Lights, camera, action! Ok, more like lights, wrapping presents, teacher gifts, action. Doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? But I have lots to tell you. Warning: this post is all over the place. A holiday smorgasbord if you will. We’ll cover:
- our somewhat non-traditional holiday tradition
- what we’ll be doing for Christmas dinner
- how we decorated the outside of our house for Christmas this year
- what we used to wrap all of our gifts (for zero point zero zero dollars)
- what we gave as teacher gifts for Clara’s preschool teachers
Representing the “action” part of this post’s title, this year was going to be the very first year that we weren’t scurrying around like crazy with some giant house project going on over Christmas. You think I’m joking, but this is a deep seated “tradition” of ours. Waaay back in 2007 when we started this blog we were in the middle of a giant kitchen renovation over Christmas. We had already lived sans kitchen for two months and our new cabinets were installed, but we were still waiting on our counters to arrive and officially make the room functional again…
In 2008 over Christmas we decided to refinish the floors, so we had to move nearly all of the furniture in the entire house into the sunroom, den, and kitchen to free up the original hardwoods throughout the rest of the house…
In 2009 we gutted our only full bathroom, which commenced the weekend after Thanksgiving. So by New Year’s we found ourselves in the midst of tiling. Which meant that our only shower was still a few weeks away from being functional again. Yup, that meant getting creative and showering at the gym, John’s sister’s house, and even with the hose in the yard if we just needed to rinse off (brrr).
In 2010 we moved, which was our biggest project to date that occurred right in time for the holidays. We had more than a few adventures, which involved packing up every last possession and loading it into a UHaul… which then slipped into a ditch about .05 minutes after beginning the journey to our new house… which ended up looking a lot like this while we unpacked:
In 2011 we were knee-deep in the middle of our current house’s kitchen reno (we were painting cabinets on Christmas Eve)…
And in 2012, well, we’re in the middle of a sunroom upgrade along with planning Clara’s big-girl room (which we’ll probably tackle after we wrap up the sunroom) and we built Clara’s present again this year, but that hardly counts as a major the-house-is-sheer chaos project. Until about a week ago when we were nominated (and excitedly accepted the baton while I jumped up & down and sang “we get to use our cloth napkins!”) to host Christmas dinner for 15 family members – four who are under the age of 4. It should be a whole lotta crazy, so it looks like we have a little holiday project after all, eh?
So far I’ve just been breaking out the table runners and planning where everyone will sit (it involves some rearranging of furniture) along with figuring out the menu with John (our family always does pot luck, so we’ll provide a few main staples but everyone coming will bring a special dish or dessert to fill things out). It doesn’t feel too crazy yet, but I imagine in the middle of Christmas we’ll look around and our house will be just as chaotic as it ever was during a little ol’ kitchen or bathroom renovation. Haha. We’ll definitely share the details with you guys afterwards. You know momma can’t wait to set that table. And for anyone out there who has hosted Christmas dinner, we’d love any and all tips that you have! For reals, spill it.
Oh but on the subject of the “lights” part of the title, we’ve been getting lots of requests for photos of the lights that we hung outside, so here they are. We did a more detailed post dedicated just to the outdoor decorations last year, so you can get a lot more info on them here, but this year’s synopsis is that it only took us about an hour to dress up the porch and put plug-in candles in all of the windows.
As for our giant red Ikea lanterns from last year (scored for $11 a pop), we just ran an extension cord to get power over to them, and shoved a string of white lights inside of each one (so there are three total that are joined together in a chain and powered by the extension cord).
My favorite part is always adding these three large Moravian stars (which we’ve had since last year, purchased on sale from amazon.com). We love hanging them at different heights from the porch (they’re just held up with plant hooks from the inside of the porch’s header).
We didn’t think to get a good shot of my other favorite part – the glossy red reindeer who are hanging out in the window again this year. So here’s a pic from last year (aw, look at the ol’ ribbon and paint chip tree, which were kid friendly choices for a then very-grabby Clara).
