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"    Everyone likes to be unique in their own way while entertaining guests, and by using jars rather than plates for serving you can add a special touch to your party. Whether you use mason jars, Bormioli Rocco jars, or gems you found while antiquing, this style of serving will add a wow factor to the night. Additionally, each recipe can be prepared up to two days ahead of time so it&amp;#039;s the perfect idea if you are a busy bee this holiday season. First, choose your jar. Some of my favorites are:  Bormioli Rocco 4.25 oz jar Quattro Stagioni Amphora 10 1/8 oz jar Ball Heritage Collection-Blue Mason Jars Weck Mold Jars, Set of 6  Now that you have found the jars you want to use, try out this simple menu that will knock the socks off your guests! Pre-dinner Drinks Christmas Cranberry Julep:No holiday celebration is complete without a signature drink to kick off the party. Serve this cranberry julep in a smaller mason jar or from the Quatro Stagioni Amphora 10 1/8 oz jar. If bourbon isn&amp;#039;t your cup of tea choose from five other festive options. Appetizer French Onion Soup: In a Dutch oven melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium low heat. Add 4 thinly sliced medium onions and sprinkle with salt. Cook the onions over low heat until they&amp;#039;re tender and begin to caramelize, about 45 minutes. Add in 4 cups beef broth and a sprig of thyme. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes. Slice a baguette and toast in a 450\u00B0 oven for five minute. Sprinkle toast with Gruyere cheese and toast in oven until melted. Ladle soup into jars and top with cheese toast. *Soup can be made two days in advance. Make toast just before serving. Dinner Butternut Squash Lasagna: This crowd-please recipe comes from Alice Walter, resident Chef of La Scuola of Eataly. She makes her noodles from scratch but to save time, I boiled store bought lasagna noodles and cut them into circles so that they fit snuggly inside the jar.    Use the Bormioli Rocco 4.25 oz jar for this recipe. Dice a medium butternut squash and toss with salt, pepper and olive oil. Line a baking sheet with squash and sprinkle with sage. Bake in a 400\u00B0 oven until caramelized. Meanwhile, heat 3 cups milk seasoned with salt and pepper in a small saucepan. In a medium saucepan mix three tablespoons melted butter with three tablespoons flour and cook for 5 minutes. Slowly ladle milk into butter mixture and whisk until there are no lumps. To assemble, place one round pasta noodle in the bottom of each jar. Top the pasta with a portion of the squash and then with the white sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan and sage. Repeat this step using two more noodles. *Lasagna can be made two days in advance. To reheat place closed jars in a casserole dish and add enough water to come half way up the sides of the jars. Bake for 45 minutes in a 400\u00B0 oven.  Dessert Chocolate Pudding: Use a smaller jar for this recipe. Whisk \u00BD cup sugar with 1 \u00BD cups milk in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat until bubbles form around the edge of pan. Remove from heat and add in 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate and whisk until it melts. In a separate bowl whisk \u00BC cup cocoa,3 tablespoons cornstarch, and add \u00BD cup milk. Whisk in 2 large eggs. Whisking constantly, add \u00BD cup hot chocolate mixture in a slow stream. On medium low, heat chocolate mixture remaining in pan. Whisking constantly, gradually add egg mixture to pan. Cook whisking constantly for 10 minutes or until mixture becomes very thick and begins to bubble. Whisk in 1 teaspoon vanilla and divide among jars. This can be made 2 days in advance. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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