Christmas Party Weekending

And just like that, the first weekend of December and our annual Christmas partyhas already come and gone.


I had meant to take advantage of the 50% off sale at Ulta for the UD Naked Smoky palette for gifts, and was so busy preparing for the party I dropped the ball. Butttttt I did end up scoring big at Bath and Body Works during their once a year sale on three wick candles. For one day only, they were $8.50 each, plus I used a $15 off $40 coupon to save even more.


Every year, I spend weeks getting ready for our annual Christmas party between planning the menu, the decor, the invites, cleaning, and setting up it's a work in progress. But it never ceases to amaze me how quickly the big night comes and goes. Always a great time with friends over food, drinks, and lots of laughs.

I was a bad blogger, and didn't take many pics except in the beginning of the food and drink displays.

*Even baby girl was festive and ready to party*


*This year I forwent the punch bowl of eggnog, and made a champagne punch and a holiday sangria*




*Camera set up for the photo booth*


*The white elephant gift swap is always a riot*



******************************************

Joining Biana and Meghan for Weekending
and
Erin for Weekend Snapshots

*Cheers to a fabulous week*

*****************************************

Recipes

Champagne Punch

1 bottle of bubbles
1 cup of water
2 cups of cranberry juice
3/4 cup of pineapple juice
Lemon rings
Cinnamon and cloves to taste
Optional: 1/2 cup of sugar

Holiday Sangria

1 bottle of merlot
1/2 bag of cranberries
1 orange
1/2 tsp. of nutmeg
1/2 tsp. of cloves
1/2 tsp. of cinnamon
1/2 bottle of gingerale
Optional: 1/2 cup of sugar

50 comments:

  1. We're hosting a NYE party and you just gave me a few ideas to incorporate!! So glad your holiday party was a success - but duh of course it would be!! P.S. got your holiday card - LOVE it!! Happy Monday girl! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

    ReplyDelete
  2. I give you credit being able to organize all of this with a newborn! It looks awesome and I love the drinks that you served--they sound tasty! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You sure did luck out with the swap..that gift is so you!! You are one amazing hostess and an inspiration for moms everywhere to be able to throw a smashing party. When mine were babies, it took me months to do something like this...you rock!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like so much fun! OMG that little outfit is so precious. Babies have such cute things for Christmas. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. it looks like such a fun event. I know parties go by so quickly!!
    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

    ReplyDelete
  6. So glad you shared your drink recipes because I was going to ask! ;) Always love your party recap - such a great way to get into the spirit! And you really did luck out with your gifts! Happy Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a fun weekend and Christmas party! You got all the goods at the B&BW sale! Marshmallow Fireside and Champagne Toast are two of my faves!

    www.rosyoutlookblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. That Merry and Bright once is the cutest thing I've seen! Looks like such a fun holiday event!

    Shauna

    www.lipglossandlace.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your party looks like so much fun!! That "5 o'clock somewhere" glass in the first photo is so perfect for Christmas! Have a great week :)

    Meg, Borrowed Heaven

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love party recaps, and even though you were too busy having a good time, I can tell it was a success! Love your dress too! And I love those champagne flutes!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks like the party was so fun as usual! You look so pretty and you definitely did well with the gift!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks like it was a fun gathering. Love your 5 o'clock glass. You did well with the food and drinks.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks like it was a fun time! The 5 o'clock North Pole glasses are just adorable!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

    ReplyDelete
  14. This Christmas-themed candles you got on sale are so cute!!! And it sounds like your holiday party was so much fun!

    http://thecourtneydiaries.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Glad to hear you had another successful party! And champagne punch?! Yes, please.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a fun party!! Champagne punch, YES PLEASE! I too got some candles at BBW, what a great deal. I went in the early morning so it wasn't too crazy.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds like a successful party weekend girl! Your annual Christmas party always sounds so fun!! That food looks so yummy and I love baby girls outfit, so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  18. How fun!! I love the white elephant gift swap! We would do that at work...it was always SO fun!
    You did luck out with gifts!
    Hope you have a great Monday!
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks like fun! I'm still in awe that it's December! Love your baby girl's outfit too!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such a fun post! Really got me in the mood for the holiday season.

