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If you want to throw an awesome Christmas cocktail party, serving Christmas cocktails is a must! Cocktails may not sound like something everyone at your party will enjoy, but it’s pretty hard not to enjoy the 5 delicious Christmas cocktail recipes in this post. Take a look and see what you think!
Christmas Punch Bowl
To make a Christmas punch bowl, you’ll need:
- 4 lemons
- Sugar
- Tea bags
- 1 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 and a half cups of cognac
- 1 and a half cups of dark rum
- Fresh nutmeg
Eggnog
To make this eggnog cocktail, you’ll need:
- 12 eggs
- A quarter cup of superfine sugar
- A pint of cognac
- Half a pint of dark rum
- 1 pint of milk
- Half a pint of heavy cream
- Nutmeg
Christmas Rum Punch
To make Christmas rum punch, you’ll need:
- 6 oranges
- Cloves
- 1 bottle of rum
- Half a cup of superfine sugar
- Half a gallon of sweet apple cider
Hot Buttered Rum
To make hot buttered rum, you’ll need:
- 2 sugar cubes
- Water
- 2 ounces of dark rum
- Butter
Hot Toddy
To make a hot toddy, you’ll need:
- 12 sugar cubes
- 4 lemons
- 1 quart whisky
- 2 quarts water
- Cinnamon sticks
Hot cocktails offered something a little different and are brilliant for cold festive evenings. Creamy cocktails will really hit the spot, too. Make sure you pick some yummy foods to go with them! Which of these recipes will you choose for your Christmas get together?
Are you planning a festive gathering this Christmas? Are you hoping to impress your guests with exemplary hosting skills? If so, these party planning tips should come in handy.
Create a guest list
Before you start thinking about catering or decorations, write out a guest list. Once you’ve got names, send out invitations. You can order customized invites online. Or you could send a text or an e-card, or create a social media event to save money. Make sure you specify an RSVP date and include information about the date and time. If you have a theme, and you want people to dress up, offer some ideas.
As the RSVP deadline approaches, send out a reminder to those who haven’t replied yet. When you’ve got numbers, you can start working on ideas for food and drink.
Choosing a theme
It’s Christmas, but that doesn’t mean that you have to go for traditional themes. You could keep things festive but add your own spin. You could host a Christmas jumper party or get everyone to dress up as their favorite festive film characters. You could create a winter wonderland or go for something completely different like a Christmas beach party. Do some research and look for ideas online. Once you’ve got a theme, you can select decorations and tableware.
Catering options
If you’re hosting at home, you’ve got a few options available to you. You could call in a professional catering firm. You could do the food yourself, or you could arrange for takeout delivery. If you’re taking charge of the food, a buffet is a great idea. You can serve a mixture of hot and cold foods and have a savory and a sweet table. Try and channel your theme in your feast. Inject some festive influences, and be creative with your presentation.
Are you looking for a standout feature for the table? If so, why not take a look at mbobble, personalized bobbleheads? Here, you can create a bespoke bobblehead cake topper. You could honor your kids or your partner and add a festive touch.
When it comes to serving alcohol, it’s usually best to bulk buy, as prices are lower. Choose a few spirits and buy a selection of mixers. Or create your own holiday cocktails.
Entertainment
No party is complete without entertainment of some sort. You could keep things simple with a Christmas playlist and exchange Secret Santa gifts. You could crack open some festive board games or split into teams and take part in a quiz. Keep the kids entertained with a magician or arrange for Father Christmas to pay them a visit.
Party planning can be stressful, especially during the holidays. Try and plan ahead, and get an idea of numbers as soon as possible. Choose a theme, and search online for decorations. Think about what kind of food and drinks you want to serve. Get friends and family to help out with setting up, and putting the food out. Finally, get into your outfit, put some music on, and pour some drinks.
Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year, but it’s also one of the most consumerist times of year. It’s all too easy to go out and mindlessly Christmas shop. Why would you want to give somebody a present that no thought had gone into? Why would you want to have the same Christmas as everybody else? This post will help you to have a more creative Christmas. Enjoy!
Make Christmas Dinner Even More Delicious
There are many different ways you can make your Christmas dinner even more delicious. A traditional Christmas dinner is usually yummy anyway, but there are a few things you can do to make it even better. Here are some ideas:
Cook your sprouts with bacon bits to make everybody around the table love them. You can also add onion, chestnuts, and other bits to make them even more delicious.
Go for dauphinoise potatoes rather than roast potatoes. This will keep everything on your dish moist, and will help if you have any dry meat on the plate.
Try some mashed vegetables for a great, nutrient dense alternative to mashed potatoes.
Wrap asparagus in something like pancetta or bacon.
There are lots of different ways you can have fun with your Christmas dinner and make it even more delicious!
Make Your Gifts And Cards
Making your gifts and cards is far more thoughtful than going to a shop and buying them. It may take you a little longer, but it’ll be worth it when you see how much your loved ones like them! When it comes to making your own gifts, it may or may not be cheaper than buying something, depending on what you want to make. You can make jewelry, scrapbooks, food, and so much more. There are smaller items that can keep you within your budget, or you can go all out and make something fancy. If you don’t have time to make all your own gifts, choosing handmade gifts from a retailer can be just as good, and more unique than buying from the high street. You could buy something like custom bobbleheads in bulk for your whole family!
Make Your Own Decorations
Make your own tree decorations and decorations for around this house. This is a great idea if you have kids, as they can all help and make their own decorations too. Painting baubles, and even creating mosaic style baubles is possible and can be a lot of fun. There are all kinds of tutorials online, whether you want to make your own lanterns, snowmen, or hats. Just have fun with it.
Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
You could potentially make your own wrapping paper to make gifts feel extra special when you give them. You can do this out of something you’ve printed, or even colored in. You can buy rolls of wrapping paper online, which can later be customized by you.
Will you be having a more creative Christmas this year? Leave a comment!
America is such an exciting place to visit, mainly due to how wildly different each destination is. From scorching deserts to rainforests, to mountains to epic lakes- every state is like an entirely different vacation within itself. And one thing that America isn’t short on is winter wonderland destinations. If you live in a country that doesn’t usually get much snow, this can be the most wonderful experience. And with Christmas around the corner, it’s the ideal way to get in the festive mood!
Before you leave for your snow destination, if you’re traveling from outside of the US it’s important to sort out your visa. You simply won’t be able to enter the country without one so this is a top priority. This is done through the American Esta system, sites like https://www.official-esta.com have more information on this. With the formalities out of the way, you’re free to enjoy your magical winter wonderland trip! Here are just a few of the places to consider.
Rochester, New York
New York is always popular with tourists at Christmas and over the new year. The romantic, vibrant destination is known for its snow in the winter- but there’s so much more to New York than just NYC. Rochester is a city which is located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. It hosts almost a hundred and fifty different festivals and events, and has over twelve thousand acres of parkland to stroll through. This includes the beautiful Blue Bell Hill. On top of this, there are hundreds of family friendly attractions, so you definitely won’t be short on things to do on your trip! You could get a dose of culture by exploring Rochester Castle or Rochester Cathedral. Or you could indulge by tasting amazing food throughout its wide-ranging culinary scene. If partying is more your thing, Rochester's East End district is well known as the center of the city's nightlife. Jam packed full of nightclubs, lounges, coffee shops, bars, and high-end eateries. But what makes Rochester the perfect Christmas destination is the weather. There are a ton of snowy activities to take part in, which are bound to get you feeling perfectly festive. You could visit the outdoor ice skating rink in Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park, for example.
