Holidays/ meal plans

A Hipster Holiday Party Menu (and Playlist)

It’s official. I’m a hipster. If the fact that I live in Kitsilano, wear red lipstick and dark nail polish, have antlers on my coffee table, live green, live on Instagram, bourbon is a fixture in my daily routine, and just got a sleeve tattoo didn’t solidify this, the (impulsive) action of downloading of the Christmas album from She & Him certainly has. Not to mention their other 20 albums.

It’s okay. No really. I’m embracing it.

She Eats Hipster Holiday Menu and Holiday Playlist - SheEats.ca

I also embrace music. But come on  who doesn’t? No friends of mine, that’s for sure.

And I figured for that very reason – along with the hipster bullhockey – let’s talk fabulous Christmas mix tapes! Ah, the good old mix tape. With food. Because there isn’t much else better than good food, good music and good company. I live for this stuff. So for poops and laughs and to launch us all into the holiday spirit, I thought we could put together a hipster holiday party menu and playlist that’s funkaliciously festive. You know, before the Christmas music is playing anywhere and everywhere and up your ass to the point that you wanna pull your hair out. With tweezers.

So if you come to my house this month, this is what we’ll be dining and jiving to. All 7 courses. Seriously. I hosted a long table, multi-course dinner once. It went swimmingly well, considering nobody could get up to pee. Or, snag a recipe here and use it at your holiday partay. Par-tay! 90% of what’s listed here is able to made ahead of time so you get to spend time drinking, err… Socializing with your guests! Either way – your house or mine – it’ll be a time. A good time. Kinda like me. You have my number right? Ow ow!

  • The Aperitif(s)
  • The Small Bites (3)
  • The Appetizer
  • The Soup
  • The Main Course
  • The Cheese Course
  • The Dessert

 Hipster Holiday Party Menu - Apple Whiskey Sour Recipe - SheEats.ca

The Aperitif: Cinnamon Apple Whiskey Sour
The Tunes: Jingle Bells – Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Christmas

This drink gets things festive, jingley and a whole lotta funky. Like, Marky Mark style. Kinda like this tune. Plus both are toats suited to warm everyone up and get everyone in the holiday spirit. Get it? “Spirit”? It’s a cocktail. Nevermind.

Hipster Holiday Party Menu - Appetizer Ideas - SheEats.ca

Small Bites #1: Sweet & Earthy Beet Crostini
The Tunes: Funky Funky Christmas – New Kids on the Block

Small Bites #2: Ridiculously Luscious Arugula Pesto & Crackers
The Tunes: I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus – RuPaul

Small Bites #3: Savory Oozy Mushroom Dip
The Tunes: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Billy May

I’ve broken these small bites into 3 different “dips” with their 3 different tracks because in my world, more is more. And the best part about all 3? You know, other than the fact that they taste amazing? They’re veggie friendly and each and every one comes with its own little plate. The bread! Or cracker. Or vegetable. However you get the topping from point A to point mouth is up to you. Serve these before dinner, scattered on platters and plates around the house to get people mingling. Because let’s face it – where there’s food, there’s people.

Hipster Holiday Party Menu - Prosciutto Salad Rolls - SheEats.ca

The Appetizer: Prosciutto Arugula Rolls
The Tunes: The Christmas Song – James Brown
The Tunes: Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Perry Como

These are a smack in the face. In a good way. They’re also light and one pop in the mouth (or two) – perfect for energizing the palate for the comforting, rustic, warm foods to come.

Holiday Party Menu Ideas - Leek Potato Soup Recipe - SheEats.ca

The Soup: Insanely Tasty Leek & Potato Soup
The Tunes: I’ve Got Your Love to Keep Me Warm – James Dean

I might have your love to keep me warm, but you have soup. Soup for you!

Holiday Party Menu Ideas - Italian Bolognese Recipe - SPQR Cookbook - sheeats.ca

The Main Course: Incredible Smokey Italian Bolognese with Egg Noodles
The Tunes: Baby It’s Cold Outside – She & Him
The Tunes: Silver Bells – Bing Crosby
The Tunes: Let It Snow – The Temptations

The sauce is rustic and filling, loaded with flavor and oh so simple and the noodles lack wheat – leaving room in your belly for the last 2 courses. Plus pasta is generally a safe bet when it comes to picky eaters. Who doesn’t like pasta?! If this doesn’t scream cozy comfort food, I don’t know what does.

Holiday Party Menu Ideas - Cheesecake Course - SheEats.ca

The Cheese: Classic Cheesecake (top with whatever you fancy… like boozy bourbon dulce de leche sauce or a few cinnamon apple “noodles”).
The Tunes: White Christmas – Elvis Presley
The Tunes: Christmas in Hollis – RunDMC
The Tunes: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Jackson5

I always love a good cheese course. The airy texture of the cheesecake paired with fun tunes = preparation for one more course. Plus it’s cheese. If pasta doesn’t please, cheese…uhh, will. That didn’t quite rhyme, did it?

