Tuesday, January 8

Is it too late for a Holiday Party?

(Mistle-tip-toe)

Did you attend any Holiday Party this year? We actually did not, albeit that would have been really fun—in the right setting, that is—one done with some class and finesse. In fact, you know, I don't think I've actually ever been invited to a proper New Year's Eve Party! I do recall, some wonderful Christmas parties that my mother hosted. Though, being single, no one seemed to ever invite her anywhere, but loving to host, she'd invite a skew of fascinating friends to fabulous shindigs at our home over the holidays. My sister and I would walk around serving silver trays of nuts, dates and figs, or sausage rolls and cheese, and so forth. We had such a great time.

One of my particularly fond memories was how my mother placed mistletoe strategically above the inside front door so that whenever a someone rang the doorbell, she'd dash downstairs and promptly invite them in, "Dahhhling, do come in! It's frightfully cold outside..." At which point she'd feign surprise and cheekily look up at the mistletoe ball hanging overhead and exclaim, "Oh!" Of course, the gentlemen would always oblige a kiss, sometimes much to the chagrin of their accompanying wife. My mother—such a flirt—in the sweetest, almost child like way. But always very proper whilst exuding glamour, class and her distinct feminine charm. For some reason that memory just gives me such a kick. Mama was anything but a wallflower—larger than life... in more ways than one, yet, importantly, never once was she ever vulgar or inebriated. Again, charm to the 'nth degree. This piece then is my ode to those jolly Christmas/Holiday parties in Fulham all those years ago.

So, let's get this party rolling shall we? I'm, of course, going to have to bring a silver tray of sausage rolls and warmed up mince pies. Meanwhile, how about you show us your own contributions? Do tell some holiday party story whilst at it, would you? Such fun!

Thanks for playing along... and Happy New Year! :)

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23 comments

  1. Michael,

    I think our old Sunday School class had a new year's party but that's been too many years ago to remember for sure. I generally do not like parties. I prefer to stay home for a quiet celebration with the family. Of course, the kids are grown and off doing their own thing now, so it's just DH and myself who ring in the new year. That's always nice, too. I'm sharing it with the one person I love the best! :)

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    1. I think you had a grand time yourselves actually. Yes, I'm rather the same with parties ..unless they aren't noisy and I can truly chat with others, etc.

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  2. We had a lovely extended family party at Christmas but I rarely host anything myself anymore, hubby thinks it is so much work.

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    1. Your mistletoe is so beautiful Michael, love the greens.

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    2. Thank you, Christine! :) Yes, hosting can only be done if both people are into that, otherwise it really is exhausting. I've done a lot of that but have always wished my particular place was a bigger venue since we nver seem to hve enough room. :)

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  3. I am off to take care of the big birds again, so I will come back later in the day to see your finished product. I am sorry you haven't been invited to a proper New Years Eve party, but perhaps that will still happen as you are still young ... and perhaps you won't want to because it is okay to celebrate at home with your loved ones as I do. Parties are not always what they are cracked up to be :) Your Mother sounds like a wonderful lady and I too got to serve and take coats and even mingle at my parents parties ... once my sister and I opened the door and took coats at a party fiven by my father's Department Head in his very big lavish home ... we had to be quite proper, though we were giggling between ourselves for one reason or another. That was many years ago and you brought that fun memory back to mind ... thank you for that. Well, I am off, have a wonderful day Micheal ...

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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    1. That sounds delightful, Andrea. Thank you for sharing those sweet memories. I am such a homebody but with it, it's harder to make the effort to go all out as one does when having guests over so I do enjoy that too....more than going elsewhere, actually. :)

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  4. After hearing so much history of your dear mum when we had time to sit comfortably at Little Bird Cafe that day (such a lovely memory), I can visualize her throwing wonderful parties. . . . . . . . . and of course adorable, curly-headed you, carrying a silver tray of sausage rolls, haha!

    Hope the new year has started well for you, Alexandra, and Brendel, and that your new residence will soon be ready. Warm hugs from us both.
    Mary xx

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    1. Michael, I love your 'kissing ball' - mistletoe always makes a party doesn't it, and especially the ones back in good old Fulham!!!!

