How to Host a Small Christmas Cocktail Party
Our Secret Garden with a beautifully lit Christmas tree for ambience and festive cocktails. Delectable finger foods from my cookbook Celebration Classics, our intimate gathering was warm inviting and stylish. Read on to learn how to host a small Christmas Cocktail party.
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Setting the Scene: A Garden Under the Tree
The secret garden, newly refreshed, is the ultimate setting for this cozy gathering. You can use any space in your garden, even a small courtyard would be magical dressed with lights.
The decorating begins with a beautifully lit Christmas tree standing proudly at the centre of the walkway, casting a soft, twinkling glow that sets the mood for the evening. Whether you’re hosting at dusk or after dark, the tree becomes the centrepiece for your celebration. I prefer to leave the tree free of decorations.
Incorporate some soft outdoor lighting like our string lights or lanterns scattered throughout the garden for additional warmth and charm. With the Australian summer in full swing, your outdoor seating should reflect a relaxed, summer vibe. Remember this is a cocktail party so you don’t need to fill the area with seats as people will tend to stand and mingle.
The goal is to keep the atmosphere casual yet festive, embracing the holiday spirit in a relaxed and intimate way. If you live in an area that will be cool for Christmas add a fire pit or outdoor heater. You can also provide some cozy throw blankets for your guests.
The Perfect Table – Buffet Style
To elevate the party’s decor, the Ladelle Christmas Garland range is the perfect accompaniment. The festive tablecloth with its elegant garland design sets the tone for a warm and luxurious spread. The combination of deep greens and warm reds in the range ties together the seasonal theme beautifully, making your table as much of a feature as the tree.
Pair the tablecloth with matching napkins, stylish serving platters, for your guests to enjoy the delicious bites and drinks.
Mix-and-Match Self-Serve Garden Cocktail Bar
To add an extra element of fun and creativity to your cocktail party, set up a mix and match self serve garden cocktail bar. Offer your guests a selection of three fresh citrus juices (my choice is lemon, lime, and orange). Three deliciously fragrant simple syrups infused with rosemary, mint, and sage. The bottles I used can be found here. I think they are gorgeous. The spirits of choice will be gin, tequila and vodka, allowing your guests to create their own personalised cocktails. They can mix and match their favourite juice with one of the herbal simple syrups, choose their spirit, and finish with a garnish.
Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Place water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to the boil and then simmer for a few minutes until sugar dissolves. This happens very quickly and you must watch it at all times to avoid it boiling over.
- If you are adding herbs, spices or fruit to your syrup add with the sugar and water and then follow the above instructions.
- All to cool and infuse for 25mins to 1hr. I left mine overnight.
- Strain syrup and store in a jar for up to three weeks.
Notes
These festive sips are guaranteed to warm your guests and fill the air with the delightful scents of Christmas.
Finger Foods
Cocktail Parties only require finger foods making them a nice easy way to entertain. I used several recipes that are included in my Celebration Classics cookbook and they’re perfect for such an occasion. They’re simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time. Here are my top food picks
- Cranberry and Brie Crackers
- Baked Brie with Cherry Sauce
- Old fashioned Cheese Ball
- Mexican Cups
- Karrage Chicken with dipping sauce
- Crisps
Chicken Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dry mustard powder
- 2.5 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl. Serve with grilled chicken, chicken nuggets or even a salad.
Notes
Finger foods are easy to eat while standing making them perfect for your cocktail party.
Final Touches: Creating an Unforgettable Atmosphere for your small Christmas Cocktail Party
With the ambience set, delicious cocktails in hand, and finger foods ready to be enjoyed, the final touches are all about creating a memorable experience for your guests.
- Seasonal Background Music: Play a curated playlist of soft Christmas jazz or classic holiday tunes to set the perfect mood.
- Stylish Outdoor Accents: Decorate your garden with festive wreaths, garlands, and ornaments to complement the Christmas tree and table. Fresh greenery with pops of red and gold will tie the space together.
Wrapping Up the Evening
As the evening winds down, your guests will leave with full hearts and wonderful memories. Perhaps even a new favourite cocktail or recipe to try.
Your beautifully decorated space, the magic of the Christmas tree, and the tastes of the season are sure to make this gathering a cherished tradition. Cheers to a joyous holiday season filled with laughter, good company, and delicious treats!
