How to Throw a Great Holiday Party

What+better+way+to+celebrate+the+holidays+than+to+spend+time+with+friends%3F+Writer+Melanie+Metz%2C+right%2C+with+Kit+Meiler%2C+left.

What better way to celebrate the holidays than to spend time with friends? Writer Melanie Metz, right, with Kit Meiler, left.

Many people’s favorite part of the holidays is “the feeling”, that unique wintry spirit of joy and fun. There is no better way to celebrate that feeling  than with a party. Some readers suggested individual activities like Pin the Tail on the Reindeer or drinking eggnog. Here are some ideas for an entire holiday extravaganza.

Holiday Movie Marathon

A perfect movie marathon consists of a bunch of fun and upbeat movies that never get old. We took a poll and found that the top holiday movie was Elf, with Home Alone coming at a close second. Other classics include The Polar Express, A Christmas Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, It’s A Wonderful Life, Love Actually and The Santa Clause. Grab some popcorn and cookies, and settle down for a night full of cheer!

Cookie Baking Party

“I like making cookies and spending time with friends,” Lizzie Marks says. You too can gather five or more friends and a heap of baking supplies and cookie cutters. Try one recipe that everyone helps with or a competition for who is the best holiday baker, and play some holiday tunes while the cookies are in the oven. Below is a recipe suggestion for a holiday cookie without dairy, so that you can be healthier while eating a dozen cookies!

Gingerbread Cutout Cookies

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground ginger

¼ tsp. allspice

¼ tsp. salt

⅓ cup vegetable shortening

¼ cup sugar

⅓ cup molasses

2 ¼ tbsp. hot water

½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar with fork. Stir in molasses, hot water, and vanilla with large spoon. Stir in flour mixture until smooth, 1 minute.

Cover dough. Chill 2 to 4 hours.

On lightly floured surface, roll out dough. Cut out shapes. Bake on cookie sheet in 400F oven 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size. Cool on the baking sheet and decorate!