If your party invitees don’t share your heritage - share your own with them. One of my favorite holiday parties was just my family being invited to a Hanukkah dinner with the family next door, wherein we were treated to an explanation of and lighting of the menorah. (But I'm still wondering how to play at dreydels - some other party, I hope!)

Or just pick one to research and delve into... and invite your attendees to do the same. Scandinavian? Mexican? Polynesian? Irish? Italian? Texan? (Perhaps you’ll get hooked and choose a new one every year...)

Christmas carols in German, anyone?

Or maybe you’d like to try a historic recreation - foods, atmosphere... costumes. How about Pioneer American plains farmers?... Victorian era American South?... Renaissance Italian?... French Canadian trappers?... Or make it a little more imaginative and humorous... for instance, a space travelers’ Christmas!

If your holiday spirit is flagging, try enriching the end of your year by blending "someone else's holiday" with your own.