Although doing press for “The Bachelor” and “Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After” wasn’t exactly my favorite thing in the world I ALWAYS enjoyed talking with the beautiful Catt Sadler. This Wonder Woman is the lovable host from E! News and has an amazing Blog, The Cattwalk. Following our hang out at the Simply Stylist convention in NYC, I asked Catt all about the holidays and what the heck to bring to the 8 million holiday parties right around the corner. Check out all Catt’s favorite holiday gifts, music, food and drinks below. Also, did I mention Catt is basically Wonder Woman? Ok, great.

Make sure to follow Catt on Instagram @iamcattsadler!

Catt & I at the Simply Stylist New York Conference!

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year, right? Well, it sure is mine!  Beyond shopping for loved ones (have you seen my gift guide?) and all of the decorating, the bright lights, and the festive music… I love having friends around to celebrate this time of year together. I also feel blessed to be invited to an array of parties to ensure the season is extra holly and jolly. I’m indebted to Lauren for allowing me to share both some of my favorite hostess gifts for the season – never show up empty handed! – and also some of my entertaining go-to’s. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and magical holiday season!

  

TOP FIVE HOSTESS GIFTS

1. TANK GARAGE WINERY – Cabernet Sauvignon

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 2. STRANGE INVISIBLE ROOM MIST

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3.TOM DIXON COPPER PLATED SHOT GLASSESimage00

 4. BRUSHED PLAID THROW BLANKET

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5. REINDEER RING HOLDER

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FOOD

My husband does most of the cooking so I leave this arena to him, but you want to offer bites that aren’t too cumbersome or messy. People won’t eat if it’s too much work. I typically put out an assortment of cheeses with some delicious jams and even honey on the side. For the meat lovers some salami and prosciutto is nice. To finish, choose your favorite french bread and some tasty olives.  

Charcuterie Selection

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I know the holidays are a time to be merry, but I always appreciate a limited food offering at parties or we all end up miserable and can’t button our pants by January. So my tip is to offer scrumptious ‘bits’, but you don’t want your guests to have to be rolled out of your home on a stretcher! I love these apps below:

Crab Cake Bites

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Meatball Skewers

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from Delish.com

DRINKS

I’ve become a bit of a wine snob, not going to lie. Put some thought into your wine selections and if you don’t know, take full advantage of your local wine shops. They’ll direct you. You can get some very interesting wines under 20 bucks easily. I don’t know what I’d do without my friend Simon at Larchmont Wine and Cheese. Some of my other favorite wines come from Chappellet, Marciano, Orin Swift, The Prisoner Wine Company, and Hall Winery.

Anyone who knows me know that my husband and I are cocktail connoisseurs as well. We love to experiment making prohibition style concoctions all year long, but for the holidays, here’s our favorite. Remember the garnish and glasses should be festive as well. This will make the drink feel like a merry experience!

Pomegranate Merry Margarita

  • 1 can frozen limeade concentrate
  • 2 c. water
  • 3½ c. gold ALTOS tequila
  • 2 c. pomegranate juice
  • 1 c. triple sec
  • 5 limes
  • Ice cubes for serving
  • 1 c. fresh pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate)

DIRECTIONS

  1. In large pitcher, combine limeade and water until well blended.
  2. Stir in ALTOS tequila, pomegranate juice, and triple sec.
  3. Cut each lime crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick wheels; cut a slit in each wheel, from center to edge.
  4. To serve, place ice cubes and a few pomegranate seeds in each glass; place a lime wheel on rim.

cattsadler

PLAYLIST

I’m a little neurotic about music. It can make or break a party. (So can lighting, but I digress.) It’s all about balance. You don’t want your music to overtake your party, but instead serve as moody background ambiance. I just discovered CHRISTMAS PEACEFUL PIANO on spotify. It’s really festive, not too offensive, but literally just right. Beyond that, you can’t get wrong with some classic Johnny Mathis, Michael Buble, and Sam Smith. Yes, his rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is incomparable!

 

lauren b