A month or so ago as David and I were planning our December we realized something. We filled up the weeks with reminders to take the kids to see Santa, check out lights, take them to friends’ birthday and holiday parties, but we didn’t have a single adult only event to attend. We recognized that the friends we hang with have been busy having and raising babies for the past 5 years like we had, but that a large majority now have toddlers as their youngest which means we can leave the house again! (hands up emoji!) I’m being a little dramatic of course, but we had a glass of wine and decided we needed to throw a party- a Friendsmas Party! So we did.
We set our guest list on the smaller side; a gathering of only our closest friends, which is hard for me since I like to invite the world. David set a parameter that close friends were defined as someone that would be comfortable opening the fridge and grabbing their own beer. For some reason this cracked me up and we stuck with that definition.
Then, since I tend to stress about parties (will everyone have fun?!), we split the responsibilities. I’d do food and David was the drink committee. I had nightmares that this would end up like when they put Phoebe in charge of cups, but honestly it was helpful. And though I’m not (too) surprised, David rocked it!
Craft beer, wine variety, water and a bourbon punch that was without a doubt the highlight of the drink station!
It was RIDICULOUSLY good. Like Kindred quality. And I don’t think a compliment gets better than that.
As for food, I worked through several menu ideas and loved all your suggestions you gave me through Snapchat (so helpful!). I finally came up with a spread I was satisfied with, making some of it myself and ordering some catering through Whole Foods to help bring it all together.
Sliced baguettes with horseradish aoili and sliced roast beef with chives
Shrimp cocktail
Crudite platter with an herby ranch dipping sauce
Cheese platter with spiced candied pecans and fruit
and cake!
We kept the decor to a minimum, figuring a lit tree and a roaring fire would do the trick.
At 7:00 there was nothing else to but get dressed, check on the kids upstairs (with a sitter) and pour a beverage!
This dress ended up working out perfectly! It was so comfortable and I look forward to experimenting with dressing it up and down. I got over my hesitation and rocked my favorite booties with it. I felt comfortable and festive; my favorite combo.
Then, it was party time!
I kept my camera put away most of the night and just enjoyed uninterrupted sipping, eating, chatting and laughing with some of my most dear friends. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I had such a great time hanging out, playing white elephant and just being together.
I’m so grateful for the friends we’ve made here over the past 6 years. They’re so much fun, incredibly kind and are cool with our brand of crazy.
We didn’t make it to bed until past 1:00 am, (who do I think I am?!), which led me telling the girls to just eat the leftover cake for breakfast the next morning. I guess you could say the holidays are in full swing!
What is your favorite dish to bring to a holiday gathering?
And on the other side- what dish are you always most excited to eat at a party?
Carla says
I adore this!!
I need to add a Friendmakkah to my soiree schedule next year too.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I love the idea of a Friendsmakkah!! Can I come?! 😉
sherry says
Looks like a great time was had by all! So nice to have such good friends!
John J. says
Y’all put it on! Great seeing you yesterday!
Brittany Dixon says
So good being with y’all!! Always! xo <3
Lynn Thow says
Everything looked great!! I’m glad it was a success!! What do you like to order from Whole Foods?
Brittany Dixon says
I love having their help picking which cheeses to serve and picked up the shrimp from them as well so my house and fingers wouldn’t smell shrimpy 😉 Oh and the cake of course- always delicious!
Austin says
So fun! That cheese tray looks awesome. Unrelated question: When you make the pizza spaghetti pie (with sausage and spaghetti squash), do you add cheese or not? I am making it for someone who is GF and was just curious if you think the cheese is necessary or not for flavor.
Brittany Dixon says
I don’t think I’ve ever added cheese to mine and it’s always so good! So definitely not necessary 🙂
Cristina R Agurcia says
So fun!! Everything looks great! If you are up for sharing the punch recipe, I would be grateful!
Brittany Dixon says
Absolutely! http://gardenandgun.com/article/knockout-bourbon-punch-recipe — I stopped by our local juice bar to get the freshly juiced ginger- so good!
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
i’m so sad we missed your amazing party!!!! looks like you guys had the best time!!! <3
Brittany Dixon says
We missed you and Ryan!! We’ll have to find another time to hang out soon 🙂
Heather @Lunging Through Life says
So so fun! We went to an adults only party this past weekend, and have another next weekend and it’s just nice to be adults and not parents for a change! I love all the food options! I usually stick to the classic appetizers- cheese plate, chips and salsa, buffalo chicken dip, those sorts of things!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my goodness, YES to buffalo chicken dip- it is so good!!
katie says
I like to do a dip with ritz crackers and/or veggies. Or if the host tells me not to bring anything, then I bring wine.
Katie @ Live Half Full says
So much fun! We are hosting a NYE party at our house, I cannot WAIT!
Julie says
We do the same kind of party every year w/ about the same # of guests. Ours is always the Sat. before Xmas (so this coming wknd!). We have a White Elephant gift exchange, too. So fun! We’ve been getting together w/ this same group of friends +/- some add-ons over the years 🙂 for roughly 25 yrs! (Wow that makes me feel old.) I put my hubby in charge of the drinks while I prepare the food, too. 😉 LOL that you told the girls to eat leftover cake for b-fast! 😀
Betty says
Looks like a blast! And I really like your wreath on the front door. My go-to dish for holiday gatherings is saltine cracker toffee, and it’s somewhat expected of me by now after all the years I’ve been bringing to friends/family events.
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve heard that stuff is delicious but have never had the opportunity to try it. Maybe I’ll have to just make it sometime- yum!