Several years ago I was searching for festivities that would replace Christmas parties so mom could celebrate the season in style, while staying home. I came upon the idea of an all-girls’ Christmas Movie Night. My daughter and granddaughter are local. My sister and her daughter live a little more than three hours away. So we made it a weekend – celebrating the first annual Christmas season kickoff for mom’s benefit several years ago.
My sister and I love a good theme to direct our gatherings and the Annual Girls’ Christmas Movie Weekend is no exception. The first year was “Let it Snow” – everyone received a Christmas or winter-theme throw as a favor. Our goodies included snowflake cookies, along with other yummy snacks. Glitter was everywhere. And we watched White Christmas.
Another year’s theme was Slumber Party. Each lady received pajamas. One year was Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the favors became robes, sleeping masks, lip gloss and fake jewelry. There were a few others up until last year when we went full-on Grinch! Green everywhere, including the punch. And of course we watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas. My sister got mom an animated Grinch doll. Mom laughed every time it danced across the floor. She showed every hospice visitor and anyone else who stopped in to say hello.
Sadly, mom will not be with us this year. To continue the tradition but in an attempt to lighten our spirits, the weekend has been moved to my sister’s home. My daughter, granddaughter, and I will travel on a Friday morning, arriving in time for lunch and some Christmas shopping. Afterwards we will build gingerbread houses (from kits!) and watch a movie. You may guess our theme is Gingerbread this year.
My favors will be glass “cans” with metal reusable straws from 1Canoe2 which are adorned with gingerbread houses. Staying in that vein, I have included gingerbread shaped and flavored marshmallow from Walmart (the only place I could find them!); gingerbread men hot cocoa bombs from Target; gingerbread themed cupcake papers; and a gingerbread figure ornament. Items fit neatly into cute gingerbread house bags I found at Hallmark. Gift tags are miniature gingerbread ornaments on which I wrote each person’s name.
Each of us bring some kind of favor – a small gift that accompanies the theme. How fun it is to discover our creativity in selecting our respective favors.
Of course the best part is to have some girl time with sisters, daughters, nieces, aunts. Sorry, guys. You are on your own for the weekend. My grandson will house sit and my son-in-law will keep their fur babies company. Admittedly, I leave a special little “something” for them, too. And we will raise a glass – of gingerbread cocoa – to our mom who is now an angel, looking down on us and laughing.
Silver Sage Sisters 