Winter Wonderland: Our ‘Divine Alpine’ decor theme for the party.

 

 

 

Sometimes it’s more fun to co-host a holiday party than to host it on your own. It allows  for new friendships to be made, and potential fun flirtations to happen under the mistletoe. Although my fabulous friend Melanie Brandman and I already know loads of people in common, we realized there’s still a big extended group of our friends that have not met, so we decided to throw one big fun Hamptons holiday bash at her chic new Sag Harbor winter cottage. Melanie shares, “I love co-hosting parties with friends. First, I have found my most fun parties are those with a great mix of new faces – and having a co-host ensures both sets of guests meet new people from the area and perhaps reconnect with someone they haven’t seen for a while.”  Check out our delicious entertaining and design tips below in this NEW KDHamptons Holiday Party Diary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For our decor, we set out to create a vibe we deemed Divine Alpine with lots of white candles, furs, feathery Christmas trees and a “snow” covered dessert table. Topiaire Floral Boutique in Southampton is my favorite destination for holiday decor. The white feathered Christmas trees, doves, and evergreens were the perfect compliment to the giant magnolia and white birch branch center arrangement, which I illuminated with strands of mini LED lights I picked up at Lynch’s Garden Center. Melanie was in charge of our glorious gold tree which was set up on the screened in porch next to the dessert table.

 

 

 

Inspired Decor Idea: Melanie placed chic cowhide rugs around the Christmas tree.

 

 

 

“I loved having a Christmas tree this year,” shares Melanie. “I’m usually traveling over the holiday season so I typically don’t bother putting up a tree, but it was particularly inspiring this year because our party looked like a winter wonderland, and the gold on gold tree decorations added just the right amount of sparkle.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The week before the party I found this amazing classic vintage glass 70’s disco ball [below] at James Maguire Antiques in Hampton Bays [one of my favorite shops], which I easily hung from a ceiling hook for the party. “Having a creative co-host like Kelli is great fun. We both enjoy entertaining and were able to bring a collaborative style and personality to the party — the disco ball was a big hit,” shares Melanie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When having a fairly big group for cocktails I always prefer to offer a big “small bites” menu. No plates, forks, or knives necessary. If you are working with the best ingredients, it’s easy to get big flavor in one small bite. Here’s the delicious menu that Lexi Stolz, owner of South Fork and Spoon, came up with for the night. Lexi is known as the Hamptons Food concierge”, and has recently partnered with Ango [an organic Caterer from NYC] to create The Aristocrat, launching in May, which is a farm-to-table, organic dinner delivery company specializing in authentic Hamptons meals served family-style delivered with a moments notice.  We love to work with Lexi because she puts together menus that combine some of the best local gourmet favorites [like the dumplings from Round Swamp], in addition to specialty items she prepares just before the party.

 

 

 

Here’s the Kel & Mel Holiday Menu:

Loaves + Fishes Deviled Eggs

Homemade Pigs in a Blanket

Round Swamp Chicken Dumplings

Shrimp Cocktail from the Clam Man

Honey + Ricotta Toast Points

Cheese Board with Charcuterie from Citarella

Grilled Cheese Triangles + Warm Tomato Soup Shooters

The Aristocrat Stuffed Mushrooms

Loaves + Fishes Sliced Filet Mignon with Horseradish Creme on Toast Points

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lexi shares, “Holidays are a time for celebration, catching up and spending quality time with loved ones and friends. Holiday tradition is an important thing to uphold and creating new traditions is equally important.  The Aristocrat likes to take familiar family favorites and give them a locally organic sourced and authentic Hamptons feel with seasonal twists showcasing the Hamptons farmstands, markets and seafood.  Making each bite packed with local flavor that both familiar, memorable and delicious.”  Hostess Tip: For a party of about 40-50 people plan on two servers and a bartender. It will allow you to have more fun with your guests knowing that everyone is being taken care of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe for The Aristocrat Stuffed Mushrooms [above, left]:

 

Ingredients:

2-4 Packages of White Mushrooms
1 Package of Organic Cream Cheese
1 cup Parmesan Cheese
2 cloves of garlic
red pepper flakes to taste
Salt + pepper
Kale or spinach – optional

 

Instructions:

Clean and separate mushrooms caps from the stems and set the stems aside. Chop stems and sautéed with minced garlic and red pepper flakes and a drizzle of oil.  Cook until mushrooms sweat and garlic is cooked.  Let cool and add the package of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese – salt and pepper to taste.  Stuff the mushrooms and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.  Bake at 425° for 10-12 minutes until cooked – broil for 1 minute to brown the cheese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always like to serve a signature drink when I’m throwing a party. Here’s my favorite new recipe of the moment: The KDHamptons Ginger, Lime & Mint Mojito, made with White Rum, Honey and Prosecco. This cocktail is so easy to make and is a real crowd pleaser. Based on the size of my server below, combine: 1 bottle White Rum, 8 squeezed limes, 1 large bunch of lime, 3 tbsp of honey, 1 bottle of Prosecco, and 8 small bottles of ginger beer.  Stir, chill, and serve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons Party Tip: Always tuck little platters of food, nuts, or olives in different seating areas to keep guests happily snacking[above]…..and if you want to offer a deliciously “less glamorous” item like pigs in a blanket, always serve it on a chic platter like this driftwood bowl below to dress it up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons Hostess Tip: Always send your guests off with a sweet little party gift. Lexi put together adorable ribbon-tied pouches filled with Salted Caramel Marshmallows and Brownie Bites with Candy Cane Crumble.