Being A Christmas Hostess with the Mostest

Sometimes it is hard to always be prepared for guest but this time of year I think it is especially important to always be ready.

During the Holidays we can always have a drop-in guest!! I love when that happens because I know they came to see ME and not necessarily the condition of my home.

If you have a little bit of a notice be sure and light the candles and turn on your Christmas music, or if you are like me the music is always on.

To help me be a better hostess there are a few things I like to keep on hand for these wonderful little surprises.

Ghirardelli hot chocolate mix. This is the best hot chocolate mix I have found.

I add whipping cream such as Redi-whip and some crushed candy canes on top, and it is a real treat.  I also have left the candy cane whole and placed it in the hot chocolate to use as a stirrer.

Sometimes I step its flavor up a notch and add some of Starbucks peppermint syrup. You can purchase it at any Starbucks for $10.95.


For the tea drinker I love Peet’s Coffee Winter Solstice tea. It is such a wonderfully soft winter citrus spice black tea with a touch of vanilla to mellow it out. Yum!! I will be right back, now I want a cup of tea!!

Okay I am back with my hot cup of tea, YUM!! Now where was I? Oh Yes, hot drinks.

I also love hot mulled cider. I think  William Sonoma’s  mulling  spices are one of the best. Trader Joe’s has one that is also very good.

 A cinnamon stick added  will make it feel more special. I also add either a slice of apple or a twist of orange. So easy to do and it makes it feel more special.

Now if you want something cold and refreshing and very festive looking try a cranberry spritzer. I just use Sierra mist, cranberry juice and a touch of lime for a red and green festive drink!!

If you add a festive red and white striped straw it becomes even more special.

 

You can get 20 straws from Jack and lulu for $6.00!!

Now onto a little treat to go with all of these fun and easy drinks.

I love Trader Joes Pumpkin bread topped with a dollop of Redi-whip and a sprinkle of orange zest!!

It is so easy to make and if you have a little advance notice you can pop one in the oven and the house smells amazing as you greet your guest.

I keep at least 3 boxes in my pantry at all times during the holidays.

The other treat I like to keep on hand is Trader Joe’s mini almond or chocolate biscotti.

Costco also carries Nonnies gingerbread pecan biscotti that is a new favorite of mine.

I keep a festive red lacquered tray ready to go with all the essentials for coffee or tea. It is also really handy for my own daily use.

None of the above holiday hints are earth shattering.  They are easy to do and  are all done with things you can keep in your pantry or refrigerator at all times.

I also like the fact that they are inexpensive ideas.

I hope this will help you with your very special drop-in guest. They are my favorite kind!!!!

 

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Easy entertaining!!

Merry Christmas

Kathysue

My 2010 Christmas Kitchen

 

 

 

I received an early Christmas gift from Mr. Flu bug so I will be giving you all a glimpse of last years inspiration around my house. I will be back as soon as I feel a bit better.............

Christmas Kitchen in black and white:

You all have seen my kitchen dinette with its black and white color scheme.

 I also carried it into the kitchen  with just one little touch of red. I used red in the adjacent family room so it was a perfect little tie-in!!

Here is a picture of my dining room just for a reminder of the direction I am taking this year.

Right across from this table you will see this….

Here are a few close-ups

Now you can see just a small touch of the red that I will be introducing into the family room.

A few more tiny red touches. I have my silver Revere bowl full of scented pinecones and pomanders made out of limes. This bowl smells delicious!!

I put my crystal bottle stoppers in some of my glassware. I loved the repetition of the black stripes!!! Plus they look so sparkly and I do love sparkle at Christmas time.

I purchased two of these balls at Pier I. I thought they might work on the table, but they just said too much for that setting. I think they are perfect inside my cupboard.

How about some Jingle bells for your cupboards. I used napkin rings around my knobs for a festive little touch.

One last picture of my mini cypress trees with just a very small dash of sparkly glitter………

The kitchen is a warm place to be at Christmas time. Mulling spices in the Crock pot and the red lacquered tray ready for tea or coffee.

Candles are lit on the window sills. I have my crystal chandelier dimmed so it looks like candlelight. I just enjoy being in there so much.

Even washing dishes is fun this time of year!!! Boy I wish that feeling would last all year long!!

Merry,Merry Christmas from My Kitchen to YOURS!!

Kathysue

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!!

  Helen Tiltson!! Congratulations!

For those of you who still need a great hostess gift or something to go along with a gift for the entertainer go to Destination Dinners for a wonderful selection of gifts that are probably something different than any other gift they have ever received! It will come in a beautiful red presentation box...........

http://www.destinationdinners.com/pages/RECIPE-KITS.html