To get entire neighborhood into Christmas spirit we planned a caroling party. The day before our guests arrived, my kids and I spent an afternoon making decorative candleholders to give to each caroler, to light way for our caroling expedition.

Dad, dressed as Santa, provided our very own photo opportunity. Little ones whispered their Christmas list in Santa’s ear. Grown ups, as well as kids, had their pictures taken in Santa’s lap.

Adults, kids, and even a few dogs then joined us on our merry way. Our numbers grew as we made our way caroling through neighborhood.

I make it focal point of my own decorating, and invite you to consider possiblities!

Here are some festive drink recipes for little elves at your celebration.

Choose festive ware and garnish. Any drink with whipped cream, you can put sprinkles atop, candied fruit, cinnamon candies, Christmas “picks,” drizzle with (non-alcoholic) crème de menthe for color, shaved colored chocolate, a Candy kiss.

Tie a red bow with an evergreen sprig on punch ladle; surround base with greens and sugared cranberries or toy ornaments. If it’s hot, stick in a cinnamon stick or candy cane; dollop with whipped cream and garnish with sprinkles, cinnamon candies, confectioner’s sugar; add a holiday "pick"; stick a sparkler in each mug and light at presentation time.

If it’s cold, use decorated ice cubes – freeze cranberries, tiny ornaments, mint leaves, anything festive and NON-POISONOUS into cubes and add at presentation time. (Remember that holly berries and all parts of mistletoe are poisonous); or freeze same things in an ice mold. You can have great fun with floating ice rings for punch for kids - put in ornaments, cherries, greenery, anything you can make hygienic-enough and that isn't poisonous!

Whatever you serve, serve it with festive flare, and give it a holiday name! There's no more appreciative audience when you go extra mile.

NANA'S NOG

3 cups milk 1 cup half 'n' half 3 T. sugar Put in blender with ice and frappe. Consider food coloring and candy sprinkles. Serves 4.

CHRISTMAS MINT PUNCH 1 1/2 c water 10 oz mint jelly 3 c pineapple juice, chilled 1/2 c lemon juice 64 oz Sprite 1 qt lime sherbet

In small saucepan, combine water and mint jelly; cook and stir until jelly melts. Cool. In large punch bowl, combine jelly mix and juices. Just before serving, add Sprite and lime sherbet.

TRIM-THE-TREE CIDER PUNCH

1 gallon apple cider 12 whole cloves 2 large apples (Granny Smith, Rome Beauty), peeled, left whole 2 cinnamon sticks Ground nutmeg