Do not freak out yet, I promise I did not completely skip over Thanksgiving. After all, Thanksgiving might be one of my favorite holidays. Though let me enlighten you on something “southern”: football is a real big deal. That means a free weekend isn’t common; and weddings, parties, showers are not really TOPS on anyones priority list. Not to mention, come the late fall, people have super busy schedules. Nevertheless, there is always reason to celebrate, even when the theme is somewhat premature! On that note, let’s throw a party. Now I do not know about you, but the chance to create an invitation really gets my blood flowing! If it seemed at all practical I would be the one to design a card and send out something saying “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” or “Happy Summer”. I mean just think, the hand addressed envelopes that show up in your mailbox are those pieces of mail that you are really excited to open!! Not bills or junk mail that are not attractive in any way form or fashion. So this past week we sent some “surprise” mail to friends in celebration of sweet Auburn girls’ engagement. What better than a “Deck the Halls” Bridal Christmas Shower!

I designed the invites in IllustratorCS4, printed them on glossy paper, mounted them on a sage green card stock, hand addressed the matching envelopes, slapped on a stamp, and out they went! With the invites out, a clean house and decorations in the works. We hung a green wreath over the dining room buffet, with a little added touch of yellow spiraea.

Then the stockings were hung in honor of the soon to be married couple!

The punch cups were cleaned,

and the food was prepared! I must note that I did not make these “cake bites”, they are a Birmingham party staple. I ordered 5 dozen and drove them all the way (2 hours) to the party WITHOUT even sneaking in the box to snitch one of these babies, and they smelled delicious!

A healthy touch accompanied this yummy sweetness on the table. Mom created a homemade asparagus christmas tree as the centerpiece. It was a lot of work, and she might not opt to do this again, but it turned out really pretty. The asparagus is attached to an oasis foam cone center with floral wire. The top is adorned with red berries from the local wholesale florist, and yellow spiraea and berries anchor the bottom.

The party was fun, and all “people” pictures I will have to gather from the other hostesses. Oops…I must of been preoccupied, and my camera was not strapped around my neck as usual. A Canon camera really isn’t the most attractive necklace with a fancy dress anyway. The wedding party was lots of fun, thanks to everyone that joined us for a special reason to celebrate!