Denver, Colorado
Snowy Colorado is a popular ski destination, but even if you don’t fancy hitting the slopes it’s a gorgeous place to visit. You could opt for Boulder, Aspen or Colorado Springs for some mind-blowing sights. But Denver is definitely one not to be missed. Zoos, museums, gardens and beautiful state and national parks with views to knock your socks off. You can explore trendy markets, try the famous local beer at one of the fifty breweries in the city or take in the stunning mountain views. Plus there are lots of fun snowy activities to check out. From the ice rink at Skyline Park to Icelantics ‘Winter on the Rocks’ concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Salt Lake City, Utah
The capital of Utah, Salt Lake City, is bordered by the buoyant waters of the Great Salt Lake and the snow-capped Wasatch Range mountains. There are five National Parks to visit, bars, ski resorts and loads of winter fun. This includes activities like snowshoeing or sliding down the epic snowy Watasch hills on an innertube. The people of Utah are so proud of the quality of their snow that they’ve declared it ‘the greatest snow on earth.' Utah mountain resorts receive a whopping five hundred inches a year, making it the ideal destination if you want to see the pretty white stuff.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis is a major city in Minnesota. It forms what is known as ‘Twin Cities’ St. Paul, the neighboring state capital. There are loads of wintery things to do here- for a truly unique experience, you can even ice skate inside a former train station! This is definitely not the kind of attraction you’ll find elsewhere. Gorgeous wintery views include the frozen St Anthony’s Falls or sights from the Minneapolis Skyway System. This is an interlinked series of enclosed pedestrian footbridges that connect different buildings. The Skyway allows you to see views over the city but in warmth and comfort all year round. Red Bull hosts their Crashed Ice event here, thousands of people flood the streets of Saint Paul to view the ice cross downhill competition. The high-speed action race features skaters competing in teams to a race to the bottom of a long ice track filled with obstacles. You could visit the Ice Castles which are filled with glaciers, ice tunnels, and caves. Alternatively, you could watch some sports, including the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan. Although it’s well known for its urban decay, it also makes for a unique and enjoyable vacation destination. There's plenty of action and things to do and see in during the holiday season. From Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, to breakfast with Santa Claus at the famous Detroit Zoo. You can view twinkling holiday lights right throughout the metro Detroit area, getting you well and truly into the festive spirit. With over ten thousand inland lakes, Michigan is unbeatable for both ice skating and hockey in Winter. On your trip, be sure to head to one of the many Detroit Parks for an unmissable outdoor experience. Sledding and tobogganing are offered, or you could hit the slopes and go skiing. There are plazas, museums, arts and science centers and so much more. This old motor city is definitely not one to be overlooked.
So if viewing incredible, picturesque snow scenes and having fun outdoors in the snow is on your agenda this Christmas, you won’t be disappointed with any of these destinations. So forget your bikini and suntan lotion, pack up your warmest clothes and visit a magical winter wonderland instead. It will be a festive experience you will never forget!
I’m lucky enough to live in one of the best places for shopping in the world; New York. But when you want to make a start on Christmas shopping, it’s worth considering other cities too. After all, you may find something unique which would make a fabulous gift for your friend! And you can make it a mini break by exploring the rest of what the cities have to offer. Therefore, here are some fantastic shopping cities you should travel to so that you can make a start on your Christmas shopping!
London in the UK
One of the largest cities in the world, London is a great place to get started on your Christmas shopping. For one thing, the city has a ton of designer shops for you to get your claws into. You just need to head down Oxford Street, which has over 300 stores for you to look in; no wonder it’s often named Europe’s favorite shopping area! And if you are looking for unique items that you won’t find anywhere else, you can head to popular Covent Garden for something different. Also, there a ton of markets dotted around the city with many beautiful gift ideas for friends. For example, Camden is known for its independent stores.
Paris in France
Known as the city of love, you will definitely adore the shops in Paris. For one thing, it is home to some of the top fashion labels in the world including Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Therefore, you will find the top fashion before it hits the rest of the world. Also, there are some great high street shops which are worth looking in for cheaper gifts. You can also find some charming independent stores in the neighborhood of Canal Saint-Martin. To get around the different areas in the city, the metro is pretty easy to use and has similarities to our subway!
