Looking to ramp up your Winter Solstice shindig this year? I personally always like to adapt a theme to center it around. That keeps it fresh and interesting for your return guests and a welcome surprise for new faces. This year the First Day of Winter falls on a Saturday, which makes it a perfect time to hold your Solstice celebration on the actual day. If you go with an “around the world” theme, you can invite each of your guests to bring a dish or beverage to share, unique to their cultural heritage or family. This way you’ll also gain an eclectic smorgasbord of a menu! Since I’m enjoying my new position as associate digital editor at Taste of Home Magazine so much, I had to try out some of their culturally diverse recipes from the December issue.

Every successful soiree should have a signature punch. Here’s a fun one from Chile:

CHILEAN MONKEY TAIL PUNCH

Start to finish: 15 minutes

Servings: 16

4 cups 2% milk

1 cup sugar

3 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)

3 whole cloves

2 cups strong brewed coffee

1 ½ cups pisco, aguardiente, grappa or brandy

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a large saucepan, combine milk, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Strain into a large pitcher, discarding spices. Stir in coffee, pisco and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice.

Nutrition information: 1/2 cup: 129 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 29mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

(Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home Test-Kitchen)

Round things out with a pretty, swirled Chocolate Babka bread and some savory Chicken Piccata Meatballs, and you’ve got your party started! Don’t forget the ambiance: buy some fresh cut flowers in red and white, accented in evergreens. Light a lot of candles and place them in strategic spots safe from guests’ elbows and the curious cat. Happy Winter Solstice.

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Photo by Krivec Ales from Pexels