Joanna's Events

Ideal as an indulgent group activity or meeting break, the Chocolate Lounge & Wine Bar inside the Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas now offers wine and chocolate pairings starting at $8. The “Grand Tour” includes six wine pours and paired chocolates, and a sommelier is on hand to lead guests through the options.

Kehoe Designs’ new Goldsmith Holiday decor scheme includes golden furniture rentals and marble-top accent tables. The collection introduces the new Paloma sofa and also includes bar fronts made from silky, kelly green fabrics and sleek white reindeer sculptures. For small, impromptu gatherings, the company can arrange for decor in as little as seven days; more elaborate events require longer lead times.

The shimmery silver tablecloths from Over the Top Rental Linens in Miami can add a dose of holiday sparkle.

For in-office holiday celebrations, provide a sugar rush courtesy of John Kelly Chocolates in Los Angeles. “The Slab” is a three-pound truffle fudge bar that can be ordered in 17 flavors and serves 48 people.

Baked by Melissa in New York has introduced a six-foot-tall gumball machine that dispenses the company’s bite-size cupcakes. It can fit as many as 2,000 mini cupcake pods, with a minimum order of 1,000—fill it with December’s winter-themed “Mini of the Month” for holiday events. Rental fees start at $4,200.

The cake pop trend shows no sign of slowing down. Find holiday dessert table ideas from Cake Pops: Holidays ($15, Chronicle Books) by Bakerella’s Angie Dudley. The book includes two dozen winter-themed cake pop ideas, plus tips for displaying and gift-wrapping the treats.

Windows Catering in Washington is offering gingerbread houses in the form of the White House, the Pentagon, or the Capitol building. Also available as eye-catching holiday party centerpieces: smaller scale, customized versions of offices or homes.

Orlando's Wildly Different has a new teambuilding activity that involves guests working together to stuff teddy bears and assemble no-sew blankets to give to kids in need. Wildly Different provides all materials, staff, and coordination with a local charity.

Rutland Nurseries can create an outdoor feel at indoor events. The full-service landscape design company, which services Massachusetts and New England, uses live trees to create enchanted forests, winter wonderlands, and more.

The new glittering Diamond event carpets from Toronto-based Reznick Carpets cost $3 Cdn. per square foot and come in four colors: red, purple, gold, and silver. (They can also be shipped to the U.S.)

Brown butter plum cake with almond praline and caramel, by 10tation Event Catering in Toronto

Ontario quail legs filled with Berkshire sausage and wrapped with Niagara prosciutto, by 10tation Event Catering in Toronto

Turkey lollipops stuffed with homemade stuffing and dried cranberries, drizzled with cranberry reduction, by Riviera Caterers in New York

Chestnut-encrusted filet mignon topped with pumpkin mousse displayed on an indoor barbecue with dry ice, by Riviera Caterers in New York

Eggnog shots with mini gingerbread cookies, by Schaffer’s Genuine Foods in Los Angeles

Turkey rillettes with cranberry Grand Marnier gelée on sage brown butter croutons, by Schaffer’s Genuine Foods in Los Angeles

Gold-dusted risotto served in butternut squash cups, by Boutique Bites Catering and Events in Chicago

Mini turkey sandwiches with cranberry jam, by Boutique Bites Catering and Events in Chicago

Crimson agave-scented beet soup sippers with sage gremolata, by Tables of Content in Boston

Cucumber cups filled with red quinoa salad and golden beet chutney, by Tables of Content in Boston

Chocolate sorbet popsicles on a bed of crushed peppermints from Limelight Catering in Chicago

Goat cheese lollipop truffles rolled in crushed pistachios, sun-dried tomatoes, and other toppings from Windows Catering Company in Washington

Prosciutto purses filled with Mascarpone cheese, drizzled with truffle oil and tied with a chive ribbon from Windows Catering

Basil-breaded smoked turkey "fingers" with honey orange marmalade and pomegranate seeds from Great Performances in New York

Roasted fig caviar with wild rice blinis and creme fraiche mousse from Great Performances

Cranberry maple salmon with pink peppercorn sauce in toast cups from Good Gracious! Events in Los Angeles

Tourtière strudel with mustard pickle from Jamie Kennedy Event Catering in Toronto

Pumpkin Pie mocktail