We didn't do it very often, but I so enjoyed the thrill of cleaning...decorating...menu-planning...cooking...serving...and of course I loved the fellowship with friends, colleagues, and family.
Outside of a few visits from family and the girls' birthday parties, though, we haven't hosted many people at our house over the past three years. It's just so much work...on top of everything I have going on in my little world every day...but I miss it.
On a bit of a whim, I jumped at the chance to apply to host a Shutterfly House Party. I was so excited that I was selected to showcase Shutterfly's awesome selection of holiday cards and give away coupon codes for cards and calendars to my party guests.
[I've been a huge Shutterfly fan for a number of years, so this was not a stretch!]
I had so much fun planning my menu, plotting my tablescape, and thinking about a way to wrap up the coupon cards in cute little goody bags.
Still, as last Saturday drew near, I thought more than once, "Maybe it's too early...maybe the girls are still too young for Mommy to be able to play Hostess with the Mostess."
And I was really thinking that as I was ever-so-quietly crushing miniature candy canes for peppermint bark, long past my bedtime on Friday night.
Even having gone to bed much later than usual the night before, I woke up Saturday morning with a spring in my step. I scheduled the party from 9:00 - 11:00, and I invited several of my mommy friends (thinking that would be an appropriate time for a play date / mid-morning snack).
The display table was set (featuring the sample cards from Shutterfly and the goody bags, along with a few different cards and books I've ordered from Shutterfly over the past year or so)...
...the food was made (pigs-in-a-blanket, strawberry muffins, pumpkin spice muffins, pretzel M&M's, and peppermint bark)...
...and Mommy and her co-hostesses were dressed for the occasion...
We played...
...and we crafted (this is a picture of A&B with the ornament craft they made a few days ago...I was too concentrated on foam and glue during the party to take any pictures!)...
...and one of the best parts was realizing I had all the makings of a former work team (from 2004!) at my house [plus a few little additions, of course!]...
Yes, it was stressful. Yes, it was a lot of work. But it was fun.
And it showed me that it is possible to wear a hostess badge and mom jeans at the same time. :)
[I was not compensated for writing this blog post...but, Mr. Shutterfly? if you're listening?...I certainly wouldn't be offended at an offer!]
9 comments:
I am glad to hear I am not the only one who misses the thrill of cleaning!
I've never heard of a Shutterfly party, but I do love their products, so I bet this would be a pretty cool party to host.
Your house looks wonderful, and those jeans are so not mom jeans--you look great!
I love having people over but it's way too much work.
We just discussed today about the Christmas lunch thing - and I said, "NO WAY!" :)
Please share the recipes for all your dishes on your blog so I can pin them :)
And your table looked gorgeous!
Good job! I'm glad it was fun... soon you'll be hosting things all the time again. We just went to a Shutterfly House Party too! :) Hooray for free photo books!
And, you had some pretty adorable co-hostesses! :)
How fun!!! I love to entertain too - I am proud of my home and enjoy sharing it with others. I like to hostess but I also stress out BIG time about it all when I do. We haven't hosted much here lately and don't have any plans in the near future, but the thought of it makes me want to figure out a reason to!! :-)
Looks like everyone had an awesome time! I love to host too, but you have to take a hiatus when kiddos are little, so I'm thrilled you were able to host again! Good for you! =)
I love to entertain too but haven't since having Ave & Bryce! Great idea for a party...sounds like so much fun and the food...yummy! Love the "goody bags" too! :)
Happy Weekend!
What fun! And--what adorable hostesses! :)
I love to play hostess too! I used to fix the most elaborate meals (with courses). Then---the girls came along :)
I so much love the fellowship that happens over meals, that I've just greatly toned down what I prepare in order to still have people over. One time, when the girls were small, we had calzones. I provided fillings, and everyone stuffed their own. It was easy, fun, and took the pressure off me having to do anything other than chop up some veggies.
What I've had to accept, is that being a hostess doesn't mean that everything has to be perfect. When you invite people over, you let them see "you" even if it's not perfect, or it gets messy sometimes. Gulp! :)
Oh, and those are no mom-jeans, Mandy! You look amazing! :)
Sounds like a great party.
haha, I love it, like it's 2004-and that's a LONG time ago now!! so sad.
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