Christmas Tree tailgate

We see license plates from several hours away coming to the Hudson Valley to get that perfect tree. Why not add a tailgate when picking out the tree? Pack a picnic of sandwiches, snacks and hot chocolate. Make it an event!

Trim-a-Tree Party

'Tis the season.....why not make trimming the tree another opportunity to throw a party? Everyone brings an ornament and adds one to your tree. You could incorporate the "pot-luck" here very easily. This is great for young people who are just getting started collecting holiday decorations, or a great way for older couples to "downsize" and donate a treasured ornament from their tree. If you have a "theme" tree, mention the theme in the invitation.

Holiday Cookie Exchange Party

How many of you have been invited to a cookie exchange and declined because you are too busy to make the required cookies? (I'm guilty!) Rethink this, it's not as scary as it appears. As the host, give a few weeks notice, invite a few friends and neighbors over, ask them to bring maybe 3 dozen of one cookie,(adjust this according to the size of the group)and a large container to take home the offerings. Have holiday music playing in the background, spread a festive cloth on a table, serve some nibbles (or just more desserts) and beverages. Everyone will gather around the table to collect their cookies, they will receive the amount they brought. Even if some cookies are large, others are small, it will all even out in the end. Ask each to bring a copy of their recipe to pass out. We're all busy, but maybe this is just what some of us need in this busy time of the year? Allow ourselves to schedule this in order to make time with friends and neighbors. By making just one kind of cookie, we get to take home several dozen different kinds of cookies for the holidays. How many have been to one and who's planning one for this year?

Holiday Wrapping Party

How many of us are up very late wrapping holiday presents alone? Why not turn the chore of holiday wrapping into a party? Invite a few friends, maybe incorporate the idea of a Potluck party (or at least a few snacks and beverages) and wrap your gifts together? Bring and share your supply of boxes, bags, tissue, wrapping paper, ribbons, gift tags, decorations and all your creative ideas. Do your gifts usually look the same as they did last year? (and the year before?) Perhaps one of your friends brings a different perspective to wrapping a package, while another is a whiz at bows? Is there someone who can write the names on the gift tags using calligraphy? Even if another is "all thumbs" they could be go-fers and keep the food and beverages coming. Channel the particular strengths of the group and have some fun...while getting your holiday chore done!

Potluck Parties

With the holidays coming, and with so much to do, it might be time to employ an old-fashioned "Potluck supper" get-together with friends.
The term "potluck" was used when inviting someone to an informal family dinner where the guest would be taking his/her chances with what was in the "pot." Another definition was of a community meal comprised of contributions. Many "Potluck suppers" were held on Sundays, after church services. Today's twist on the Potluck supper can be a casual party with friends and little work for the busy host/hostess.
The rules for a "Potluck" are easy: food should be portable and not require last minute fussing, a quick heating up is all that should be necessary.
Call a few friends, eliminate the possibility of everyone bringing a dessert by asking for a specific course: appetizer, salad, meat or casserole, side dishes, bread, beverages, dessert(s). Often the host/hostess will provide the main dish and beverages with friends bringing the rest of the meal. Make sure there are lots of serving dishes and utensils available.
Why not try this with a few friends after a hectic day of holiday shopping??

Thanksgiving Dinner

Most of you probably have your Thanksgiving plans set by now. Some of you will "do it all" the planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning. Youll make the turkey and all the trimmings while others will opt for a group effort. I'm hearing of lots of friends and family dinners where guests bring a favorite dish, making it more personal with their particular "comfort food" being served and having it less stressful for the host since some appetizers, accompaniments and desserts will be provided. Do any of you have a tradition of saying "thanks" before the meal that you'd like to share? Some use cards with just one word to trigger a thought for their guests to speak about. Others have the oldest and the youngest at the table say their "thanks." Do any of you have memorable Thanksgiving dinner moments that you particularly enjoyed and would like to share?

Scrapbooking Party

Scrapbooking has become very popular and many are finding it more fun to work on their scrapbooks with a group to share ideas and supplies. I just heard of a group of 8 women who went to a resort for a weekend to work on their individual projects. Lots of laughs, food, wine and scrapbooking! Great way to bond and get your project launched, have help with an existing one or finish the one that's been sitting idle for awhile. I'm hearing of many who are doing scrapbooking for their kids high school graduations, they have approximately 18 years of pictures to be used. I attended a wedding shower where the bride-to-be was given one from her future mother-in-law with lots of pictures and memorabilia about the groom-to-be. A treasured gift! One mother I know made one for her son's Eagle Scout ceremony which featured pictures and awards from all of his years in Boy Scouts. How many of you are working on a scrapbooking project and have attended a scrapbooking party?

Progressive Dinner Party

A progressive dinner party is a great way to get together with your neighbors for a fun evening. If you live in an area with neighbors within walking distance, it's a little easier to maneuver. For a smaller group have one house designated to be the "appetizer house." All the neighbors gather there for appetizers and then head out to the various homes for dinner. All have the same menu for dinner. Each host will make the same entree and the accompaniments are provided by the attendees (delivered earlier in the day.) After dinner all reconvene at one home for dessert. If you have a large group, I would suggest a committee to draw names from a hat to divide the guests as to certain homes for appetizers and main courses. There could be more than one home for appetizers, several for dinner (usually 8 for dinner works well, obviously the owner would be at this home) and then, if possible, gather at one to two homes for dessert. Decide on the menu and the cost, and divide it equally among all. Everyone should have the same amount of work: providing the appetizers, main courses, accompaniments and desserts. How many of you have participated in one before? Great idea for a holiday party! Have fun and tell us all about your experience.