I’ve taken a little time off this week since we’ve been busy with the holidays and then Madelyn got sick, so I’m playing catch up now.  I hate to share this post after Christmas has already come and gone, but I like to have these for my own memories!  I often look back at these each year as I’m pulling everything out to decorate for the holidays.  Here’s a look at our Christmas decor this year and a recap of our annual girls dirty Santa party at my house.  It’s always a fun time with great company!  I’m hoping to have our Christmas recap up tomorrow.

The Decor

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The Food & Drinks

I always love putting out an easy cheese board as an appetizer for people to nibble on and I always think they look pretty.  The truth is, it hardly ever gets picked on at this party though because everyone is so busy gabbing!!  We also had a little chicken, brie and cranberry appetizer that I thought would be an easy one-bite app and looked really festive with the cranberry sauce, but it was not a hit.  I didn’t love the cranberry sauce, it was a little bitter; so I won’t share the recipe with you guys.  Just one of those occasional Pinterest fails 🙂

We served Shrimp Creole as the main course, had a salad and some roasted vegetables and a few pick-up desserts.  I made the same punch as last year because it was such a hit.  Mrs. Holiday Punch and wine for the guests.

The Girls

It’s such a fun group every year and the dirty santa is so much fun to watch (and participate).  I feel like each year we are all striving to bring the best gift which makes it that much more fun when choosing what we want to bring home.  All the gifts are awesome!! We make the limit $40 which seems to be a great amount each year, although I may have to bump it up to $50 next year.  I think a lot of girls spend that anyway, but it’s always fun when you can snag something on sale!!

These were a few cute hostess gifts I received and loved.  It can be tough sometimes to come up with a good gift besides wine (which is always a hit too), so I thought I would share! I made this print out of our rules last year.  Everyone plays a little different, but it’s nice to have clear rules as you start the game so there is no confusion 🙂

You can save this image and print them:

If you’re working and reading blogs this week, link up with Natalie and I for the last Thoughts for Thursday of the year!