Whether you’re throwing an intimate gathering for close family members or organizing an all-out bash for the entire neighborhood, you want your holiday party to feel special and unforgettable. But often times, trying to outdo yourself can make you feel pretty stressed—the last thing you need this time of year! That’s why it’s important to focus on the kinds of details that will truly elevate your evening, without causing you to scramble around and miss all the fun. Try these five ideas for planning a get-together that’s festive, joyous, and downright unforgettable.
1. Go seasonal Before you start creating your menu, consider what kinds of produce are in season. Sweet potatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower, pears, pomegranates, cranberries, and oranges are just some of the fruits and vegetables that reach their peak in early winter. Build your dishes around these items and you’ll have a menu that feels cohesive and classic.
2. Plan the meal backwards Sometimes dessert can feel a little tacked on to an otherwise well-planned menu. Make yours meld seamlessly by using ingredients from the dessert when making your appetizers and entrees. Baking up some gingerbread? Use fresh ginger to wake up your side of broccoli or stuffing. Do your holiday pies or cookies call for cinnamon? Add some to the spice mixture you use in your entrée. The idea is to weave a single, subtle note of flavor across several dishes, so they all play nicely together (just like you and your siblings do at the holiday table).
3. Think about variety It’s not just the spice of life, it’s also the spice of the party! Take a glance over your finished menu and make sure it offers enough contrast. You’ll want to aim for different textures (creamy cheesecake, crunchy nuts, gooey macaroni and cheese), differing levels of richness (from light crudités to a super-indulgent dessert), and a variety of colors to please the eye as well as the palate. By mixing things up, you’ll avoid a menu that only hits a single, predictable note.
4. Perk up your presentation Who says you have to serve your meal family style or heap equal portions of food onto plain white plates? Experiment with unique presentation: Try putting individual portions of salad in Boston lettuce cups or banana pudding in mini mason jars. Another way to set a festive vibe is to serve the food buffet-style or at stations. This way people can mingle and chat while filling up their plates. To create a magazine-worthy spread, place your dishes at different heights on the buffet table. A few upside-down bowls under serving platters will do the trick.
5. Warm up the night Ensure that your meal culminates on a high note—and that everyone’s taste buds are a-buzz!—by presenting one final holiday pairing: seasonal desserts and freshly brewed coffee. Use a side table to set up a station with a variety of milks and sweeteners, mugs, saucers, spoons, napkins, and to-go cups. During the dessert hour, set out a hot pot of coffee and offer your guests a cup to have with their sweets—plus an extra to take along as they brave the chilly weather home.
Holiday Ideas Sponsored by Starbucks
When choosing the right coffee for your December get-together, look for a variety that’s smooth with just a hint of spice—like Starbucks® Holiday Blend coffee.