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December is always a very busy month for most of us, but with some planning and easy tips you will feel less stressed and more confident hosting your own holiday party!

With plaid being so popular right now, I chose the classic red and black pattern with pops of green and white for my color scheme. 

When deciding on the menu, think about your guest list, which I feel is the most important part of entertaining. You obviously know your guests, so think about what they would like to eat and what would be easy for you. Do you want a sit down meal or more of a cocktail party when appetizers will do the trick? 


I opted for appetizers for my Holiday Party. Mini grilled cheese sandwich strips paired with tomato basil soup shooters. 

The mini Coca-Cola bottles are perfect for guests to help themselves. Add an ornament to one of the bottles and fits right into your party atmosphere. 




Treat your guests to an unexpected dessert this time of year, such as Coca-Cola ice cream floats! 


Top the floats with whip cream and add a dash of holiday flair with red, green and white sprinkles! So festive, don't you think? 

Too cold for ice cream floats? Why not try these Coca-Cola brownie marshmallow cream bites? You will find the recipe and tutorial at the end of the post. 



Gathering all your beverages in one place allows your guests to mingle around the bar cart.



Serving a signature holiday drink is always a big hit at parties. Most of the time, it will be new to your guests.  


I served Cranberry Sprite with refreshing mint and fresh cranberries. Look how beautiful and festive it is. Trust me, it tastes just as fabulous! Cheers!!


Did you know to get clear ice cubes, you will need boiled filtered water? Simply pour the boiling water into silicone or metal ice trays add your cranberries and fresh mint. Allow it to freeze and you will have beautiful ice cubes like these. I love the look!


Sitting out additional ice cubes and mint, brings the festive colors into the bar cart as well as it allows your guests to help themselves to these wonderful items. 


Not all guests like to have an alcoholic beverage, by serving mocktails with a variety of ingredients and in fun glassware, it encourages your guests to try it. Do you remember the Orange Julius drink? I am sharing a copycat version with you at the end of the post. 

Provide a place where guests can gather around the fire to warm up and to enjoy the food and beverages you have worked so hard on. 





Find someone to take photos at the party. Parties are a great place for making unforgettable memories with family and friends. Choose the best photos, create a photo book with Shutterfly  and send it to your guests as a thank you! 

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Now on to the delicious recipes! 

COCA-COLA BROWNIES 



What you will need: 

Brownie Mix {I used a store bought mix}
4oz. Coca-Cola
1 cup chocolate chips {because I like my brownies really chocolatety!}
Marshmallow Cream

Instructions: 

Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions, add Coca-Cola and chocolate chips.  Bake. Once cool, break into pieces and add to shooter glass.  


Place Marshmallow Cream into a pasty bag and squeeze onto brownie crumbles. Continue this until the shooter glass is full. 


Top off with brownie crumbs.



Signature Holiday Drink

What you will need: 

Cranberry Sprite
Fresh Cranberries
Fresh Mint

For ice cubes: 

Fill metal or silicone ice cube tray with boiling filtered water. Add cranberries and mint, freeze.


Directions:

Pour Cranberry Sprite into a tall glass, add cranberry-mint ice cubes and enjoy! 



Copycat Orange Julius

What you will need: 

12 oz Orange Juice {I used Minute Maid}
1/2 cup Milk
3 tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla


Using a blender, blend all the ingredients together until well mixed. 





Pour into your festive glassware and serve! Your guests will love this, as it is almost considered comfort food from when you were a kid! 

Do you have tips you use to have an unforgettable holiday party? Please share them in the comments below. 

Did you notice all the Coca-Cola products, I purchased from my local Tom Thumb to use for this holiday party? When you purchase 4 participating Coca-Cola products you will receive $20 off at Shutterfly.com now through December 28, 2016! The unique pin code will be printed out at the register so you can use it to redeem online at Shutterfly.







Coca-Cola and Sprite are available in your local Tom Thumb store in the soft drink aisle and you can find the Minute Maid Orange Juice in the milk and dairy aisle. 

Happy Holidays Friends!