Double-Wide in the Sky: A Casual Christmas Gathering

A little casual get-together can be just that...

casual.

But, casual doesn't have to lack beauty, charm, warmth, or attention to detail.

It's knowing how to accomplish all of that with balance... as a host.

Here was a quickly put together party I had this week with my neighbors.

Just a few of us girls getting together to eat... drink... and be merry.

A friend help me with the foods. We kept it simple with just finger foods and an easy hearty appetizer of chili with cornbread. She came over 30 minutes early and cooked the cornbread and heated the chili in the kitchen while we finished setting things up.

I made some fudge last week and stored it in the fridge. It was quite simple to just arrange on a small white plate. It worked out lovely.
The small desserts I purchased at our grocery store {see... I was keeping it casual and low key}. Friends come for relationship... not necessarily for your home cooked desserts. Although, I do knock out some quite mean Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes!

To keep things elegant and casual, I laid out all the drinks and glasses on the table. The festive glasses I found at 2 locations; a consignment store for one set and a thrift store for the other. I found them about a year apart and... THEY MATCH! Awesomeness!

I don't use these glasses all the time, but they are perfect for a festive red punch of fabulousness!

We asked each guest to only bring their favorite drink with them. And I knew we had ladies who liked, red wine, white wine, champagne, soda, water.... etc.... I just placed all styles of glasses out. This way, they had what they needed at their finger tips and they didn't need to ask or go searching around.

I used stackable cups with appetizer spoons for the chili. I also used the cups for the Chex Mix. Perfect!

I prefer to use real items and not plastic.
#1: It's cheaper.
#2: It's more elegant and special feeling.
#3: You can just throw everything in the sink and then into the dishwasher later. Easy Peasy!

Again for the simplicity of it all..... I purchased the sushi rolls, cheese and crackers for a cheese tray.

I did prepare the Candied Bacon about an hour before the party. It made the house smell like there was some yummy food awaiting the guests. It is simple, but lovely addition to the food. I have also used this on top of a salad.... FANTASTIC!

CANDIED BACON
1 package apple cured bacon
1 Tbsp of Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend {Mrs. Dash}
1/2 cup brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line rimmed baking sheet with foil.
2. Arrange slices of bacon and top with seasoning and brown sugar.
3. Bake 20-25 minutes until carmalized and almost crunchy.
4. Cool and store at room temperature.

The Chex Mix I had made a day in advanced and stored it.

The carrot and celery arrangement is my go-to arrangement. I prepare the veggies a day in advanced and then just simply and quickly arrange them with hummus in the little appetizer cups.

The mixed spiced nuts I made a huge batch around Thanksgiving and froze some to be used for the holidays. This previous preparation worked out great because the nuts still tasted wonderful!

And then as a simple, but lovely, take away gift.... I purchased some incredibly tasty chocolates and truffles from a quaint chocolate shop in the Bishop Arts District.