Happy Wednesday, friends!
You guys, it’s the final edition of LET’S LOOK for 2022!
Whoa! Where did the year go?!
I’m super excited about today’s post because it’s about one of my FAVORITE things…hosting holiday parties 🙂 .
If you don’t know what this is, once a month, Erika and I do a little link up where we “look” at different aspects of our lives (and then if you blog, you share and link up too!). We have been doing this little linky party for years now, and it’s always one of my favorite posts each month because most of the topics are YOUR suggestions!
In January, we looked at HOW WE ORGANIZE FOR THE NEW YEAR.
In February, we looked at WHAT WE EAT IN A WEEK.
In March, we looked at OUR FAVES FROM HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE
In April, we looked at HOW WE DO DATE NIGHTS!
In May, we looked at OUR HOMETOWNS!
In June, we looked at OUR GO-TO SUMMER LUNCHES
In July, we looked at HOW WE KEEP HEALTHY
In August, we looked at HOW WE DO EVERY DAY CLEANING
In September, we looked at HOW WE ORGANIZE OUR CLOSETS
In October, we looked at OUR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
In November, we looked at WHERE WE SHOP FOR OUR MOMS
And today, we’re looking at….HOW YOU HOST HOLIDAY PARTIES!
So, let’s settle in with our peppermint mochas and chat starting with…
…my ANNUAL RECIPE EXCHANGE!
I have been hosting this party for over a decade now, and it’s ALWAYS one of my favorite nights of the year!
Each year, we have a different theme and this year, the theme was BACON! This was so much fun because everyone brought diverse recipes! We had a salad, a veggie side dish, appetizers, a dip, a pasta and even a cocktail…all with bacon.
I decided to make…
…these BACON WRAPPED SMOKIES!
If you’ll recall, way back in 2016, we had a similar party with my family on Christmas Eve and this was my grandpa’s recipe and he won!!!
I’ve made these so many times since that night, there are only FOUR INGREDIENTS, but this time, I tried them with a little kick.
You can check out this simple recipe HERE 🙂 .
A few pics before the party…
I always print off the recipes that each girl submitted to bring to the party so that everyone leaves with a copy of each recipe from the night.
Markers and paper out so that everyone could write down what they brought to eat.
Our voting station for the winning recipe!
Plus…
A few years ago, we combined our Recipe Exchange party with our Favorite Things party, so that means, each girl brought one favorite thing to share with the other girls.
This is seriously such a fun party!!!
So, how does this party work? What are the rules? When do you send out invites? Who do you invite? How much food does everyone bring? What about the gifts for the Favorite Things portion? Allllllllll of these questions are answered in my podcast episode HERE! Season 2 Episode 25 of The Bestie Breakdown specifically breaks down this party and answers all of those questions (and many more!). It truly is the BEST place to get all the details and information. We break it all down!
My Favorite Thing this year was (of course!)…
…my heated eye lash curler! I gifted everyone one of these in a cute makeup pouch with a new mascara that I’ve discovered and am loving 🙂 .
So, what are my other tips for hosting holiday parties?
In no particular order, here are a few of my favorite holiday entertaining tips:
1: Set the mood with music. Music always sets the tone for any social gathering, so crank up those Christmas carols. Have you listened to my Christmas Playlist yet?!
I could probably go on for days (and maybe that’s a blog post for the future!), but holiday entertaining should be enjoyable for everyone…host and guests alike. Don’t stress. Invite people, crank up the music, turn on that fireplace, light a candle and put out some dip…who doesn’t want to attend that party?!
Well, that wraps up Let’s Look for 2022!
If you have suggestions for things we can “look” at in 2023, please comment and share! I’m about to make our prompts for next year and would covet your input!!
Merry Wednesday, friends!!! Thank you so much to all of you who linked up with us this year!
Don’t forget…
…you can find the recipe for my grandpa’s BACON WRAPPED SMOKIES HERE!
Now, make sure you come back tomorrow for MY BIGGEST AND MOST FAVORITE POST OF THE YEAR!!!! xx
Maggie B says
Will you share the other favorite items that were given? Anyways fun to see the gifts!
Libby says
Yes, please!