These guys are such an easy holiday project if anyone out there is still looking for one. I grabbed them at Ben Franklin for $4 a pop (they’re giant – maybe two feet tall each). They were sort of a flat brown bag color when I got them and looked to be made of paper mache, so I thought making them super shiny and bright could be fun.
One $3.50 can of high-glossy “Sunrise Red” spray paint later and those babies were glossy and ceramic-animal-esque (and still look good a year later). The best news is that Clara is still obsessed and likes to gently pet them in the window while keeping an eye out for Santa.
Checking another thing off the ol’ list involved getting all of our Christmas presents squared away and wrapping them all. And something magical happened this year.
For those who follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter you may have already seen this pic, but it was truly a holiday unicorn (it was that rare of an occurrence). After years of hoarding holiday bags from gifts we’ve received, I didn’t have to buy any bags/wrap/ribbon/tissue paper at all this year. Not even gift tags. Dude, that makes my spare-closet-full-of-bags-and-ribbon-and-all-things-gifty feel downright warranted.
Even that cute lunch box in the front of the picture below was something that I found shoved on the top shelf of Clara’s closet (it came with some onesies for her two Christmases ago, and has been sitting up there empty ever since).
And finally, we have our little teacher gifts. A few folks asked us what we were giving/making for Clara’s three preschool teachers, and although they had a room-mom who was happy to collect $5 from each kid per teacher and grab a gift card for each teacher to their favorite restaurant, she encouraged anyone who wanted to do something else to go for it. So we thought some homemade cookies would be a nice supplement to the gift cards they each would be getting, and I grabbed three tera cotta pots for 40 cents each (thanks to coupons at Michael’s) and we wrapped each stack of freshly baked cookies in plastic wrap and then surrounded them with gift wrap (still all from my leftover gift wrap closet! woot!). Some leftover ribbon to tie them at the top was the final step. They took all of three minutes to put together, but I think they look like cute little carrots growing out of our book. Haha.
Oh yeah, and our book was the other part of the present. Our teachers have all been so sweet and supportive about it, so we wanted to give them each signed copies so they knew what the heck had been keeping us so busy (some days John’s parents would pick Clara up since we were touring, so there were lots of emails going back and forth between us and them to share where we’d be and who would be coming to get her). They were all so sweet and thankfully kept the transition nice and smooth for Clara – so we really wanted to thank them for all that they do.
So that sums up this smorgasbord of a post about a slew of holiday-related goings-on at our house.
What’s going on at yours? Are all of your outdoor lights strung up? Did you make/give any teacher gifts this year? Are you hosting Christmas dinner and prepping for that? Do you save gift bags and ribbons like a madwoman (a la $herdog)? I draw the line at saving wrapping paper (I like to tear into that for the most part) but bags full of paper and ribbons, bows, and boxes are all fair game to me…
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Cassie says
Uhh, this is random. But has anyone ever told you that John looks like this guy?
http://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1920&bih=955&q=ROB+ESTES&oq=ROB+ESTES&gs_l=img.3..0l9j0i5.853.1918.0.2326.9.9.0.0.0.0.102.739.7j2.9.0…0.0…1ac.1.fOPypSt5p4U
It freaked me out at first! Haha
YoungHouseLove says
No one has ever told me that. Sherry says she sees it in the smiling picture.
