Party Ideas and Celebration Tips to Have a Merry Christmas

The holiday season is chalk full of parties and gatherings that have inspired traditions across the globe. Nothing makes the season more memorable than the events we attend. Spreading good cheer and Christmas spirit has been behind the merry making for centuries and with the Yule Tide coming soon I thought it would be great to share my personal tips for creating memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

Christmas Caroling

Christmas caroling has been around for ages, it is a simple gathering of people who travel from place to place spreading Christmas spirit through song. This Christmas, warm up the cider, lay out the cookies and gather your friends for a night of joyful singing. Here are some good ideas for planning your night of caroling.

Plan to have a variety of finger foods and a variety of drinks, including hot chocolate and apple cider to warm up the carolers after their singing adventures in the cold. When you prepare to make your cider, don't settle for the bottled variety at the grocery store. You can make your own just as easily with this simple recipe.

1 gallon apple cider
1 (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
3 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

Combine all ingredients in a crock-pot or slow cooker and set to medium heat. Cider should be ready in about half an hour but the longer you cook it the more blended the flavors are.

Find lyrics for Christmas carols online, print them out and give everyone a copy since not everyone knows all the words to all the carols.

Ask guests to bring their favorite scarves, hats and mittens so they can be sure to be warm as well as look inviting and cheery.

In order to look the part you can ask your guests to bring candles or provide them yourself. If you chose to provide them you can make candle holders by poking holes into paper plates and sliding the candles through from underneath. These candles will provide light so people can read the song's lyrics.