Mary Brosn says
Yes! I’m wondering the same thing!
Mix and Match Mama says
Lori was the winner and made a bacon pasta dish! Her favorite thing was a Dior cuticle cream.
Erika brought a maple bacon “crack” appetizer and her fave was a cell phone charger
Jeni just had major surgery so we insisted she not cook 😉 . She brought Stanley cups for everyone.
Meagan couldn’t make it because her sweet daddy had surgery but she dropped off a face oil
Sheaffer brought bacon Brussels sprouts (plus a bonus recipe just for fun…her famous pineapple casserole!) and deodorant from Donna Karen as her fave
Lisa brought a yummy cheesy bacon dip along with a little jewelry dish (monogrammed) and jewelry cleaner
Karla made bacon martinis and brought a body oil
Andrea brought a yummy salad and earrings
Stephanie says
Recipes please!! Or links to where your friends share their recipes 🤗
SS says
Shay,
I know you have your favorite Christmas music…but I have recently been listening to A Family Christmas by the Bocelli family and our other fave is Brian Seltzer orchestra. If you haven’t listened you should check it out!!!
Party looks fun…anything with bacon!!!
Lori says
Could you share the winning bacon recipe??🥓
Mix and Match Mama says
It was Lori’s pasta! I will try and share it!!
Helen says
And the chocolate dipped bacon…I mean…is it just bacon dipped in chocolate or is there a twist ? Ha! Wow..that would be awesome! Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
She dipped bacon in fully cooked bacon and let it cool and then garnished our vanilla martinis with it. It was so delish!
Kelly Marie Sites says
For next year- I’d love some Let’s Looks on: How you keep organized, your planner organization, how you keep track of prayer items you are praying for, The things you do to prep to go out of town (find care for your dogs, stop mail, tidy the house before you go, schedule a cleaner before you get back?)
Jody Y says
Who was the winner this year? Which recipe? What were everyone’s favorite things? This is my favorite post every year. Share more details, pretty please!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Lori was our big winner! I just posted the deets in the comment section!
Emily says
Where is the winning recipe?! Thank youuuuu!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Not posted yet…but I will!
Mary says
Love this! Can you list what everyone gave for their favorite thing?
Mix and Match Mama says
Just posted in the comment section!
Sheaffer says
Always one of my very favorite nights of the year!!! Love you, friend! xoxo
Kristen says
Looks like so much fun! Can you post more of the recipes!!!????
Mix and Match Mama says
I did in the comment section! xx
Elspeth says
I love reading about your holiday parties!! So many great ideas!
http://www.Elspethsdaybyday.com
Mary says
Thanks Shay! This is perfect timing because I’m hosting our girls Christmas party this weekend. Will definitely listen to your Christmas podcast! Wondering…do you like to get a party favor or small gift to send home with everyone when you host or do you think it’s unnecessary since you’re already exchanging gifts. Just curious! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
For this party, I do not do favors since they leave with my Favorite Thing but back before we combined the themes, I always did.
Vivian G says
I’m look forward to this post every year. I love to see how your annual recipe exchange went, what you girls are wearing, what y’all are eating .. it’s so fun! Merry Christmas Shay!
Pamela says
I would love to know everyone’s favorite things and recipes 😀 Thank you for these great tips
Mix and Match Mama says
Just posted in the comment section!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I always look forward to this post from you each year! So much fun!!!
Alexis P. says
I have to give a hearty “Amen!” to your comment about making sure the house is not too warm for guests. So many of my friends/family keep their house SO warm and people like me are sweating at all of the gatherings. 🤣I always try to make sure I’m watching my guests when they’re at my house to see if they’re hot or cold!
Good advice. 🙂
Rachel K. says
Have you thought of doing this now with Kensignton and her friends? I think it would be such a fun night for them to all cook or bake something and share sweet teen gifts. Looks like a great party and bacon makes every recipe better!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a great idea! I wish I would have thought of that myself! Maybe next year?
Rachael says
Also be sure to have a non alcoholic option even if it’s just sparkling water! I’m not a drinker and always am happy when someone provides more than a bottled water.
Mix and Match Mama says
Great tip!!!!
