Hostess Jo

Candy Cane Cocktail

There are several recipes for Peppermint Martinis BUT have you ever seen one with strawberry vodka??  Surprise your guests this holiday season with this twist on the original.

Candy Cane Cocktail

Ingredients

Makes one cocktail

• 1 candy cane, crushed, for garnish
• 2 ounces strawberry vodka
• 4 dashes white creme de menthe
• 2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
• Ice cubes

Directions

1. Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

(photo and recipe from martha)

 

Marshmallow Snowmen

I stumbled upon these little cuties in my latest issue of All You and just had to share.  These would make great holiday party favors or even place card holders.  BONUS-the kids will love helping you make these!

Ingredients

• Marshmallows
• Melted caramels
• Gingersnaps
• Decorative elements (sprinkles, royal icing, pretzel sticks, spice drops, fruit leather, food coloring and pink Cake Mate Decors)

Preparation

1. Dip a marshmallow in melted caramel; place on a gingersnap. Put sprinkles over excess caramel. Halve a marshmallow for head and attach with royal icing. Insert pretzels in body.

2. Flatten a spice drop; attach another to form hat. Cut scarves and bow ties from fruit leather; tuck under head. Dye royal icing and pipe eyes, nose and buttons. Attach pink Decors for cheeks.
 

Peppermint Candy Crafts

My friend is celebrating her birthday next week with a peppermint themed party.  This is a theme that I could go crazy with!  Peppermints are inexpensive, readily available and so festive.  They are great to use this time of year for birthdays, showers and Christmas parties.  Here is a collection of easy decorating ideas with peppermints I've collected to inspire you.

(click titles for instructions)

Candy Cane Candles

 

Candy Stick Vase

Peppermint Disk Vase

Peppermint Candle scape

Peppermint Trees
 

  
 
 

Candy Wreath

It's time to get out those Christmas decorations if you haven't already!  I love all kinds of decorations and color schemes for Christmas.  One of my favorites is using candy to decorate.  Especially gumdrops.  I have a little gumdrop tree that I love to display.  Here is an easy way to craft a gumdrop wreath:

Start with a six inch styrofoam wreath, 1 bag of gumdrops and toothpicks broken in half.  Insert one end of toothpick into gumdrop, then attach other end to wreath.  Continue until you have covered the wreath.  Voila!

(photo from parents.com) 

Happy Thanksgiving

So sorry for the lack of posts this week!  In the meantime check out this fantastic Thanksgiving dessert buffet from Amy Atlas...

 

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!
  

Christmas Party Plans

We are having a Christmas party next month at our house and I have been looking for ideas of how to decorate the dining table/kitchen area.  My family room will be decorated with what I am calling a "gilded christmas".  Remember last year I was having trouble using my old decorations with our new terra cotta wall?  Well this year I've decided to use new gold, copper, and brown decorations.  I think they will look great with our wall. 

I would like to do something with more color in the kitchen/dining area.  I'm hung up on the red and aqua combo I've been seeing lately.  I love these two colors together and think they are so fun to use for Christmas parties and decorations.  Here are a few ideas I've gathered so far...

My main inspiration came from Kim at The TomKat Studio's Little Snowflake Invitations.  Kim is so talented and I always love all of her designs.  I can't wait to see the rest of this collection!

Too cute right?!  Check out Kim's inspiration board for the Little Snowflake party here!

A beautiful table below incorporating red and aqua.  Love the little red birds.

 

Plates from Hostess Jo I'll use:

Glass stickers...

Cocktail napkins...

Stay tuned to see everything come together!
  
 

Holiday Punch

If you are entertaining anytime over the holidays here is a great punch to serve your guests.  I like serving punches or sangria versus having a bar because you can serve a crowd without spending a fortune on several different kinds of alcohol, mixes, etc.  With its frozen cranberries, oranges and champagne this one is sure to please everyone.

AJ's Christmas Punch

Serves 10

Ice (in block form if possible, if not, large chunks)
4 oz. Cointreau
4 oz. brandy
2 oranges, cut into wedges
1 cup frozen cranberries (optional)
2 bottles chilled champagne

1. Add ice to a large punch bowl. If using chunks (as opposed to a large block of ice), fill the bowl just under half way.
2. Add Cointreau and brandy. Using a ladle or long spoon, stir briefly.
3. Add orange slices and cranberries (if using) and then pour in the champagne.
4. Stir 12 times and let sit for a minute, so the ingredients can get acquainted.

(photo and recipe from fineliving.com)
 

Thanksgiving Table Inspiration

I just love this natural Thanksgiving table scape from Real Simple!

The bright greens just pop against the browns and white.  Not your traditional Thanksgiving palette but just as beautiful.

 

With a few twigs, twine and greenery, you have a natural and lovely Thanksgiving table.  I think the twig bundles as place card holders are my favorite part!

This look would also work well for a fall dinner party or fall shower.

Go here for the how-to.
 

Thanksgiving Potluck

This Friday is our group of friends' Thanksgiving potluck.  The hosts are cooking the turkey and we are bringing side dishes.  After searching for a tasty side dish, I've decided on this one.  It's easy, I can make it the night before and it sounds delish!

Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings

Ingredients

• 1  (32-ounce) package frozen Southern-style hash browns
• 1  (16-ounce) container sour cream
• 2  cups  (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1  (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1  small onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2  cups  crushed cornflakes cereal
• 1/4  cup  melted butter

Make it

Stir together first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.

Spoon potato mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with crushed cornflakes, and drizzle evenly with butter.

Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Ore-Ida Southern Style Hash Browns.

After reading the reviews, I'm going to add some garlic and swap the cornflakes for Ritz crackers.  I'm also going to swap the cream of mushroom for cream of chicken because some friends don't care for mushrooms.  What casseroles are you cooking up for Thanksgiving?  Send me a link!

(recipe and photo from myrecipes.com)
 

Holiday Sale

ALL Holiday items are now on SALE over at Hostess Jo!

Wine and cheese anyone?

Winter Cardinal Cheese Server

Winter Cardinal Glass Stick-ems
 

Perfect place to shop for your holiday gifts!  As always-free ground shipping for purchases over $75!