If you throw a Christmas drinks/nibbles party

[Sunsetsupernova]

What do you do to make it extra special?

I think I’ve sorted my menu (with much help from Pinterest to make it extra Christmassy) Any extras or ideas for anything a bit different are very welcome.

A decent mocktail for non drinkers or drivers.

Focus on your guests, not the food. Dont be in and out of the kitchen, fiddling with lots of food, constantly topping up the nibbles and drinks so that you can't really stand /sit and chat to them. It's nibbles, not a full meal.

If you have people from different groups (say school gate friends, work friends, neighbours etc) who don't know each other, introduce them and try to get the different people chatting. (This is much easier if guests all already know each other.)

@HollyBollyBooBoo

A decent mocktail for non drinkers or drivers.

I’m not sure what it says about our friends that we don’t have any of those

It says you must all live nearby each other 😆 or have a good taxi service/public transport!

Good cheese, good wine and a quiz

A good playlist!

Loads of booze. Keep the glasses topped up.

Previously I have arranged for a group of carol singers or a few brass players to arrive after 90 minutes. That has certainly added to the Christmas spirit.

Previously I have arranged for a group of carol singers or a few brass players to arrive after 90 minutes. That has certainly added to the Christmas spirit.

I've bribed the DD's in the past to provide seasonal entertainment (one plays piano to professional standard and both sing semi pro)

If you'll have children there, set up an activity table for them in a separate area, if you have the space. We had neighbours in for drinks and nibbles yesterday, seven children came and disappeared into DP's studio to make Christmas cards and paper chains.

Press slightly softened butter in to holiday themed chocolate moulds, put in freezer for 15 min, pop hard butter pats out. Repeat.

Charming and simple to have a dish of festive butter for those eating bread or rolls.

What is on your menu?

Devilled eggs. I only have them this time of year. Love them

@NinaDefoe

What is on your menu?

I'd also like to know what nibbles you have chosen to save me time researching.

I'll be making mulled wine in the slow cooker so It's kept warm without having to stand over it.
Don't be too proud to accept offers of help/ donations of food.

Have bin bags available labelled for bottles & cans (or however your recycling works) and another for general rubbish.
As has already been said, don't forget about your guests, keep food simple.
And have a fabulous time!

We always do a Christmas music quiz. Gets everyone singing!

I imagine you’ll have covid on offer so that should make it memorable enough

Is that you Boris?

Get one of the kids to go round offering mince pies. Make guests feel comfortable enough to help themselves to booze/drinks. Then you can have fun too rather than being a waitress all night

MIL always has a New Year's Eve party and often asks me to buy sandwiches and mini cakes from Costco for her and lays them out to help yourself. It always goes down well and off course she always has a fully stacked wine fridge and is continually topping up everyone's glass!! I never know how much I've drink when I'm there as never finish a glass!!

Ask them to help themselves. Serve any food on tea trays along with drinks too. Put mince pies on a coffee table etc. Do a quiz, or something fun as well to liven things up a bit on top of that. Accept all offers of help in addition.

For children hand out toys or activity books (you can find them in the shops) to keep them busy and you sane at the same time. Cheese platters, good festive music and festive gin are also required, they add to the fun and atmosphere. Set up a art and craft activity table in another part of the house for any kids who come.

I've bribed the DD's in the past to provide seasonal entertainment (one plays piano to professional standard and both sing semi pro)

Why on earth would you allow them to sing when they're only semi-pro??

I am really bad at doing links but if you search This Way Up - The Cranberries it reminds me of that type of entertainment at a party. I tried to do a link but not sure if it will work.

The other day for the first time I made devils on horseback for pre dinner nibbles. They were a mite charred but went down very well.
And dead easy! Half a rasher of streaky bacon wrapped around a soft stoned prune, whack in the oven.

Wow some brilliant ideas here, thank you all! Sadly no children attending to bribe as waiters but food will all be set out buffet style for people to pick at. This is my menu -

Polish martini on arrival (vodka, apple juice, honey liquer)

Smoked salmon blinis
Big board of cheese/crackers/chutneys
Jamie’s garlic bread from last nights episode
Dates stuffed with pecorino, wrapped in Parma ham, baked in the oven
Nigella’s honey cocktail sausages
Homemade cheese straws
Mob Kitchen lamb and harissa sausage rolls
Crisps/pretzels etc
A couple of bits of M&S party food

Chocolate covered strawberries
Pandoro

Mostly things I can easily make in advance and just pop in the oven on the night. Those of you that do mulled wine, what do you serve it in?