Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Hostess with the Mostess--I hope

I just finished calling all of my inlaws and inviting them to a holiday dinner on Dec. 17.  DH and I are way overdue in reciprocating as we have attended parties at all of their homes this past year.  I keep planning on having them all over, but time escapes me and then it's too late to plan anything.  I spur-of-the-moment picked up the telephone and called them all tonight.

So now I  have about 10 days to plan for this dinner party for 11 adults.   On Dec. 24 I am hosting my family Christmas party -- about 15 people.

O.K. take a deep breath Zoey!  I really love to do this, but I am always so nervous at first.  There is sooooooo much to do!  I usually take a week's vacation around Christmas, but this year I decided not to.  So I need to get all of this done while working almost every day ( I have scheduled a day's vacation here and there this month).

It's been ages since I have set a nice dinner table.  Now I will be forced to do so on Dec. 17.  On one hand it will be fun to plan; on the other a bit intimidating as they are all wonderful cooks and hostesses.  I will have to bring up a second dinner table from my basement so we can all sit together.  Yes, I do have an extra round table in my basement.  Doesn't everybody?  LOL.  Sometimes it pays to hoard. I can put the round table right next to my big rectangle table and seat 12.  Perfect!

I already brought up a small green  table to use for the desserts for my Christmas Eve party.  Tonight I made some letters on my computer, printed them out and punched holes in them.

 they will be used to decorate the dessert table. I will show you exactly what I am doing with them later--after the party.

DH is not home so he does not even know I just planned this party. He is easy going and will be thrilled that we are having his family over and will do all he can to help me.

Now I need to plan a menu.  I am going to do two or three pasta dishes ---stuffed shells, homemade ravioli and...??? I have to come up with another dish.   It will be way too much food, but I will freeze the leftovers as my son and his significant other are coming for 4 days during Christmas and it would be great to have a dinner or two already prepared.

I told them all not to bring anything other than their white elephant gifts for the fun gift exchange.  So I have to do sides, dessert, etc....everything..........Oh, dear, I really have a ton of work to do this holiday season!! 


9 comments:

  1. Busy, busy! It is fun work though although afterwards you will be ready to drop over. Sounds like you have some fun days coming up with family.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  2. For sure, Cher. I don't know what I got myself into!! I just hope it all goes off well and everyone has a good time.

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  3. Zoey,you sound like me. I always get so nervous when I plan a party or dinner. But everything will go fine and your guests will have a good time and good food.
    Have fun with it!
    Barb

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  4. Hmmmmm.....are those letters for a game of some sort? For our Xmas eve par-tay? You should let me know so I can win - you know how I love the prizes :) I hope you don't hide those crazy little angels and ornaments too hard! Chris J.

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  5. you go girl...nothing like company coming to get you motivated...

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  6. Oh you will do fine! Pasta and maybe a big bowl of salad and bread sticks? There is a fab Rachael Ray dish I made a few years ago with sausage, broccoli rabe and pasta. It is really good. If you are serving it hot, just be careful or the pasta can get sticky. I'm sure it will be fine.

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  7. Barb,
    Yes, I am sure it will be fine. I will figure out the menu today. It's a good thing most of my decorating is done.

    Chris J,
    Don't you try to cheat now...I have to be careful what I reveal on this blog. I forgot you were out there looking for clues...LOL...I already revealed one item a while ago.

    Deb, That's for sure. If you are feeling a bit lethargic, just invite 10 people to dinner!

    Dianne,
    That sounds good. I may look it up.

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  8. Zoey, of course you are the one with the mostest! I have no doubt about that. I am guilty of last-minute inviting people, literally inviting them the morning of the day I want them to come over. And weirdly enough, they usually all show up. I think they're wondering what in the world I'll make so the curiosity gets the better of them. If I plan too far ahead to do something like entertaining (which I'm not great at) I lose too much sleep. At my age, lost sleep is not something I want to make a habit of, lol.

    That said, of course I do not set a table like I know you will! And I can't wait to see the big reveal of what the letters are for.

    I know we'll all be amazed.

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  9. Oh this looks like fun, Zoey! I know you will be a wonderful hostess and your table will look beautiful and elegant..of that I'm sure!

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