Stock the Holiday Bar

Tis the season for holiday parties! They can be such fun to attend, but if you are hosting your own it, like any other party, can get a bit overwhelming. You want to make sure all guests are pleased and have something there they enjoy, but can't tailor a menu to everybody's taste. The same goes for the bar. Some people prefer vodka over gin, whisky over scotch, craft beer over commercial styles, and champagne over wine. Either way, you want to make sure there is something there for everybody but don't want to break the bank buying everything in the liquor store. Fear no more! Here is the guide to stocking the perfect holiday bar. You won't break the bank and everybody is sure to be pleased. With these staple items guests can make the cocktail of their choosing. Happy Holiday bar stocking!

Liquors:
1 Vodka
1 Rum
1 Whisky
1 Tequila

Wines:
1 Red
1 White
1 Sparkling (Champagne, Prosecco, etc.)

Mixers:
Coke
Sprite
Sweet n' Sour
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice

Additions:
Limes
Cherries

This Party Inspired By {Hanukkah}

Where have my manners been the past couple of weeks? All of this blogging about the holiday season and Christmas and I completely forgot about the other most important holiday of the season, Hanukkah.  While I may not be Jewish, I sure could decorate one mean party for the occasion. Shades of blue with accents of silver everywhere. Throw in a modern menorah, a hand painted dradle, and some amazing potato pancakes and you have got yourself one awesome Hanukkah bash. Top it all off by decorating with strands of blue garland and wrapping gifts in silver.  

Delightful Dining {Chocolate Peppermint Bark}

One of my favorite foods around this of year is peppermint. Peppermint ice cream, peppermint candy canes, and obviously peppermint bark. Always a hoarder of Girardelli Peppermint Bark, I decided to branch out this year and try making my own. It's surprisingly easy and just a delicious. Plus, it's a sure fire way to impress holiday guests! Here's what you'll need....

::Ingredients and Supplies::

{1}Equal parts Dark or Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate (The more chocolate the more bark you can make)

{2}Candy Canes

{3}Aluminum Foil

{4}Cookie Sheet

{5}Double Broiler

::Directions::

{1} Cover the cookie sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.

{2} Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place a bowl on top that rests nicely on the rim. You are creating a double broiler.

{3} Break the pieces of the dark or milk chocolate in the bowl. Stir continuously as to not burn until the chocolate is completely melted. 

{4} Pour the melted chocolate on the aluminum foil covered cookie sheet and spread to create an even layer. Place in the fridge to cool and harden. I left mine in for about 45 minutes.
{5} Place candy canes in a bag and crush into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
{6} Repeat steps 2 & 3 with the white chocolate.
{7} Pour the melted white chocolate on top of the cooled dark chocolate layer and spread to form an even top layer.
{8} Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the white chocolate before cooling.
{9} Place back in the fridge and cool until hardened.
{10} Peel off the aluminum foil and break into pieces.

::Note::
I find it best to keep it in the fridge so that the pieces do not melt together. I have had mine in the fridge for a week now and it still tastes as good as the day I made it!

Enjoy!

All Mixed Up {Cranberry Ginger Fizz}

Every holiday party requires a holiday cocktail. If you read "This Party Inspired By {Cranberry}" a couple weeks ago, you know that cranberry is not only the perfect holiday shade, but the perfect holiday flavor. With this cocktail's vibrant red color and accent of lime, it's colored appropriately, and incredibly delicious. Here's what you'll need for this festive libation...

(Because I don't measure drinks and go by taste, this measurements will not be exact.)

{1} Equal parts cranberry juice and ginger ale 

{2} Gin to taste

{3} Lime wedge

Combine ingredients, shake, pour, and enjoy!

This Party Inspired By {Holiday Sparkle}

Tis the season for holiday parties! During this time everybody's social calendar seems to fill with holiday parties galore. Whether you are hosting one or simply a doting guest, the focus is always on the decor. And with so many on the calendar, it is bound to get a little repetitive. So maybe you should be the one to mix it up. I love the idea of doing holiday sparkle. Fill the room with golds, silvers, pinks and glitter! If the things people associate with the holidays are there, it really doesn't matter the color. Roll branches from the yard with glitter to make an eye catching centerpiece or fill clear ornaments with confetti. Add vases of ornaments and brightly colored tassel to mix it up. I love the idea of hanging ornaments at various lengths in front of the window. Looking for a little interaction? Have clear ornaments, bowls of glitter, and ribbon and let guests make their own ornament for their tree! Frankly, with glitter involved, the possibilities are endless!

What are your holiday party plans this year? Hosting or attending?