Hi Friends, do I have a fun idea for you today! It’s especially perfect if you’re planning a Christmas or holiday party.
But first, the backstory (because you know I’m all about the backstory!)
Maybe 8-9 years ago, some friends and I came together for a supper club. There were eight couples, and we would rotate between houses and have the most delectable meals and the most wonderful evenings. We went strong for many years, but with everyone’s busy schedules, we really fell off of our dinners over the past 2-3 years.
But, about five years ago, the supper club ladies started getting together for a ‘ladies only’ Christmas party. I have been a bit selfish about this party and really do love to host it.
It’s a pretty easy process to host as everyone brings food to the event. While the food is always delicious and a big draw, we also do a ‘dirty Santa’ gift exchange. If you’re not familiar with ‘dirty Santa,’ it’s when everyone brings a gift for no one in particular. We draw numbers, and number 1 goes first. She opens any gift and shows it to everyone. Number 2 can either pick a wrapped gift or steal number 1’s gift. If she steals number 1’s gift, then number 1 can open a new gift. Number 3 can steal number 1’s gift or number 2’s gift or open a wrapped gift. And so on and so on. I’ll just say that this group has really good taste, so everyone goes home happy with their gift!
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We had our ‘party’ this past week and as usual, we had great food and great fun. I decided to try something new this year and laid out a Martini Bar. I am a Martini-novice, so I searched the internet for some Christmas-y sounding recipes for my Martini Bar and came up with the following:
These are rather fru-fru drinks, so you want to make sure you have the necessary fixings for a plain old martini for those who don’t love fru-fru drinks. I also had wine and beer available, though I think everyone had at least one martini.
The Creamy Gingerbread Martini is really like a dessert. But the others are very refreshing.
What you’ll need for your Martini Bar:
If you’re going to use a tablecloth, make sure it’s washable if you’re using the Pomegranate juice. Maybe it was just us, but we did spill a wee bit in the martini-making process.
Depending on how many guests you will have, you’ll need several martini shakers. I rounded up 3 shakers for 8 of us.
A clean damp washcloth to dampen the rim of your glass if you don’t want to use lemon
Plates for your rim toppings
An ice bucket
Ice scoop
Your alcohol and other ingredients (juices, condiments, soda water, etc…)
Martini glasses
Several shot glasses
Recipes for your guests to follow (I had 2 copies of each recipe)
Cocktail NapkinsKate and I did the ‘bleach your bottle brush trees and put glitter on them’ trick that is all over Pinterest these days.
And I’m excited that I found another use for my Gingerbread Syrup! It’s perfect for both Gingerbread Martinis on the Martini Bar.
I look forward all year to this Christmas gathering of such great women and I treasure the friendship of each and every one of them. I am truly blessed.
If your plans this season include throwing a party…this Martini Bar was a fun attraction and easy to put together.
Thanks for stopping by to visit today, I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. And when you leave a comment…ah, it makes my heart sing!
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Oh my, do these look delicious ! I’m pinning and going to have to try a few. I love a great martini, but unfortunately I have to sip it slowly and make it last because I can only handle one.
Hi Carol, I’m as much a lightweight as you. The beauty of making your own martini is that you can add some extra ‘spritz’ aka soda water. I did that so that I could enjoy a couple of them and still be able to get up to get my son to school in the morning..
Thanks for visiting tonight.
Hey Lynn– what a fun idea! I have never been a martini girl but this has changed my mind. Thanks for being our Pinterest Party featured pinner. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Oh my goodness Lynn, this is fabulous! I can imagine how much fun this must be! I love how you prepared every little detail and the Martinis look really good. I’m the same, to tell you the truth, I’ve never ever had one, and i’m not sure I’d survive one either…I’d probably end up right under the table. I can take a glass of red wine and that’s about it! LOL. But I love the idea and it all looks perfect and like so so much fun. Also preparing everything must have been a blast! And those trees are so great, I’ve seen them around and been wanting to try to make one as well. I love the holiday Martini recipes and the whole idea of having a Martini bar! I bet your guests were delighted!!! And the dirty santa game sounds like so much fun as well!!! Happy Holidays Lynn, XO!