-John
Jeanna says
Everything looks beautiful :) When its my turn to host Christmas eve for my large family, this is what I do: That week before Christmas, I’m usually getting everything super clean so I feel comfortable having picky people over, lol! I set up stations for everything, so there is not a large cluster of people in one place. Desserts go here, drinks go there, eggnogg goes another place, main dishes go in the dining room, etc. The flow is all over then and feels much better. And each little area gets a pretty little makeover in keeping with the holiday. Nothing big, usually simple but pretty. I always have a coffee station set up, but most of my family goes for the booze, lol. Foods that I am responsible for are prepped early so all I have to do is heat them up. This year I made homemade vanilla for all the ladies in the group………. thats about it I think :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips! You guys rule!
xo,
s
Lora D. says
Off topic question for ya. I looovvve those glass jar “canisters” you have on your kitchen counter. I’ve seen them around and wondered if they do a good job keeping food fresh enough and bug free. Your thoughts? Thanks :0)
YoungHouseLove says
They’re great! You have to eat what’s in them somewhat regularly (cereal you don’t eat for three months would get stale I think) but they’re great for everyday things!
xo,
s
Paloma says
I totally save bags and stuff like that! I think my boyfriend and I are moving to just reusing the same bags each year for our presents. Saves on time and money- although I do like to make him wrap at least one thing every year because he’s so hilariously bad at it. It’s like abstract art by the time he’s done and a gift in and of itself :)
Emily F. says
We have chaos in our house this year! We are in the middle of a large addition to our house (new master bedroom, current guest room turning into master bath, and expansion to make larger kitchen/seating area). The final sanding on the drywall is today plus primer, paint tomorrow morning and our cabinets going in tomorrow afternoon. Counters won’t be in until the 26th and flooring not until Jan. 7th! Sadly, we don’t have a single Christmas decoration up this year. (since the dishwasher and china hutch are in the living room where the tree usually is!)
But luckily, when being asked to bring things for the holiday parties, we’re just being asked to bring something simple like wine :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that’s exciting! Good luck with everything!
xo,
s
Jenn says
I save decorating/wrapping bits and pieces too and those, combined with leftover wrapping paper from years past, actually meant that I too didn’t have to buy anything this year!! It is a really nice feeling to just be able to wrap presents without having to make a Target run so I share in your joy. :)
Naomi W. says
Regarding Christmas dinner – If mashed potatoes are on the food list, make them ahead of time (even the day before). I add cream cheese and sour cream to them. About 4 hours before the meal, put them in a crock pot on low. Stir them about midway. When dinner is ready, you are not rushing around to finish the potatoes. Have fun. You must be a grown-up now since you are hosting!
YoungHouseLove says
I know right? Feels so “adult” of us!
xo,
s
Jennifer A says
We have a Christmas dinner for all of our in town friends every year. Last year we had 16 but this year we had 24! And we make all of the food. Some things that we have learned are 1) cook the turkey in advance, like the day before, and just heat it up (if you are having turkey)- room temp turkey is totally okay.. and 2) use crock pots for anything you can! We gathered up a couple for things like green beans and mashed potatoes so that we didn’t have to worry about them and the oven was free. We also used the crock pot liners so clean up was super fast.
Oh and definitely encourage people to take leftovers with them!! We always end up with too much stuff here.
YoungHouseLove says
Love the tips everyone! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Jen R. says
I totally save all bags, tissue paper, and ribbon…I’m a big fan of recycling items that are still perfectly good. I have a one better for you…my MIL actually wrapped gifts for our baby shower in wrapping paper that she received during the shower for my husband in 1983! I was careful to not ruin the paper and I have a stash of it saved. I’m thinking I might have to use it for scrapbooking since I doubt I’ll be use in when my son has a baby…in 2040!
Jill Stigs says
Looks great and you will do a super job hosting dinner! BTW– did you guys get the same light fixture Dana from House*Tweaking got for her dining room?
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh we can’t wait to share those details. Soon I hope!
xo
s
Emily says
We’ve hosted the family for Christmas the past 3 years. something I often found stressful was, once dinner was ready, I’d have 15 people asking me where to sit (like I care! pick a spot!). At Thanksgiving this year, I tried putting name cards at different seats. We aren’t fancy, so I was worried it wouldn’t be taken well, but everyone LOVED it and best of all I didn’t have tons of questions to field.
