Holiday Housewarming Party without a Hitch

We started this series on holiday entertaining a few weeks ago with the outline for Holiday Party No. 1: A Housewarming for a Small Apartment. Over the weekend, Lauren succumbed to my bossiness and held a wonderful event at her apartment in Noe Valley. The mantlepiece was decorated with a fresh winter garland and candles:

She had the entry hall decorated with a lit wreath and the living room glowing with a Christmas tree. Prosecco was served to guests as they arrived, along with some spanish cheeses, olives and salami.

For dinner, she made a kale salad, crab cakes, shrimp paella and garlic rolls – all delicious!

Great conversation as we ate, seated around the tree in the living room.

For dessert, Lauren baked a gingerbread bundt cake with pear caramel glaze that was out of control delicious. Along with the cake, she also made cookies and guests brought macarons and fresh strawberries.