If you’re gearing up for a New Year’s Eve party, here’s a little inspiration from a post I wrote last year.
It’s about how to invite and delegate, create and borrow, be organized and think ahead.
It includes easy flow and name tags, conversation and music ideas, and … tah-dah … what to wear!
You can read all about it, here.
Also, one year ago, I knew that my NYE dinner party would be a part of this beautiful new book, Where Women Cook: Celebrate! It was a blast to put it all together (in the month of October). And I’m grateful for my friends who participated.
My hope and dream was that by sharing my annual dinner party, others would be inspired as well.
Laughter, sharing stories, acceptance, and the connection to existing and new friendships form the basis of hospitality. Feelings of inadequacy, unrealistic expectations, fear of failure, and the lack of time all conspire to steal the joy that comes from opening one’s home to others.
“Fear is often a jail cell locking us in so that we don’t form friendships.” Friends bring zest to life. Without friendships, we become lonely, isolated, and smaller than we want and need to be.” – Where Women Cook: Celebrate!
One of the recipes I shared for dessert at this dinner party was Chocolate-dipped Bacon.
Yes. Chocolate. Dipped. Bacon.
If you’re having a party this year, try this on your guests. They will love you.
Ending the year of 2011, and looking back on many hospitable moments with great friends, brings beautiful feelings of joy and nostalgia.
As I’ve said throughout the year, entertaining is all about the people.
Will you be hosting a NYE party this year or participating in one?
Recipe: Chocolate-dipped Bacon {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Summary: A treat your guests will love.
Ingredients
- 6-8 slices thick-cut, best-quality bacon
- 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips or your favorite chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375. Place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in oven to desired doneness; bacon should not be too soft nor so crisp that it breaks easily.
- Cool on the parchment paper for 5 minutes and then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Line another baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt chocolate in a double broiler or on low in the microwave.
- Using tongs, carefully dip a bacon strip halfway into the melted chocolate, turning to coat all sides, and set on parchment.
- Repeat with each remaining slice of bacon.
- Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate is hard.
- Arrange on a tiered serving dish. Serve the same day as a savory and sweet appetizer, before dessert or as a mini dessert.
Preparation time: 5 minute(s)
Cooking time: 20 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6
The winner to the Sierra Mist giveaway is Ann from Cooking Healthy for Me. Congrats, Ann! And our friend, Tim Tidball, took the pictures above for the book! 
Also, I have something very NEW to share! In 2012 I’m partnering with Ziploc Brand. I’m also excited that there will be giveaways and lots of great tools and tricks from Ziploc but the FUN part is that I’ll be working with a celebrity partner! Stay tuned for the official announcement next month!
*I have partnered with Ziploc® and am being compensated for my posts. However, my opinions on the product are my own.
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 
