Monday, December 18, 2017

Champagne and Christmas Lanterns

The weekend before Christmas I like to host a small luncheon for a couple
of special friends.  Making time for Christmas is the key to making sure I get to
stop and smell the roses during this hectic season.  We also do a gift swap and this year 
I was inspired by some Christmas Lanterns I saw on Pinterest.  
Each guest was asked to bring a lantern and any miniature items they may
have on hand for creating a vignette insdie the lantern.
 The end result was as charming as it was varied.  
My lantern had some hand dyed  bottle brush trees in purple,
and a tiny cardboard church, both brought to the lantern party
by someone who knows me well, my friend, Matthew Mead.
Matthew brought his camera to record some of the festivities 
and take some shots of my decorations.
Even Piper posed like a good girl for him.
White lace place mats brought home from Italy as a gift by
my son Colin were a treat to use for this wintery place setting, as were the vintage 
gold napkin holders I found with my husband while visiting the shops in Concord.
 A purple transferware bell was found at the wonderful Thoreauly Antiques shop
 in Concord center.  I always walk away with lots of goodies from that shop.  
 Matthew Mead made a delicious gingerbread cheesecake.
He is a wonder at so many things, baking and artful presentation included. 
 This cake was a scene stealer, and it was just perfect for a Christmas party.
We enjoyed French champagne while we dined and then began our crafting session
all around my dining room table after we finished eating.
A pretty pink ornament caught Matthew's eye...
 Some simple cut flowers from Costco were arranged by moi....
Silver balls and sparkly pine cones made it a little bit more special.
Now to the lanterns!
 Julia, my former Maison Decor shop manager, made this charming vignette out of
a lantern we used to sell at our store.  A reindeer in the snowy woods....with a red plaid bow
couldn't be more Christmassy!
 Matthew and his wife Jenny teamed up on their lantern, 
creating a snowy sparkly winter wonderland!
Our little holiday party was held for the second year in a row.
It has been determined to be an annual event. 
(I guess that makes it a success, and oh what fun!)
Make your own moments, big or small, and celebrate
this season without the stress and demands it can usually bring.
I know we all enjoyed ourselves, and each of us walked away
with a keepsake to remember this cold New England day with friends.



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14 comments:

  1. Love it!! Beautiful memories and a lovely keepsake for all to take home. Your house looks so inviting and cosy regardless of the cold New England day!!

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  2. SOOO inspiring! Thank you for sharing your home.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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  3. Thank you for sharing. Such talent and hospitality. Merry Christmas!

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  4. What a wonderful party idea, Amy. I love that you were able to turn a dinner party into a crafting session afterwards. How lucky you and Matthew BOTH are to be friends with each other. Blessings to you an your family this Christmas and in the upcoming year. xo Diana

    ps- Everything looks as beautiful as always!

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  5. The lanterns are wonderful. An enchanting table. Piper is so big and CUTE

    Cindy

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  6. Oh I love this idea!!! The lanterns are so beautiful and most creative!....question...Do y'all swap lanterns?...or just decorate your own...The cheesecake looks amazing and glad you had fun and will continue this great tradition!

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  7. Love Love your home and thank you for inviting us in and sharing God bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family and also beautiful Piper

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  8. I like the way you described the cheesecake as "a scene stealer" -- clever!

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  9. Beautiful, + smiling at the cheesecake being "the scene stealer" -- I enjoy using show biz-y phrases, like "chewing the scenery" + "if life is a stage, I want better lighting!" Fun!

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  10. Love your home!! Great ideas!

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  11. Such a fun tradition! Your table looks beautiful, Amy...as well as your decorated dining room! Love the lantern craft idea, and the way they each turned out. I find that Santa sign just delightful. I have seen it on another post. I've been looking for one like it...LOVE it!!
    Have a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year.
    Debbie
    xo

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  12. You look beautiful, too!
    Love your top! Gorgeous pistachio color and glitz!
    where did you get that!?
    Do tell! MB~

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  13. Jessica Pasteris ConickDecember 29, 2017 at 4:15 PM

    Love your table top decor/design!

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  14. Amy stunning as always. You sure know how to decorate a warm and inviting home for the holidays! Wishing you all great things for 2018- joy, happiness and good health!

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