2 Magical Holiday Parties and 2 Party Appetizers

We've had holiday festivities all.month.long.

School Christmas pageants- adorable! 
Company parties- satisfying.
School classroom parties- wow, loud.
And beautiful parties in friends' home sweet homes-- glowing!


I want to share a couple recipes you could easily bring to YOUR next holiday party.

Finger foods, punch bowl,  finger foods, dressed up people, finger foods, music, finger foods, pretty decor, finger foods, chatting with others, finger foods.  Holiday parties are all about the finger foods.

I made Winter Cranberry Blue Cheese Chicken salad in little phyllo cups for one of our Christmas parties.

Winter Cranberry Blue Cheese Chicken Salad
4 cups rotisserie chicken best (this makes a noticeable difference!)
2 green onions chopped
2-3 stalks celery chopped
carton of blue cheese
bag of dried cranberries
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/4 cup mayo
paprika
pepper
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
mini phyllo cups

Bake phyllo cups for 3-5 minutes in 350 degree oven.  Cool.  Mix all ingredients together.  Scoop using a cookie dough scoop into mini cups.  Refridgerate. 

 

They are just-a-bite! size

 on a mini Rosanna pedestal.  

This next one is one I've shared recently in a blog post.  You could find the how to and recipe HERE near the end of that blog post.

Not your typical cheese ball.  This one is SWEET chocolate chip cheesecake.  I also decorated it as an ornament.  A couple years ago I made a pumpkin savory cheese ball using a real pumpkin stem to imitate a pumpkin.  You could find details on that autumn variation HERE.  This ornament cheese ball looks extra festive on a Christmas table spread! 

  

I also have a quick idea to bring as a hostess gift!  But a stack of customized candy bar labels to wrap around delicious chocolate to give to your party hosts.  

There are a lot of things I LOVE.  Life made beautiful is a passion that I hold close.  Chris and I went to a couple holiday parties that put a pause on normal life and gave us a few moments to savor beauty with all of our senses: the gorgeous sights of homes adorned perfectly for the holidays, the hum of life as friends chatted, and the smells of winter cooking.

This first party is playfully and rightly called THE EPIC Christmas Party.  It was amazing.  amazing.  I literally felt as if I had been swept away into a Christmas movie scene.  Our hosts, Steve and Amy, have a beautiful restored home built in the late 1800s.  Charm was on every wall and in every corner.
I love how this girl decorates!  She has felt disc garland on her Christmas tree.  :)

We were instantly carried away by the holiday charm when entering the front door.

The men were adorably suited up.

And the women were glamorous.
Black gloves, red lips.

Baskets, trays, and plates of delicious and special food.

Oh and wow.  Someone is actually taller than my husband.  ;)  Our host, Steve.

Chris and Abigal chatting in the sitting room...YES! A real deal sitting room.  I told you it felt like we were in a movie.  

A little bit before midnight, groups of friends gathered around to sing Christmas carols.  Carrie and Seth are talented in MORE ways than I imagined!  This couple rocks. 

Final shot of the EPIC CHRISTMAS party.  

Party Girls.

A big thank you to Amy,

 our graceful host, sitting in the middle.  

A couple of these others have blogs too!  

Carrie's place

Allison's place

The other party was majestically beautiful!  We were privileged to attend Ron and Jil's White Elephant Bash last year too.  I shared some photos in a blog post HERE.  I enjoyed every second of it and was very excited to attend again!  

Our talented hostess, Jil, in orange, serving up her amazing goodness.  :) 

Their home is absolutely lovely, perfectly appointed for the beautiful Christmas holiday. 

My parents were at this party too!   I must be getting old because somehow I don't mind having my parents at a party with me.  ;)

 It's a party of 4!

Here is my Mom, all sparkly and extra pretty at the party!

Jil is exceptionally talented.  Her appetizers were truly perfect and taste incredible. Everything is made from scratch.  She had so many choices that I needed a plate for each hand.  Ahh, the season of glorious excess.

We stayed in their home sweet home late into the night engaging in an all-out war to secure the BEST White Ellie gift!  Our minutes were filled with lots of smiles and so much of a good time!  Thank you Ron and Jil for giving us such happy holiday memories.  

Oh snap.  
Every moment apparently much be captured by me. ;)

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This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Nifty Thrifty, Seasonal Sundays, Made by You Monday, Met Monday, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tasty Tuesday, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Works for Me Wednesday, Organize and Decorate Everything, Celebrations at Home,Transformation Thursday,Tablescape Thursday, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Ave, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, eighteen25, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up sew many ways Six Sisters Saturday Jennifer Rizzo Christmas Tour ,The Inspired Room