Platinum Celebrations
Winter Wonderland Holiday Party
By Mindy Kobrin
Make your "Winter Wonderland" unforgettable with beautiful holiday party invitations.
Gift Exchange and Party Favors
Food
Make your "Winter Wonderland" unforgettable with beautiful holiday party invitations.
Celebrate Christmas or the holidays with a Winter Wonderland party. Make your home warm and inviting with candles, twinkling lights, sizzling drinks and a scrumptious food buffet.
This terrific Winter Wonderland dinner buffet party works for crowds large or small. It's ideal for an open house evening gathering starting at 7PM. Casual mixing, mingling and jingling with food and drinks promise a warm and festive party mood!
Atmosphere
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Create an inviting and sophisticated room in winter white with dazzling silver accents. Silver candles, placemats and turquoise accents add drama to even the plainest white plates and serving bowls. A vase of stunning white lillies adds the finishing touch.
The room will shimmer with twinkle lights wrapped in white tulle and draped over a window frame or seats like soft, snowy curtains. Tie back the tulle with a snowflake ornament or white satin ribbon. Fill clear hurricane vases with sparkling silver stone beads and martini glasses with luxury sugarcoated silver-chocolate almonds. Sprinkle votive candles around the room to create a soft light.
Tunes
What better way to feel the holidays than with a terrific playlist. Here are a few of my favorites.
- "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin
- "Winter Wonderland" by Elvis Presley
- "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" by Kenny G
- "Jingle Bell Rock" by Billy Idol
- "Jingle Bells" by Frank Sinatra
- "Last Christmas" by Wham
- "Peace" by Norah Jones
- "Cool Yule" by Bette Midler
- "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by James Taylor with Natalie Cole
- "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Josh Groban
- "Carols" by Bing Crosby
- "Ave Maria" by Andrea Bocelli
Gift Exchange and Party Favors
Dress up the usual gift exchange by asking each guest to bring a white gift wrapped in white paper, ribbon or glitter snowflake garland.
My ice hot Cool Party item pick will make you winter chic. Sharper Image's Electronic Ice Bucket with 10 different thermostat settings, wine and champagne will be perfectly chilled for hours!
When the night is over, light up the dark winter’s night with chic party favors. Give guests a small party favor as they leave. It can be as simple as a white gift bag or satin pouch stuffed with cinnamon potpourri. White chocolate truffles tucked inside small white boxes gift-wrapped with a white or silver satin ribbon are dazzling.
For a bit of whimsy, count on Colin Cowie Candy Cane Pillar Candles wrapped in a big white bow. With this festive and traditional candy cane stripe design, these festive candles add beauty to an friend's home.
Food
Set up a decadent raw bar with two or three dozen oysters and small pots of caviar displayed in a large silver bowls or clam shells filled with ice. Set toast points for the caviar and assorted sauces for the oysters in small bowls alongside. If you're not a shellfish fan, set towers of crudites such as cauliflower, celery, red pepper, green pepper, cucumber, crunchy asparagus, cherry tomatoes and mini pitas with fabulous creamy dips.
Risotto is an ideal dish for a winter wonderland with its white, pillowy appearance and its warm, creamy consistency.
Dreaming of a white dessert? Dip into white chocolate fondue. See my recipes below.
Festive Winter Drinks
Peppermintinis
3 parts vodka
1 part crème de menthe
Fill a shaker with ice, then add ingredients. Shake, strain into martini glasses, then garnish with a mini candy cane or white chocolate swizzle stick.
3 parts vodka
1 part crème de menthe
Fill a shaker with ice, then add ingredients. Shake, strain into martini glasses, then garnish with a mini candy cane or white chocolate swizzle stick.
Blue Icicle
1 oz Hpnotiq Liqueur
4 oz Champagne
To a chilled champagne flute, add liqueur and champagne. Garnish with a peppermint stick or fresh raspberry.
1 oz Hpnotiq Liqueur
4 oz Champagne
To a chilled champagne flute, add liqueur and champagne. Garnish with a peppermint stick or fresh raspberry.
Toasted Almond
1 Shot Vodka
1/2 Shot Disaronno® Amaretto
1/2 Shot Kahlua® coffee liqueur
2 Shots Cream
1 Scoop Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
In a blender, blend all ingredients with a cup of crushed ice. Serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
1 Shot Vodka
1/2 Shot Disaronno® Amaretto
1/2 Shot Kahlua® coffee liqueur
2 Shots Cream
1 Scoop Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
In a blender, blend all ingredients with a cup of crushed ice. Serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
Winter Wonderland Recipes
Hellmann's Creamy Greek Skordalia Dip
Ingredients
3 slices country white bread, crusts removed
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 cup Hellmann's ® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic
Preparation
In medium bowl, soak bread in warm water for 2 minutes. Squeeze bread and discard excess water; set aside.
In food processor or blender, process almonds until finely ground. Add bread and remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Chill, if desired, and serve with pita bread or your favorite dippers.
