This year we decided to throw a dessert holiday party (copying the fabulous idea from Laurel’s Pie Party). I used the party as an excuse to add a few more whimsical touches to my Christmas decorations. If you follow me on Twitter you would have heard I decided to change our tree the DAY OF the party. I know, crazy, right? But I find I work best under pressure… I liked my colorful rainbow ribbons that I had also used last year, but wasn’t in love with it again this year. I needed something different. 
I attempted the whole blue, gold, and silver thing but it just didn’t look like me. Too department store. I also have a hard time NOT putting our ornaments up that we have collected over the years. So I was able to find a happy medium…still chic…but still cozy home-ish…I threw some pink and yellow lace and a fabric banner to add to the color…and then some paper snowflakes, and glittering ornaments for a shabby chic sparkle. I love how full and fluffy it feels. 
Presents wrapped and under the tree with my $2 pink and white stripped wallpaper roll from the thrift store. And you have to love the handmade ornaments from elementary school…I was totally sporting that tie die in the 80’s! 
The snowflakes are by far my favorite…cut out by a whole bunch of fourth graders at a school I recently subbed for! They were very enthusiastic to help make my party extra snowy!
For the party, each guest was asked to bring a dessert to share and then voted for their favorite of the night. 
One of the snowflakes I found even had a special note inside…how sweet is that!
Instead of Christmas cards, the last two years we have put together brown paper bags of baked goods along with a picture of us to give out to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers we see regularly {because you all know how I feel about paying for paper cards and invitations that will only get thrown away}. Our paper bag treats are simple, chic, and inexpensive. 
Having desserts to share provided opportunity for conversation amongst guests meeting for the first time. Whenever we host parties where our “worlds collide” I like to have some form of activity for people to engage in {last year we had sugar cookies for guests to decorate}.
The dessert voting ended in a tie so my dear-recently-given-birth-to-her-first-child-sister-in-law-who-couldn’t-stomach-chocolate-her-entire-pregnancy broke the tie with her food network style judging. 
It was very much a Bobby Flay throw down…
By far one of our most fun parties yet…and blessed to have such wonderful family, friends, and neighbors. And if you don’t want to bake, this is a great way to receive an overabundance of delicious homemade treats…yes, I had brownies for breakfast… :)
