Christmas Cocktails & Cheers Party

Time to spread a little holiday cheer by hosting a small cocktail party (for 6-8 guests)!  I teamed up with Fresh Press to design this gathering inspired by their “Cocktails & Cheers” invitations . Their designs are sleek and modern, and for this one I simply brought the swag from the invitation into my design, using ribbon and felt circles.  Read on for the party details.






The food is part of the design with it’s green, red, and white hues. 
  • I’ve always loved a mashed potato bar so I served some up in mini martini glasses.  The mini glasses keep the portion size just right.  Set out toppings such as shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives.
  • At my annual Christmas party, shrimp cocktail is always the first thing to go.  I made individual servings using small tea light holders.  The well is perfect for holding cocktail sauce and the shrimp sits on the side nicely.  
  • For some international flair I served wonton pot stickers in Asian spoons.  Again, the bowl of the spoon holds a sweet chili sauce that you can double-dip in without guilt.
  • For a fun and unexpected touch, I served individual ceasar “salad shooters” in small shot glasses.  The colors are right on with green lettuce and red cherry tomatoes.
  • Finally, serve a signature cocktail for the evening and give it a themed name.  Champagne is always my celebration drink of choice and it’s made that much better with the addition of cranberry juice and amaretto add-ins.  Get the full recipe for my “Jolly Old Elf” cocktail here!
   I hope this party inspiration gets you in the mood for holiday entertaining. 
Cheers!

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31 Comments

  1. Hi Chris,
    Definetly you ROCK girl, this is amazing, I love all details and the food, everything.
    Tks for being such and inspiration for me.
    Rgds, dalys/burundanguitas

    1. Hi Chris, there’s really no recipe involved, just romain lettuce, cherry tomatoes, shredded parmasan cheese, croutons, and ceasar dressing. You just have to make sure to cut up the lettuce into small sizes : )

  3. I absolutely love the mini ornaments hanging from the wonton soup spoons – such a great touch!

  5. Chris, I did a mashed potato bar at a corporate event last Monday and it was a big hit…so much so that I have added it to my list for our Christmas dinner! Everyone loves mashed potatos! 🙂

    Ebony

    shrimp cocktail in tea light holders…FANTASTIC IDEA!

  6. I love this party! I love how modern and clean everything looks. Gosh dang it. Invite me over already! 😉

  7. The setup is gorgeous! I just realized I never left a comment here to let you know how good everything looks!

  8. I really loved this. My three best girlfriends will all be in town over the holidays and it's nice to have inspiration for a small gathering.

  9. Chris, congratulations. It looks simple at first but then when you explore the details it is so inspirational, so delicate, those small portions (I love them). Beatriz

  10. Chris this is just fabulous! I LOVE the mash potatoes in the martini glasses – so clever. And those pom-poms decorating the candlesticks – well I love them! Amazing job 😉

    xoxo
    kristi

  11. Oh the pom pom trim is the CUTEST. Why does that always make everything look extra cute? Also, love the garlands!

  12. Brilliant idea for the shrimp and ceasar salad. First class all around Chris! I love your work! Keep inspiring us!

  13. I am so in love! Tucking this away in my wedding inspiration file for sure! I am a huge mini fan and you rocked it!

  14. What a beautiful party idea! Love the FaLaLa invite and matching red & green garland that is carried through in the backdrop.

  15. Clever use of those Ikea vases! I have a project using them on Friday, but I never thought to put liquids in them!

  17. OMG…Chris…this is so BEAUTIFUL and love your color choices. I am doing a tasting for my New Years Eve inspiration shoot as well!! I am dieting again after Thanksgiving and this is torture 🙂

  20. I love this design so clean, simple and well thought out! Thank you for sharing your great ideas.

  23. I just love the red pom pom trim, adore that idea!!!!! And love how you used the invite as inspiration for the design, just lovely, I especially like it against the white-really allows the food to stand out!

  25. As the More is More Mom, I love the authenticity of your design. Personally, I think that your serving piece inspirations would be a great investment for future entertaining. Great job!

  26. This table is beautiful! It all looks amazing, but in particular I'd like to say you're a total genius for figuring out to serve the shrimp cocktail in the tea light holders! So smart!

  27. AWESOME, Chris! I have the tasing platters/sets myself, and they are the perfect serving size for a small gathering. I just love this sophisticated design.

  28. Anonymous, this is an "inspiration" design. The purpose is to give you ideas that you can incorporate in some way, big or small. It's also for an intimate gathering of 6-8 guests, so you wouldn't need lots of extra paraphernalia.
    And, YES, my friends can attest to the fact that I do go over and above the call of duty when it comes to styling my own paries : )

  30. I love all of your designs / ideas… but am always curious if this is actually how you design your tables for the actual parties? Isn't it expensive to buy all the "tasting" size plates / spoons? Also, there is only about 6 salad shooters shown.. is that really all you serve? Thanks!! I'm having a party myself and am curious!

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