It’s the week before Christmas and all through the house…
What’s happening at your house this week? Are you doing last minute planning for a Christmas get-together?
We had our family party on Saturday and in the interest of simplifying, I did an easy take home party favor…
I try to pick a theme every Christmas for our party, last year it was Live Cozy. I sent home these for favors…
These were especially fun since Atlanta got our share of snow days last December and then again in January! My fam had something easy to bake when they were snowed in! I posted about them: HERE-
In 2009 my theme was The Symphony of the Bell– and I sent everyone home with a tiny bell to hang on their tree and a few thoughts about one prayer sounding to God like the little bell (lovely and clear) but when everyone joins together to pray for each other, the sound in heaven sounds like a symphony. The bell was to remind them to play their part in the symphony of prayer for one another in the coming year..
(In 2010 we had a great year of getting prayer needs out to the family and supporting each other in prayer) I posted the little story: HERE.
This year because of my granddaughter Elliot influencing my snow-day mantle decorations,
my theme for the party was Snow Day! Since the first thing I do on a snow day is make some hot chocolate, I thought I’d send everyone home with a ready to make cup of hot cocoa!
I made up a simple cocoa mix using Swiss Miss hot cocoa, Ghirardelli hot cocoa, and powdered creamer. After putting a serving into a plastic baggie and cutting off the zip lock top, I added a big marshmallow and tied it with yarn. Add a candy cane for stirring and everyone takes home a little cup of yum!
To help me remember to hand out the favors, I put them right next to the front door and even hung a few snow flakes from the ceiling! (Got the snowflakes from the Dollar Tree!)
Add a battery operated strand of white lights and just like that-the favors are ready!
There seemed to be a bazillion people in our tiny house, all bumping into each other. The noise level was off the charts, laughing and telling stories and poking fun of each other… I did a lot of yelling just to get everyone to stop all the fun for a moment and go out on the porch for a photo!
The party lasts for hours and every minute is full of that electric energy that happens when a big family is under the same roof. After everyone left The Husband and I moved quietly from room to room picking up empty cups and folding away tables and throwing away hidden crinkles of wrapping paper. I always get a little sad when we say good bye, but mainly I’m thankful…
Whatever you’ve got planned this week, don’t forget to count your moments as gifts.
Hugs & Smooches
A beautiful family making beautiful memories. I love you snow day themed event. Your mantle is beautiful!
What a super idea! (all of them) Merry Christmas!!
I was wondering where you got the hanging snowflakes???
Cute Snow Day song!
Tracy, I meant to put that in the post! I got them at Dollar Tree!!!! They had all sizes
Robin- just look at the porch photo- its expanding by leaps and bounds! How truly joyous to see your family grow and your blessings multiply! I feel like I just spent the afternoon with all of you and what a heartwarming treat that truly is! Love, love, love…
Vicky…love to you, I wish you’d been with me! xo
Wonderful memories were given to your family again this year! Looks like a lovely time was had by all. I’ve been baking gingerbread loaves for immediate family this year and had a lot of fun making their Christmas cards with scrap-booking supplies. xxoo
Eileen, aren’t you so sweet baking for friends! YUM…Merry Christmas
What beautiful pictures, and what a gorgeous kitty! I miss my Siamese boy so much! Hope you have a wonderful week, and a joyous Christmas!
Chrissy…xo-Merry Christmas
Well, aren’t you nice to make gifts for everyone. 🙂 So cute. Love how you choose a theme every year. I am baking and making a few gifts this week, cleaning my house and getting ready for our family gathering! 🙂
Love it, love it, love it! Especially the little white lights under the party favors~Just adorable!!
Beautiful family picture. What a blessing to have a wonderful full home!
Antsi…Merry Christmas sweetie
I love the picture on your gingerbread porch! Beautiful, beautiful family.
After reading this, I RAN to Dollar Tree. I managed to wrangle some of the cups, plates, and napkins. The snowflakes were pretty picked over, but I used them to add some touches to my own family Christmas party. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! The only think I did not like was the blue that seeped into the food from the plates. A little blue lake number 7 never hurt anybody though. Hah!
Liz! Oh no! Blue from the plates!!! Yikes! I used the cups but didn’t use the plates, I wouldn’t have liked that either!!! xo