Can’t live without the sunny vibe of a sandy beach? Then, why not celebrate the holidays with a coastal themed celebration complete with decorations, a seafood feast, festive holiday drinks, and shell-inspired gift ideas inspired by your love of the sea. Take these 5 simple entertaining ideas to begin planning an elegant coastal Christmas gathering. (*this post contains affiliate links)
Create an Elegant Coastal Christmas Tablescape in a Palette of Natural Hues
Plan a Coastal Christmas tablescape comprised of an array of natural elements juxtaposed against metallic accents such as gold, copper, or silver. If you choose to have a formal dinner with seating assignments, use handcrafted seashell escort card holders labeled with each guest’s name. Make use of sand and shell elements, but kept to a minimum by creating a centerpiece vignette of a sunny coast with a little greenery using pine tree leaves housed in gold mercury glass vases.
Serve Seafood Favorites During Cocktail Hour
Think of assembling a tantalizing oyster bar, shrimp cocktails, and seafood appetizers such as baked clams, shrimp with garlic, calamari with a tangy dipping sauce, including yummy crab cakes.
Prepare Festive Holiday Drinks to Pair with Seafood
Serve an array of accompanying cocktails like mojitos, margaritas, and of course, a Jack Frost cocktail made of pineapple juice, rum, Blue Curaçao, and coconut. You can also serve some white wines and champagne, which pair well with seafood nicely.
Plan a Seafood Fare with Your Favorite Dishes
Showcase your culinary abilities with a delicious Christmas dinner consisting of dishes like seafood paella, baked halibut, fresh lobsters, and grilled root vegetables like parsnips. Serve light desserts with fruit such as a Christmas trifle consisting mainly of strawberries and cream. For an easy to serve option, readymade Christmas cookies and chocolate truffles are sure-winners no matter the age. After-dinner drinks may include dessert wines, coffee, and piping hot chocolate!
Coastal Christmas Gifts and Favors for Guests that are Unforgettable
In deciding what to give your guests, homemade is always appreciated. Here are some options: seashell trinket dishes with candies, homemade starfish butter cookies presented in sea blue wrapping, and seashell ornaments personalized with a thoughtful message. For something truly unforgettable, present guests with a blue beach bucket filled with goodies. But, if you don’t have time to make anything, you can give shell frames, *oyster shell ornaments, *seashell chocolate truffles, and *coastal-inspired drink coasters in blue agate. *available via Amazon
