Serves: 5
Once Christmas and New Year's have passed sometimes it feels like we head into hibernation. The cold winter months seem so long once the holidays are over and the spring thaw is the next big event to look forward to. Family travels back home, parties aren't happening every weekend, and for some reason we all settle in for our long winter's nap.
We aren't even that far in to winter yet, but last night at a party one of the ladies mentioned that we were much chattier than normal. We all agreed that it feels like we never see each other anymore because of the colder weather. This made me resolve to plan at least one activity each month this winter to get together with my friends and family and enjoy one another despite any need for mittens and snow boots. The more I have thought about the idea the more possibilities I have come up with and I thought I would quickly share a few with you.
Snowman Party – Invite family, friends and neighbors over to build snowmen. Serve hot cocoa and nice warm cookies and everyone will be happy and warm after playing in the snow. If you really want to go all out you could serve soups and warm bread. And just think, your yard will be the most festive on the block! This would be delicious after a day with Frosty.
Cookie Exchange – We have talked about this in past issues of the newsletter. Guests simply make enough cookies for everyone to swap and come home with a variety of delicious goodies.
Craft Night – Plan a fun craft or recipe and invite loved ones over to join you for a night of crafting. It can be as simple as card making or as complex as décor for the home. You decide the budget, the craft, and make some yummy appetizers or snacks and have fun crafting.
Cocoa Party – Get together to make your own cocoa mix. You provide the items needed for the main recipe and your guests can bring whatever “add-ins” they would like. Chocolate chips, mint chips, peppermint, marshmallows, the choices are endless and the cocoa is delicious!
Theme Potluck Party – Pick a fun theme and let everyone bring a dish that goes along with the theme. Surely nothing will spice up a gloomy winter day like a mid-January luau or a fiesta! Go as exotic as you want and have fun with it.
Sledding Party – Just like the snowman party, but a little more heart pumping! Just be sure to serve something nice and warm for all those cold little red noses at the end. Something like this would be wonderful.
Light Viewing Drive – This one works best before Christmas, but could work after and could be changed to a snowman hunt all winter long. A friend of mine made a tradition of this every Sunday night. The whole family gets in their pajamas early, they fill insulated mugs with hot chocolate and load in the family car for a drive. Sometimes they look at all the lights, and sometimes they see how many snowmen or nativities they can find. Whatever they are looking for, her kids love it!
Freezer Meal Party – Get together with family or friends and make a few pans of freezer meals that can be easily cooked later on. My sisters and I did this using family recipes once and that put a fun spin on it. You can choose a theme or just have everyone bring a favorite. Make sure to bring copies of recipes for everyone and instructions for heating when it is cook time!
Recipe Exchange Party – Just like a potluck, but bring enough to sample and share the recipes. Then the hostess can gather the recipes and put together a fun cookbook for the whole group. Cook'n makes it easy to create a cookbook! This is what my bunco ladies are getting for Christmas this year…SHHHH! However you make the winter months cheerful at your home I hope you find yourself surrounded by those you love.
This TABLE TALK: Post-Holiday Winter Cheer recipe is from the 2012 HomeCook'n Collection Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
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