Brandon, Patrick and Stoney Basking in Sweater Beauty
As you probably know by now, I love to entertain. This last weekend we had a Christmas party and invited 8 couples. We required all guests to wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters, which apparently is quite the trend nowadays. I had to search many, many thrift stores to find attire for myself and for Brandon. They are hot commodities! My friend Shannon had to resort to making one for her husband, Patrick (pictured in the middle in the picture above). Is she crafty or what? The lights on the trees even lit up!
I made all the guests join me in playing Christmas songs on chimes. Each person gets one chime which is labeled with a number. I had posters of Christmas songs and each person hits their chime when the number comes up. Everyone was skeptical at first, but it ended up being a hit!
We did a white elephant gift exchange. One of the gifts was a box of live crickets that caused quite a stir. There were some other clever gifts like one that included a can of beans, a bottle of Beano, and some air freshener. Nothing like mature adults laughing about passing gas!
'Tis the season to overindulge...I had all the guests bring an appetizer to share and we ended up with a great assortment of food...spinach dip, veggie pizza (thanks, Holly!), orange rolls, fruit and dip, taquitos, shrimp and more. All of this yummy holiday eating is helping increase my girth until soon I will resemble Old Saint Nick.
Brooke and Holly
I decided to put out a hot chocolate bar. I made a big pot of hot cocoa on the stove, and then put out a tray with all kinds of things to mix in.
Cookies for dunking were also a necessity.
For my centerpiece, I used an easy idea I got from my Mom. Take three glass cylinders, fill halfway with real leaves (I clipped mine off of the bushes in my front yard), pour in some real cranberries, fill with water, and float a candle on top. They are simple, but I think they are so beautiful. (They will last for a week or so.)
Brandon ended up with a wooden tie (yes, made of wood) after the gift exchange. He kept threatening to wear it to church on Sunday, but thankfully, he did not. Knowing him, I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to wear it to work. Would you buy furniture from a man in a wooden tie?
Are we hot or what? Look out, Brad and Angelina!
I'm already trying to think of the next reason to have a party. Martin Luther King Day?
8 comments:
Oh my gosh! I have never seen such ugly sweaters. Seriously. However, I would wear one if I was allowed to indulge in the hot chocolate and 'fixins' and the sugar cookies. MMmmmmmmm. Your parties look so much fun. You have raised the bar for all of us, Nikole.
That is so funny. I would NOT buy furniture from a man in a wooden tie! Unless it was a really, really good deal.
Your parties look like so much fun and I love how you always have fun activities to get everyone involved. It makes me so sad that I don't like close enough to get invited. Where did you get the chimes?
You are so much fun! I can't believe all your hard work. Your friends are so lucky. Where is Addy during all of this? Anyway, after seeing your spread I'm going to have to make sugar cookies to go with my dipped pretzels! (Thanks for the recipe--I'll call back soon.)
Ash, the chimes belong to my mom. We've had chimes in our family for years. They are homemade. I think my aunt made this set. I want some for me!
I love all the pictures. Thanks again for throwing such a fun party. We had a great time.
I had a great time! Those decorations really were beautiful, I meant to ask about them but all the ugly sweaters distracted me!
I like the centerpiece idea. I've never seen it before (I might do some myself). My piano teacher had those exact chimes and we'd have a Christmas party at her house every year and play the chimes.
Yes you are right, my mom's butterscotch pull-aparts consist of Rhodes rolls and butterscotch pudding. Except her version has no calories. Miraculous, huh. :)
I love the wooden tie, that is so cool and something only Brandon would truly appreciate! Another rocking Nikole party goes down in history...
Post a Comment