On New Years Day we threw a fondue party for all our friends. We did it like an open house from 12-6pm so people could drop in whenever they wanted. I had never thrown a party like that and I’m a solid convert. We got a chance to have a good talk with everyone that stopped by. That usually doesn’t happen when you just do a party for a couple hours.
It was a super easy party to put together. I bought all the cheese and veggies a day or two before then went to a bakery the morning of to get really fresh bread. I pre shredded the cheese the evening before and bagged them separately so every time I made a new pot of fondue I just had to empty the bag of cheese in. We had fun drinks and snacks around the whole time and then cooked a pot of cheese every hour and a half. We have two fondue pots so that made it a little easier to rotate out the clean one.
People streamed in and out. Some stopped in really quick, some stayed for several hours. It was fantastic and really low pressure. I’m totally doing this again. Plus melted cheese is the perfect way to start the year off right. My favorite fondue recipe is this one.
Kate {domestikatedlife}
January 6, 2011
Are those shirley temples?? So fun, now I wish I hadn't let my mom sell her fondue pot in a tag sale when they moved!
Lynsie Roberts
January 6, 2011
I love your blog – you have a great aesthetic!
Thanks,
Lynsie
http://www.lynsieroberts.com/blog
the daily smudge
January 6, 2011
what a great party idea… cheese and grenadine cocktails… and a constant flow of visitors… might have to copy you one day 🙂
Trista
January 6, 2011
Would you mind sharing your invitations? Or the wording on your invitations. How did you let people know that they weren't expected to stay the whole time? This may be a silly questions, but thanks anyway.
torrie
January 6, 2011
love that this is simple and seems like anyone can do it! i feel inspired..! as kate asked, are those shirley temples, or is it some other type of fizzy you poured in there?
Justine
January 6, 2011
great idea! those cocktails look tasty!
bussbuss
January 6, 2011
so cute how you styled this! i love fondue parties too and just had one a few weeks ago for the hubby's birthday. love the idea of an open house party like that… will definitely be adding to my new year's resolutions. 🙂
shutterbean
January 6, 2011
yes!! I'm planning to do a fondue party soon!
Thanks for the push. Love those straws!
Alicia Clinton
January 6, 2011
so cute. your parties are the best!!
Abbigail
January 6, 2011
Turned out lovely. The straws are perfect.
Fondue parties can be such fun.
{lovely little things}
January 6, 2011
Looks like a fun party! Where did you get those cute striped straws?
Natural Family Daze...
January 6, 2011
I love this! We do fondue with the kids, (watching carefully of course) and they eat so many more things, then they would if it were a "normal" meal!! Please tell me where you found or how you made those straws!! My sons 3rd bday is on the 29th and Id love to incorporate this!
17 Perth
January 6, 2011
Love this idea….valentines day (which traditionally I'm not a huge fan of—-love something low key)….but this might be fun for friends, family and their children. Thanks for the great idea!
Miranda
January 6, 2011
I have this type of "open house" party a lot. It is definitely a favorite. You really do get a better chance to mingle and actually enjoy the party. I love those drinks, they're gorgeous!
Craftiness NOW
January 6, 2011
what a beautiful party and great way to ring in the new year! i'm going to a bachelorette fondue party this weekend. lovely blog 🙂
Victoria
January 6, 2011
What a fun party:) We are planning a Valentines fondue one- the melted chocolate is so wonderfully amazing!
Nuha Sofiyan
January 6, 2011
such a cute idea!! I love fondue but can never seem to make mine right. I think fondue is served best with smaller company because it seems so intimate. Looks like you had a lovely time, thanks for sharing 🙂
lizzie
January 6, 2011
sounds like a blast…most of my friends are still way more into the whole 3am house party kinda-party than the fondue party..which is cool..but how badass are shirley temples, eh?
Katy
January 7, 2011
Jordan I did a NYE fondue a few years age. Best ever! Spread the fondue word…
apurva
January 7, 2011
What a fabulous way to start the New Year! Happy New year to you and your family.
Tara
January 7, 2011
this sounds a great way to host my son's first birthday party later this year since we have such a large family i don't think they'll all fit in our house. i second Trista's comment – how did you word the invitations?
rebecca
January 7, 2011
what a chic par-tay!!
cirila
January 7, 2011
It is traditional to serve hot drinks with your fondue so you don't get a stomach ache from the cheese- you're swiss friend:)
mockoff
January 8, 2011
What a great idea! I always feel like I miss the opportunity to visit with friends when they all stop by at once. Spreading it out sounds lovely.
Lissa (The Wedding Bistro at Bellenza)
January 10, 2011
What a wonderful idea for a no-hassle get-together! This would work for any casual party…even a bridal shower among best friends. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth
January 10, 2011
Please tell us where you found those wonderful fondue forks! I love them!
lady lyles
January 12, 2011
This looks like the most wonderful way to bring in the new year. Shirley Temples! Are you kidding me? (Funny story, whenever I was in college and first started drinking, I'd always ask for a "Shirley Temple… with vodka" because I didn't know the names of any drinks!) AND you're moving to Paris soon.
Sigh. (And i never say that.) I think you might be my hero…
karin
January 14, 2011
Meat fondue is my fella's FAVORITE meal (we do broth/red wine instead of oil as the cooking medium — it makes it a little bit lighter)– anyway, I see someone already asked this, but where did you find your fondue forks? We have the corny wooden handled ones and I'd love to update the set.
Thanks! and thanks for all the inspiration.
Min
January 18, 2011
I bought this same fondue pot and it is beautiful. But when I tried using it I just couldn't keep it lit. Any secrets of the fondue flame?