Celebrate with 'A Christmas Carol' Themed Party Guaranteed to Get Everyone into the Holiday Spirit

No movie is more synonymous with the holiday season than Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Hosting a party with the theme of the 'Christmas Carol' is a fine way to get everyone into the true spirit of Christmas.

The party can be as elaborately or minimally Dickensian as you like ... either way can be just as much fun. Remember that the theme of the party involves celebrating Christmas with family, friends and loved ones and giving of yourselves unto others. There's no place for "Bahs" or "Humbugs"!

Decor for the party should be traditional English Christmas. Drape the living room and dining room with green garland and perhaps a few festive "picks" of fruit, nuts or brass horns (all available at any craft hop and many department stores). Hang a simple green wreath or in the area and place simple wax or electric candles around the house (remember they had no electricity in back then) ... and of course if you have a fireplace ... get the yule log blaring as well.

Play traditional Christmas music to set the mood. If you have a piano or a guitar handy, play some carols and have everybody sing along. In the party scenes of the movie version of a "Christmas Carol," everyone was singing along to a piano or harpsichord and dancing up a storm.

For a truly elaborate party, you and your guests can rent Victorian era style costumes form a costume shop. If this is not practical, simply have guests wear mufflers (long wrap around scarves) gloves or mittens, and hats from the period ... bonnet type hats for women and stocking, kangol or top hats for the men. Thrift and consignment stores are very often an excellent source of clothing and accessories to wear to a party with this theme.

Guests can also come as specific characters from the story. Some of the most popular ones include Bob Cratchit and his wife, Tiny Tim, The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and of course old Scrooge himself!

Food and drink were an important part of Christmas celebrations during this era. Instead of serving cocktails, serve egg nog (with a hefty shot of rum or brandy), mulled wine (traditional warm wine fortified with brandy, fruit and spices), brandy and dark beer. Try this easy recipe for Christmas Mulled Wine.

Plum Pudding is another favorite traditional English dessert you can serve at the party. Here's an easy recipe for Tiny Tim's Christmas Plum Pudding.

Roasted Goose with a sweet and savory dressing was the traditional entree for Dickensian era Christmas parties. Goose is often difficult to obtain, so substitute Roasted Turkey, Chicken or Duck with stuffing and roasted vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, turnips, onions, parsnips and squash. Here's a great recipe for Sweet and Savory Stuffing and Savory Roasted Red Potatoes

After dinner, be sure to serve the plum pudding with cookies and cake. Don't forget a snifter of brandy or a glass of port or sherry with assorted cheeses to round off the evening in a true Dickensian style.

The most important thing is to spread the joy and good tidings together and celebrate the season with those we love. God Bless us All ... Even the Scrooges in our lives!