Having an Open House Christmas party. Any suggestions??!
Any classic music suggestions or wonderful desserts to serve? What should be my theme? How should I decorate?
I need some real creativeness!!! Any takers?????
Answers: I have never had one before but I would LOVE to have an Open House this Christmas. My husband and I have so many wonderful friends that we would like to invite. Say, one evening in December from 6 to 9.
Any classic music suggestions or wonderful desserts to serve? What should be my theme? How should I decorate?
I need some real creativeness!!! Any takers?????
All of the above ideas are really great. How about serving something a bit different like fruit salsas and chips to brighten up a cold winter's night.
MANGO SALSA
12 roma tomatoes, seeded, diced
1 red onion, diced
5 jalapenos, diced(add 1/4 habenero pepper for extreme heat)
2 mangos, diced
1 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chilli powder
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tbsp tobasco or other pepper sauce
MIx all of the ingredients together. Refridgerate for 1 hour and then serve. Keep in mind that the salt will draw out the juices from the ingredients and so the mixture may have to be drained from time to time. Save the juice for Bloody Mary's or Caesar.
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PAPAYA SALSA
4 c. peeled, diced papaya (or mangoes)
1/2 c. finely diced Bermuda onions
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped
1/4 c. coarsely chopped fresh coriander
1 tbsp. Kosher salt
1/4 c. fresh lime juice
Combine all ingredients in glass bowl. Let sit in refrigerator at least 2 hours.
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PEACH SALSA
3 firm peaches (about 1 lb.) - 1 pound of canned peaches can be substituted
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 ripe tomatoes (about 1/2 lb.)
6 large green onions
1 tbsp. canned jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 tbsp. cilantro, coarsely chopped (fresh coriander) - (optional)
12 tbsp. good quality olive oil
6 tbsp. sherry vinegar
2 tbsp. honey
Dip peaches into boiling water and then peel the skins. Cut peaches into thin strips, discarding pits. Toss with lemon juice. Dip tomatoes into boiling water, then peel and seed them. Cut into medium julienne strips. Combine peaches and tomatoes. Add onions, peppers and cilantro, if using. Mix. Whisk together oil, vinegar and honey. Pour over other ingredients. If using within several hours, no need to refrigerate; otherwise cover and refrigerate.
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SALSA GUACAMOLE
Guests will rave about this combination of fire roasted salsa and guacamole -- you'll make it again and again!
Salsa:
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen? organic fire roasted or plain diced tomatoes, well drained
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea salt)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 small fresh jalape?o chile, seeded, finely chopped
Guacamole:
3 ripe large avocados (about 1 1/2 lb) pitted, peeled
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea salt)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper sauce
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
In medium bowl, stir together salsa ingredients.
In another medium bowl, place avocados; coarsely mash. Stir in remaining guacamole ingredients. Spoon guacamole into shallow serving bowl; top with salsa.
Serve with tortilla chips as desired.
Makes 12 servings (1/4 cup each).
Tip: Look for avocados that are firm, but yield to gentle pressure. If they are not quite ripe, place avocados in a paper bag, and let ripen at room temperature.
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GUACAMOLE
1 ripe tomato, peeled
2 avocados
1/2 onion, minced
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 chopped green chile, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste
Mash together the tomato and avocados. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Serve with warm tortillas.
Optional: Mix in pomegranate seeds for added color and a unique but authentic variation.
a chocolate fountain?
with marshmallows ,strawberries,graham crackers.etc strewn at the base.
if you do it, don't forget to get the toothpicks/skewers and napkins. lots of napkins.
A choclate fondue fountian! Those are a lot of fun. Get anything from cookies, fruit, pretzel sticks, and anything you think will go good. As for music, if you can get a hold on Christmas Instrumental Pieces, those are enchanting. Tchofsky(however that russian name is spelt!) is seasonal. I found some nice cd's at a dollarama. You can find them anywhere. A punch bowl and a drink fountian are fabulous. We got a drink fountian at a liquidation store for only $20. A real punch bowl can be found at an average of $25. But it is most certianly worth it. For the punch, you can look up on the internet for homade punch recipies. For decor, you probably know best what you want. A few lights, the tree, nice tablecloths, candles, and a centerpiece are probably enough. Turn the music on, turn down the lights, light the candles, and enjoy! The atmosphere is everything.
Hope my ideas helped!!!!
Blessings!
Hope you are satisfied with your party!