How to Stage a Noshing Christmas

By the time Christmas Day rolls around, chances are you've been cooking and baking and eating up a storm for a month or more. If the thought of preparing - and consuming - one more full-course dinner appeals to you about as much as being stranded in a blizzard, try something different this year.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas Books
• Christmas Decorations
• Eggnog
• Finger Foods
• Liquor
• Mixed Drink Mixers
• Mulling Spices
• Soft Drinks
• Wines
• Board Games
• Puzzles

1. Call your dinner guests and announce that the big family get-together will be a little different this year.

2. Ask each person to prepare a plate or two of favorite hors d'oeuvres.

3. Tell them you'll provide the drinks and the setting for holiday fun and games.

4. Advise them on what to bring for any special activities you've planned, such as warm clothes and boots for a romp in the snow.

5. Set out the food and drink so everyone can partake as the mood strikes while they open presents, read Christmas stories, watch family videos or simply relax with each other's company.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if your crowd doesn't go for rowdy outdoor play, they'll probably enjoy a leisurely stroll to admire Christmas decorations and start to work off a season's worth of food.
• Keep a few board games and puzzles on hand in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

on 1/4/2006 As our family has gotten bigger, we celebrate the Christmas morning in our smaller family units, then on Christmas Day we get together and play Christmas Bingo. We pot luck the food, appetizers, drinks and snacks. We wrap funny, simple gifts and play for hours. When we get tired of playing, we give everyone who hasn't won anything a gift from the pile. We have replaced gift name drawings with this fun, all-ages, family event. We also invite friends who will be alone on Christmas day.