Toronto in Canada
Another place which should be on your radar for some early Christmas shopping is Toronto in Canada. The amazing city has fantastic shopping with great malls such as the Eaton Centre, which has over 250 stores for your shopping needs. You will find some excellent gifts that you can take home for friends and family; you can find out more about the best places to shop in Toronto on this site. And remember you need to check if you require a visa for Canada, so check online before you get to the airport and can’t fly!
Tokyo in Japan
Further afield, Tokyo in Japan is one city which is fantastic if you are on the hunt for the latest gadgets for your Christmas gifts. After all, they have all the latest devices before the rest of the world. As for clothes, you can find some unique stores, as well as fabulous boutiques in the city. Harajuku is one place you need to go if you are looking for some unique street style pieces that your friends will love. And if you are looking for something more upmarket, Ginza is home to posh boutiques and department stores.
It’s never too early to start Christmas shopping so that you can find the best items for your buddies. And you can spoil yourself to some new clothes at the same time!
It's the most wonderful time of the year. With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"! It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
When the city puts on its holiday charm, even the workaholic among us can’t help but be enchanted. There’s just something about holiday events, Christmas shopping, holiday music, twinkly lights, sweet treats, and whiffs of roasted chestnuts that is universally appealing... I always started my Christmas shopping couple weeks or even months earlier, this year I found my favorite gifts from Bryant Park Holiday Market.
Holiday season is here, did you get the gifts ready? If not, you better hurry up! Here is a list of local / unique gifts available that I like from the winter village. Let's take a look, shall we?
1) Kubiya Games (L1)
From simple brain teasers and classic building blocks for your budding geniuses to more elaborate 3D puzzles that will help you think multi-dimensionally and sharpen your logic skills, this shop takes the phrase “work hard, play hard” in a completely different direction. A word of caution: while Brooklyn based company Kubiya’s puzzles are just the right balance of challenge and fun, the real challenge may be not becoming totally addicted to them. Then again, would that be so bad?
2) Mistura Timepieces (L6)
Mistura Timepieces strike the perfect balance between techno chic and environmentally conscious with their too cool for school timepieces. Made from renewable, responsibly sourced materials like bamboo and exotic tree woods, along with accents of recycled leather and metal, Mistura timepieces are both uber-fashionable and highly sustainable. Each one is as beautiful as it is green and is available in a wide range of colors, styles, and interchangeable bands.
3) Cliff Belts (J12)
Cliff Belts, an innovative line of waist-cinchers designed and manufactured in Brooklyn from sustainably sourced and reclaimed cork tree bark, organic canvases, and denim. The collection, which features interchangeable buckles, is completely vegan, but still has that worn-in, vintage leather appeal that complements any outfit. Then, go big and pair yours with a matching wallet, satchel, or handbag from Cliff’s urban-rugged handmade accessories.
4) Lucy & Leo Organic Baby (J7)
Lucy & Leo garments are designed and manufactured in New York. Designer Rachel Mednick offers the cutest children’s clothing, including onesies, tees, skirts, dresses, and pants, all made from super-soft 100% organic cotton. No pesticides, no chemicals, no artificial dyes, even no electricity in the yarn production (it’s hand spun), and a low carbon footprint makes this collection as good for the environment and local economy as it is for your favorite little ones’ budding wardrobes. Better still, a portion of all of Lucy & Leo’s proceeds benefit local charities in the children’s arts and music education sectors.
5) Lucid New York (J2)
Anna Sabino started Lucid New York jewelry collection as a transition from her glass blowing passion. She started working with metals and creating versatile, handmade jewelry for women like her, who are busy social butterflies and need to change fast from a work look to the night out look. Lucid New York pieces are versatile - can be worn during the day or spice up an evening dress. They are great on their own or layered with other pieces. Anna gets inspired by people downtown New York where she lives - by clothes, the way they move.
