I would like to have a tree trimming party.....?!
I would like to have a tree trimming party.....?
and I would like to have ideas from everyone for this! I have never had one before, except with my family. What do I serve? Is this just for homemade decorations or can we use our own? How do I lay them out, decorations. Do we put the lights on first before guests start to arrive? Do I give little tokens of thanks out? I want this to be nice, My dtrs to be in laws will be coming, and I do not want her think I don't know what I am doing, cause I really don't!!! Thanks to all!
Answers:
How fun!!! Well since you are the hostess.....you get to choose your perfect party. I would have the lights on the tree for sure since that is the most complicated part. You could put the ornaments in different baskets (with beautiful bows of course) so it is easy to carry to the tree and handle. You could also do teams that perhaps one team did the bows, one did the ornaments in the green basket (or however you want to seperate), one team does the topper....etc. I don't know if you have a theme to your tree or not. If not you could still come up with something so not everyone will be trying to get to the tree at the same time. You could also purchase a little 2 footer (a fresh one would be fun) and have different ornaments for it. At the end of the night do a drawing and the winner takes the 2 foot tree home.(this would be a great token of thanks) Have everyone put their name in a stocking when they arrive and then someone can pull the name for the winner) To me a fun evening like this with friends and family is token enough but the small tree would be great or a package of homemade cookies? There are really so many possibilities it is yours to create. I would have some egg nog and rum if you like with fun little appetizers. If you don't want to go through the trouble there are some wonderful boxed beautiful ones that taste great too. Another fun idea would be make a big pot of chili and have all the fixings for it displayed on the table with candles and decorations. Have nice bowls of sour cream, cheddar cheese, chopped onions, tortilla chips (leave them big in case they want to dip), jalapenos, hot sauce, and anything else that may be good on a bowl of chili. You can have melted queso dip (crock pot) with flour tortillas or even a plate of grilled chicken strips or meat....they can make their own soft taco. Oh guacamole too! I have done this and it is fun. Since everything is made ahead of time there is little fuss and you can enjoy your evening. Then of course you need some fun Christmas cookies too. Well I hope this helps and you have an amazing evening. And don't you worry about those to-be in-laws...hopefully anything you do will be appreciated!!! Have fun!
It all depends on what you WANT to do. It sounds like you DO know what you're doing, as everything you've just mentioned is exactly what i would do.
I did this a few years ago, I had the lights on the tree already and all my ornaments out in flat boxes, and everyone just went from there its was a great experience. I made a few different varieties of cookies for snacks. And bought a large box of nice ornaments and let everyone take one home.
chile
This is what I would do - already have the lights on the tree. Lay the ornaments out so that they are ready to be put on the tree. Be sure to have lots of ornament hooks, icicles, etc. ready to go.
Put on really great Christmas music.
Food: I would definitely serve hot cocoa, spiced cider or egg nog, perhaps cocktails, cookies, sweet and savory snacks. Have one kick-butt dessert and coffee after the tree is finally trimmed.
Lastly - I would have a little gift, treat bag, small stocking - something as a favor for each guest - perhaps even a special ornament to get each guest.
Good luck with the party! It sounds like you are going to be a great hostess!
First of all, it is YOUR party and you can do things any way that you want. Create your own traditions. You can ask people to bring an ornament to hang on your tree (you can specify homemade or not) or you can lay out your own and let people decorate as they wish. You can specify a theme (such as music or sports) or ask for the ornament to be something significant to each guest. Have permanent markers which people can mark their name and the date on the ornament brought. I'd have the lights on the tree so your guests can deal with just doing the ornaments, etc. You might want to have out bowls of popcorn and cranberries if you want people to string them for the tree. The choices are endless. I once put out things to create a gingerbread village which people created off and on all evening.
Food: again, your choice. I like to do light appetizers and a sweets table. Provide punch (perhaps eggnog), fruit or non-alcoholic for non drinkers and kids, and mulled wine or drinks for others. Cocoa anyone? One friend always serves tomatoe soup with popcorn floating in it...small sandwiches and has everyone bring their favorite cookies to share. Since her family does not drink she also has mugs of hot cocoa with peppermint sticks to stir it. Another friend does a very formal buffet with spiral cut ham, roast beef, large shrimp, the whole nine yards. She hires a bartender and five piece combo for the music. Which is nicer? Neither - I love both...the inexpensive casual one where everyone comes in comfy clothes and the formal one where we all wear formal wear. See, there are no set rules!
Music: Of course you want Christmas music playing. Anyone play the piano? Maybe plan on singing carols once the tree is done. (Have mimeographed pages of the words to pass out - keep from year to year)
I like giving small gifts as people are leaving. Small homemade breads, baskets of muffins, basket of homemade dip mixes, or an ornament that follows your theme with the particpant's name and the year marked.
Don't worry about whether or not you are doing something wrong. It is the holidays! It is YOUR party and as long as everyone is having fun and feeling the love and sharing of the holidays it will be a perfect party!
Have fun! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Tree trimming party? Sounds like fun...
To make it special I would think each guest can make one ornament of their own which will go on the tree. So you can remember all the people who helped you put it up.
Buy some glass balls... some glue and glitter. Everyone can make their own design with the glue and dip it in the glitter.
You can mix these creations with your own decorations but if you have the time it would be nice if the whole tree were homemade.
At work, we used white, mailing foam (the little foam balls you put into mailing boxes so it won't break the contents) and we strung them on a thread to make a garland. More sturdy than popcorn and reuseable.
It's your party...don't worry about what others think....laying out the ornaments is a good idea...and planning the treats...maybe a good movie afterwards that relflects the season would be nice...and some hot apple cider with cinnomin sticks...
There are many options. You can go buy a bunch of colored paper and scissors and let people make their own or have them put your decorations up. I would say to put the lights up before they arrive. As far as what to serve, that depends on when you are doing it.