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More Than 21 Tips For Throwing A Holiday Party

BOXED HANDMADE MISTLETOE BALL WITH CUSTOM INVITATION

Supplies needed for mistletoe ball:
• Styrofoam or floral balls - 4" in diameter
• Live mistletoe (artificial will also work)
• Satin ribbon
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

Instructions for making the mistletoe ball:
• Using the hot glue gun, attached small pieces artificial mistletoe to the Styrofoam ball.
• Repeat until the ball is completely covered.
• Secure the satin ribbon on the bottom of the mistletoe covered ball with hot glue and then wrap the ribbon around the ball tying the ends to form a bow.
• Secure the ribbon at various points with hot glue if needed.

Supplies needed for custom invitation:
• (3) pieces o f 6" x 6" cardstock in three different colors. White or another light color is recommend for one of the three.
• Double sided tape or spray mount
• Paper cutter
• Computer
• Laser printer
• 6" x 6" x 6" gift box
• Holiday tinsel

Instructions for making the custom invitation:
• Using a word document on the computer, set a 2" margin to print on a 6" x 6" piece of paper
• Using the word document layout out the text of the invitation
• Print invitation on the 6" x 6" white cardstock
• Using the paper cutter cut the printed invitation down to a 4 ¼ " x 4 ¼ " square
• Using the paper cutter reduce the other piece of card stock to a 5" x 5" square
• Using the double sided tape or spray mount affix a 6" x 6" square of cardstock to the inside of the lid of the corrugated box
• Center and attached the layered 5" x 5" cardstock and printed invitations to the mounted cardstock
• Fill the box with the holiday tinsel
• Place the mistletoe ball gently in the box and close
• Secure closure with holiday ribbon

DÉCOR ELEMENTS ON DISPLAY:

• Miniature rosemary trees tied with holiday ribbon and accented with miniature bulbs
• Sparkly holiday ornaments hung from the ceiling with fishing line
• Willow branches with rose buds in a clear vase filled with cranberries

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS: (CAN BE MAIL ORDERED)

• Smoked Peppered Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish on a Crustini
• Cheese Platter
• Mixed Spiced Nuts
• Puff Pastry Collection (Garlic Parmesan White Bean Croustades, Bacon Chestnut Bundles, Garlic-Herb Twists)
• Shortbread Cookies
• Wiseman House Chocolates

BEVERAGE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Green Apple Martini

Ingredients:
• 2 parts vodka
• 1 part Apple Schnapps
• Splash of lime juice
• Wedge of lime
• Green sugar

Instructions:
• Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with the wedge of lime and then rim the glass with the green sugar.
• Put vodka, apple schnapps and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and then strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with the apple slice.

Red Cosmopolitan Martini

Ingredients:
• 4 parts vodka
• 2 parts Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 2 parts cranberry juice
• 1 part lime juice
• Wedge of lime
• Red sugar
• Garnish with a cranberry

Instructions:
• Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with the wedge of lime and then rim the glass with the red sugar.
• Put vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and then strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with two cranberries.

*To make drinks nonalcoholic, substitute Sprite or 7 Up for the alcohol.*

MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS:

Purchase and download music from iTunes and create a mix to play that evening.

Jazz Music
• Diana Krall
• Cole Porter
• Harry Connick, Jr.
• John Coltrane
• Louis Armstrong

FAVOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Holiday ornaments
• Burn the music mix to CDs and give a favors to your guests at the end of the night.
• A miniature box of chocolates

Source: Event Planner Tara Wilson

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