Laura Holmes says
This party always looks so fun! It is so special to have such a strong group of friends. Lucky girl! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Patty says
This party looks so amazing and fun! Can’t wait to try out your bbq smokies! Everyone looked adorable, as always!
Kelly says
Do ya’ll have a budget for Fav things?? Stanley cups are $$$$$!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We’ve decided over the years not to give each other birthday gifts but to save that for this instead, so our budgets are around $50ish a person.
Mary Elliott says
THE HEATED EYE LASH CURLERS ARE 40% OFF TODAY ON AMAZON!!! I’ve been thinking of buying one and today decided to do it! And they’re 40% off! I’m so excited! Shay, you always help me find my favorite things!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Fabulous!!!! I love that!!!!!! Merry Christmas!
Aren Cameron says
After reading your blog for years, I started this tradition myself. I’ll host my 7th Recipe Exchange this month. 🙂 I love the bacon theme idea. This year our theme is “Starts with the Letter P!” I’m so excited to chat with my friends and eat yummy foods. Thanks for the inspiration!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow!! That’s amazing, Aren!!!! And I LOVE your theme!!!! I might need to borrow that!!!
Beth Valenta says
Love this! I’m planning on this the February around things we love! Thanks for sharing!
Melinda Bridge says
Love this! Every year I think I will do this with my friends and then December is here before I think about it again. Just ordered the eyelash curler for my girls. What is your favorite mascara? Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a “new to me” one from MAC!
Shelly Nutt says
In 2023, I’d love to see a “Vacations you MUST take!!” blog post with vacation recommendations from luxury to on a tight budget. You could add categories for family vacations, romantic vacations, and for us single girls, a traveling solo.
Mix and Match Mama says
Great idea!!!
Sheryl Konnerth says
Can you give me the details about the penguin plates please??
Mix and Match Mama says
They were from Pottery Barn last year. Aren’t they cute?!
Colleen T says
Looks like a lot of fun. I have to tell you that Daddy’s Home 2 IS the best “how does everyone not know this” Christmas movie out there! Until I saw it on your blog, I had never thought that movie had anything to do with Christmas. It was hysterical and a huge hit with the whole family. I keep telling everyone about it. Thanks for the idea!!
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!!!!!!!!!! Right?! My brother is the one who told me to watch it last year. IT’S SO FUNNY! I’m so happy you found it too! Merry Christmas!
Hollie M says
Hi shay! Did you like the smokies more, less or the same with the spicy bbq? Thinking of making these for a party Friday night!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love spicy, so I enjoyed them with a bit more heat!
Jessica says
Ordered the eyelash curler!! I am SO excited. Thank you. With a coupon it was $13!
Taylor says
When you guys come back on the podcast you should do an episode breaking down the end of 2022! I want to know how Erika’s move went and how your holidays were! Just a catch up episode!
Christie says
Shay! I still make the southwestern breakfast casserole that one of your girlfriends made (and won with) years ago!! Love this post and look forward to it every year. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet friends.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so happy to hear that!!! Merry Christmas to YOU!
Alissa says
Can you share the rules you would play by when you did an exchange? We are doing a favorite things party this year but each person is only bringing 2 of their favorite thing (so everyone leaves with 2 items but not something from everyone) and we can’t figure out the rules on how to play! Do we bring the gifts wrapped or unwrapped?!
Mix and Match Mama says
You really should listen to that podcast episode. We go into all the details about how we do it now but also how we’ve done it other ways too. There are so many specifics, ideas and tried and failed things too.
Alison says
In 2023 I’d love a look at how you and Erika handle busy evenings with your kids’ activities. From homework to dinner to transportation, baths, and bedtime routine… this mama is struggling with it and could use tips from the experts ☺️
Mix and Match Mama says
Great idea!!
Michelle Beazley says
May I ask, what did you wrap around the base of your white twinkle trees? Your home looks beautiful and so festive!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh just little tree skirts! I bought them off of Amazon!
Hope says
Hi Shay!! I love your slippers that you’re wearing in that group picture! Can you share where they’re from again!? Thank you & Merry Christmas to you & your family this season! ❤️