6) Sabon (J1)
In a small Israeli farming town during the summer of 1974, a young couple, guided by an ancient Aboriginal recipe they had stumbled upon during their travels, began making soap in their backyard. Today, Sabon, which means "soap" in Hebrew, uses the same love and personal care that went into that first bar of lavender soap to present an unparalleled range of exceptional bath and beauty products. From luxurious lotions and creams, to slice-able soaps that smell (and look) good enough to eat, to skin scrubs that’ll whisk away that winter weathering, Sabon’s got you covered, literally.
7) The Jam Stand (H5)
The Jam Stand is Brooklyn’s happiest food company. It began in an apartment kitchen in Williamsburg when two best friends, Jessica Quon and Sabrina Valle, breathed life into an original concept; create a food company that’s a true reflection of themselves and their community. Since then, its been a whirlwind.The Jam Stand pushes the limits of what packaged food can be by combining unique flavors. They give their products an imaginative personality allowing their "Jam Fans" to take initiative and get creative in the kitchen.
8) Organic Wares (H4)
Woven entirely from 100% organic, natural fibers by women of Chiang Mai, Thailand, the ultra-soft, whisper-light scarves you’ll find lining the shelves of this shop are available in an array of colors from brights to pastels to jewel tones. And to make your home as cozy as these scarves, OrganicWares also offers organic yarn wrapped lights. The covered bulbs give off a sweet, muted glow, and add crafty character to any room.
9) Smart Glass (H1)
Recycling…It’s a smart way to look good. And there’s no smarter combination than SMART GLASS JEWELRY and a recycled bottle. Each piece of handmade jewelry features recycled glass, silver, brass, or gold fill. Look closely. You’ll see some of your favorite products in a whole new light. The colorful glass used in this recycled line is individually selected and cut from an empty bottle ensuring each SMART GLASS JEWELRY piece is an original work of art.
10) Ninova (G4)
Butter-soft leather may feel over-the-top luxurious, but, according to Ninova, not everything leather has to be considered an indulgence. With its collection of leather accessories, Ninova allows you to enjoy a little slice of luxury in your everyday life. Highlighting its range of leather goods are gorgeous handcrafted leather journals, all created using acid-free, archival quality Arches paper, which is hand-bound with acid-free linen thread and binding cloth. Each piece is hand crafted by Turkish artisans, ensuring quality, consistency, and the perfect fusion of rugged practicality with rich style.
Made in the State of New York! Serving up fresh-made soaps, oils, bath salts, and creams on the farmer’s market circuit since 1996, Merriweather’s is committed to keeping it real — meaning only the finest essential oil fragrances, cold-pressed, vitamin-rich soaps, and handcrafted, small-batch bath and body goodies. Chemical scents, artificial colors or dyes free. .
12) Christina's World (A2)
A Poland Christmas in NYC? Many years ago we stumbled upon a place where beautiful decorations are happily hung all year round. A place where mouth-blown glass ornaments come in over 1,200 different designs. A place where each ornament is hand-painted by Polish and Czech artisans. At Christina’s World, there is no detail too fine and no whimsical design left unexplored by the artists’ brushes. Inspired by a life immersed in the arts — from growing up with a dress designing mother, to training as a ballerina, to endless travels throughout Europe and Asia, Christina is never at a loss for inspiration.
Holiday Shops @ Bryant Park Winter Village
October 21, 2014 – January 4, 2015
The Holiday Shops include more than 125 boutique-like shops offering exquisite gift ideas from distinctive apparel to jewelry, decorative goods, local foods, and much more. There's something for everyone – adults, kids, and even pets.This European inspired open-air market features artisans from around the world. Located along Bryant Park's allées and terraces, the Holiday Shops are housed in custom-designed, “jewel box” kiosks.
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