Need suggestions for a girls night in holiday dessert swap?!
1. Do I need alcohol? I'm not a drinker really and don't want to spend much for alcohol and have people drinking and driving home.
2. Should I have a holiday movie or girl flick playing?
3. Any other suggestions? My son will (hopefully) be in bed by the time people come over and my husband will be home (in a different room).
4. Should I give away little goodie bags?
Answers: I've decided to have a holiday dessert swap for a girls night in. Instead of the traditional rules of a cookie swap, I just asked that people bring a yummy dessert to share. I have friends who are too busy to really cook and don't want them to not come b/c of that. So, I plan on having them come after dinner, have the desserts to share and will provide light appetizers and hot chocolate and apple cider. My questions are:
1. Do I need alcohol? I'm not a drinker really and don't want to spend much for alcohol and have people drinking and driving home.
2. Should I have a holiday movie or girl flick playing?
3. Any other suggestions? My son will (hopefully) be in bed by the time people come over and my husband will be home (in a different room).
4. Should I give away little goodie bags?
1. Nope - cider and coffee and maybe eggnog should be plenty. Since it is a dessert party most people won't even expect alcohol.
2. If the point is to get together to watch a movie either is fine. If the point is to talk put on some nice quiet background or holiday music and enjoy chatting with each other.
3. Think about a chocolate fountain or chocolate fondue. The women who are unable to cook a dish can help you get it ready - cut up the fruit, buy the chocolate, etc.
4. Goodie bags are not necessary.
You might enjoy having craft supplies available and do a home-made ornament contest or make holiday cards to drop off to a local senior center or community lunch center.
1. Alcohol ? Maybe one of the girls who doesn't cook could bring a bottle or two of wine instead? But not a lot of alcohol. And what about a nice dessert coffee too?
2. Movie ? A movie might distract from the socializing? I don't know it depends on the crowd.
3. Maybe the people who are sharing their desserts could make little recipe cards? I know whenever I go to something like this, there are always recipes we want. And we never have time to stop and write them down.
4. Little goodie bags are always a treat. Just don't over do it. Maybe some holiday guest soaps?
I'm sure you'll get lot of ideas from everyone else too!
I hope you girls have fun!
A) - skip the alcohol if you wish and serve hot mulled cider or apple juice instead. Will also make your house smell incredible and start the holiday spirit off.
B) - Only have a holiday movie playing if you plan on having everyone sit and watch it - otherwise I'd just have holiday music in the background....movie would be noisy distraction if not all watching it together
C) - Goodies bags are up to you. You could send home a dessert special that you made, a collection of holiday recipes might be nice, or even a simple ornament (home made or otherwise)
D) - Optional - have everyone bring the recipe for their dessert and promise to put together a holiday cookbook as a gift for attendants. Easy enough to do with the computer.
Mainly - just have fun and enjoy the holiday season with good friends, good food and good memories.
1. No alcohol; legal issue.
2. Background Christmas music; without words; point is to communicate.
4. No goodie bags
3. Knowing number invited; ask guests bring x copies of their recipes or if you have a scanner Ask they send an email copy of recipe or party suggestions ahead of time to make Dessert Party How to Cookbook. Place in Decorated folder/file box or staple together.
Request everyone bring one unbreakable "Dollar Store" wrapped gift and play the "Wright Family" swap game, it's great fun ; everyone gathers in a circle and you pass the gift to the right or left depending on the story lines.
Plan ahead and have some roll cookies to slice that you can bake and eat as they come out of the oven. Smells wonderful an gets the spirit flowing.
Oh and yes, holiday apparel required: Christmas elf; fairy, angel, helper; glitter, glamor-etc