So that’s my advice. Do seating arrangements with name cards. (Brooklyn Limestone has some free downloadable place cards that are awesome!)
YoungHouseLove says
I love being told what to do at other people’s house (it makes me feel like I’m doing what they intend, haha) so that’s a good tip!
xo,
s
Meredith says
I like Emily’s tip! My aunt who always hosts Thanksgiving does something along the same lines. She sets out different types of plates on the buffet corresponding to different eating areas. If you pick up a china plate you’ve got a seat at the dining room table! If you pick up an “everyday” green plate you go sit at one of the folding tables set up in the living room. This way you’re “assigned” a room and everyone has a general idea of where they should sit! At least, it’s worked for my family for ~20 years :-)
Laura says
Yes, I save gift bags! My closet is filled with wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, and tissue paper. If you know of a good way to organize all of this it would be greatly appreciated! You guys are so creative. I’m sure you know something I don’t :)
Steph says
I have to laugh at you guys not counting being in the middle of a book tour a major project :)
I totally do the dollar store brown craft paper, red and white bakers twine, and stamps (for the to and from) for wrapping. Cheap and one purchase of everything lasts years!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, does the book tour count? 25 cities in around two months! But thankfully we have a nice break in the middle for the holidays :)
xo,
s
Kristin says
My #1 hosting tip is to have fun. If you’re all stressed out, your guests will pick up on it & no one will have a good time.
YoungHouseLove says
Smart tip!
xo,
s
Janette@The2Seasons says
We actually wrote a blog about this helpful hint. We wrote down little chores, like pour the water, open the wine, take coffee and dessert orders, help clear the table, help put food on the table, say grace, etc. We put them on cute little cards, placed the cards in a basket, and asked each guest to take one. They all LOVED it because they were able to help, and it eliminated some of the dinner-time crazy for the cook. It also eliminated the guilt guests have when they feel as if they should be doing something to help you.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s smart!
xo,
s
Charlotta says
I remember the post when you had bought the Aläng lamp, and the comments exploded with umlauts. Well, smorgasbord is originally a Swedish word, spelled “smörgåsbord” which literally means sandwich table :-)
That said, I really like the teacher gifts!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha I love it!
xo,
s
Katie D. says
My tip for hosting events is to have a couple of extension cords or surge protector strips out and ready by the buffett station for people who bring crockpots/ warming trays. It makes it so much easier to keep things arranged in the most effecient manner for line flow. Its also handy for people who may need to charge their cellphone part way through the day.
I always save gift bags and left over wrapping paper, but I need to get more organized cause I never remember which closet or box they are in. I end up buying more each year only to find the old ones a day or 2 later.
Lilly says
These may not sound like they go together but success is centered around two things: a good game plan and just going with the flow.
When we host a big dinner we make a list of what we’re making, how long it takes to cook, what temperature it needs to cook at or if it’s stove top, and mentally plan out which dish or pot or pan will be needed. We build what gets cooked when around those requirements (like a puzzle, yes I’m a nerd.) Obviously the more dishes other brings the easier this gets.
But more importantly, even thought I’ve somewhat obsessively scheduled what gets cooked or cleaned when, we just go with the flow. If the turkey was planned is done an hour early because I over compensated, aluminum foil is a good send. If it’s taking longer than anticipated? Pull out a board game. Plans are keys, but don’t get too wrapped up in everything actually sticking to that plan. It’s like a guideline.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips everyone!
xo,
s
Anastasia T. says
We just hosted our first “grown up” dinner with 9 people and my biggest tip is to turn the heat down, no matter how cold it is that day. With all the people buzzing around and the oven on basically all day, it gets HOT. It’s always easy to get the heat back up if need be, then to cool down a home filled with people.
Also, I made as much as I could the day before as far as things go that need to be in the oven. I just stopped when the directions got to the oven, and heated it up/browned while whatever main meat is settling out of the oven for about 30 mins.
