The Christmas Party and Sunday Morning Coffee

Last night, our home was filled with the joy, laughter, and holiday spirit of 150 of our closest family and friends as we hosted our 37th annual Christmas party.

Although the party is over, I am writing this just before our party is about to begin. The anticipation is building, and I can’t help but reflect on how much this tradition means to us. Also, thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.

Dining table display with cake stands, floral arrangements in vases, and a "Merry Christmas" sign. Christmas tree and wreaths visible in the background near tall windows.

Season 4 Volume 50

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About Me

Celebrating 37 Years of Holiday Cheer: Our Christmas Party

Decorated dining room with a wooden table set for a meal, featuring white plates, a centerpiece, small decorative trees, and a flocked Christmas tree by a window. — The dining room table with each serving piece labeled with the food item!

As much as I hoped to write this post after our party before this blog post was published, there wasn’t enough time (only about three hours). And to be honest, I knew I would be too exhausted to even think about adding new photos. But that’s ok, as I will share party prep, menus, and more here on my blog this Tuesday!

A cozy living room decorated for Christmas, featuring a large tree, floral arrangements, and a view of the outdoors through a window. There's a wooden table and staircase in the foreground.

Hosting a party of this scale is no small feat, but it’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season and unite those we love. Over the past few weeks, my kitchen has been a whirlwind of activity as I prepared all the food for the party. This year’s menu features 14 appetizers and six desserts, each chosen to offer something for everyone while embracing the festive spirit of Christmas.

A Christmas tree with red ornaments stands by a staircase decorated with garland in a warmly lit hallway.

Adding to the magic of the evening, our boys, daughters-in-law, my son’s girlfriend, and our grandson flew in to join us for the party. Having them here made the night even more special. Seeing our family together, celebrating and enjoying the festivities, was the best gift I could have asked for.

A festive wreath with pine cones, red berries, and green foliage captures the essence of a Christmas morning breakfast, arranged beautifully in a circular pattern.

Christmas Wreath

Red berry stems covered in artificial snow arranged in a cluster.

Frosted Red Holly Berry Picks, 16 Pcs

Kurt Adler Ornaments

Party Menu

Here’s a sneak peek at the menu I’ve prepared:

A dining table set with plates, serving dishes, utensils, and a decorative centerpiece. The room is warmly lit and features large windows and wooden chairs.

Appetizers

Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Lemon-Horseradish Aioli
Turkey with Cranberry-Orange Muffins
Tomato Bisque with Grilled Cheese
BLT Tomatoes
Skewered Chicken with Peanut Sauce
Artichoke Dip in Won Ton Shells
Crab Cakes with Lemon Dill Sauce
Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bites
Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Topping
Brie Cups with Pomegranates
Cranberry Brie Bites in Puffed Pastry
Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
Caprese Wreath

Desserts

Chocolate Caramel Cookies
Peanut Butter Fudge
Frosted Sugar Cookies (Wreaths and Packages)
Double Mint Chocolate Cookies
Coconut Cupcakes with Candy Trees
Hazelnut Fudge Cups

Cooking all this has been a labor of love, but I couldn’t do it alone. One of the secrets to the success of our party is the incredible crew that helps us bring everything together. They’ve been working with us for 19 years and feel like family.

On the evening of the party, Craigs Crew takes over the kitchen to cook and serve everything I’ve prepared, ensuring everything is perfectly timed and beautifully presented. They also manage cleanup, a lifesaver after such a large gathering!

A decorated Christmas tree sits by a fireplace with three festive stockings hanging. The mantle is adorned with pinecones, and a large landscape painting hangs above.

Our Christmas party is more than just an event—it’s my gift to our friends and family and my favorite gift to give every year. Over the years, it’s become a space to celebrate old friendships, create new memories, and enjoy the warmth and comfort of the holiday season.

From the delicious food to the festive decorations and laughter echoing through our home, it’s a night we look forward to all year.

I’m excited to share the party food prep and recipes this Tuesday! Whether planning your holiday gathering or looking for festive inspiration, I hope these recipes and tips will bring as much joy to your home as they do to ours.

As I finalize the last details and prepare to welcome our guests, I’m reminded of the true meaning of Christmas—coming together to share love, joy, and gratitude. Here’s to another magical evening and the continuation of a cherished tradition!

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

Milk White 6″ Mosser Glass Cake Stand

Bamboo Cutting Board

Silicone Muffin Pan

My Latest Project

Room with a large table covered in gift wrapping materials and boxes. Christmas trees and decorations are in the background.

I have had a temporary wrapping station in our living room throughout December.

You might remember this table. It used to be in the room behind this area (now our new sitting room) and needed a temporary home. So, we moved the table, and it became our wrapping area!

A table cluttered with assorted wrapping papers, ribbons, scissors, tape, and neatly stacked envelopes in a living room with artwork on the wall in the background.

I thought I would wrap our gifts on the third floor, but then I realized it would be hard to carry them up two floors and back down again! This is so much easier, and I am already done with my wrapping!

Five rolls of sheer ribbon in maroon, red, green, teal, and gold are elegantly arranged in a row, perfect for adding a touch of flair to gift wrapping.

5 Rolls Holiday Color Organza Ribbon

A roll of red metallic adhesive vinyl, perfect for gift wrapping, partially unrolled on a white surface.

