Everyone’s three favorite holiday parties just need a little freshening up each December. Whether your party of choice features dinner, dessert or cocktails, we’ve gathered the “it” trends for 2014 celebrations.

dinner & dessert Start by sending out Mixbook’s holiday party invitations. Then plan an evening of simple dining on crowd-pleasing dishes made with seasonal ingredients. You’re your inspiration from the beautiful invitation design, and carry the theme of holiday greenery pictured on the invitation through to the entire evening. For pre-dinner drinks and appetizers, serve cranberry, pear and ginger fizz cocktails with pinecone cheese balls, and a rosemary wreath strung with olives, peppers and boccancini. Guests will delight in the wonderful woodlands feel of it all. For dinner, present guests with rosemary roast pork tenderloin, brown-sugar carrots and herb-laminated biscuits. And for dessert, whip up some spicy rosemary chocolate cookies or go for a challenge and create a winter cake with an enchanted rosemary forest. Decorate your home with evergreen branches against natural burlap. At the table, tuck rosemary into napkin holders at place settings or set out rosemary place cards.

cocoa & cookies For an of-the-moment spin on a classic cookie party, host friends and family members for a decadent night of sweets. Set up a hot-cocoa bar complete with every addition one could possibly dream up to spike, spice or sweeten their hot cup-of-yum. Send out Mixbook’s fun Glittering Reindeer Party Invitation for a fresh and festive design perfect for getting guests amped in advance for the sugar-fest on the horizon.

cocktails & nibbles So simple and casual, it’s the classic cocktail party that’s truly fun for everyone – including the hosts. Rally guests by sending out Mixbook’s Holiday Spirits party invitation featuring retro graphics that conjure up the original era of seriously fabulous cocktails. Serve up a signature holiday elixir or two alongside some inventive snacks all sugared and spiced, and settle in to an evening of sipping, sharing, catching up and capping off the year just right. This year, we’re loving Christmas Lemonade, Pimm’s Blackberry Spice, Cocoa cardamom espresso-roasted almonds, melon & prosciutto skewers, and apple-cinnamon bacon bites.