
Look at this charcuterie and appetizers!
Last week, after my encounter with a pack of coyotes, I had to get dressed up for a Christmas party. If you missed the coyote post, it’s HERE.
I was kind of worn out, stressed, and not feeling up to it. But we were driving another couple from our neighborhood, so there was no backing out.
It was a Christmas/Holiday party for my charitable group that raises funds for a residential facility that helps rescued sex-trafficked women return to a “normal” life. I’ve written about The Dream Center HERE.
One of our members opened her home for the party. It was catered and I have to share the beautiful display of hors d’oeuvres and her Christmas decorations.

Dessert.

This is the other side of the island with more delicious food and gorgeous decorations.
I wish I would have taken photos of her backyard. You can see the photo above, how the glass doors disappear into the wall. The hostess and her husband are Italian and their backyard looks like a Roman style garden. It was a beautiful evening with friends.
The hostess had a surprise for us:
The party put me in the holiday spirit. I’m so looking forward to Christmas this year with my children and daughter-in-law.
When have you not wanted to go somewhere and it turned out to be better than expected?
What puts you in a Christmas/Holiday spirit?

The spread looks fabulous. I’m glad you went and had a good time.
It was amazing to look at. I’m glad I went too.
🥰🥰🥰
😊
Holy cow, that’s amazing EA! I’m not sure I would know what to do at a party like that 🙂 I am glad that it helped you put the coyote incident behind you and enjoy being festive!
Our group of women is only 35. Six of them are neighbors so it was pretty comfortable for me, in spite of the over the top decor and food. It did help with the coyote episode.
I always hope for the best because we all know I’m not great at group things where I don’t know people. I’m pleasantly surprised about half the time
Fortunately at this party, I knew some people. A person sat down with us that we never met before and he was super friendly. He was a neighbor of the hosts and builds his business by meeting new people. I could never do that.
Me either!!
👍🏼
A wonderful Christmas party!
It was fun, although I don’t like to go out on week nights.
It looks yummy, but, Um…..I hate to point out the elephant in the room, but would the cost of this spread be better spent on, say, your charity?
Everyone who attended paid to cover the costs. We spend the rest of the year fundraising and giving donations to the Dream Center. They give us a list of what they need and we purchase items, so money doesn’t go for their administration.
You gotta fight for your right… to party.
😂
Wow – what a beautiful display! I love those things that we don’t feel like going to but prove to be heartening. So fun to get into the spirit!
It was a beautiful display. It made for a festive evening.
I was treated once to a Christmas dinner at a great seafood restaurant on the beach by the Principal of a new charter school. She treated the staff. That was nice and really unexpected. I enjoyed it! Also, holiday parties at Saint Leo University, thrown at the country club, and they invited part timers, adjuncts. Very elegant and we were treated very well.
That’s so nice! We’d always have a nice Christmas party with my husband’s office. I kind of miss it, now that he works remotely.
That looks like quite a festive and yummy party! I love the carolers – that would sure put me in the mood, especially since they were in costume. I’m glad we have friends who like to entertain. I rarely do it and only small groups.
The carolers were so good. I was sad that people were talking through their singing. But I took a seat right up front to enjoy them. I used to entertain larger groups for my kids swim team families and kid birthday parties. Now, it’s one or a maximum of two couples for dinner.
That’s one impressive spread!
It was. But they ran out of good pretty fast except for the charcuterie. I’m glad we were there on time!