Warm hearts with a coffee party

Get cozy on a chilly afternoon with a cup of joe, great company and a fun DIY that’s perfect for holiday gifting!

Give your kitchen café flair with a coffee bar

A piping-hot cup of java and delicious baked goods put guests in an unwind-and-relax frame of mind! To channel the look of a coffeehouse, party planner Michelle Stewart ( Michellespartyplanit.com) anchored her display with a menu-inspired sign made by attaching precut wooden letters from a crafts store to a chalkboard with adhesive strips and propping it up on an easel on the counter. Then she elevated donuts, biscotti and other treats on cake plates to create a bountiful look— and free up space on her counter for coffee add-ins like creamer.

Treat guests to tasty totable treats

Donut grab-and- super- easy holes go on are favor— you, the says perfect and entertaining pro Jessica Burgess ( Fantabulosity.com). She recommends planning to serve at least three donut holes per person. To make it a snap (and less messy!) for guests to help themselves, pile the treats in a shallow, wide bowl so they can spot their favorite flavors at a glance, and set out tongs and small paper bags for a takeaway treat.

Delight them with a spiked sip

Guests will line up for a made-in-seconds hot coffee cocktail! To do: Heat 1 cup of milk, 1⁄ 2 tsp. of instant coffee granules and 2 crushed peppermint candies in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir in a packet of dark- chocolate cocoa mix and 1 oz. of white créme de cacao; top with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry.