PARTY PLANNING
Winter is an enchanting time of year on our little island thirty miles out to sea. The quiet of the offseason provides us with an opportunity to unwind and reunite with old friends and family. And what better way to do so than with a dinner party? Here are some ideas for bringing people together this holiday season.
PICK A THEME PARTY
– Wine & cheese tasting party
– Secret Santa
– Cookie swap
– Game night
– Murder mystery party
– Pot luck dinner
– Gingerbread house decorating
SHAKE UP A CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL
Grapefruit Rosemary Mules
– 2 oz 888 vodka
– 2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
– Juice from 1/2 a lime
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
Add a handful of ice and shake until the sides of the shaker start to frost. Pour your cocktail into a copper mug filled with ice and top with Ginger Beer. Use a sprig of rosemary as a swizzle stick so that the herb is subtlety infused.
PUT A BOW ON IT
Steps 1 & 2
Steps 3 & 4
COOK LIGHT BITES
– Oysters Rockefeller
– Figs, prosciutto, apple, gorgonzola & maple syrup canapé
– Herbed hummus with homemade pita chips
– Shrimp cocktail
– Baked artichoke dip with crudite
– White bean chili with cornbread
– Individual tomato macaroni & cheese
– Italian wedding soup
PREPARE SOMETHING SWEET
– Hot chocolate & biscotti
– Salted brown butter rice crispy treats
– S’mores dip
– Anzac cookies
WHAT TO GIVE THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS
– Whale salad tongs from Bodega
– Fare Isle organic jams from Nantucket Looms
– Fraiser fir candle from Lion’s Paw
– S’well bottles from Milly & Grace
– Toffee cobblestones from Flowers on Chestnut
– Coffee table book from Mitchell’s Book Corner – I love to give Elements of Style by Erin Gates
– Notecards (and all of your gift wrapping needs) from Parchment