Holiday Party Menu Ideas - Fall-Fruit-Crumble-Apples-Pears-Recipe-Yum

The Dessert: Fall Fruit Crumble
The Tunes: Last Christmas – Wham
The Tunes: Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives

These songs begin to signify the end of the evening, as does the sweet course. But not too sweet – we’ve eaten a lot thus far. Fruit for dessert leaves palates feeling refreshed, if not full and satisfied. Top with seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, served alongside a glass of port or late harvest Riesling and you’ve got a slam dunk. Seriously – while your dessert may “crumble”, with this star finnisher, your night won’t.

….I totally didn’t even plan that line.  Am I clever or what?

What’s in your Christmas playlist? Do you still make mix-tapes? What’s your go-to party dish? What HAS to be served at your holiday parties? Did I miss anything here? Ever host a 7 course dinner? Have any big party plans this month? Spill it!

  • Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie)
    December 1, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    This is probably the most original Christmas post I have read to date..pairing music with food! Too clever! Not really too…just really clever. I bow to thee. I think I’ll just copy the whole damn thing…keeps me from having to think. That and Bourbon…so thanks to you and Merry Christmas!
    Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie) recently published…Wisdom and Aging… Where’s The Justice?My Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 1, 2014 at 7:14 PM

      HAHA. Original? I’ll take it. Though it’s been said originality is just code for crap. Kind of like “that’s… interesting” 😉 Jk, jk. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Jacqueline! Great to see YOUR clever face!! Merry Christmas back 🙂

  • Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
    December 1, 2014 at 3:23 PM

    When should I arrive? I promise to be on time, and by on time, I mean a good thirty minutes late. You understand, from one hipster to another.

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 1, 2014 at 7:15 PM

      Absolutely. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t Meghan.

  • Tara @ Rovin' Rambler
    December 1, 2014 at 6:04 PM

    This menu looks insaneee. Seriously, so good. I don’t know if I have the stamina to host a 7-course meal, but hot damn, these dishes look tempting.

    As for your Christmas playlist, might I suggest adding “Just Like Christmas” by Low? Super hipster, you’ve probably never heard of it. (And if you haven’t you should def YouTube it!)

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 1, 2014 at 7:17 PM

      Honestly Tara, a meal 7 courses long = tiny portions so we can fit it all in. More like a tasting menu. I did 11 once in Barcelona – that was intense. As long as there’s plenty of conversation to break up the plates, it works out okay in the end. I’ll make you try it – that’ll convince you, right? 😉

      PS. Low???! Youtubing now. and yes, i just made You Tube into a verb.

  • Jo-Anna
    December 2, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    This is beyond awesome Kristy!! I want to eat all the food and listen to all the Christmas music LOL!
    Jo-Anna recently published…Creative Ideas for Wrapping Holiday Gifts!My Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 14, 2014 at 11:41 AM

      hahahaha I’ll share Jo-Anna!

  • France@ Restless Palate
    December 2, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    Super fun post! I love all of those recipes. I’m not sure I’m organized enough to make them all but I’ll most def be making at least 5! Yummers.
    France@ Restless Palate recently published…Curried Hash with Poached Eggs and Herbed Olive OilMy Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 14, 2014 at 11:42 AM

      Aw thanks lady love! I know it’s a lot of courses; I’d be happy to make just one right now! We need to start an organizational club or something. Now how to organize that…? 😉

  • Jane's Adventures in Dinner
    December 2, 2014 at 11:44 AM

    Oh good grief! I’m going to have to fess-up to my hipster status too. I’ll even admit that I drive a volkswagon stationwagon.
    Jane’s Adventures in Dinner recently published…#GettingReadyForTheHolidays: Jewel CookiesMy Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 14, 2014 at 11:42 AM

      Heck yeah you do!! Both the update to the status and the fact that you drive a VW. I love those things.

  • Melanie @ Bon Appét'Eat
    December 4, 2014 at 6:17 PM

    OMG I love love love your post, so different and so charming! You are the perfect hostess!
    Melanie @ Bon Appét’Eat recently published…Carrots and chicken pattiesMy Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 14, 2014 at 11:43 AM

      Aw thanks Melanie!! Charming? maybe. Different? Definitely. hahaha… It’s great to see you.

  • The FBC News: Weekend Links Edition Dec 6, 2014 | Food Bloggers of Canada
    December 6, 2014 at 6:28 AM

    […] A Hipster Holiday Party Menu and Playlist – Kristy at She Eats […]

  • Jessica
    December 6, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    OhEmGee. I want to come to your partaaaaaay!!!!!

    Great post. Love it!
    Jessica recently published…Confessions of a Not-So-Good DIY’er (and the solution!)My Profile

    • Kristy Gardner
      December 14, 2014 at 11:43 AM

      You are invited Jessica. Always.