I have got to tell you that it really was quite fun. The good thing about making your own Martini is that you really can adjust the liquor. The truth is, I’m quite a lightweight as well, so I just added more of the pomegranate juice, seltzer water or other non-alcoholic ingredient to make it ‘Lynn friendly’.
The trees were fun too…just keep your window open…lots of bleach fumes! And if you haven’t tried the ‘dirty Santa’ gift exchange, you must. Really is a fun way to have a gift exchange.
Hope your weekend is great! I know your girls must be getting so excited! Such a fun time of year with wee ones!
Kisses, Lynn
hi! another way to rim the glass is with honey. I stick it in a wide, low bowl and then just turn the cup upside down in it. Can also brush on with pastry brush.
Oh and I forget where we first had this years ago but had cosmos rimmed with pop rocks, so I love doing that–very festive 😉
But I want to go to YOUR Martini party Lynn!
Of course, I should’ve known that you are the Martini Maven! Great idea about the honey! Will have to use that the next time we do ‘the bar!”
Come on down…I’ll prepare a special Martini Bar for you! Just tell me your favorite recipes!
I’ve been struggling with what to do with all the martini glasses that I have… why not use them?! Haha! I usually drink wine, but this festive bar would be the perfect compliment to a Christmas dinner party. Or any dinner party for that matter. I also love the gold sugar to fancy it up! I bet this was a hit at your party. Happy Holidays!
Hi Lindsey, thanks for stopping by today. Truth be told, I didn’t even have martini glasses…but luckily my mom had the beautiful set I could borrow. Now that I’m a ‘martini bar’ pro, I’ll be setting up more of them when I have my friends over. And the sugar made it extra fancy. I was able to find it at my local Michaels.
Lynn I am not a martini drinker but I do love a good glass of wine. The idea for the party is so much fun. To be able to gather with good freinds and to have a gift exchange. And your decorations are just perfect. I love all of the black labels and the little trees. Happy Holidays my friend!
Hi Friend, I was never a martini drinker before either, but this was a fun change of pace. It was very much one of the highlights of the evening, along with all the good food, good talk and fun gift exchange.
I am wishing for you and your family the very merriest of Christmases.
Hugs, Lynn
I can imagine how much fun a girls Christmas party must be, especially with a martini bar! Love these recipes, pinning for future! Yummmm! Merry Christmas!
Hi Kelsey, it really was great fun. Good luck with your move and your future entertaining!
Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
I’ve always loved the idea of starting a supper club with friends. The martini bar is such a great and fun idea, and easy to put together. This would be perfect for NYE. 🙂
Hi Elsa, I would encourage you to give the supper club thing a try. Its a fun and less stressful way to regularly get together with friends over good food. And the martini bar was so much fun at my gal-pal get together, I would imagine it’d be fantastic fun on New Year’s.
Thanks for stopping by today and hope you New Year’s Eve is super.
Lynn
Hi Mindy…I giggled when I got your second comment…dang autcorrect! That gold sugar makes it so much fun…find it in the baking section at Michaels. I hope your new year is off to a fantastic start!
Oh my, do these look delicious ! I’m pinning and going to have to try a few. I love a great martini, but unfortunately I have to sip it slowly and make it last because I can only handle one.
Hi Carol, I’m as much a lightweight as you. The beauty of making your own martini is that you can add some extra ‘spritz’ aka soda water. I did that so that I could enjoy a couple of them and still be able to get up to get my son to school in the morning..
Thanks for visiting tonight.
Lynn
Hey Lynn– what a fun idea! I have never been a martini girl but this has changed my mind. Thanks for being our Pinterest Party featured pinner. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Good Morning Malia, it really was a fun party idea. My girlfriends and I really enjoyed it.
And thanks again for the feature!
Merry Christmas, Lynn
Oh my goodness Lynn, this is fabulous! I can imagine how much fun this must be! I love how you prepared every little detail and the Martinis look really good. I’m the same, to tell you the truth, I’ve never ever had one, and i’m not sure I’d survive one either…I’d probably end up right under the table. I can take a glass of red wine and that’s about it! LOL. But I love the idea and it all looks perfect and like so so much fun. Also preparing everything must have been a blast! And those trees are so great, I’ve seen them around and been wanting to try to make one as well. I love the holiday Martini recipes and the whole idea of having a Martini bar! I bet your guests were delighted!!! And the dirty santa game sounds like so much fun as well!!! Happy Holidays Lynn, XO!
