Christmas Open House Ideas

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Hi everyone,

DH and I would like to host an open house the week before Christmas, inviting the people in our churches. At first, I was thinking for a couple of hours in the evening to serve drinks and appetizers. However, DH works Fridays and Saturdays starting at 4pm and that seems like the time when an event like that would take place.

So now I'm thinking we will either have a Christmas brunch or Christmas Afternoon Tea the Saturday before Christmas. I'm not sure which to do but either way I want to make it as easy as possible during the actual time when guests are here. (i.e. have most things prepared ahead of time)

I'm looking for your suggestions to make this a great event. It's going to be about 50 people so that's why I like the open house concept so that they aren't necessarily all here at the same time.

Also, I would like to offer some form of alcohol but in a classy, festive way. I was thinking mimosas if we did brunch but I'm not sure what if we did a tea.

So, any suggestions on what to serve or any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, what do you vote for: tea or brunch?

 

[tevagirl]

Brunch and what's the address?

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Hahahaha....you can come IF you join one of my churches. Hey...that could be how I could recruit!

I mentioned it to hubby just now and he's leaning toward tea. Thinks it would be easiest. Any more thoughts?

 

[lovemygoofy]

The tea would be easier I think because it would be an open house and wouldn't have to keep as many items warm. For a tea you could several 3 or 4 kinds of cookies/desserts and some different appetizers. For a tea you could serve some wine or even a coffee with liquor or spiked ciders.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Thanks Tina. I like your ideas. I think it might be too early for wine. We're having it between 1 and 3 but I think that the spiked cider sounds really good. Unfortunately, neither of us do coffee.

I think we will go with the tea since we have a million really lovely china tea cups.

 

[hentob]

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Sandwich.htm

http://entertaining.about.com/od/teasandwichesetc/Recipes_for_Tea_Sandwiches_and_Goodies.htm

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/et_pa_afternoon_tea/0,1972,FOOD_10924,00.html

Plus ciders, Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and punch. Set the drink bar up in a low traffic are where people won't get bumped when serving themselves.

Have fun!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Would you still serve mimosas and punch at afternoon tea?

Thanks for the links! They're great!

 

[NHdisneylover]

We always have hot buttered rum available at our openhouse. You can make all of the spiced butterballs a couple of days ahead. We also have warm cider (keep it warm in a crock pot for those not wanting alcohol. For cold drinks we have a regular punch (non alcoholic) and a champagne punch (similar to mimosa but less breakfasty).

 

[malibuconlee]

Sounds like fun either way!!

Another holiday drink. Cranberry Bog... three parts champagne(sparkling wine) to one part cranberry juice. Garnish with fresh cranberries. Really good. And a good way to get rid of cheap champagne!!!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

We thought since it's a tea party, we would go with something called Peach Tea Punch. It uses iced tea and peach juice.

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

Here's a festive drink...

Cranberry Bog Cocktail Recipe

4 ounces champagne
1 ounce cranberry juice
Whole cranberries, for garnish
Mint leaves, for garnish

Combine champagne and cranberry juice in a champagne flute. Drop a few whole cranberries in the glass and garnish with mint leaves.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

That sounds tasty, TxDsnyGrl74!