Festive Holiday Drink Ideas Needed!

Red Wine Sangria Punch
photo courtesy of epicuria.free.fr

So I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving and I need your suggestions. I love hosting holidays in my home, and I especially love decorating the holiday table. I also try to use my "good" china, silver, and crystal whenever possible. I figure I didn't put it on my wedding registry just so I can look at it setting so pretty in the china cabinet, so why not use it! And, over the years I have collected many festive centerpieces and serving dishes which add so much to the holiday table decorum. The menus are basically the same year after year except for the varying (and sometimes experimental!) side dishes. Turkey is always served on Thanksgiving, filet mignon steaks and roast beef are the main entrees for Christmas, and Easter brings a variety of barbecued meats including chicken, ribs, and hamburgers for the kiddos. For the accompanying side dishes I like to make recipes that can be prepared in advance, refrigerated overnight, and then baked, microwaved, or tossed just prior to serving. This plan allows me extra time to visit with our guests. Additionally, another time saver is having an alcoholic punch for the adults and a non-alcoholic drink for the children (and adults too!) readily available for the guests. These drinks can be made in batches ahead of the big day and also allows for easy serving of drinks. Anyone can just help themselves when a refill is needed. I've served a red wine sangria punch for Christmas and a white wine sangria punch garnished with lemons, lime, and strawberries at Easter. The kiddos always request frozen non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiris which I keep in the freezer year round! I also make sure to have several cans of whipped cream available to top off the frozen daiquiri. And depending on the holiday, the kids also love when festive stirrers and straws are included with the drink.  The local Dollar Tree Store is a good source for holiday drink accessories.  I've even found adorable bunny glasses to serve the frozen drinks. They look so cute when topped with a mound of whipped cream!  So this year  I'm looking for a special alcoholic and also a non-alcoholic drink appropriate for the Thanksgiving holiday that can be made in advance and can easily be served. I did find a recipe for an apple cider punch that looks interesting and tasty, but would love your suggestions too. And, if you're also looking for a Fall themed shirt or bodysuit and leg warmer set for your little one for the Thanksgiving holiday, Zoey's Attic can help!

Memories

 

Big brother caterpillar pregnancy announcement shirt

The author, Eric Carle, has written
and illustrated numerous children's books, and one of my favorites is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."  Like other books written by Carle such as "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?," "Have You Seen My Cat?," and "The Grouchy Ladybug," his colorful collage illustrations are beautifully bold and vivid.  "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" holds a special place in my heart as it returns me to such happy times sitting on one of my parent's lap while listening to the story of the caterpillar who ate and ate, progessed to the cocoon stage, and finally transformed into a beautiful butterfly.  As I sat comforted by their storytelling I was also learning about the days of the week, counting, good nutrition and so much more!  As a child we even caught caterpillars so we could observe in "real-time" their amazing metamorphosis from cocoon to butterly.  So, maybe you and your children are as much of a fan of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" as I am, and if so why not have this as the theme of your next birthday party?  Zoey's Attic has adorable caterpillar shirts, bibs, and leg warmer sets.  And, if you want a fun caterpillar secret pregnancy announcement shirt, we've got that too! Isn't it wonderful that the books we enjoyed as children, we are now sharing with our little ones?  Making memories is so precious and time well spent! 

Personalized caterpillar childrens sets