Christmas drinks party?

[DentalWorries]

Planning to have a Christmas drinks/nibbles party a few weeks before. Adults only from 7ish. What would you like to be served?

Definitely mulled wine. And a mulled fruit punch for non alcohol drinkers.
Cocktails would be great. And mocktails
Google Christmas cocktails. Must be loads.
Think of clementines. Doesn’t M&S do clementine flavoured gins. How about a baileys cocktail

Mulled wine or Prosecco.
How many are you inviting? Cocktails are a great idea but tricky if there’s lots of you.
Cold nibbles that can be prepared in advance so you’re not stuck in the kitchen cooking hot food all night.

Charcuterie board, Prosecco, Bailey’s, honey roasted cashew nuts, olives, posh crisps, mulled wine

I would have a bottle or two of red or white wine - because there are those who don't like mulled wine ( I know - I can't believe it either ) Whatever you do yourself - Waitrose or M&S do great nibbles / party type things which only have to be shoved in the oven - I would be happy with that.

I think the main thing is that you can enjoy the evening as well - so try to make it relaxing for you .

I'd take warm spiced cider over mulled wine.

Who you want all cold nibbles or can you do hot ones?

Nigella does some nice nibble recipes like these:

www.nigella.com/recipes/bar-nuts

www.nigella.com/recipes/cocktail-sausages

www.nigella.com/recipes/juicy-beef-skewers-with-horseradish-dip

I usually do sparkling and mulled wine, mixed nits roasted with rosemary and smoky paprika, baked camemberts studded with garlic, cocktail sausages tossed in honey and grain mustard, and a cheese board with crackers, figs and grapes, then mince pies with cinnamon and some chocolates. If people are staying all night, I'd also do something like beef goulash with rice and a veggie version

I always have a Christmas Eve drinks and nibbles party and serve exactly the same thing each year as people request it.

-Nigellas ginger and whole grain mustard cocktail sausages.
-smoked salmon and horseradish blinis
-homemade cheese straws
-a baked cheese with pecans and crusty bread
-Waldorf salad served in baby gem leaves
-asparagus wrapped in Parma ham

Then I decorate the surfaces of the rooms with macrons and wrapped, colourful chocolates and chocolate coins so people can nibble something sweet when they fancy and it looks very Christmasy! Our gingerbread house normally also gets demolished on Christmas Eve 😂
Everything can be prepared in advance so it’s never that stressful and you can spend more time socialising.
Drinks wise I always keep it simple with, fizz, beer, mulled wine and a non alcoholic cocktail of orange juice, cranberry juice and ginger ale to make it Christmasy!
I love a Christmas drinks party!!

macaroons not macrons 😂

We are doing the same!

I am planning on-

-blinis with horseradish cream and slices of rare roast beef
-smoked salmon blinis
-one of those pre-made potato tortillas cut up into little squares
-wraps with cream cheese, sundried tomatos and fresh spinach cut into bite sized bits

that was as far as I got so far.

Marks do bottles of ready made Negronis and Old Fashioned etc - that would be so much better I think than making up jugs of stuff that don't get used, or trying to knock up cocktails individually.

I may be missing the point though.

I love mocktails ( so does my 9 year old)

M&S party food is a great shout for just sticking in the oven. So far my list looks like -
Blinis
Dates stuffed with cheese and wrapped in Parma ham
Caramelised onion sausage rolls
Homemade cheese straws
Honey covered cocktail sausages
Puff pastry bites with asparagus
Cheese/charcuterie board

Not sure on drinks yet. I’m not sure how many of our friends will actually drink mulled wine so maybe fizz and a cocktail would be better.

We’re also planning to put up the gazebo and attach it to the house to give us some extra space plus reassure anyone concerned about social distancing. My only idea so far is to cover it in fairy lights so any other decor ideas are welcomed. Pinterest is all a bit too American looking.

Bottled wine
Cheese platter
Sausage rolls
Canapes
Cake of some kind
Baked apples
Crackers and biscuits
Fruit slices on a tray
Pies

Depending on how you are serving - if e.g. cocktail sausages done nicely - don't forget to get lots of cocktail sticks and lots of paper napkins . ( one more obvious suggestion from me ) I know you will have thought of this - but by goodness it makes easier to eat and also clearing up afterwards

Sounds lovely @Dental worries

I cheat with my mulled wine and make a non alcoholic version and just add a little brandy for the alcoholic one. It gets lots of compliments.

For summer parties I do a Mimosa bar, with Prosecco, different juices and fruits but also sparkling water and white lemonade, and everyone makes their own. That might work well too. It has the benefit of not drawing attention to the non drinkers.

Are you intending to pass food around on plates, or put it out on a table for people to help themselves?

Because if on a table, bowls of things like olives, cherry tomatoes, nuts etc can all be useful. Or have small bowls of these dotted around the room if you are circulating with your nibbles.

Pate on crackers, cheese, charcuterie, HM sausage rolls, cocktail sausages in sauce/stuff, cheese straws, smoked salmon on brown bread, mini pizzas (basically dab of tomato sauce on a thin slice of french stick, cheese on top, perhaps some ham if organised enough, flash in the oven), whatever M&S has that looks good, ....is more or less what mine looks like when I am organised.

Oh, I'm going to have a pre-Christmas cocktail party.

There will be mulled wine in one slow cooker and mulled cider in another.
Hot chocolate - can add alcohol if preferred.
Moonshine toffee apple punch

Cocktails (Christmas them up with red berries)

Negroni
Caprinha
Possibly a Moscow Mule or similar

Wine and beer available for those who want it.

We've just decided to have a drinks and nibbles do for neighbours (not big, just those we're really friendly with). Some nice ideas here! Just thinking about possible Covid anxieties, if offering bowls of nuts, olives etc., I suggest putting spoons alongside to avoid everyone putting their hands in. I wouldn't be bothered but some might. Also, make sure there are some vegan and gluten free things.

Last time - pre Covid we had a Christmas drinks party, we made a Turkey roll, and served hot Turkey rolls with stuffing and cranberry sauce and had mince pies and Christmas cakes ( mini ones) for nibbles, plus some cheeses and crackers and chutneys