Red Metallic Wrapping Paper, XL Roll

Six rolls of Scotch Magic Tape, perfect for gift wrapping, featuring green plaid design on dispensers, neatly placed on a white box labeled “Scotch Magic Tape.”

Scotch Magic Tape, 6 Rolls

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Relax. Put my feet up and eat leftovers from the Christmas party.
Pack up and get ready to celebrate Christmas with our family. I cannot wait!
Needlepoint, read, and work on the new changes at My 100 Year Old Home for 2025. I can’t wait to share everything with you.

A flat lay of wrapped gifts with blue and gold paper, ribbon, and Christmas ornaments. Includes a Santa mug, small decorations, and festive tags.

Here are some last-minute Printable Holiday Gift Tags!

Pink macramé in progress with a wooden dowel, gold-handled scissors, pink rope, and a 12-foot tape measure on a white surface.

Have you ever tried macrame? I love this, How To Macrame: A Step By Step Guide For Beginners.

Spacious living room with vaulted ceiling, modern chandelier, cream sofas, a coffee table with flowers, and a fireplace. Artwork and windows adorn the white-paneled walls.

This Is the (Unexpected!) Living Room Layout Designers Can’t Get Enough of for 2025.

A woman in a white sweater and jeans stands by a home coffee bar with a small fridge, coffee machine, mugs, and decor on white cabinetry and wooden shelves.

Here are Home Decor Trends 2025: and How to Get Them on a Budget.

A gray bungalow-style house with a wooden front door, manicured lawn, potted plants, and a concrete pathway under a partly cloudy sky.

This Is the Most Popular House Color for 2025.

Folded beige towel with a textured surface, placed on a white background.

Snuggle Sac Buttery Ivory Throw Blanket for Couch

Three spools of ribbon in red, white, and green are displayed beside a brown box labeled "Velvet Ribbon," perfect for adding a touch of Christmas joy to any festive decoration.

Christmas Velvet Ribbon

Three pairs of scissors with colored handles - purple, green, and gray with orange - perfect for gift wrapping projects. Each is labeled "Amazon Basics," ensuring reliability and style.

Soft-Grip Scissors, 3-Pack

And what a week it was!

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Spring Cleaning and Sunday Morning Coffee
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Best Easter Brunch Egg Dish: Loaded French Onion Frittata
Easter brunch is one of those special meals where the table is complete, the laughter is loud, and the food is nothing short of spectacular. If you want to wow your guests with something savory, cheesy, and unforgettable, let me introduce…
The Best Spring Pillow DIY – A Handmade Spring
There are certain projects that start as an idea and quietly turn into something you love far more than you expected, and this Spring pillow is exactly that. As part of my A Handmade Spring series, I wanted to create something…
DIY Clay and Metallic Foil Easter Eggs
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Green Bormioli Glass

A stack of folded red and white kitchen towels with varying patterns, including stripes and solids.

Large Cotton Kitchen Towels

Ruffled Edge Loaf Pan

A white ceramic cylindrical container with a smooth finish and a rounded edge is shown, perfect for adding a touch of Christmas joy to your holiday decor.

Utensil Crock/Vase

Hammered Copper Bowl

Hansleep Quilt Set

Baked Brie with decorative pastry leaves on a slate board, partially sliced, beside fresh apple wedges and a knife.

Martha shared 23 Christmas Appetizers to Kick Off All Your Festive Celebrations.

Last Minute Shopping – S4/V49
Seventeen Days Until Christmas – S4/V48
Christmas Party Preparation – S4/V47
Black Friday Shopping – S4/V46
A Nutcracker Christmas – S4/V45
Handmade Mercury Glass Ornaments – S4/V44
Gift Wrapping Ideas – S4/V43
The Holiday Season – S4/V42
Family Moments – S4/V41
Holiday Shopping – S4/V40
Getting Settled – S4/V39
Grandma Tips – S4/V38
Biking in France – S4/V37
New York City – S4/V36
Decorating for Fall – S4/V35
Preparing For a Trip – S4/V34
The Best Summer – S4/V33
Sisters at the Beach – S4/V32
Ready for Fall Decor – S4/V31
Traveling with Girlfriends – S4/V30
Summer Dinner on the Beach – S4/V29
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Family Time – S4/V27
Prepping My Craft Room – S4/V26
Summer Decor Ideas – S4/V25
A Trip to France – S4/V24
A Surprise Birthday Celebration – S4/V23
A Big Birthday Week – S4/V22
Summer is Here – S4/V21
Family Week – S4/V20
Lessons From My Mom – S4/V19
The Willamette Valley Wineries – S4/V18
A Week in Ventura Beach – S4/V17
A Birthday Celebration – S4/V16
Enjoying Spring – S4/V15
Family Gatherings – S4/V14
Ventura Beach – S4/V13
Embracing Spring – S4/V12
Vintage Shopping – S4/V11
My Texas Trip – S4/V10
Why I Love Gardening – S4/V9
A Beach House Tour One Year Later – S4/V8
Why I Gave Up Desserts 8 Years Ago – S4/V7
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home – S4/V6
Home Projects – S4/V5
Why I Love Serena and Lily – S4/V4
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The New Year – S4/V1

I can’t believe Christmas is this week, and it’s time to start winding down the year. I can’t wait to share creative ways to share your holiday cards and my Christmas party menus and recipes. I am also sharing some top ten lists for 2024, which include home decor, crafts, and Amazon finds.