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    2. Indeed, indeed, dear Mary. :) Thank you.

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  5. It's nice to have such great memories Michael! :) You had me at sausage rolls lol...haven't had those in years! Alex and I stayed home, just the two of us and the pets. We had a very nice time, it was quiet and snowy! :) I'll be back a little later to check out your scribble and visit the others! :)

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    1. Nice illustration! And I loved reading the story of your flirty mum! :)

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    2. My mothere wasn't over the top flirty but the perfect balance--something I did not properly explain here I suppose. Ha. Anyway, your New Year's sounds wonderfully serene. Perfect really.

      Thank you!

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  6. Happy New Year to you and Alexandra, Michael! All the very best for 2019!

    New Year's Eve parties have always been huge in my family being from our Scottish heritage — we even did the 'first-footing' every year. Our NYE parties were even bigger than Christmas which was mostly for the kids. There would always be a big family party although, as the years have gone by and our kids became adults, the big parties have been replaced with everyone doing their own thing with smaller parties. My eldest son and I usually stay awake all night to greet the dawn of the new year. Something I get quite emotional about for some reason.

    Anywhoo, it sounds like your Mother's Christmas parties were very enjoyable! I can't wait to see your illustration so we can find out what your Mother placed...

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    1. Your Mother sounds like she was so much fun at parties! I love the story of her hanging the mistletoe at the front entrance. hehe Great memories for you. :)

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    2. Oooops...almost forgot...love your illustration too! Perfect for the theme.

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    3. Hee hee. So true. She was indeed. Thank you.

      Your New Year's Eve party memories sound fantastic, Serena. I love too how you get a bit emotional with each year's passing. I'm that way too for the most part. It's good to remember each season for the gift it is, now matter how hard too.

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  7. Wow ... this is a change for you, and I love it. As for the kiss, can't reach you from here, but would give you a kiss in a minute if you were here :) I am leaving for Thailand for two weeks this Sunday, so won't be here for the next Scribble Picnic. But, as I see you haven't posted the next prompt, I won't know what I am missing ... maybe it is better that way :) Happy New Year Michael ... somehow I think this is going to be a good one for you and Alexandra ...

    Andrea @ From The Sol (again)

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, Andrea. You're sweet. Love it.

      Wow, Thailand?! Looking forward to hearing about that adventure! Good luck.

      I just posted the new theme which, yes, you will miss. Sorry for that delay. It would have been fun to see what you would have done for it too. :(

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  8. It sounds like you have some great memories of those parties that your mother threw. Isn't it great to look back with such enjoyment. Your kissing ball is beautiful. I love the color combination and those white berries are spectacular. I almost didn't make it tonight - thank goodness I saw Christine's Instagram post this morning to remind me. Wishing you and Alexandra a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

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    1. I'm so glad you did too and thank you, Lorraine!

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  9. Two weeks gone by again, already? I've nothing to contribute this time... will blame it on the fact that we just had two of our Christmas celebrations this past Saturday and Sunday (wonderful times with family!) Then it was time to get the tree down and all the decorations put away in preparation for this Saturday's baby shower for our youngest daughter and her husband. Their first child–our sixth grandchild–is due in February!

    Love your mistletoe!

    We've almost always done something to celebrate New Year's. As a child my parents often hosted a party at the parsonage with some of the church families. If not that, we'd at least stay up and play board games. For many years my husband and I got together with a few other couples to see the new year in, heading out the door with our right foot just after midnight to get the year started off on the right foot. (I presume this is what Serena refers to as "first-footing".) Then we'd promptly (it's almost always freezing cold out!) go back in for breakfast before heading home. This year we realized we could just be standing on our right foot at midnight and still get the year started right! :-)

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    1. I love what you wrote here, Jolene. Fab memories. Yes, I had not heard of first-footing but am sure you're right there. What an interesting tradition which I don't think my stamina could have kept up with! ha. Happy New Year to you. Never mind on missing out on our picnics as you are having your own wonderful gatherings there. Lovely.

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