Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Monday, December 4, 2023

A Reader Question for the Community: Holiday Open-House (r)

Photos by Salt Water New England
A Reader Question for the Community:
Do your readers have suggestions for hosting an open-house during the holidays?   Christmas or, in our case, on New Year's Day.


25 comments:

  1. My wife and I host for Christmas Eve. The only hard and fast rule I adhere to is that I stay close to the front door to welcome those who arrive. Absent that, there is nothing politically correct about our events; full holiday regalia is not required but is appreciated and always worn by the host. Food, drink, Christmas songs played non-stop through the house and outside. Gratitude for the blessings.

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  2. Ban Christmas jumpers and ties.

    Hide the single malts and Drambuie.

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    1. At a dinner I was once invited to, I heard one of the hosts talking about how he administered the spirits. His philosophy was to "keep the good stuff back for close acquaintances, and give the buggers the rough stuff".

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    2. I put my worst whisky in a decanter. Those that don't know any better love drinking out of the decanter while my friends that appreciate a good dram know to help themselves out of the bottle in my study.

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  3. Celebrate to one's heart's content. However, good behavior and etiquette are of course expected of one's guests. Especially these days (thank you Mr. Weinstein).

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  4. Love the tartan...For the first time ever, I acquired a tartan sports coat I will be wearing for the soirées we will be attending this weekend. Will even wear it to the Christmas Eve church service.
    Parties? At our parties, traditionally, the host provides a couple of entrees, a side dish and all other couples bring a side dish or a salad, a dessert. And generally you check with the host as to not double or triple up on a dish being brought.

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    1. Never pass up a chance to wear the tartan!
      Merry Christmas to all and a very Happy New Year!
      It has been such a wonderful year with SWNE, thank you so much!
      Suzanne

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  5. For our parties, we invite about 100 neighbors, coworkers, family, old friends, parents friends. We provide a bartender, keep the bar to wines and beers, sodas, punch, coffee, we have an area for dancing, and hire a DJ, but we also love live music. We provide appetizers and desserts, so no one brings any food unless they just want to. Festive attire is encouraged, love the tartans!! This is a perfect time for friends to wear their furs. I know that is not a PC comment, but they already have owned them for decades. There is usually a soft sifting type snow falling and lots and lots of laughter and good fellowship. I read a book by a Washington hostess that also included tips for mingling people from different groups, lower the temp of your house when it is full of people for comfort, and conversational topics, you may wish to seek that out as a reference. As a rule, if you are having a good time, your guests usually are too! Happiest of New Years!

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  6. We have a open house every Christmas Day and New Year's Day. We use the church kitchen and feed everyone that shows up from noon to 5pm. No shortage of folks that are down on their luck or have no place to go. Plenty of home made cookies, hot chocolate for desert and since we have a gym the families have a warm safe place for children to play. It's a nice couple of days for everyone. Merry Christmas!

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    1. That's so lovely! Merry Christmas!

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  7. “This is a perfect time for friends to wear their furs. I know that is not a PC comment, but they already have owned them for decades.“

    I solidly support this statement!

    I also agree on the beer, wine and punch idea. Celebrations, for good or bad, seems a bit less boozy these days. (Probably for good)

    We always have the fireplaces burning, even if that means opening up the windows to cool the house. (Pennsylvania winters aren’t always cold.)

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  8. New Year's Day? Aspirin, Tylenol, Maalox, low light, protein and carbs in small portions, and some hair o' the dog.

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    1. Stopped drinking years ago and I don't miss them either. Doesn't hurt to provide some comfort for those guests who bring one with them.

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  9. Love those sassy “give a damns”!

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  10. As with any party: always personally invite and deliver the invitation/announcement to the neighbors! It extends good will, keeps the “grumps” happier, and the police seldom get called. Cheers!

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  11. Plenty of tonic water........... for the red wine stains on the orientals the next day.

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  12. Our practice has been Christmas day is family & church; open house is New Year's Day all-day breakfast - bring a friend is encouraged. Typical fare of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, muffins, strong coffee, veggie options, etc. This is the time to add all the dining table leaves. Everything but the toast and eggs is prepared in advance or catered and placed in warming trays. Use "nice" large, sturdy paper plates. Not ideal, but we were caught (pleasantly) surprised one year to meet airforce members from Moffett Field. An open house = be prepared. We find that no dress code is best on the 'day after' (men in kilts always welcome). Since we are hosting, my family does dress for the ocassion; we like bow ties for the boys, dresses for the girls. My children are the 'chefs' and do the eggs to order and toast - my husband and I ensure guests are attended, but we rotate. Guests seem to enjoy, as do we, the homey feel of this - if this is an option for you. It's actually easier than it sounds, because inevitably guests want to get into the action. I think it must be the whole dynamic that adds to the feeling. For those that can't eat - Coca Cola + saltine crackers; a sure remedy for those suffering after affects of the fire water. Blessings and thanks to our gracious SWNE hostess, and the SWNE community.

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    1. Hello folks near Moffatt field somewhere! We live nearby and are thrilled to read about your fun open house parties nearby ;) sounds delightful! Happy 2018!

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  13. New Year’s Day, all day open house with waffles and freshly whipped cream, strawberries, and other toppings. Coffee, champagne cocktails, and other things to drink.

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  14. I love open houses! We've been trying to plan one for sometime in December or January the past couple of years, but we can never seem to have a date available. I envision an all-day event starting around 1 pm with lots of food, Christmas music, appropriate libations and beverages. The most panic-inducing thing about planning a party is wondering who will show up! Merry Christmas, everyone! --Holly in PA

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  15. Tradition for us was an open house on Christmas eve either at our house or Gradmum's house. Lots of booze, lots of seafood, ham and biscuits, A big pot of Glogg on the woodstove; egg nog loaded with more booze. Nieces and nephews are recruited for bartenders and keeping the buffet stocked, drinks flowing, fireplaces blazing and doing runs to the airport. A good time is had by all.

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  16. A bit of all the holiday classics provided! And always a good time for all! Thank you!

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  17. Open house on 12th Night--January 5.

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  18. Martinis, real martinis with London dry gin and vermouth, are Christmas in a glass. Old fashioneds are not bad either. Country ham and biscuits. We were at a friend's home the other day, and they had sliced pork tenderloin and rolls. There was also guacamole on the other end of the table. I put guacamole on my pork sandwich. O my! There was also a tray of glasses filled with a concoction of Kahlua, vanilla ice cream, and creme de cacao, a real upgrade from eggnog.

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