The Perfect Christmas - Debbie Macomber [57]
Start the party by having your guests make paper snowflakes—all you’ll need is white paper, scissors, some glue. Hang the ornaments around your house or apartment.
Check with your local homeless shelter or church and select a group or a family to receive food and decorations that you and your guests will provide. Make arrangements to deliver the goods immediately after your party, whether that’s on Christmas Eve or another day during the holidays.
A good way to handle this type of party: you prepare the main course (for example, cook two turkeys, hams or casseroles), then ask each of your guests (or couples) to bring two disposable containers of their favorite dish, one to serve at the party, one for the needy family or group.
Give your guests a list of things your beneficiary group needs—socks, warm hats, mittens—and suggest that they make or bring one of these items to the party. Set up a wrapping station, complete with paper and ribbon.
Set up an ornament-making station (simple glass balls, old jewelry, ribbon, scrap yarn, sequins, etc.) and ask each of your guests to make one to give to your beneficiary group.
If children are among your guests, ask each parent to bring the child’s favorite Christmas book. Take turns reading these books to the children.
Purchase inexpensive Christmas stockings (check the local dollar store), or make some if you’re crafty. Ask each guest to make, wrap and bring something for everyone at the party, but set a dollar limit. (Two dollars? Three?) Give examples, such as home-baked cookies or candy, hot chocolate mix in a jar. Encourage them to let creativity be their guide.
Create a custom Christmas puzzle by making a collage of photos of your guests. You can search online for sites that make personalized custom puzzles. Divide the puzzle pieces so that each guest will have the same number. When the guests arrive, give them each a small bag or festively wrapped box containing their puzzle pieces. Set up a puzzle station so all the guests can fit their pieces into the whole. In the case of a party attended by friends, the puzzle will represent all the lives brought together in friendship, the total greater than the assortment of individuals. Also include in each guest’s gift bag a Christmas-themed question to answer during dinner. Examples: What is your first Christmas memory? What is your favorite Christmas gift of all time? What, for you, constitutes the perfect Christmas?
Out of white card stock, create a Christmas bingo game, using such iconic images as a pine tree, wreath, ornament, candy cane, etc. for the squares. Have peppermint candies on hand to use for place holders. As prizes, give away Christmas music CDs, packages of homemade candy or cookies—use your imagination!
At the end of your party, gather up the food and gifts for your chosen family or group and deliver them, serenading them with Christmas carols before you depart.
Sigh. In my humble opinion, the perfect Christmas party!
Cassie’s friend (and now sister-in-law) has taken knitting lessons. She’s knitting a Christmas gift for Cassie. And she’s already completed an infant Santa hat for Cassie and Simon’s baby to wear next Christmas.
Here’s the pattern she used.
Infant Santa Hat
Designed and knitted by Cynthia Novito-Mason
Materials:
Size 7 16" circular needles
Size 7 double point needles
Darning needle
Yarn:
1 skein Cascade Superwash 220 in red
1 skein Rowan Purelife Boucle in white
Gauge:
5 stitches = 1 inch
Cast On: 60 stitches with white yarn. Join in the round; place marker to mark beginning of round.
Purl 5 rows
Knit 1 row
Change to red yarn and knit 20 rows.
Shape Crown:
(Change to double pointed needles when no longer able to knit with circular.)
#Knit 2 stitches together, knit 10, repeat from * to end of round
Knit 1 row
#Knit 2 sts. tog., Knit 9, repeat from * to end of round
Knit 1 row
#Knit 2 sts. tog., Knit 8, repeat from * to end of round