When I was a kid my mom decorated our house for Christmas like crazy. She even wrapped our front door like a big giant present. When I was old enough, I got the job of spreading out the fake snow/angel hair. (Remember that slick, shiny, white hair stuff you could buy in the 80s?) I would then carefully put out all the little trinkets that I so loved. As a child, I would think about someday inviting people over to come enjoy Christmas in my home.
Since moving to Tucson, I've had in my mind opening our home during the Christmas season would be a great way to show our church family and friends we love them. Doesn't it sound like a very pastoral thing to do?
But, each year has been filled with stuff...mostly good stuff, so my open house always got pushed to the side. Even this year I contemplated skipping it, but my wise, hospitality loving husband said if people wanted to come they would come. So we did it.
Oh how I enjoyed myself! It gave me so much joy to have people I love in my home, eating my food, talking together.
Hot Chocolate Bar
Wassail from a recipe I found was a hit!
1 gallon apple cider
1 quart pineapple juice
1 can orange juice concentrate
30 whole cloves
8 cinnamon sticks
Simmer for a couple of hours. Add 1 sliced orange before serving.
It was gone so fast. We should have made a double batch, but now we know!
I have a problem. I buy creamer. I don't even like coffee!
Yummy snacks
Eggnog pound cake and my M&M pecan cookies.
Spicy Chex mix. I've worked hard on this recipe for years. It's good.
Do you want it? I can post it if anyone is interested.
Veggies because I wanted everyone to feel better about the cookies, cake, and wassail.
The helpfulness of Pinterest can't be spoken of enough.
Raspberries stuffed with chocolate anyone?
Thanks to everyone who came! If you missed it this year, I'm pretty sure this will
become a tradition in the Haynes household.
Second Mile family, we do love you!
Thank you for allowing us to serve you and for loving our family!
3 important comments so far. What are your thoughts?
It looks so 'festive'!! And I know the food was yummy.... I love that you love loving people!
Merry Christmas...
Mom
Ohhh I love it!!! I too have been thinking about doing this but, sigh, I really don't like to clean up before or after. Maybe when my boys are a little older. I have also been thinking about "Girlfriends night in" party. I love party planning.
I am SO behind on my blog reading! LOVE this idea and it looks like everything turned out fantastic!
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