You can celebrate this year’s milestone 150th Run for the Roses with our Kentucky Derby Christmas-Style party ideas! You say you’re not able to join the over 150,000 in attendance at Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May? In any event, you can bring the party home and celebrate in style – Christmas style!
It’s in the Blood
I’ve loved horses and horseracing ever since I was a little girl. By the time I was in fourth grade, I’d read all the Walter Farley “Black Stallion” books. My dad brought me a photo of his coworker’s Standardbred mare and her foal. And I longed to be a jockey.
I’m not as tied to Triple Crown Saturdays as I once was, but my husband is well trained. You see, he still reminds me when it’s Race Day. 😉
And just this spring the saga continued when I visited Boone Hall Plantation in South Carolina. Remarkably, a piece of horseracing history began there in 1942 when owner Prince Dimitri Jorjadze brought sensation Princequillo to Boone Hall. Indeed, Princequillo is known as one of the best long-distance runners and for his successes as a sire. In particular, his descendants include four triple crown winners: Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), American Pharaoh (2015) and Justify (2018).
Plenty to Celebrate with Kentucky Derby Christmas-Style
A Kentucky Derby Christmas Tree
What’s a Kentucky Derby Christmas-Style without a tree? In truth, not Christmassy! So Debra from our decorating team decorated this slim-line 4 1/2-foot tree with a classic Derby look.
Undeniably, I love a fireplace and the opportunity to center small gatherings around it any time of year. And our Derby tree, no doubt, belonged right next to it. Debra, a Bronner’s tree decorator, found ornaments that spoke Kentucky Derby AND Christmas in exemplary style. In fact, Bronner’s offers about 8,000 styles of ornaments in our Frankenmuth, Michigan, store, most every theme or style. Many of those are available online at https://www.bronners.com/christmas-ornaments and https://www.bronners.com/personalized-ornaments-gifts/personalized-ornaments-gifts-ornaments.
Also, our 4 1/2-ft. slimline tree demonstrates how a smaller tree can actually have a big presence. Finally, Debra topped a straw hat adorned with a poinsettia, holly spray and feather spray for real Derby class.
With this in mind, you may wish to incorporate some of our favorites on your own Kentucky Derby tree! (Items not online are available in-store or by contacting customer service at 800.361.6736 or customerservice@bronners.com.)
- #1270880 – acrylic champagne 6-ft. garland
- #1242850 – Christmas glass with berries plastic ornament
- #1260748 – Yuletide spirits glass ornament (assorted – specify whisky)
- quarter horse glass ornament
- #1260573 – brown mustang glass ornament
- personalized sparkling glass ornament
- holly with berry and glitter ornament
- #1261923 – brown horse glass ornament
- #1242849 – martini glass plastic ornament
- #1261821 – holly leaves glass ornament
- #1241670 – acrylic poinsettia ornament
- #1271923 – white with green floral glitter-lace ornament
- #1272011 – box of 4 red & white poinsettia ornaments (4 different boxes)
- warm white LED 50 rectified conical light set on green cord
- #1230895 – sheer poinsettia
- #1231208 – red plume spray
The Fireplace
In honor of 150 years, I wanted our Kentucky Derby Christmas-Style mantel to have a vintage look. Hence the old hardcover books, worn horseshoe and black riding-style boot filled with artificial poinsettias. Green taper candles suggest an earlier time, especially in our ruffle brass candle holder and mercantile candle holder. In addition, I love how our eucalyptus garland brings a classic red presence and sense of movement along the wall behind the fireplace. (#1231279, 6-ft. long, available in-store and by contacting customer service at 800.361.6736 or customerservice@bronners.com)
Leave a little space on your mantel for guests to set down a beverage. And if you plan to serve mint juleps, a Derby tradition, you might also want to offer this non-alcoholic option.
Incredible Punch
Equipment
- 1 large plastic container with lid
- 1 mixing spoon or whisk
Ingredients
- 2 46-ounce bottles cranberry-raspberry juice
- 1 32-ounce bottle pina colada mixer
- 2 liters raspberry or regular ginger ale
Instructions
- 1. In a large plastic container, combine cranberry-raspberry juice with the pina colada mix. Freeze overnight.
- 2. Remove from freezer 30 minutes prior to serving.
- 3. To serve, place frozen slush in punch bowl and slowly add ginger ale. Or place frozen slush in tall glasses, slowly add ginger ale, and place a red-and-white-striped straw in each glass.
Derby-Worthy Dips and Appetizers
All things considered, you may want to serve traditional Derby or southern dishes during your Derby Fest. But if the idea of Derby-worthy dips and appetizers interests you, we recommend these from our blog:
- Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Poppers
- Delicious Cheese Garlic Biscuits
- Bruschetta
- Ham and Cheese Ball Recipe
- Party Dip Recipes
- Bacon Wraps Recipe
- Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips Recipe
The Fascinators
No doubt, the fascinator makes the outfit at the Kentucky Derby. For this reason, we’re showcasing a couple of ideas for fascinators – Christmas-Style! Christmas ribbon, tulle, poinsettias and select sprays will give you everything to work with. Assemble with hot glue. All in all, we recommend you use a headband with some “teeth” in it to provide hold, especially if your fascinator is large.
Happy Derby Day to all!
