Our Early Family Christmas Celebration in Florida

Since we just got back from a 2 week trip from Europe, John could not take off for Christmas and could only come for a long weekend so we decided to celebrate early with the kids and grandkids. It was held last Saturday at our Florida home.

 

We now have 12 grandchildren after the arrival of the youngest one last week, Watson Sage. Except for the oldest, AJ, who is 15  years old, all the others are still pretty young so I got some Christmas paper plates too for them to use. For the adults, we used Old Britain Castles Christmas plates.

I cooked and baked everything so was I ever so relieved when I was setting the last food on the table.

 I baked the night before and cooked the morning of the party. We had a lunch buffet.

 

I placed a green MacKenzie Childs plate charger under every dish just to catch any food drippings and to protect the table since I did not use a table cloth.

 I did not have any Christmas decorations here prior to my arrival on Dec. 10, but I found a few from Publix while I was grocery shopping, and also bought some from the Dollar Store, Kohl's and Homegoods. Those Christmas trees on the centerpiece were from Publix.

 I baked some chocolate chip and raisin oatmeal cookies and found the star shaped chocolates from HG. I used the Old Britain Castle Christmas Tree salad plates for desserts. The kids used the small paper plates.

I brought the pierced Christmas table runner from our Natchez home. I originally bought it from Belize during one of our Caribbean travels.

 John could only join us for a long weekend. He is already back home working but I am staying until the 28th. I did not want to leave him alone at Christmas but there is so much to do here and he said he scheduled surgery cases on Christmas eve so he will be busy anyway.

 The weather was so nice, low 80's, sunny and breezy so we all ate on the back porch.

 This is the first time we got all the children and grandchildren together under one roof and they were so happy to play together. We see them every now and then and they come for a visit but never together until this past weekend.

After lunch, my youngest daughter Tina had them decorating cookies.

 Here is everybody minus John and me. We would have taken one with us too but it was a real challenge keeping the little ones together for a photo.

So we just took one with the kids and their spouses. Of course some of the grandkids ran to join their parents, lol. One was sick so he could not join us.

 All the 12 grandkids below.

It was hard work but definitely a special day. Thank you for stopping by. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and safe New Year!!!

 

Linking with these gracious hostesses. (Thanks y'all!!)

Make it Pretty Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/
The Scoop (Tuesday)

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

Marty's Inspire Me Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Kathy's A Return To Loveliness

http://adelightsomelife.com

One More Time Eventshttp://www.onemoretimeevents.com

Paula's What's It Wed

 http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wed

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Kathleen's Let's Dish

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

 Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Sarah's Homemaking Link Party
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/