Good Morning Friend,
I have got to tell you that it really was quite fun. The good thing about making your own Martini is that you really can adjust the liquor. The truth is, I’m quite a lightweight as well, so I just added more of the pomegranate juice, seltzer water or other non-alcoholic ingredient to make it ‘Lynn friendly’.
The trees were fun too…just keep your window open…lots of bleach fumes! And if you haven’t tried the ‘dirty Santa’ gift exchange, you must. Really is a fun way to have a gift exchange.
Hope your weekend is great! I know your girls must be getting so excited! Such a fun time of year with wee ones!
Kisses, Lynn
hi! another way to rim the glass is with honey. I stick it in a wide, low bowl and then just turn the cup upside down in it. Can also brush on with pastry brush.
Oh and I forget where we first had this years ago but had cosmos rimmed with pop rocks, so I love doing that–very festive 😉
But I want to go to YOUR Martini party Lynn!
Of course, I should’ve known that you are the Martini Maven! Great idea about the honey! Will have to use that the next time we do ‘the bar!”
Come on down…I’ll prepare a special Martini Bar for you! Just tell me your favorite recipes!
Kisses, Lynn
it’s a deal! though you guys should get up here!
Lynn, you know I love a pretty cocktail. This party looks like so much fun. WIll definitely add these to our cocktail book.
So glad Carol. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did. Have a fantastic week.
Lynn
Lynn,
I’ve been struggling with what to do with all the martini glasses that I have… why not use them?! Haha! I usually drink wine, but this festive bar would be the perfect compliment to a Christmas dinner party. Or any dinner party for that matter. I also love the gold sugar to fancy it up! I bet this was a hit at your party. Happy Holidays!
Hi Lindsey, thanks for stopping by today. Truth be told, I didn’t even have martini glasses…but luckily my mom had the beautiful set I could borrow. Now that I’m a ‘martini bar’ pro, I’ll be setting up more of them when I have my friends over. And the sugar made it extra fancy. I was able to find it at my local Michaels.
Lynn I am not a martini drinker but I do love a good glass of wine. The idea for the party is so much fun. To be able to gather with good freinds and to have a gift exchange. And your decorations are just perfect. I love all of the black labels and the little trees. Happy Holidays my friend!
Hi Friend, I was never a martini drinker before either, but this was a fun change of pace. It was very much one of the highlights of the evening, along with all the good food, good talk and fun gift exchange.
I am wishing for you and your family the very merriest of Christmases.
Hugs, Lynn
I can imagine how much fun a girls Christmas party must be, especially with a martini bar! Love these recipes, pinning for future! Yummmm! Merry Christmas!
Thanks Wendi, you just can’t beat a girl’s night and yes, the martini bar just added to the fun. Thanks for visiting and pinning.
Have a fantastic holiday, Lynn
Wow what a fun and wonderful idea! I’m moving soon and look forward to being able to do some fun events like this!
Hi Kelsey, it really was great fun. Good luck with your move and your future entertaining!
Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Lynn
I’ve always loved the idea of starting a supper club with friends. The martini bar is such a great and fun idea, and easy to put together. This would be perfect for NYE. 🙂
Hi Elsa, I would encourage you to give the supper club thing a try. Its a fun and less stressful way to regularly get together with friends over good food. And the martini bar was so much fun at my gal-pal get together, I would imagine it’d be fantastic fun on New Year’s.
Thanks for stopping by today and hope you New Year’s Eve is super.
Lynn
Love this idea! Can’t wait to try it out!
Hope you do try it out and enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by today.
LYnn
Wow! These look relish! And gold sugar? How rich and opulent. Love!
The computer autocorrected my “delish” to relish-lol!
Hi Mindy…I giggled when I got your second comment…dang autcorrect! That gold sugar makes it so much fun…find it in the baking section at Michaels. I hope your new year is off to a fantastic start!
Many hugs, Lynn