On Sunday December 14th our long awaited Christmas Party with the British Columbia Mennonite Girls and their husbands began at three in the afternoon. My preparations had been going on for a while.
Joy was the theme and red and gold were the color choices I picked. I had red glassware but only had a total of 10 pieces so I was on the hunt for 6 more goblets or glasses to fill the 16 place settings we would need for our party. When we traveled to our son’s home in eastern Washington in early November we shopped at some thrift stores and found a set of 8 red goblets for a real good price. Yippee!
We do not have an open concept home by any means and to be able to fit 16 around tables we had to get creative. We decided to empty out some of the furniture from our living room so we could fit two round tables that would each be set with eight place settings.
Where there’s a will there’s a way. I saw a package of red and gold Christmas Crackers at Costco and knew they’d be a fun addition to the table. The red and gold sparkly chargers came from HomeGoods. I already had a stash of cloth napkins in red and gold tones and napkin rings that worked nicely with the color theme. I found flat Christmas wreaths and red candle holders for my center pieces.
Here’s a photo the day of our gathering with all the last minute touches added to the table. This photo was taken by Lovella. The next couple of photos were taken by Anneliese.
Our front porch was transformed with a fake little Christmas tree that we had in our condo when we lived in Southern California for a few years. The vintage red step stool was a fun piece to put some of my lanterns on. The cedar branches and all the greenery with red berries, rosemary, and holly came from my yard. I had the large glass jars that I filled with the greenery and added a candle in to warm up the entry to our home.
I’m enjoying our new 3D star that we purchased this year that adds it’s light to welcome you to our front door.
My next post will show the people that made all these preparations worthwhile. Here’s the sneak peek of the girls and the guys.
More to come soon with some great photos from Anneliese and Lovella who clicked away while Dear and I worked on getting the food ready for everyone.
Since I finally set a table and took some photos I’m going to link this post to Cuisine Kathleen’s Let’s Dish for this week. If you’d like to see my guests seated at these tables click here.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
You are so talented. This looks amazing! How fun!
Well done with the decorating! The picture of the guys with all their cameras made me laugh.
Smiling here…as I remember every detail. It was such a special time! Thank-you, Ellen.
I love seeing all the little vignettes you created. I know how much time it takes to get it just right and your home was… just right! Thank you!
Wonderful! What a lovely setting for what would be a wonderful evening with friends. My place is a bit like yours in that accommodating more than 8 means moving furniture out!
When can we come again? Most delightful and we loved the extra touches that you put together for this event.
I love it all ! Looks like such a good time.
I love this post, giving us the background details about how you pulled it all together! It all looks so beautiful! I know that your guests were blessed by warm, comfortable hospitality and enjoyed an evening spent together.
JOY was the perfect theme for this gathering! Everything looked wonderful and joyful Ellen. Your front entrance is most welcoming indeed.
Wonderful evening with friends! You made it very special!
I always love your table settings. Your home looks so festive and welcoming.
You did a very lovely job of preparing for what must have been a fun day. Those extra special touches of care always make guests feel more welcome, I think.
Love your front porch! So welcoming. Red and gold are my favorite Christmas colors. Everything is so festive looking!
Your tables came out beautifully, Ellen. Love all the red…what a great find, a set of 8 red stems…I have found red is the hardest color to find at thrift stores.
Merry Christmas!
beautiful tables – and the red glasses really make it festive! Your entry way is decorated to perfection!! What a nice way to welcome your guests! Happy Holidays
Very nice Ellen, I love all of the red and gold mix and match table settings. Everything looks wonderful. I am sure all of your guests felt very special sitting at these beautiful festive tables.
Love, love the decision to place the round tables in the living room. Mother did this once for a shower and it was loads of fun! The red and gold combination is lovely!
Shelia
House of Highlands
Hi Ellen, Your house looks SO pretty and festive decorated for Christmas!! It must have been great fun to have a celebration with a group this size (not too big or too small). But it’s still large enough that you had to do plenty of preparation; you did a great job Ellen!
I love your tablescapes!! Your napkin folds are so pretty with the napkin rings (I’m not good at napkin folds at all). 🙂 The ruby red glasses are beautiful, and I love the idea of Christmas crackers. They add that extra special touch. Beautiful color on your tablecloths, too! I LOVE the last picture of the table with the votives burning and the stockings on the fireplace in the background. It looks like a Christmas card. 🙂
I’m sorry I’m just now getting around to visiting you, Ellen. Hubby is home on vacation, and we’ve been sooo busy. I hope you’ve had a good week and are enjoying the season.
Blessings to you,
Denise
Hello, dear Ellen! Looks like such a fun time, would love to join in. The tables look great and those red glasses are terrific! So glad you joined in this week! I have been a slacker blogger , maybe in the new year I will get my mojo back! Have a wonderful Christmas with your beautiful family. Many blessings!
Oh my Ellen, what a beautiful Christmas home and family! The red table is gorgeous, love every detail, specially the pretty red glasses…and all the decorations around your house.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
FABBY