Can you believe it’s already December?? What? How?! 2019 has seriously flown by, but I am ready for Christmas, it’s one of my favorite holidays! And each year gets more magical now that we have our son! While I am not hosting Christmas day this year, I am hosting a Friendsmas with some of our closest friends! So I wanted to share with a few tips on how I plan to make my guests feel welcome in our home! And if you get to the end of the post, I’m sharing a recipe for a signature cocktail you can try for the evening, cranberry mules! So let’s get festive together, pour the jingle juice, and read on! Happy hosting! 

The Table Setting

This is always my favorite part about hosting. I love to create beautiful table settings for my parties and this is an example of one I did for the last time I hosted Friendsmas.

Our Friendsmas menu includes: pot roast with veggies, mashed potatoes, hawaiian rolls, baked apples and for desert thick hot chocolate and peppermint bark! I’m drooling just thinking about it!

Simple Ways To Make Your Guests Feel Welcome

• Cozy candles. I like to have a wonderful smelling candle at the entryway so my guests are welcomed by the delicious smell when they walk in. My favorites are vanilla, sugar cookie, pumpkin spice, or anything with apple!

• Plenty to eat. On top of the dinner, I always like to make sure there is plenty to nosh on. My favorites include a charcuterie board, chips and salsa, or mixed nuts. Just a light snack to hold them over until it's time to eat.

• Plenty to drink. This includes both alcoholic and non alcoholic drink choices. By giving your guests choices, they will appreciate the effort you putting forth to ensure their time spent at your home is enjoyed.

• Music. We have an Amazon Echo Plus that we synced with Pandora and it's perfect for playing some background music to keep the mood lively.

• Create ambiance. Whenever I have guests over I am sure to turn on our under-mount lighting and lower the lights just a touch. It creates a cozy feel for my guests.

All of these gestures will have your guests thanking you for a wonderful evening and giving you party hosting brownie points! 

Cranberry Mule Christmas Cocktail Recipe 

Ingredients:

Sugared Cranberries (for garnishing)

• 12 oz . fresh cranberries

• 1/2 cup simple syrup

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Cranberry Mule

• 2 oz . unsweetened cranberry juice

• 3 oz . ginger beer

• 1 1/2 oz . spiced rum

• 1 oz . simple syrup

• Ice , for serving

Prep: 1 hour and 45 min | Ready In: 5 Min

Directions: 

Make the sugared cranberries

1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a wire cooling rack on top of the lined baking sheet, and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, measure in the simple syrup.

3. Toss the cranberries in the simple syrup, removing them with a slotted spoon, then place on the wire cooling rack.

4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until the berries are sticky.

5. When the berries are sticky, measure the sugar into a large bowl.

6. Toss the cranberries in the sugar until coated, then transfer back to the wire cooling rack.

7. Coat all the cranberries, then refrigerate for an additional hour before using.

Make the Cranberry Mules

1. Place a handful of ice in a copper mug

2. Combine the cranberry juice, ginger beer, rum and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.

3. Shake until combined, then pour over ice.

4. Serve with sugared cranberries as garnish, and enjoy!

Recipe and picture orginally found on The Speckled Plate. 

Tabelscape Sources:

Table Runner: TJ Maxx. Similar Style here

Birch Log: TJ Maxx. Similar style here

Ornament Place Card Holders: TJ Maxx. Similar style here

Votive Candles: Target

Red Chargers: Target

Serving Tray: Target

Martini Glasses: Target

Christmas China: Vintage. Similar style here 

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