PARTY IDEAS

By KRISTINA HACKER

This holiday season many are ready and willing to once again host parties or get-togethers with friends and family. While many families have set traditions when it comes to holiday gatherings, it can be fun to switch it up with something new. Below are just a few different party ideas to liven up your holiday celebrations.

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION

Most families have holiday traditions and many come from their ancestral heritage. Whether it’s tamales on Christmas Eve, sweet bread on St. Lucia Day or a full Italian cuisine spread on New Year’s Day, these traditions have been brought to the U.S. and continued through generations. While paying homage to your family history is admirable, it can be fun to learn more about other cultures through their holiday traditions.

Instead of the regular holiday potluck, have each family member pick a different country from around the world and bring a food item from that country and share information on their holiday traditions. This type of party can be an elegant affair for a friends gathering or more of a fun learning experience for a family party.

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION

Enjoy the flavors of the world with some drinks and food that represent different parts of the globe. Not sure what to serve? Try an Irish Coffee and French Crepes.

Irish Coffee

11/3 oz Irish whiskey, 1 oz fresh cream, 1 tsp. brown sugar, 22/3 oz hot coffee.

Heat the coffee, whiskey and sugar; do not boil. Pour into glass and top with cream; serve hot.

French Crepes

1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon white sugar ¼ teaspoon salt

3 eggs 2 cups milk 2 tablespoons butter, melted Sift together flour, sugar and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk together with an electric mixer. Beat in flour mixture until smooth; stir in melted butter. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe. Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. Brown on both sides and serve hot. Serve with butter, powdered sugar or fresh fruit.

TRADITIONAL TREE TRIMMING

Christmas trees are the centerpieces of many homes during the holidays. The majestic pine, fir or spruce is often decorated with both antique ornaments and new store-bought finds. Instead of hauling out the boxes of tree decorations this year, consider hosting a tree trimming party. At this party all ornaments will be made together. Consider stringing popcorn, making paper snowflake chains and even gingerbread cookie decorations, however, the use of traditional candles should be replaced with the safer electric lights.

TRADITIONAL TREE TRIMMING

Go with the classics for this party and serve up eggnog and sugar cookies.

Eggnog

Serves 4 to 6 6 large egg yolks

3/4 cup sugar 2 cups milk 2 whole cloves

Pinch cinnamon

1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (lightly packed) 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons bourbon, or to taste 2 tablespoons rum, or to taste In a large bowl beat egg yolks until they become somewhat lighter in color. Slowly add the sugar. Beat at high speed or whisk until fluffy. Combine the milk, cloves, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat on medium heat until the milk mixture is hot, but not boiling. Add the eggs by slowly adding half of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, whisking constantly while you add the hot mixture. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Cook the eggnog on medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture begins to thicken slightly, and coats the back of the spoon. If you have a candy thermometer cook until the mixture reaches 160°F. Do not allow the mixture to boil, or it will curdle. Remove from heat and stir in the cream. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer to remove the cloves and any curdled bits that may have formed. Let cool for one hour. Stir in the vanilla extract, nutmeg, bourbon and rum (or omit the alcohol for a kid-friendly version).

Sugar Cookie Frosting

4 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/2 cup shortening 5 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract food coloring (Optional) In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners’ sugar and shortening until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.

Sugar Cookies

1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 375F. In a small bowl, mix in flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

VOLUNTEER PARTY

The joy of being with friends and family during the holiday season often makes us think about those who may be alone and in need this time of year. Planning a group volunteer effort will help those less fortunate and bring you closer to your family and friends while you work together toward a common goal. You can “adopt” a family for Christmas through Angel Tree or other organizations, like the Turlock Police Department’s Blue Santa program. Each member of your family can purchase a gift item then you can get together for a wrapping party. The Salvation Army in many communities hosts a Christmas dinner for the homeless and those alone on the holiday. They are always in need of people to help prepare and serve the meal. Families with small children can have a holiday card making party and then deliver them to a local nursing home.

There is always a large need for volunteers this time of year. Do a search in your local community for more ideas.

VOLUNTEER PARTY

Guests will be busy at this party, so give them something like hot chocolate and caramel corn to keep the energy up.

Hot Chocolate

Serves 4 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¾ cup white sugar 1 pinch salt 1/3 cup boiling water 3½ cups milk ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup half-and-half cream Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn’t scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

Cosmopolitan

1½ oz Vodka Citron, 1 oz Cranberry juice, ½ oz Cointreau, ½ oz Fresh lime juice. Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and double strain into large cocktail glass. Garnish with lime wheel or a lemon twist.

Charcuterie Board

When it comes to making a charcuterie board, there really is no parcticular recipe to follow. It can be built on your and your guests tastes. Here are a few tips to make your board delicious and stunning:

Vary textures. Mix in sweet and savory. Cheese is a must. Add in something warm and melty. Use fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts to fill in spaces.

MURDER MYSTERY PARTY

Murder mystery parties have long been popular for birthday or other gatherings, but they can also be a fun way to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Day. There are several holiday-themed mysteries you can purchase online for large and small gatherings. They also can be geared to adults only or a family-friendly version. The 209 Magazine staff held a North Pole themed murder mystery party in December 2019 and it was a raging success. Many thought it was the best office party we’ve ever had. It helps if there are a lot of creative and outgoing people in your group, but with ready-made scripts anyone can participate. The best part of hosting a holiday-themed murder mystery party is your house is already decorated and most people have outfits that match their characters or can purchase them affordably at any store. It’s easy to purchase a murder mystery these days, as all you have to do is an internet search and then find the theme and number of guests that you want. Be sure to check out reviews of the site you are thinking of buying from beforehand.

The host of the party gets all the information needed to set up and run the mystery and character scripts for each participant. The parties also come with decorating, costume and even food ideas to enhance the experience.

MURDER MYSTERY PARTY

A murder mystery party practically screams out for a red cocktail, so try serving a classic Cosmopolitan. Guests will be doing a lot of mingling, so serve them food that’s easy to eat on the move, like a charcuterie board.