How to Prepare for Your Christmas Party
Our Christmas party is a huge undertaking. And I love it. I love planning, creating a theme, cooking, and decorating. and now I am sharing my secret.
I have mentioned our annual Christmas party a few times. Our party is a big event, and it has grown in every aspect over the last thirty years. We invite all of our friends and family (and their children if they are friends with our children) and I cook all of the food. For about 250 people. And no, I am not a caterer.
I love to plan the party and decorate our home for the holidays. It’s the “cooking all of the food” part of our Christmas party that is the reason my friends think I am crazy. I know it’s a lot of work. It takes me a few weeks to prepare everything. But over the years I have created a very good menu of heavy hors-d’oeuvres and desserts. In fact, most people say the food is excellent. I don’t change the menu much because anytime I delete something I hear about it from one of our guests!
So I know what you are thinking. What is on the party menu and will I publish the recipes? After considerable thought, I am going to share all of my recipes this year. Every single one. The only catch is you need to follow my blog if you want a copy. All you have to do is fill out the pop up box here with your email address and it’s done. On December 1st I will email a PDF file to everyone on the list with all of my recipes. It’s that simple.
So here is the menu for our Christmas Party:
H O R S – D’ O E U V R E S
- Spicy Grilled shrimp
- Beef Tenderloin with rolls
- Smoked Turkey with cranberry/orange muffins
- Teriyaki Salmon Bites
- Chicken lettuce wraps
- BLT tomatoes
- Skewered chicken with peanut sauce
- Skewered flank steak with peanut sauce
- Crab cakes with lemon dill sauce
- BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Ham and Swiss Sliders
- Salads on a Stick – wedge, and Caprese
- Sweet potato rounds with goat cheese
- Phyllo with spinach dip
- Whipped sweet potatoes in crusts with pecan topping
- Crab quesadillas with salsa
- Brie cups with pomegranates
- Ahi Tuna and avocado on sesame wonton chips
- Pesto stuffed mushrooms
D E S S E R T S
- Cran, toffee, and chocolate oatmeal cookies
- Peanut butter fudge
- Frosted sugar cookies
- Coconut joy candy bars
- Chocolate Mint Marvels
- If you want a copy of all of these recipes, just sign up to follow my blog!
The only reason I can pull this off is that I have an excel spreadsheet that I have made that is color-coded and lists everything I need to cook, by each day, to pull off the party.
I guess I should also share what my Excel Spreadsheet looks like.
See? Now you think I am crazy too.
But the truth is, I love it. Ok, maybe that’s not 100% true. I love it most of the time.
And I am not crazy. I promise. I just love to entertain and our Christmas party is my favorite party of the year.
Sounds delicious!
Thanks for your inspiration…
I would love a copy of your recipes.
I’m counting down the days for your email!
Also hoping you received my email a week or two ago.
I am so looking forward to these recipes! I have a party coming up as well, and I see several items I want to try!
What an amazing gathering for your lucky friends to look forward to every year!
Hi Leslie
I signed up thought it was before Dec1 but I missed the recipe file? Could I get it?
Hi Leslie!
I would LOVE a copy of your recipes! I just recently found your IG account and have been a tad bit obsessed! I could swear I saw a picture of your butlers pantry, but can’t seem to find it on your feed. Maybe, it was in your stories…? Anyhoo, can you please post a pic of dishes side of butlers? I remember being in awe of it and would love to have as an inspiration shot! Can I just say before leaving that I love your home and your style and can’t wait to get the blog posts! Keep inspiring!
Hello! I have just spent the past hour+ reading your blog posts and have reached this one. Is it too late to ask for your holiday recipes?
I am enjoying your blog so much and love your style, thank you so much for sharing.
My email address [email protected]
Oh, my!! I just went from IG over here to your blog for that amazing sounding coconut cake recipe, and saw the link for this post at the bottom.
How did I miss this wonderfulness back in November? If you get a minute, and it’s not too late, I would absolutely adore a copy of your Christmas party recipes! Your friends and family are some very lucky people!! ????
I would also love your Christmas party recipes? Would that be possible?
I too would love the recipes. I follow you on IG but just signed up to follow your blog this past week. If you need my email it’s [email protected]. Thank you sooooo much!
I just signed up for your blog. Too late to get the recipes?
I would love your recipes, although I already follow your blog and do not see them listed anywhere. I also don’t see anywhere that allows me to follow you..(although, I already do) Right below this comment box, it says I’m commenting using my wordpress account…not sure what that even means…any help or suggestions would be very welcome! Thankyou!
I just noticed I commented back in May as well….
I just signed up. May I have a xmas menu recipe?
I am in awe reading about your entertaining expertise and artistry. You radiate hospitality and pure joy for following your heart. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me!