Happy Friday friends!
I'm sharing some highlights of my 15th Annual Girlfriend Christmas Party,
but be forewarned - THE PHOTOS ARE B-A-D!!
I'm SO sorry, I would normally skip the post rather than use photos like this, but so many
of you have asked about the gifts, and menu. I tried to quickly snap a few with my phone
while greeting the girls, getting drinks and putting food together. My house was dark and
when I lightened them it went from bad to worse, so forgive me!
The Hostess
My friends said I looked like a 1950s housewife, cooking in my dress and heels,
with a drink in hand. Haha!
The Invitation
"Spread Cheer" with an appetizer spreader attached, details here.
The Drinks
Pomegranate Martinis
Wine
The Menu
Stilton Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Grapes with Goat Cheese & Crushed Pistachios
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Mini Twice Baked Potatoes
Artichoke, Mushroom & Roma Tomato Pizza
Zuppa Toscana
The Dessert
Coffee with Baileys
Warm Molten Chocolate Cakes
The Girls
My beautiful girlfriends gathered together.
The Buffet
Simple decor of evergreen branches, clear vases of pink flowers, and candles down the
center of our island. This was before the food was out and arranged.
On the silver tiered stand I serve the soup in ramekins and then use it to serve
the Molten Chocolate Cakes when they come out of the oven.
The Gifts
Each girlfriend brings five gifts (all the same) and draws five names when they arrive,
those names will be the recipients of their gifts. We go around the room and each one
of us tells what our gift is and hands them out. Our limit is around $5 - $7ish, but not
everyone sticks to it, and we have some savvy bargain shoppers.
Plaid Scarves
Coffee Mug with Chalk for a message & Cocoa Mix
Seasonal Candle
Movie Ticket
Seasonal Room Scent (Winter) - Bath & Body Works
Mix of Chocolate covered espresso beans & peppermint candy & cute socks
Pretty glass tray
Book - The Magic of Tidying Up
Fig Jam to tie in with the 'Spread Cheer' invitaion
True Blue Spa Hand Lotion
Clean Freak Dry Shampoo & Headband (my gift)
I'm blessed beyond measure to have these wonderful friends in my life, some
of them since our kiddos were babies, and others since toddlers. Our get together is
my favorite way to kick off the holiday season!
Switching gears...
if you've been following along with 2015 Christmas Home Tours today is your
chance to show us your beautiful Christmas decor!
Link up at Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life Link Party today to share yours!
22 comments:
I absolutely LOVE this Pam! What a fun idea and a fun party, I'm sure. How lucky for you to have such a great group of girlfriends. You look adorable as a 50's housewife. ;-)
so much fun, but look at those guns! you go, girl!
How fabulous! I'm so glad you didn't let dark pictures keep you from spreading the cheer with your readers!!
Pam I love when you post pictures of yourself (which is almost never), you are beautiful and what a hostess, the drink, the food, the cute dress, the hair all fab! Your home looks soooo beautiful, I love how you set up the buffet, and were we not just talking about the layout of our houses and I had no idea on the other side of your island was your fireplace room and then the living room & dining room on the side! HA. See I guess I do need a real life visit :) What a wonderful tradition you have with your friends, so much creativity, and the wonderful gift of friendship!
What a lovely and delightful gathering Pam. You are the quintesential hostess. Happiest of holidays to you!
Everything looked beautiful!
Fabulous!! What fun you must have had!
How fun! And you do have a Betty Draper vibe there. Looking stunning! I'm having my annual cookie exchange tomorrow.
I look forward to hearing about this party every year! You look beautiful and your friends look like they are having a wonderful time. I love how you decorated your buffet. Cheers!
Shelley
What a great tradition! It all looks fabulous.
I always look forward to your party post. Your house glistens it's so beautiful! And look at beautiful you- always the multi-talented, multi-tasker balancing a pizza and a cocktail with those amazingly toned arms that we all envy! Merry Christmas Pam!
Oh, please share your recipes for the figs and grapes! Everything looks beautiful. Good food, great friends and an armful of gifts. What a fun day!
You are the hostess with the mostest Pam! So gorgeous even with that tray of pizza on hand! Glad you were able to celebrate with your besties!
Love to read about your Girlfriends Party each year...the menu sounded terrific and such an array of creative gifts!
What a wonderful party!!! Wish I was there. I think your photos really relay the fun...and I' so happy you took them!!!
Hi Pam... all I can say is I wish I was one of your lucky girlfriends who got an invite to your fabulous party! Everything looks so festive. Love the invites. Also don't know whether I commented on your House Tour post. Just love your decorations and all your punch of pink! Enjoy your week!
I love this annual party and the planning and decor. But forget about all that, and look at your sculpted arms! You are gorgeous. Loved your Donna Reed outfit. Happy holidays to you and your family. xoxo Nancy
What fun! Your kitchen looks so gorgeous. I'm determined to do a party like this myself one of these years!
Pam,
I always look forward to the details of your annual holiday party. My friends and I also do a favorite things-type exchange with an $8 limit. It's so much fun to see what everyone picks out.
I also adore your invitations. They are darling. Well done!
This is one of my favorite posts you do all year! I always intend to get something like this going because it looks SO fun!! :)
What a great idea! Every year I think I will do something like this and get too busy! I want to be your friend!!
It’s great to know about 15th annual girlfriend party. You know dear I agree with your friends, as really you looked like a 1950’s housewife. You were looking fabulous actually. You arranged a fabulous party dear. I have got so many ideas from your party, and I will arrange a party at Chicago venues and will use all of your ideas.
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