Taking down the Christmas tree doesn’t have to signal the end of your winter fun. Steal our ideas for entertaining indoors during these long winter nights!
New Year’s good luck dinner
One more reason to get together during the bleak mid-winter: have a New Year’s good luck dinner party. Create your menu from traditional New Year foods that are supposed to bring good luck, including black eyed peas, greens, cornbread, cabbage, citrus, pork, noodles, dumplings, tamales, rice and soft pretzels.
Whether you pull out all the stops and set a glam table with china and crystal, or keep it cozy and casual, the best part will be mutual well-wishing as you bring in 2025.
Are you game?
Hit the hilarity button when you ask family and friends over for game night at your house. Sure, you can fire up the electronic gaming system, but the personal interaction when you’re playing board games together is priceless!
Bring out the leftover snacks and sweets from your Christmas parties on trays, clear the dining table and pull up chairs for an unforgettable night of strategy and laughter.
A round table is especially great for board and card games–everyone has the same reach to the center, and you can always pull up an extra seat for the late arriving guest.
Raising the bar
Someone in your home may be an expert in mixing festive cocktails, but there are other ways to use a bar or bar cart for your party, especially if you have underage visitors present.
Consider these fun bars for your winter gathering:
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hot cocoa bar. Keep your cocoa warm in an urn, thermos, or slow cooker. For ultimate customization, set out mugs and bowls of mix-ins: mini chocolate chips; cinnamon; crushed graham crackers, crushed candy cane, sprinkles, cookie pieces, or toasted coconut. Don’t forget the whipped cream!
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mashed potato bar. Use a buffet warmer or slow cooker to keep your mashed potatoes piping hot. Your guests will be eager to try toppings such as sour cream, chopped scallions, sautéed wild mushrooms, olive tapenade, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, steamed broccoli florets. What else would you include?
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fondue bar. An electric fondue pot is perfect for serving fondue buffet style. Along with your hot cheese pot, set out platters of dippers (crispy bread cubes, soft pretzels. apples, cured meats, tiny sausages, fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes and baby carrots, cooked vegetables like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower, and grilled chicken or shrimp). You’ll need fondue forks for dipping and transferring foods to individual small plates. Provide regular forks for eating dipped foods.
Best moviefest
Of course, the easiest gathering of all is hosting a movie night at home. Invite friends or family to come in their pj’s and with their favorite fleece or throw. Light scented candles and turn down the lights. Make sure you have plenty of pillows handy for the sofa or floor– and snacks, naturally.
Last of all, winter wonder for one
Not all the winter fun requires a crowd. Got a new novel from Santa? When the decorations are down and the company is gone, what a joy to retire to your very own reading nook with a Do Not Disturb sign on the door. Then settle down in your lounge chair with your book or tablet, the family pet, a pillow and throw. Sail away to new adventures!
Happy 2025 from the owners and associates of The Mint Julep! Browse our Rockwall store and online collections for the latest looks in furniture, home decor and gifts. We ship nationwide!
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