Holidays

I’ve barely started working on our annual holiday brunch party that’s coming up this Saturday. But the great thing about a party you host every year is that you get used to the traditions and know the recipes well. We expect about 35 people, and the set-up couldn’t be easier! Guests.  35 or so people…

Patience wrote in with a request for a party this weekend: To the ever chic EmilyStyle! I somehow managed to say yes to hosting a Couples Christmas Party this Saturday evening. I think I said yes because in the back of my head I was thinking about you mentioning that not enough people host parties…

My holiday cards just arrived from the printer last night. With 75 to write before leaving on vacation next week, I need to start on them ASAP.  Why not turn the chore into a fun working party with a few friends? Guests.  A couple of close women friends who are also facing their own big…

Rob and I packed nearly every Christmas tradition into this weekend. Partially, because we are going Hawaii for the actual holiday with my family! A nearly-record-breaking cold snap in the Bay Area also helped us to feel extra wintry and wanting to stay in, like Jane Austen’s Mr. Woodhouse. On Friday, we dressed up for…

Kristy lives on a “farmette” in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and left a comment with a request for her own holiday party brainstorm: Since we went away for Thanksgiving, I have a nice, 12 lb. locally sourced all-natural turkey I want to roast for Christmas Eve for in-laws and a few others. I plan…

Today’s holiday party brainstorm is a dinner party in disguise. Rob and I have a tradition of walking over to the neighborhood Christmas tree lot and bringing back a tree to decorate with a few friends. No elaborate invitations or decor required – just a festive night around the tree. Guests. A couple close friends…

I’m on a crusade to boost holiday entertaining! Every year, it seems like fewer people throw holiday parties. I hear all kinds of excuses: the apartment is too small, I don’t have enough chairs, I worry if people would really come.  But here’s the thing – everyone loves being invited to a party and spending…

A giant ham is the traditional centerpiece of our holiday brunch party. This year’s was a doozy – 18lbs of boneless “deli” ham from Robert’s Corned Meats down on Bryant Street.  We served 30 people with this guy at the brunch, and then another 12 people the next day at a small party for my…

This is such an easy annual party. Even when sick, it’s a breeze to put together a menu for 20+ guests. Even cute, tiny guests in velvet party dresses: The menu this year consisted of our favorite local ham roasted in the oven for 5 hours, and served with truffle mustard, a giant smoked salmon…

The weekend got off to a rocky start when I woke up Friday feeling rotten from a fresh cold. With the big party on Sunday, I had to get better, stat. I hibernated immediately. Homemade chicken soup, tea with honey and 20 hours of sleep. I woke up on Saturday miraculously cured! Immune system FTW!…