Hooked on the holidays

As temperatures drop around Smith Mountain Lake, many residents may discover invitations for holiday parties arriving in their mailboxes. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or another tradition, a holiday shindig is simply not complete without magical decorations, fabulous food and good friends.  
    Barbara and Jim Ottinger are veteran holiday hosts with a reputation for throwing a particularly festive party each year at their home in Mariners Landing.
    “Our home is open on the first Saturday in December for our Christmas open house,” Barbara Ottinger said. “For us, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
    If you have visions of throwing your own holiday party this year, get started now planning distinctive invitations, a fantastic menu, festive decorations and memorable favors that will make you the hit of the neighborhood.
Invitations
    Invitations should be creative and personal. The Ottingers find inspiration for theirs with photographs taken at the previous year’s party – yes, an entire year in advance. Barbara explained that it snowed during their 2010 party and a snowy picture will be incorporated into this year’s invitation.
    Barbara also makes sure her invitations are sent out on Oct. 31, giving her guests three full weeks to respond. Remember, your friends may receive many holiday invitations so it’s important to give guests plenty of time to arrange their calendars.
    Alison Baird has been attending the Ottingers’ party since its inception in 2002 and said she looks forward to receiving her invitation every year.
    “Barbara does gorgeous calligraphy and that really makes it special,” said Baird, adding that she enjoys all of Barbara’s personal touches, including the festive decor.

Decking the Halls
    No matter what decorations you choose this holiday season, focus on incorporating details that flow together to present an overall picture or story to guests. The Ottingers keep things simple, but decorate elaborately.
    Barbara starts with luminaries placed along her long driveway. The simple and inexpensive decorations set a tone of warmth and welcome guests as they approach the party. The Ottingers incorporate a different theme in each room of their home and include Christmas trees – some small, some large – decorated to fit each theme.
    “The wine cellar hosts a tree with glittery corks,” Barbara said.
    Other themed trees are decorated with angels, animals, seashells and toys. It’s a way to share life experiences with their guests, Barbara said. The seashells are hand-picked by the couple during their travels to Florida. The toy ornaments – some more than 60 years old – were made by Jim and Barbara’s mothers as well as their children.
    Kay Preston, another regular guest of the Ottinger’s, looks forward to seeing what new decorations will be added each year, but confessed the beach-themed room has always been her favorite.
    “It’s so whimsical and just so darn cute,” she said.
    Barbara, who used to work in the retail design business, gave credit to her equally Christmas-crazy husband for making the decorating process so easy. Every fall, Jim organizes the decor for each room so that Barbara can focus on the fun part – decorating.
    “I could not put any of this together without him,” she said.

Fabulous Food vs. Freedom
    Many hosts believe they must choose between offering fabulous food and having freedom from the kitchen to enjoy their own party. The Ottingers prove you can have both.
    Barbara said she keeps the food for her holiday party simple, but tasty. That means finding recipes that can be made in advance like herb-roasted turkey, butternut squash soup and warm spaetzle salad. Her signature dish is peach-brandied meatballs, a semi-homemade recipe borrowed from friend Phyllis Edwards.
    “Those meatballs are awesome, but not as awesome as Jim and Barbara’s hospitality,” said Mary Lou McDonald, who said she looks forward to attending the party each December.
    When it comes to libations, the Ottingers sometimes have family around to bartend for guests. But for those without help, Christmas Cranberry Punch is an easy and colorful option that can be made in advance. Combine 2 cups of vodka, 4 cups of cranberry juice, 1½ cups of lime juice, 2 cups of water and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Pour into a festive bunch bowl and garnish with fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks and thinly sliced oranges.

Holiday Gifts
    The holidays are a time for sharing gifts to show loved ones how much they are appreciated. Party favors are a great way to thank guests, leaving them with tasty treats or small keepsakes to take home.
Barbara said she usually makes party favors, which, in the past, have included candies and cookies. This year, she plans to share homemade truffles.
Suzi Czerenski, a regular guest of the Ottingers, considers these gifts the “frosting on the cake. … It’s just another added wonderful treat.”

If you host or know of someone who hosts a particularly festive or unusual party at Smith Mountain Lake, we want to hear about it! E-mail the details to editor@smithmountainlaker.com.


PARTY MENU

Christmas Cranberry Punch
Peach-Brandied Meatballs
Butternut Squash Soup
Herb-Roasted Turkey
Warm Spaetzle Salad
Truffles