my absolute favorite! Since the season is filled with non-stop festivities, I prefer having friends over in a way that is as stress-free as possible! One of my favorite customs is hosting a Holiday Tea. Hosting on a weekday allows your friends to stay and mingle without feeling the need to rush out the door to the next party. I also think a Holiday Tea would make a memorable mother-daughter tradition! When hosting a holiday soirée of any type, planning ahead and making a list of things to do are key. Two entertaining tips I live by are prepping food items beforehand and having a signature beverage ready when guests arrive. Remember, there is no harm in having items catered or picking them up at your favorite café. Two of my favorite local caterers are Savor Culinary Services and City Café. They often round out my entertaining menus. Proper planning
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allows you to be ready and relaxed so that you can enjoy time with friends and family. In this issue, I am including a few of my favorite “make ahead” recipes. My Pomegranate Chicken Salad is not only delicious, but also perfectly dressed for the holidays. Consider making extra to have for lunch throughout the week. You will also find one of our family favorites, my Coconut Macaroons. This is a recipe we love baking together and often adapt based on the season. For Christmas, we like to dip the macaroons in chocolate and then into some crushed peppermint candies. Finally, I have included a favorite holiday beverage I serve each season: my Hot Apple Cider. Remember, the goal is for you to enjoy yourself! If you are having a good time, your guests will have a great time as well.
xo,
Alicia