Ingredients
3 slices country white bread, crusts removed
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 cup Hellmann's ® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic
Preparation
In medium bowl, soak bread in warm water for 2 minutes. Squeeze bread and discard excess water; set aside.
In food processor or blender, process almonds until finely ground. Add bread and remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Chill, if desired, and serve with pita bread or your favorite dippers.
Hellmann's Hot Cranberry Pecan & Blue Cheese Dip
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 4 oz.)
1/2 cup toasted finely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, combine all ingredients. In 3-cup casserole, spoon cheese mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until golden.
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 4 oz.)
1/2 cup toasted finely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, combine all ingredients. In 3-cup casserole, spoon cheese mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until golden.
Winter Wonderland Creamy Risotto
Ingredients
6 to 8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
3 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots, (about 2)
1 cup Arborio or Carnaroli rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 to 6 tbs unsalted butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for grating or shaving
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat stock in saucepan over medium heat; keep at a low simmer. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots to oil, and cook, stirring, until translucent.
Add rice, and cook, stirring, until rice begins to make a clicking sound like glass beads, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add wine to rice mixture. Cook, stirring, until wine is absorbed by rice.
Using a ladle, add 3/4 cup hot stock to rice. Using a wooden spoon, stir rice constantly, at a moderate speed. When rice mixture is just thick enough to leave a clear wake behind the spoon,
add another 3/4 cup stock. Continue adding stock 3/4 cup at a time and stirring constantly until rice is mostly translucent but still opaque in the center.
Rice should be al dente but not crunchy. As rice nears doneness, watch carefully and add smaller amounts of liquid to make sure it does not overcook.
The final mixture should be thick enough that grains of rice are suspended in liquid the consistency of heavy cream. It will thicken slightly when removed from heat.
Remove from heat. Stir in butter, Parmesan cheese, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture among four shallow bowls, mounding risotto in the center, and grate or shave additional Parmesan over risotto. Serve immediately.
Ingredients
6 to 8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
3 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots, (about 2)
1 cup Arborio or Carnaroli rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 to 6 tbs unsalted butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for grating or shaving
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat stock in saucepan over medium heat; keep at a low simmer. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots to oil, and cook, stirring, until translucent.
Add rice, and cook, stirring, until rice begins to make a clicking sound like glass beads, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add wine to rice mixture. Cook, stirring, until wine is absorbed by rice.
Using a ladle, add 3/4 cup hot stock to rice. Using a wooden spoon, stir rice constantly, at a moderate speed. When rice mixture is just thick enough to leave a clear wake behind the spoon,
add another 3/4 cup stock. Continue adding stock 3/4 cup at a time and stirring constantly until rice is mostly translucent but still opaque in the center.
Rice should be al dente but not crunchy. As rice nears doneness, watch carefully and add smaller amounts of liquid to make sure it does not overcook.
The final mixture should be thick enough that grains of rice are suspended in liquid the consistency of heavy cream. It will thicken slightly when removed from heat.
Remove from heat. Stir in butter, Parmesan cheese, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture among four shallow bowls, mounding risotto in the center, and grate or shave additional Parmesan over risotto. Serve immediately.
Winter White Chocolate Fondue
Ingredients
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract (or 6 oz Grand Marnier)
2 packages (12 ounces each) premier white morsels
Preparation
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine cream and butter. Bring mixture to a simmer, whisking. Remove pan from heat.
Add white morsels then stir in vanilla extract. Stir mixture until melted and smooth.
Transfer to a fondue pot or ceramic bowl. Serve with dippers.
Dippers
Fresh fruits - bananas, strawberries, grapes, tangerines, pears, apples, raspberries. Fresh fruit should be ripe but still firm enough to not dissolve while dipping.
Dried fruit - apricots, dates, figs
Cakes or cookies - Bite sized pieces of angel food cake, pound cake, lady fingers or crisp biscotti
Nut Breads - Nut breads can be served toasted or fresh. Cut into bite sized pieces. Try date nut bread, cinnamon bread, persimmon pumpkin or zucchini breads.
Good luck making your Winter Wonderland party memorable. Check out my Globe-Trotting Drinks and Desserts ideas to make your entertaining edibles look great.
Ingredients
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract (or 6 oz Grand Marnier)
2 packages (12 ounces each) premier white morsels
Preparation
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine cream and butter. Bring mixture to a simmer, whisking. Remove pan from heat.
Add white morsels then stir in vanilla extract. Stir mixture until melted and smooth.
Transfer to a fondue pot or ceramic bowl. Serve with dippers.
Dippers
Fresh fruits - bananas, strawberries, grapes, tangerines, pears, apples, raspberries. Fresh fruit should be ripe but still firm enough to not dissolve while dipping.
Dried fruit - apricots, dates, figs
Cakes or cookies - Bite sized pieces of angel food cake, pound cake, lady fingers or crisp biscotti
Nut Breads - Nut breads can be served toasted or fresh. Cut into bite sized pieces. Try date nut bread, cinnamon bread, persimmon pumpkin or zucchini breads.
