Knock your guests’ stockings off with a festive traditional holiday dinner party, thanks to our tips on food, decorations, activities, playlist suggestions and more, brought to you by Dole. After all, what better way to celebrate the holidays than with a great meal with great friends?
Traditional Holiday Recipes
Digging into a delicious meal is half the fun of the holidays. Try traditional dishes with a twist, such as this Aloha Ham, glazed with ginger and pineapple juice (we used 100% DOLE® Canned Pineapple Juice). It’s a switch from the predictable but still pairs beautifully with other menu must-haves, including cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes.
Bake a batch of these Pineapple Cinnamon Cupcakes, made with 100% DOLE® Canned Pineapple Juice, to end the evening on a sweet note and send guests on their merry way.
Traditional Holiday Decorations
No need to stress — these simple tips will have your home holiday-ready in no time. Spruce up your home with a fresh evergreen wreath on your front door, or display one in your entryway or over the fireplace.
Make your house feel extra homey by stringing twinkle lights and an evergreen garland along your mantle or through your banister. Fill tall glass cylinder vases with multicolored ornaments and frosted pinecones, then add holiday figures from reindeer to nutcrackers.
Traditional Holiday Tablescape
Lay a solid linen tablecloth over your dining room table, then top with a table runner in a contrasting holiday color or pattern down the middle.
At a dinner party, the food should be the star of the show. Save space for food by displaying small bouquets of holiday blooms and greenery (such as holly, evergreen boughs and red roses) in the center of the table. Keep the centerpieces low enough for guests to see over them and carry on conversations across the table.
Set out tea lights in the center of the table to provide unobtrusive warm lighting during the meal.
For a special holiday touch, tie a red ribbon around each napkin and slip in a candy cane and a rosemary sprig.
Traditional Holiday Playlist
Merry music is a must at your holiday party. Create a party playlist or stream music using an online streaming service. Play traditional holiday crooners before dinner, then transition to an instrumental holiday mix during dinner so the tunes don’t distract guests from conversation.
Traditional Holiday Activities
End the evening with a holly jolly activity or two: Play holiday-themed charades … or plan an after-dinner gift exchange and see what everyone’s Secret Santa left under the tree!
Start inviting your friends and family to your holiday bash with the free EVITE invitation below or another one from our Holiday Party invitation gallery.
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