5 Christmas Party Ideas

Friends leave with good memories and seasonal decor after a casual afternoon of wreath crafting.Tip: A cocoa bar lets guests mix sips and top them off with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Purchase plain faux evergreen wreaths from a crafts or home store, as well as a selection of pinecones, berry sprigs, ribbon and ornaments for friends to mix and match. Remember to supply sturdy clippers, wire floral picks and a hot-glue gun.Tip: Pretty up pinecones by dipping them in crafts paint diluted with a little water. Let them dry on wax paper; repeat for deeper color.

Want to get the girls together for an afternoon of fun? Consider hosting a cookie exchange. The price to get in: two dozen homemade cookies.

Supply bakery boxes and ribbon for friends to pack up a mix of goodies.

Cookie cutters with a simple message make inexpensive party favors.

A kid-friendly brunch starts with a plate of flapjacks and a tempting array of toppers.  Display toppers like nuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips in glass containers.

Jars filled with Legos keep little (and big) hands occupied at the table. Lego mini figurines stand in as place card holders.

Ring in the season (or toast the new year) with a playfully sophisticated cocktail party.Tip: To make these festive bells, cut the bottom "ringer" off of white tissue paper honeycomb bells. Unfold bells and secure with the tabs. Coat with gold glitter spray; let dry. Close the bells. Tie long ribbon to gold ball ornaments' hangers, then set an ornament into the bottom of each bell. Secure ribbon in center of bell folds with glue dots. Also put glue dots along cardboard edges before closing and hanging the bell.   

Transform bubbly into a dessert drink by swapping traditional swizzle sticks for jewel-like rock candy.

Rub the rims of cocktail glasses with orange wedges and dip in a mix of coarse red and gold sugars for added flair.Cool cocktail: In a large pitcher, mix 2 cups ruby red grapefruit juice and 1 cup chilled tangerine- or clementine-flavor vodka. Slowly stir in a 750-ml bottle of chilled rose Prosecco. 

A few quick ideas transform ordinary crafts materials and purchased snacks for a one-size-fits-all gathering.Punch it up Decorate a punch bowl with drinking straws glued together to form a snowflake (cover the center with a round of craft paper). Super-size it Super-size snowflakes cut from tissue paper layer on wintery touches to the buffet table.

For a successful cheese board, mix a hard cheese such as Gruyère, a soft one like Camembert and a blue such as Gorgonzola. Add crackers or bread, fruit such as grapes and apple slices, and preserves. 

Arrange desserts on stacked footed platters for an eye-catching display.Put it together: Sandwich shortbread cookies with jam and meringues with melted chocolate.