ENJOY! It will go smoothly
YoungHouseLove says
Love the tips everyone!
xo,
s
Anne G. says
I save gift wrap, cards, and ribbons, and love coming up with creative ways to reuse them for wrapping other people’s presents! What makes this extra special is that my Grandmother used to do this, too. And, I seem to be the only one in the family who inherited this unique talent, or interest. She created the most beautiful gifts wrapped with recycled paper, ribbon, and cards. Carrying on this tradition is a way for me to keep her memory alive for my family.
YoungHouseLove says
Such a touching tradition!
xo,
s
Ofelia, México City says
At my mother’s house we save gift bags, not just for Christmas even for birthdays too…
chanie says
anytime before hosting (birthdays, holidays…), i set the table the night before and prepare all the bowls and platters on my kitchen counter with little notes in them saying which dish will go into what.
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Ginger says
Hey Guys!
Just wanted to tell you how much I love your blog and hope to get your book soon! Also, I have been thinking of changing out my white appliances to stainless steel. Do they show a lot of fingerprints? Do they dent easily as I have read? Would you recommend them? Thanks for your advice. My cabinets are currently stained. Decisions! Decisions!
YoungHouseLove says
We have this awesome clear coat on ours that make them fingerprint-proof. They came like that and totally work! They’re by Frigidaire Gallery at Lowe’s. Never had any issues with dents either. Hope it helps.
xo
s
Rainey says
This is a waaay random question considering your post is mostly about Christmas:) But, how old was Clara when she started preschool? We’re considering it for next year, but I’m still worried he won’t be ready! (He’s only 18 months now.)
Thanks – love the lantern lights and red reindeer btw!
Rainey
YoungHouseLove says
She was around 2.5 when she started. LOVES it! Seriously, she asks to go every single morning. So cute. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Terri Simmons says
Love the lanterns.
Definately set up a drink station away from the rest of the food. We always set an ice chest with ice up on a rectangular stool so you don’t have to bend way down for the ice. It will keep little hands out, too. We put out a permanent marker for marking our names on our “red solo cups”. A measuring cup makes a quick ice scoop.
We also set up the dessert table in it’s own spot. That means you have a defined area for unloading when guests arrive and you don’t have to clear the buffet to make room for the sweets. You might even consider putting them in the office on a card table.
Move your tall stools to the den and you can use the bar for a perfect buffet.
Most importantly, don’t forget the poppers. It’s not Christmas at our house without the tissue paper hats and tiny prizes.
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips everyone! Thanks so much for sharing!
xo
s
Christi says
We do a gift bag exchange after every present opening, and now it is fun to see bags from years past!
As for hosting dinner, you guys are so organized and creative it will be great! When I host more than 10 people, I like to make sure to have names/markers/ wine ornaments on their drinks (even if they do not drink alcohol) so they only use one glass!
Another project we do is have the younger members of the family make placecards as a craft. It started when I was little and it is fun to see how the writing and styles change over the years. It might not look fancy, but all of the kids love it!
One last thing I just thought of, my grandparents kept a sign in book at their home from the 1950’s until their passing and every guest had to sign it. It was such a tradition and it did not matter your age you signed it each time! It is now a family heirloom!
Happy holidays!
Also, you guys gave me the best idea for gift tags… Paint sample sheets, or what ever they are called! I picked a few and work great!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a sweet story about your grandparents and their sign in book. So cool that it goes back so many years!
xo
s
Colleen P. says
The only thing that I know works for everyone and every situation is that you will never, ever, have enough ice. Buy extra. Bags of it. You can always use it to pack coolers for all the folks that have a long drive to get home, but this rarely happens. Maybe we just drink a lot!
After that, just like others have said, start at the meal and go backwards to schedule yourself enough time for everything-it really works!
