It’s New Year’s Eve and seriously, what’s better than celebrating at home with your crew? (Probably a few things, like perhaps eating fresh crab on the beach in Bali…) But well, those other options aren’t always possible, so welcoming in the new year at home is a pretty sweet choice. Make it a pajama party?! Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Our little gathering here, will be super cozy, low-key and filled with comfort… like yummy finger food, hot cocoa, silly games. The stuff that makes me feel happy and good.
In our house, we’ll be having a big ol’ plate of ribs and mac n’ cheese! I may even throw in a veggie or two, because dessert will be one of my favorites, cinnamon rolls!! Num, num, num.
So, we’ll be celebrating low key… but here are a few other fun ideas I spotted. I may just have to pull a fast one and give some a try!!
Yesterday I was at the office delivering goodies and hugs, saying Happy Holidays… you know, spreading my cheer with people I love. My friend says, You can say Merry Christmas, we won’t be offended!! And I thought, you know what, you’re right! I celebrate Christmas. It’s pretty cool. Why not just say, Merry Christmas? It’s not like it’s a secret or anything.
So ya, that just happened. And even if you don’t celebrate the same way/thing I do, it’s all good. When it’s Hanukkah, please (OH PLEASE!) wish me a Happy Hanukkah. Kwanza?! Yes! I love parties, gifts, celebrating of ANY and ALL kinds. I will even toast to your un-birthday and bring a gift to your dogs wedding. It’s what brings joy and I’m all about that.
How about some photos? I literally just snapped these a few minutes ago.
In case you are scratching your head, yes my kids are watching Ninja Turtles while I type this. It’s going down. right. now.
Cards are still being put up and the dining table is pretty bare, but at least the music is loud and stuff is smelling gooooood.
So with that I’ll leave you. Well, after a bit of Stevie Wonder’s Someday…
Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free
Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life’s really worth
There’ll be peace on earth
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas we’ll see a Man
No hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
Our world where people care
Someday at Christmas there’ll be no tears
All men are equal and no men have fears
One shinning moment my heart ran away
From our world today
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Hate will be gone love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart
(Someday all our dreams will come to be)
(Someday in a world where men are free)
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime
Blessings my friends!! Thank you for enjoying the journey with me.
Remember how I said that one of my bff’s is preggo? I know, it’s totally all I’ve been yammering about. Well, guess who is throwing her one totally le chic baby shower?!?!? Yes! It’s me!!
And how did I come up with this good-time-guaranteed theme? It kinda came to me while we were discussing what sign Little Miss was going to be. Aquarius. The age of Aquarius?!?!? Wow, so perfect. Right?!
The way to really introduce a theme to guests is definitely with the invitation. They will know if this is going to be a party worth driving 20-30 miles for… I think these definitely give the impression that it’s going to be a fête not to be missed!!
Wanna make some?
Okay, so here’s what you’ll need –
Paper (I got the pink and purple from Joann’s and the shimmer and glitter from Michael’s) Make sure that the paper is not too textured for the foiled areas
First off, go and visit Jenny here. I had seen her feature awhile back and loved the idea! I just expanded on it… Man, this would be good for the holidays.
The hardest and most important part is to design your invitation. This took me quite some time, but I’ll give you my templates here… please tweak them for your own use. I also hand drew in some dots before making copies.
Did you notice how Jenny said that you HAD to use a certain ink?! Please make that notation because I had to print parts at home and parts at the office, since I wanted color and the right ink. I’m so demanding.
Grab those honeycomb balls and spray them with glitter – they are your disco balls.
I used a paper clip to keep them open. It just adds a little sumthin-sumthin.
Obvs, print out your invites and trim them to size. Prep EVERYTHING first. So key, you guys.
Cut your foil in advance too. It really helps.
With your basics prepped you can set up a work station. Turn on the laminating machine and while each invite goes through, you can fold envelopes, invitations and glue in your envelope shimmer, which I made by making a template first from an envelope.
Okay, this is important. Once the foiled piece comes out of the laminating machine – DON’T TOUCH IT. Let it cool. Put it to the side. No touch. Got it? It will peel better that way.
Once I had the front and backs attached with adhesive, I used the puncher for pizazz. I like that word, pizzzaaaaazzzzzzzz, jazz hands!
So, so shiny. I love this technique!
Then put in the disco ball. That’s right, put the ball in the crack. Giggle.
For the stuff that you didn’t plan for, please make at least 10 extra. I don’t know why but some of my foiled fronts didn’t come out perfectly. And, AND!! When I went to seal up the goodies, I had to add some pink duct tape to the back…. I just happened to have some stashed. I wasn’t happy about the idea (at all) but I really didn’t want the invitations opening up en route and not getting delivered. That would have been bad.
Does this make you want to boogie down?
Everyone got a unique invitation because of the different colored “disco balls” and varied papered I choose. It’s kinda fun that way!
So that’s about it!! Now I’m off to finish up some more planning for the actual event…so much to do, so little time!