    xoxo
    Rachel
    http://thetrendytomboy.com/bronze-crop-top/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looks like a blast! Holiday parties are always so much fun and a great way to kick off the season!! XO -

    Anna | www.parkavenueblogger.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your Christmas party looks like SO much fun! Sometimes it's good when you forget to take pictures because it means that you were really enjoying the moment :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Look at all of that yummy food!!! I want those sausage balls right now! And you really did luck out with the gift swap, those glasses are so darn cute! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

    ReplyDelete
  24. That holiday sangria sounds amazing!! Love the photo booth setup too :)

    Jamie
    http://www.treatsandtrendsblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your Christmas party looks like such a blast, and it really is amazing how this time of the year seems to go by so quickly! You really scored during the gift exchange, and I love the wine glasses that you had for the party!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Girl, you are amazing planning all of that with a tiny little baby at home!! Major props to you, Momma! And it sounds like y'all had a blast!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looks like you had a lot of fun, have a nice week beautiful!

    Camila,
    My Vogue Style | www.myvoguestyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. what a fun time! serena's outfit is the cutest too! but your dress was equally adorable hehe :) what a great setup and score on the gift you got!

    xoxo cheshire kat

    ReplyDelete
  29. It is always great when you can score on the gift exchange! They are the best! Looks like a wonderful menu and thanks for sharing the drink recipes!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you for the drink recipes. I can't wait to make them. Looks like you totally made out for the swap.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a fun Christmas party! I need that it's 5 O'clock at the North Pole glass! So cute!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

    ReplyDelete
  32. Parties are hard work and they are over in a flash! Love the photo booth! Beautiful tree.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Looks like a fun party! You definitely lucked out with the gift swap! The Merry & Bright onesie is so darn cute!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

    ReplyDelete
  34. Fabulous party set up!! Looks like fun! I missed the candles but hit up Ulta!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Everything looks so nice - such a fun tradition this is! We're having just a little happy hour this weekend but in the new house I defiantly want to do a Christmas party every year too!

    ReplyDelete
  36. You did such a good job! Everything looks great!
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. You hosted such a cute (and yummy!) party! And I love B&BW's three-wick candles- amaaaaazing!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    ReplyDelete
  38. Yay for Christmas parties. Looks like so much fun!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    ReplyDelete
  39. Looove that merry and bright onesie! And you look amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love Bath and Body Works so much, I really wish we had it in Hungary! I have 2 candles from their Fall/Halloween collection, but I want a Christmas one too so much :) Looks like your party was so much fun, with a lot of yummy food! that onesie is so cute!

    xo, Esther

    http://bubblesther.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. My mom and I definitely took advantage of the BBW candle deal too! That way too good to pass up!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wait - there was a 50% off sale at Ulta?! I totally missed it! Crap!

    Katie | WillowAndWhiteBlog.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Your party always looks SO fun- you are definitely the hostess with the mostess! I love the idea of the photo booth fun...how great. I saw that the Bath and body works sale went live online and was like YES PLEASE because I didn't leave the house at all Saturday and it was so amazing. Glad you had a fun weekend and lucked out with some great gifts!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wow looks like the perfect holiday party and you looked lovely!

    xx Auna | http:simplyauna.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Outward look will enhance as a result dimishing wrinkles, best lines and other visible imperfections. on the time of this writing, GreenTeaRx is offering a free trial so even in case you are not sure whether or not or not it'll work for you, you've got not anything to lose by attempting a free trial that would help your pores and skin significantly.For more ==== >>>>>> http://guidemesupplements.com/dermessence/

    ReplyDelete
  46. oooh both the punch and sangria sound amazing! you go all out for your party, i love it. everything looks fabulous. and wow you scored big at b&bw! i am trying to be good and i don't *need* any candles right now, so hopefully they have the same sale next year lol

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love baby girl's outfit for the party! And you did score at Bath & Body Works!

    ReplyDelete
  48. How adorable is baby Serena's outfit! So sad to miss your party this year because it's always a fun time and the white elephant swap is always a riot! Ha! Love the gift you ended up with...so perfect for you!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Okay, holiday sangria or champagne punch for work holiday party tomorrow? I'm hosting and these both look amazing!!

    ReplyDelete