Leigh says
I am such a hoarder of all things gifty – bags, tags, paper, tissue, you name it. I haven’t bought anything like that in years. When I do buy it, I always buy it after Christmas when it’s on sale for cheap.
This is the second year in a row that we are hosting Christmas for my side of the family (we hosted both Thanksgivings as well). We clean everything really well and always have music or a holiday special playing. Last year, I DVR’d the Michael Buble special and had it running and everyone loved it, so this year, the same thing is happening. We always do a drink station away from the main food area. Food is served buffet style. Those two things free up time and make things so much easier on you. My mom is also a big fan of providing activities to keep people busy. She always has a bag full of things – pens, markers, crayons, coloring sheets, holiday crossword puzzles and silly gifts for everyone.
Hope that helps!
YoungHouseLove says
Love the tips everyone!
xo
s
Roxanne M says
Love that cookie packaging! So cute!
BTW, I saw your book for sale at one of my favorite stores in the MSP/St. Paul area..Patina! (http://www.patinastores.com/)
I of course already have a signed copy (so AWESOME meeting you guys last month). Just thought you’d like to know (maybe already know?) that an awesome little gift shop chain in town has your book for sale.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool!
xo
s
Nicole says
I love little tidbit posts like these! :0)
My holiday dinner hosting pointers are:
1. Write down your menu on a whiteboard or notepad so you can keep track of everything… for the dishes you are making, jot down ingredients you need to get, and when you need to make it. Then, add what time it should go into the oven on the day of, and at what temperature. Ask family members if they are bringing something that needs to be warmed up/cooked as well, that way you won’t run into issues trying to heat things up/keep everything hot with only one oven!
2. Along the same line, make a list (or two) of what you need to prep for in advance, and what you have to do the day of. That way when you are running around you can just check things off your list and you won’t forget anything!
Also, I didn’t have to buy any wrapping items this year either! I used little pieces of coordinating wrapping paper folded into a little card instead of gift tags because they were the only things I didn’t have.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Nicole! Love the tips!
xo
s
Lauren says
Have fun with your Christmas dinner…no potato peels down the disposal! They got me in trouble one year!
I just finished up our teacher’s gift. Would love for you to check it out: http://www.athomesweethome.blogspot.com/2012/12/party-time.html
Happy Holidays!
YoungHouseLove says
Really cute!
xo
s
Ann says
$herdog–It’s funny that you posted the picture of all your gift wraps and bags because this was the year I designated “Year of the Gift Bag”. I’ve been saving them for so long that they were starting to take over!! So as much as I love a good wrapped package, everyone got things in pretty tissue and bags for birthdays, etc. Christmas will not be the exception either. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Liz A. says
Have a great Christmas, you two! I have so enjoyed watching your professional transformation with the book, and I look forward to whatever is next. As for hosting Christmas, don’t forget to get more ice than you can possibly imagine your guests could ever need. You’ll be surprised…
Tassi says
This was our first year putting Christmas lights up outside. We just placed white ones over our large bushes and lighted garland around our door.
As for teacher gifts I made each one a lavender microwaveable heating pack. I just sew fabric into a rectangle. Then sew in four columns. Then fill with flaxseed and some dried lavender buds. Then sew up the open side. I then make a fleece pouch for each heating pack. Its super easy and the teachers love them.
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Meggan says
We’ve done Thanksgiving a few times and we host large dinner parties on a fairly regular basis (at least monthly). My biggest help is cooking whatever I can ahead of time, and reviewing the menu and recipes to figure out how long each thing takes. Then I write up a schedule of when food needs to be cooked and what needs to be in the oven, etc., so I can figure out when I have to cook each thing to make sure everything is hot and ready at the same time.
Also, it’s probably a little late for this tip, but it’s so smart I want to tell everyone… (I didn’t think of it, I read it on flylady.net). Throughout the year as you have a little extra in your grocery budget, pick up gift cards to whatever store you like to do your holiday shopping at. Then when the holidays roll around, you already have extra money set aside for those special foods and it doesn’t slam your budget as much!
