Holiday Entertaining Cheat Sheet!

Click here to watch Liza’s segment on Better TV with Jill Ziskin and Audra Brown!

Ho Ho, Shalom, Shalom. It’s twinkle lights, cold weather, early nights and delicious treats…DECEMBER MAGIC is in the air!!! Yup, the HOLIDAY season is finally here and what better way to get into the holiday SPIRIT than throwing a PARTY?! This is a great time of year to cut loose, have some FUN and show your friends, family and loved ones just how much they mean to you by HOSTING a festive gathering. What? No extra dough, no bonus, no time? Have no fear, a party doesn’t have to break the bank or require a leave of absence!

Let me show you how with my all time favorite HOLIDAY PARTY TIPS that I shared on BETTER TV with New York House wife Jill Ziskin and host Audra Brown. Whether you’re short on time or cash this is for YOU!

Your Holiday PARTY CHEAT SHEET:

FOOD

1. Instead of serving an entire meal, pick ONE COURSE that you love and build the PARTY around that!

2. Invite your friends over for a decadent DESSERT PARTY! Serve a rich and gooey Toffee Soaked Brownie click here for my recipe — serve with a glass of champagne and you won’t miss the meal!

3. MARTINIS AND POPCORN are the new “it” couple! Set up a DIY martini bar complete with shaker, olives, onions and twists. Cook up a few batches of popcorn and let your guests create their own toppings — Fresh Black Pepper & Parmesan Cheese, Smoked Paprika & Sea Salt, Wasabi & Ginger. Serve in decorated Chinese to-go containers and have some fun!

4. DIY Gourmet GRILLED CHEESE sandwiches for a HEARTIER feast! Dust off the panini press, slice some country bread, grate some Manchego, smoked gouda and gruyere cheese. Fill small bowls with tapenade, pesto, arugula, figs, sage, apples and anything else that suits your gourmand fancy…open some wine and call it a PARTY!

ALCOHOL

1. No need for a full bar!

2. Serve a signature cocktail throughout the party and have some fun with coming up with a name! “Santa’s Helper!,” “Gut Yontiff!,” “Holiday Spirit!,”…click here for my champagne cocktail recipe!

3. Select one wine that pairs well with all your food and stick with that. This way you don’t end up opening and wasting multiple bottles of wine.

4. If you must serve a bar – stick to 3! Set up your bar to make 3 cocktails — martinis, cosmos and your choice of rocks drinks. This will keep your cocktail spirits flowing and guests full of cheer!

I like this Manhattan on the rocks recipe, not only is it tasty but it warms your ears!

3/4 oz sweet VERMOUTH

2 1/2 oz BOURBON whiskey

1 dash BITTERS

1 maraschino CHERRY

1 twist ORANGE peel

*Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 – 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently, don’t bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils but don’t drop it in.

DESIGN & DECOR

1. Let your yard trimmings work for you!

2. Uses branches and foliage for drama and your arrangements will take you to New Year’s!

3. Forgo the florist and bring on the fruits, nuts and beautiful greens for centerpieces.

4. Twinkle lights give the room pizzazz and your house plants pop! Weave them over and around a prominent mirror, down the middle of your buffet table, or wrapped around your center pieces for guaranteed WOW!

It breaks my heart <3 when I hear people say “thank god the holidays are over!” I understand that the stress, anxiety and compressed days have a way of turning what this time means up-side down.

I hope these tips help will offer some relief and make for a FUN and beautiful HOLIDAY season…but most of all make you the LIFE OF THE PARTY!!!

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