Welcome to the 2016 Holiday Party Hop hosted by my talented friend Deanna of Mirabelle Creations! She’s created some beautiful printables for me including the state of North Carolina watercolor print that has a home in our guest bath refresh!
I’m joining 18 of my most creative and fun party friends to bring you all entertaining ideas you need this holiday season! We kicked off the Holiday Party Hop yesterday with 4 party hosts, including Mirabelle Creations fun twist on a Christmas Hot Cocoa Bar!
Today I am hosting with Pink Poppy Party Shoppe! You won’t want to miss her fun Be Merry Christmas Party For Kids ideas and of course her shop!
If you’re new to Sarah Sofia Productions welcome! I grew up learning the art of entertaining. Even at a young age I enjoyed planning birthday parties and celebrations for family and friends. I’m a wife, a mother of two girls and fur boy Bailey, and hostess who loves bringing people together in a stylish manner to celebrate life’s events!
Today I am sharing a few of my favorite ways to entertain this holiday season beginning with our Mom and Me Christmas Craft Party!
This party has it all from blue, red and white vintage Christmas décor from Hobby Lobby to making a custom wood planked Christmas sign with your kids!
Finding a few new Christmas décor pieces and adding it to your collection makes it festive! Keep it simple by providing milk and Christmas cookies like we did. Guests took home their new custom wood sign and a Christmas bell ornament as party favors.
Another fun holiday party idea is to host a Gingerbread House Decorating Party at your home or at your local bakery that offers classes!
Kids and adults a like enjoy the challenge of decorating a gingerbread house! Here’s a tip to an easy party, assemble the gingerbread houses prior to guests arrival for easy decorating, especially if they’re younger, and have all your sweet treats made by your local bakery like we did from Edible Art Cake Shop!
Everybody loves hot chocolate so why not set up a hot chocolate bar with toppings at your holiday party! Use a bar cart or kids table with a small Christmas tree to make it festive! Add a simple DIY bar cart sign like we did.
Guests received this fun polka dot box to take home their goodies, including a mini cake shooter and mug with these adorable gift tags!
Everyone loves brunch, so why not host a holiday brunch or New Year’s Day brunch with your friends!
Serve a mix of sweet and savory bite size menu items buffet style. This will allow your guests to mix and mingle and try a little of everything without feeling guilty!
One of my biggest party, event and wedding tips is to always have a signature drink! It not only makes the party more festive, but adds a splash of color and less work for you as hostess! We served Pomegranate Mimosas and Sparkling Pear Cocktails at this brunch, which were a hit! You can get the recipes here and here.
Another entertaining tip is to add festive straws, garnishes and Easy DIY Glitter Champagne Flutes to your bar cart this holiday season!
Don’t forget to display your family Christmas card at your holiday party! You’ll notice at all the parties we have Christmas cards as part of the décor, which adds a personal touch to your party!
Entertaining doesn’t have to be complicated or grand. You can simply make your holiday celebration special with loved ones by adding some festive décor like candles, garland, and florals.
Don’t forget the signature drink! Wow you’re family this year by serving this Sparkling Clementine Rosemary Cocktail! What I love about this signature drink is it’s super easy to make and you can serve it with or without bubbly for your guests that don’t want an alcoholic drink.
Sparkling Clementine Rosemary Cocktail Recipe
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 2 Bottles Trader Joe’s Sparking Clementine Juice
- 2 Bottles Prosecco
- Fresh Rosemary
We mixed and matched our serving dishes and linens and used Classic Party rentals to make this a festive Christmas Tablescape! Add ornaments as place settings.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoying some of my favorite ways to entertain in style during the holiday season! I hope I’ve inspired you! Make sure you grab yourself a cocktail or cup of hot chocolate and head on over to The Party Porch for more party inspiration!
As a reminder you can catch all 18 of us party stylists and designers on Mirabelle Creations!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy 2017!
XOXO
Everything looks lovely, my friend! You are a true hostess!
You’re so kind Andressa, thank you! That means a lot for the queen of Gingerbread House parties! XOXO, Sarah
What a fabulous round up! I just loooove the “Mommy & Me” party! <3
Hey Jen, many thanks for your kind words! That means so much coming from you! I love your party and recipe! XOXO, Sarah
Sarah! Love all your ideas and decor! Truly an inspiration and I can’t wait to try that drink!
Hey Carolina, many thanks for your kind words! I love your party and you always inspire me! XOXO, Sarah
I love all your parties!! This is so charming, with so many adorable details!! Happy to be hopping along with you! ♥
Hey Cristina, I love all your parties and entertaining inspiration! You always inspire me! Can’t believe it’s been a year since our New Year’s Party was featured on Birds Parties! So much fun being a party of the Holiday Party Hop with you my friend! XOXO, Sarah