How to Host a Hit Christmas Caroling Party
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Help carolers find their way with the glowing light of mini battery-operated lanterns (“Edison”; barebonesliving.com).
Picnics & Parties
Before spreading joy door-to-door, warm up the vocal chords with a Christmas caroling pre-party, complete with hot drinks, hearty snacks, and a whole lotta fa-la-la.
Recipes By Lyda Burnett Photographs By Becky Luigart-stayner Food Styling By Torie Cox Prop Styling By Anna Logan
Field notes
How Caroling Came to Be
The sing-and-stroll as we know it today was popularized during the Victorian era, when Christmas became more commercialized and newly published songbooks (including William Sandys’ 80-song compendium ChristmasCarols, Ancient and Modern) were made available to people outside the church. By the early 1900s, caroling found favor stateside as a popular fundraising event for churches and other organizations.
Fine-Tuned Festivities
How to make sure your party hits a high note
Be There With Bells On.
When wired to an evergreen wreath (lynchcreekwreaths.com), antique copper bells will cheerfully ring in each guest’s arrival. For another thematic touch, tuck in paper leaves made from holiday sheet music. Tip: Ivory-colored card stock evokes a “ye olde” feel.
Sing for Your Supper.
A spread of grab-and-go snacks, including Asiago Cheese Biscuitswith Proscuitto,Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Peppadews, and Herb- Spiced Cashews, will provide enough sustenance to serenade the whole block. Serve the cashews in paper cones made from sheet music.
Craft a Souvenir Songbook.
Print out a few of your favorite carols (holidaysheetmusic.net), and nestle them beneath a custom card stock cover (countryliving.com/caroling) secured with red waxed twine around the center spine (above). (Fun fact: “Jingle Bells” was originally written to celebrate Thanksgiving; it was also the first song broadcast in space.)
Merry Up the Mantel.
Cover foam cones with overlapping layers of shredded sheet music, and secure with hot-glue. (For step-by-step instructions, go to countryliving.com/sheet-music.) Embellish garland with vintage bells and sheet music stars.
Wassail While You Work.
The practice of wassailing dates to ancient English yuletide traditions when people would go door-to-door while singing, offering a drink from the wassail bowl in exchange for gifts. Our version of wassail, a hot spiced beverage, comes in the form of a Mulled Cherry Cocktail featuring black cherry juice, allspice, and bourbon. Coasters made from 4-inch squares of wool tartan fabric (www.scotmeachamwoodhome.com) reinforce the cozy quotient.
Recruit a Bark-Up Singer. Jingle bell-studded collars (auburndirect.com) help pets (including springer- doodle Ladybelle) join in on the festivities.
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’Tis the season to celebrate, gather, and imbibe on cozy winter cocktails. Why not add a fun and cheerful layer into this year’s festivities by including Chirstmas caroling in the mix of party activities! The sing-and-stroll as we know it today was popularized during the Victorian era, when Christmas became more commercialized and newly published songbooks (including William Sandys’ 80-song compendium Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern) were made available to people outside the church. By the early 1900s, caroling found favor stateside as a popular fundraising event for churches and other organizations.
While the commercialization of Christmas has certainly not fallen out of favor (gifts for under $10 might just be the cure to the post-holiday credit card blues!), caroling door-to-door or gathered around a piano in the living room has. So we’re here to help bring the tradition back with these eight party ideas, from the decorations to the spread of sips and snacks. And, of course, don't forget the best Christmas caroling songs.
Try your hand at crafting mini Christmas trees made from sheet music to spread around the mantel and buffet. Fashion a custom caroling book with all your favorite carols nestled inside! And don't forget to set out a spread that will fortify carolers for a night of singing in the brisk air. Mini cheese biscuits, baked in the shape of a tree, and sweet and savory stuffed Peppadews served alongside a warm Mulled Cherry Cocktail will do the trick! It's certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Be There With Bells On
Start by decorating the house with on-theme adornments. When wired to an evergreen wreath, antique copper bells will cheerfully ring in each guest’s arrival. For another thematic touch, tuck in paper leaves made from holiday sheet music. Editor’ Tip: Ivory-colored card stock evokes a “ye olde” feel.
Create a Warm Welcome
Welcome guests with a savory snack and a warm drink. For buffet decor, use a length of red ribbon to hang a vintage French horn within a gold frame that’s decked out with boughs of Cyprus. Help carolers find their way with the glowing light of mini red battery-operated lanterns.
SHOP MINI LANTERNS
Set Out a Hearty Spread
A buffet spread of grab-and-go appetizers, including Asiago Cheese Biscuits with Proscuitto displayed in a festive Christmas tree shape and Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Peppadews, will provide enough sustenance for your guests to serenade the whole block.
Get the recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Peppadews.
Get the recipe for Asiago Cheese Biscuits with Prosciutto.
Serve a Warming Drink
The practice of wassailing dates to ancient English yuletide traditions when people would go door-to-door while singing, offering a drink from the wassail bowl in exchange for gifts. Our version of wassail, a hot spiced beverage, comes in the form of a Mulled Cherry Cocktail featuring black cherry juice, allspice, and bourbon. Coasters made from 4-inch squares of wool tartan fabric by Scott Meacham Wood reinforce the cozy quotient. Served alongside Herb-Spiced Cashews offered in sheet music cones, guests will be fortified and ready to sing their hearts out.
Get the recipe for Mulled Cherry Cocktails.
Get the recipe for Herb-Spiced Cashews.
Merry Up the Mantel
Spread the cheer throughout the house with on-theme holiday decorations. DIY paper Christmas trees made from shredded sheet music and Styrofoam cones, then scatter them along the mantel and around the house. Embellish garlands with vintage bells and star ornaments also crafted of sheet music.
Get the instructions for the Fringed Sheet Music Trees.
Craft a Souvenir Holiday Songbook
Print out a few of your favorite Christmas caroling songs (Did you know “Jingle Bells” was originally written to celebrate Thanksgiving? It was also the first song broadcast in space!) and nestle them beneath a custom card stock cover secured with red waxed twine around the center spine.
Get the instructions and download the cover for these DIY Christmas Caroling Songbooks.
RELATED: Find the best songs for caroling from our list of 79 of our favorite Christmas songs of all times.
Embellish Colorful Mittens
Use embroidery floss or thin yarn to stitch musical notes on the backs of mittens. Carolers can wear them to keep their hands warm while serenading the neighborhood—and they make clever party favors.
Recruit a Bark-up Singer
Jingle bell-studded dog collars help pets (including this springerdoodle, Ladybelle) join in on the caroling festivities.
Discover more fun Christmas party ideas for a festive bash.
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