If you’re as tired as I am of black party dresses, I recommend that you embrace a signature holiday hue: burgundy.  Not as obnoxious as Christmas red can sometimes be and more seasonally-specific than eggplant, this color is the perfect color for your yuletide gatherings.  Pair it with gold accessories for a look that is effortlessly chic.

Catherine Malandrino Asymmetric Silk-Jersey Dress (Net-a-Porter, $495)

So what cocktail goes perfectly with a wine-colored holiday dress?  

Mulled Wine

2 bottles dry red wine
4 ounces port or brandy
12 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 large orange, zested
Serving suggestion: Garnish with cinnamon sticks or freshly ground nutmeg

Combine ingredients in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Do not allow mixture to boil.

Heat for 20 minutes and serve in a large, heat resistant punch bowl.  If you want to pretty it up a bit, I recommend cutting orange and apple slices into the mixture.  And for the full Martha, try some star anise pods, cloves, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and orange peel curls.  Don’t overdo it though, or your mulled wine will taste like potpourri by the end of the night.