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!!