Planning on throwing a big bash this holiday season? These holiday party ideas will help. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Freixenet. The opinions and text are all mine.
Can I just tell you how much I love holiday parties? Back when I was an office dweller working for a children’s publisher, our office parties were epic. I remember one holiday, our office park threw a massive party for all the tenants — and it was filled with delicious appetizers and drinks. A few days later, our company threw another party at a fun space in a local restaurant.
Our family used to throw awesome holiday parties too.
When I think back to the most memorable holiday parties, I remember them as being casual and filled with lots of mingling. That’s why I love the idea of an appetizer party for Christmas.
Start with the Drinks
What party is complete without drinks? I always like to include some family-friendly favorites like cranberry juice and cranberry ginger ale (do you see a trend). A few choices ensures that there is something for everyone. But for adults, I love something a little bubbly.
Recently, I was introduced to Freixenet (that’s pronounced “fresh-eh-net”), a sparkling Spanish Cava wine that comes in a signature black bottle. I sampled two varieties — Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut and Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvée — and promptly fell in love with the affordable dry, crisp sparkling wine. With it’s signature black bottle, it’s perfect for holiday festivities. The company takes great care crafting these delicious wines, using a process they call method champenoise.
Serve the Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvée with fresh raspberries to toss in the glass. The flavors are so great together. As for food, this variety pairs with so many flavors from cheeses to shrimp cocktail. If you don’t want to go sweet (it’s not really sweet though), the Cordon Negro Brut is awesome paired with spicy food, pizza and other fun party foods.
Holiday Appetizer Ideas
So, what tasty bites will you be serving? Here are a few favorites that go really well with Freixenet sparkling wines.
- Spinach Artichoke Dip is always a favorite. This cheesy dip is awesome served with tortilla chips. Go classic with this recipe for Spinach Artichoke Dip or lighten up with Hot Spinach Artichoke White Bean Dip.
- Veggie-based dishes like Farro Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Ricotta Salata or Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Crostini round out all the cheesy goodness of holiday appetizers.
- Don’t forget the cheese plate. Cheeses, served with crackers and bread are always popular on the appetizer table. I like to mix it up with a selection of 2-5 cheeses — a semi-soft cheese (like brie or cambezola), a hard cheese (like asiago) and a favorite like a good aged cheddar or Swiss.
- Warm finger foods are fabulous. From itty bitty wontons to Mini Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bites, get creative.
- Everyone loves olives (don’t they?). Get a selection of different olives and fill a special serving tray. Or whip up Lemon Garlic Herb Marinated Olives with Feta.
Keep it Festive
Part of the fun of holiday parties is showing off all your decorating prowess. I love to deck the halls with a richly colored, glittery tablecloth, candles and lots of festive touches — like bells, garland, trees and more.
More on Freixenet
Psst! Freixenet is also hosting a Mini Cooper contest right now. Pop over to the Find the Bubbles site (it’s a Facebook app) to enter. Here’s some details:
Freixenet is on the move this fall with a three month long MINI tour where a duo of Freixenet MINI Coopers are traveling the nation from New York City to Florida and ending in California. We will be popping up at retailers and popular restaurants and bars, where fans can enjoy samples, play games and find hidden bubbles to enter for a chance to win a two year lease on a brand new MINI Cooper! We’ve also hidden bubbles with rewards codes throughout the Freixenet website, our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages, and even in retail stores. Once you find a bubble, visit www.findthebubbles.com to enter the rewards code.
Want to try it? Freixenet is widely available nationwide in restaurants, wine stores and grocery stores as common as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Publix.
Who says the holidays are the only time for bubbles? Make it your resolution to sparkle 365 days of the year with Freixenet cavas. Our sparkling wines come in a variety of different styles to suit any moment or mood. Cordon Negro Brut, our classic Black Bottle Bubbly, is great as an aperitif before a night out on the town or at home with takeout pizza. Our brand new Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvee is the perfect match for brunch favorites like pancakes and eggs benedict. Visit FreixenetUSA.com for more information about where to buy Freixenet sparkling wines and learn how you could win a 2-year lease on a new 2013 MINI Cooper.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Freixenet. The opinions and text are all mine.