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
Haha! Layne & Everett’s teachers are getting THE book too. Along with almost everyone else in our families. Shhhh…don’t tell them.
My idea was to pick a different project in the book that I thought each person being gifted would like to tackle. Then I added some inexpensive supplies to get them started and wrote a little note saying something like “Check out page #XXX for a jolly good time!”
Hope they like it. Thanks for the inspiration…and the book. It definitely made my Christmas shopping easier than usual.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so sweet Dana! Such an awesome idea to pick a project and include some getting-started supplies! Yup. You rock.
xo
s
JennP says
My kids are not in school yet, but my 2 year old is special needs and has an OT, PT and speech therapist. We got them specialty popcorn and bottles of wine. Disclaimer: I probably wouldn’t give alcohol to a school teacher, but her therapists come to our home and have become great friends of our family (and I know they all enjoy wine), so I thought it was ok ;)
LARY@ Inspiration Nook says
Wish I was Clara’s teacher to receive a signed book and cookies hehe Love the presentation :)
Abby says
Love seeing those Moravian stars! (I’m Moravian. :) It all looks so festive and fun.
Karen says
I wish I was Clara’s teacher- what a fabulous gift! Just so you know, as a teacher I always appreciate it if the parents tell me when kids help with the cookie baking process! You may adore a child, but think twice about eating a cookie that they prepared with love when 75% of the time you you look at them their finger is in their nose up to the second knuckle!
We are doing a bit of hosting this year, and I love it! On Christmas my mom and step dad are coming over in the morning because it’s my son’s first Christmas. They will leave around 11 when my dad, step mom, aunt, uncle, cousins and step sister will join us for brunch. They leave around 1 and we will go to my husbands parents house for dinner. On the 30th my step dad’s family will come over for the day(I’m actually closer to my extended family on his side than my own because I have several cousins my age, and there are also some babies my sons age so this is a highlight for me). There will be 16-20 of us and 3 under 1!
Right now we are having backsplash installed as I type this (we aren’t nearly as DIY savvy as you are and my neighbors dad is doing it for a very reasonable price). We picked out (and paid for) a nice inexpensive tile at Lowes, but it never came in. When we asked it turned out the tile was discontinued so they let us price match any glass mosaic. We ended up getting tile that was $14 per square foot for under $5! I’ve been doing a happy dance all week!
Merry Christmas, I hope Santa brings me your book!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, that’s an awesome deal! I bet it’s going to be gorgeous!
xo
s
Laura says
Just hosted my best holiday party ever, and ditto, ditto, ditto on the prep – If you cannot make ahead/freeze or finish off at the last minute, when everyone is ravenous, don’t put it on your menu!
Another thing that was super helpful, and it’s such a small thing. This year, I created a “hat & coatcheck” area in my office/study, out of sight of my guests. Since my coat closet is miniscule, it would never hold dozens of winter coats. I used to carry everything up the stairs to a spare bedroom, and leave my guests alone – how dumb! So, for $5 at the Dollar Store, buy one of those rolling (laundry?) hanging racks, and designate a guest/friend as a hatcheck person, in charge of hanging up stuff, while you stand in the foyer, looking relaxed and festive, to greet everyone when they arrive!
PS I have six full size, completely decked out theme Christmas trees this year. I know, there is probably a bad reality TV show in my future. But you showed me something I have NEVER seen or tried – a gradient color scheme. I’m inspired – Next year!!
Love and bought multiple copies of your book as Xmas gifts!
Merry, merry,
Laura
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny Laura! Merry, merry!
xo
s
Rachel says
Those teacher gifts are too cute. And I wish we had outside holiday lights! The first time we’re in a house, and we don’t have outside lights. Sigh. Next year, though.
