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Quick and Easy Tips for Hosting a Holiday Party

Author Associa Online

Hosting a party is a great way to bring friends and neighbors together and celebrate the holiday season. Check out these tips to make planning your party seamless and stress-free!

Planning Tip #1: Make it an open house.

Consider making your party an open house. Choose one day and let your family and friends know that they can stop by anytime. Guests will appreciate the convenience and you’ll be able to spend more time with the people you love. 

Planning Tip #2: Choose a theme.

Celebrate the holidays with a festive theme like an ugly sweater party, cookie exchange or secret Santa. Having a theme will get people excited and make planning a little bit easier.

Planning Tip #3: Get everyone involved.

Lighten your hosting duties and get your guests involved by hosting a potluck. Divvy up main dishes, side dishes and desserts with a sign-up sheet for a small party or based on last names for a large party.

 

No holiday party is complete without delicious food. These dishes from the Associa Family Cookbook, Volume II, are quick, easy and can feed a crowd.

Vella’s Spinach Dip (Vegetarian)

From Lisa Cano

Associa Hawaii – Maui, HI

Makes 3 ½ cups

2 Packages Frozen Chopped Spinach

1 Package Knorr Leek Soup Mix

1 cup Best Foods/Hellmann’s Mayonnaise

16 oz Sour Cream

4 Green Onions (not the whole bundle)

1 loaf Round Sourdough Bread

1 loaf Long Sourdough Bread

Directions:

  • Defrost spinach and drain.                        
  • Combine spinach, Knorr's Leak Soup Mix, mayonnaise, sour cream and chopped green onions.  Mix well. Let sit overnight if possible.    
  • Cut out round sourdough bread to be used as a bowl. (I discard extra because I like the dipping bread to be consistently sized.)
  • Cut long sourdough loaf into one-inch cubes, keeping crust on each cube for ease of dipping.            
  • Put spinach dip mixture into bread bowl. Place on platter and surround with sourdough cubes and serve!        

Kittle Caramel Corn (Kid-Friendly)

From Heather Kerwin

Home Office – Dallas, TX

Makes 24 cups

2 cups Brown Sugar

1 cup Butter

½ cup Corn Syrup

1 tsp Baking Soda

24 cups Popped Popcorn

1 ½ cups Whole Almonds            

Directions:

  • Put popped popcorn and nuts in a non-greased 9 x 12- inch baking dish.     
  • Boil sugar, butter and corn syrup in a medium sized pot, stirring constantly for approximately five minutes.          
  • Remove mixture from heat. Add baking soda. Consistency will be bubbly and fluffy.          
  • Pour over popped corn and nut mixture.             
  • Cook at 200 degrees for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes through cooking process.
  • Cool and serve.