Jen spent 5 days getting this room just right for the big dinner. Labelled blue and silver crackers were used as placecards, each one containing a personalised note about a small donation made to a suitable charity. White roses, freesias and tulips in blue vases, and blue candles and candlesticks provided the centrepieces. Even the tree in this room was decorated in blue and white.
Sadly we didn’t manage to get a single photo during the actual dinner, so you’ll just have to imagine fourteen adults and a baby around the tables loaded with delicious food.
Jen made sure the rest of the house was equally festive, with the three trees loaded with presents, and fourteen stockings hanging all around the house, including these decorating our staircase. Various elves ran around the house after dinner (yes, we did things in a weird order) filling the stockings to overflowing. One person even ended up getting two stockings, and mine got refilled after I’d almost emptied it once the next morning.
Generally my cooking day was a relaxed affair, except for the last thirty minutes after the turkey came out of the oven when things got a little hectic. It always seems to be at that point when everyone decides to come hang out in the kitchen, but even that didn’t faze me too much. Everything came together nicely though, with all the food arriving hot at the table.
Our friend Kim was the only non-family visitor, and she didn’t know many of the others, but she managed to make herself at home and chat with everybody, including granny.
A pull-along dog made by a local artist was a big hit with baby Simon, who received boxloads of loot, including his very own stocking.
After most of the crowds had left, Dan, Susan and Simon stayed with us for a few more days, giving Jen (and me) more time to bond with our new nephew.
It looks and sounds like it was a fantastic day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both!