Leyna says
Alton Brown’s mulled wine(in the crockpot in a cheesecloth bag, because who the heck has a percolator, Alton?) is easy to prepare ahead of time and makes the whole house smell sooooo yummy and festive. Plus, it’ll totally keep the “under 4” crowd super mellow! (I kid, I kid.)
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, that sounds like it smells awesome!
xo
s
Allison H. says
Sherry I can really respect your saving gift bags and ribbons. I do it myself… but this year I didn’t have to buy anything and it was really disappointing to me! Turns out I really love buying that stuff and it seems like every store I go in is screaming at me to buy some of their fancy dancy wrapping materials. I am glad you got excitement out of the re-use, I could have used some of that!
Bridget says
hosting for the holidays is so much fun, the best way to make it the most enjoyable is to plan and prep almost everything ahead of time. I make a list the week before of what needs to be done on each day leading up, and I pick meals that can be preped ahead of time (some even a few days a head of time) but still make a wow statement. I have two young kids so my time is very limited but I love baking/cooking so i have learned the hard way to be super prepared. I also make a very detailed list for the day of that includes what time each dish will go in the oven and also what serving plate will be used for it…I found this list to be essential in keeping everything running smoothly. it might sound a little intense but trust me I am one of the most laid back people and actually pretty unorganized I just learned the hard way after hosting my first thanksgiving. I have some great staple recipe suggestions if you need any. enjoy and remember to except any offers for help, it is always great when you have extra hands to help clean up.
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips guys, you’re the best!
xo
s
Momcat says
My only advice (since you asked!) for dinner is this:
Use a nice heavy paper plate or fancier plastic plates for dessert. At the end of the meal you don’t want to be facing another 20 dishes to wash/shove into the dw, and by then nobody will notice or care what the plate is made of.
Also if you plan to have paper napkins at all (like for drinks, or for dessert-tip#2!) I recommend thick, plain WHITE napkins. The printed colorful holiday napkins will bleed ink on your rugs/furniture if someone grabs one to blot up an emergency spill. Don’t ask why I know this — just trust me. Stick with plain white fancy paper napkins! Especially with the kids too.
And like on your wedding day, be sure to pause & look around, and remember the dear moments with your loved ones.
Merry Christmas!!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip about the napkins!!
xo
s
Cara says
We are doing our large family Christmas dinner and party on Saturday. I am expecting 19 adults and 7 children. The food is already prepped (I provide the basis and everyone else brings a contribution), cookies for the cookie exchange are baked, gifts are wrapped and I’ve rounded up the tables and chairs. Of course, after a week of 80 degree weather, it’s supposed to be cold on Saturday. I’ll be lighting three fires, because with this number of people we have to spill outside, and I’ve reminded everyone to bring coats. Beyond that I’m winging it.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds like you’re super prepared!!
xo
s
Lynette says
Hello! I’m a huge fan of yours and have been a loyal reader for I think … Hmm about since I was 14 in a magazine then discovered the blog and here I am still loving your blog!!! Two years later ha ha.any way I was just going to say this Christmas what I asked for was your book!! So hopefully I’ll be unwrapping a copy on the 25th.
Best Holliday wishes to your merry little family!
-B. Lynette :)
Stephanie S says
My idea for hosting is to have a simple craft for the kiddos. One year we had some little ones, so we had them make simple “place cards” for everyone. We pre-cut the shapes (trees, snowflakes, angels), then had them color and put names on them. You could even add stickers, glitter, etc. Gave the kids (and a few adults!) something to do while they were waiting for dinner or dessert.
Patti says
This year we’re giving out little terracotta planters with little Pothos plants we cut/propagate from the big one in our kitchen. That way our family will have a little piece of our home in their home. We are also painting the planters with cute sayings about family and home so it can be used year-round.
Christmas is usually at my mom’s house. I am in charge of making stuffing and pies. My mom would bake butter cookies by the hundreds and we’ll help package them to gift to our friends and neighbors. Deliciousness for all! :)