Pick Your Party

What kind of holiday will you throw? Cozy and fun? Elegant and catered?Outdoorsy and fun? Indoorsy and quiet? There are many ways to play this. It's up to you on how and what to serve.

Many Christmas parties are family  and friend affairs. A fun one is a potluck dinner. Everyone can bring this favorite dish , whether savory or sweet.Make sure that they're are no duplicates unless the recipes somewhat differ.No one  wants every dish to be pasta based. If someone's signature dish is already taken , then suggest their second or third favorite recipes.Some areas are blessed with mild Decembers. Think about an outdoor party, complete with a barbecue.eschew the heavy winter dishes and think summery potato salads and slaws. Instead of cookies, think a hot chocolate s'more where dark chocolate is subbing in for milk chocolate and then sprinkled with cinnamon.Have plenty of outdoor lights on since it gets dark early. A tree trimming party is another option. This is an informal one so think a crockpot of tomato sauce with a big pot of any kind of pasta simmering on the stove or chili, poured over piping hot polenta. Guests can bring  dessert, namely homemade cookies. You can
 even have a cookie contest with prizes. Create stockings  filled with Peeps marshmallow trees , along with chocolate and peppermint bark for kids (and any adult with a sweet tooth).

Then there's the elegant route.This is time to get out the good or holiday themed china along with name cards and a slew of utensils gracing plates and chargers.. It' tempting to set the table with poinsettias but these can be too big, obscuring guests' faces. Think something small and classic such as a quartet of white and red roses in small square vases. You can work with a florist to achieve this. (there is also a great company, Venus Et Fleur that can create these with perfectly preserved roses) . Start with two or three amuse bouches. These can be shot glasses full of gazpacho followed by Camembert bonbons and small skewers of grape tomatoes and mozzarella cheese , with a balsamic drizzle. As  for dinner, you could go for a standing rib roast or roast capon. Think grilled asparagus with lemon  or roasted squash with thyme and onions for sides.  Also having a simple side salad with a plain vinaigrette dressing is a must.Dessert can be that American classic - baked Alaska using aquafaba  on trend right now. Even more impressive is croquembouche , a  pyramid of cream puffs, filled with chocolate ganache and champagne cream.

There;s a variety of party types to choose from. There's no right or wrong choice. - just your choice. Have fun planning and throwing it.