Menu:
Appetizers: Mini crab cakes with lemon-chive mayonnaise and Artichoke dip Main Event: Raspberry-maple-glazed pork tenderloin with Make-ahead holiday salad Dessert: Chocolate peppermint shortbreads Store-bought goodies: Stock up on mixed olives, pickled vegetables, pistachios, and clementines to set out for guests to snack on before the main meal and between courses.
Holiday punch Boozy apple cider slushie Golden ginger-lemon vodka punch Minty Moscow mule punch White Negroni punch
Enliven with music: To infuse the party with holiday cheer without subjecting folks to back-to-back tracks of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Feliz Navidad,” mix traditional holiday tunes with modern favorites. If your party is scheduled for later in the holiday season, guests will be especially grateful for a mix of new and old favorites. Soak dirty dishes: Fill a large plastic bin with warm, soapy water and keep it in the kitchen. Toss in used dishes during the party to save time scrubbing later. Clear the air: Remember to crack a window open to bring some fresh, cool air into the room. You may need to adjust as more guests arrive and the room heats up. Dole out leftovers: Buy to-go boxes for guests to take leftovers home. Tidy up a tad (then hit the hay): After guests are gone, take out the trash and recycling so your house doesn’t smell when you wake up. Check for any spills or stains on furniture, but leave the heavy cleaning until tomorrow.
