Family Christmas Party

I thought I'd share a little from our family Christmas party now that obsessed hubby has finished cropping, straightening, and lightening. Two siblings couldn't make it, but the rest of us piled into our little apartment for a football game and good food. Since the party directly followed the Ole Man River half marathon, I had to pick something easy, so we had savory pies, salad,. fruit salad, and Christmas cookies. Since the pies were a great success and very easy for the hostess, I'll be sharing the recipes tomorrow. Maybe you'll be inspired for a last minute holiday meal!
Here are a few pictures from that afternoon:

We decorated Christmas cookies.

Attempted group shot...we never did get one with all 22 eyes open.

Sam and Melissa watching the game.

Matthew, Joey, Mom, and Abe posing by the buffet.

Me making a weird face...with pie.

Allowing Sam to be the photographer was a mistake.

Matthew getting Melissa some coffee. I love this picture!

Sisters.

Opening stockings.

 

How many shopping days until Christmas?

I had a really good idea for my husband's Christmas gift...until he asked me for it for Christmas. Now it's not even a surprise. I'm miffed - usually I get him good presents, especially his stocking (I have a stocking-stuffing talent), but this year I just didn't do as well selecting gifts.
I can't go into detail because he MIGHT read this blog, but probably not since I keep it semi-secret, just in case I ever have to make fun of him. But anyway, he's basically getting a few boring presents like socks and underwear.

from www.christmasgiftideas2010.co.uk

I'm probably getting a lot of things with receipts attached; last year I had to return ALL of my gifts. Poor David! That was his worst Christmas shopping year.
The year after Katrina was his best. I had to work at the hospital that year, so we spent Christmas Eve together instead. It had been a rough year emotionally and financially (I was in school; Katrina sapped his finances while he didn't have a job and was traveling). I assumed our second Christmas together would be "small", so he completely surprised me with diamond studs.
What Christmas gifts stand out as "best" - and "worst" too, of course! - in your memory?

Cheap Date Wednesday: New Orleans Christmas Edition!

Ha, what a joke. I used the word "cheap" in a Christmas post! Nothing about Christmas is cheap!  But if your gift lists have already thinned your wallet, here are some ideas for less-expensive ways to celebrate the season in New Orleans.
Of course you have to do the Christmas traditions. On Sunday the 19th you can actually spend the whole day in celebration. Park in the quarter early to get a spot and take a French Quarter Christmas decorations walk as the sun goes down. Make your way to St. Louis Cathedral by 5 pm for the Cathedral Christmas Concert. As soon as you leave, cross the street and join the carolers in Jackson Square for a chance to make your own music and listen to local celebrities and politicians attempt to carry a tune. You can buy hot chocolate there, but if you're still cold when you leave, may I suggest Sucre? It's not even remotely cheap, but it's cheaper than (some) dinners, so if you skip a meal you can maybe afford one little cup of cocoa. TOTALLY WORTH IT. While you're there you can pick up gifts for the hard-to-shop-for.
If you have kiddies, you could start your celebrating a little earlier: City Park is having a snow day on the morning of December 19th at Dreyfous Meadow. It's free, it opens at nine, and you can stay until the snow melts.
Perhaps you don't have kids, but maybe you have guests. Or maybe you were planning an extravagant celebratory dinner with your insignificant other. You must try a reveillon menu! Select from participating restaurants here. You get a splurge dinner for a slightly-less-than-splurge price. For a lower-cost option, enjoy free live jazz by the amazing Jeremy Davenport at the Davenport Lounge in the Ritz-Carlton. All you have to do is find your own parking and buy the cheapest drink for this to be a $20 date (Pretty sure the beers are $10 at the lounge). But what could be more special than the Ritz-Carlton at Christmas? An even cheaper alternative is the Christmas Choirs at the Hotel Monteleone. Admission is free to hear high school choirs throughout the season. I imagine some of them are pretty ghastly but you'll feel good for encouraging budding musicians.

It's a tradition to take family and friends to Christmas in the Oaks at City Park, and at $7 for a walking tour it's not pricey. Basically it's lots of lights and kids and Mr. Bingle. It's less crowded on a week night. Instead of buying expensive coffee there, go to Brocato's when you leave...with everyone else. Seriously. The line will be 700 people long, but it moves fast and you can get spumoni, which I would kill a puppy for.
A more-tacky alternative to Christmas in the Oaks is the Miracle on Fulton Street. The miracle is fake snowfalls and lots of pink and purple gauze. Not top on my list of Christmas things to do, but if you're there at the right time there's live jazz on the stage. Check the schedule out before you go.
If you still need to get some shopping done, go to Magazine street on the weekends. They're hosting "Merriment on Magazine" which is basically...nothing...really, it's just a Christmas-themed attempt to sell you something. But Magazine is always fun for window shopping, too.
And of course, there's the Christmas Tradition, as David calls it.  When he was growing up, his Dad would take the kids out on Christmas Eve (no doubt so his mom could finish wrapping!) and bring them to the Roosevelt hotel to admire the Christmas tree and other decorations. Then they'd stop at Langenstein's for fancy pre-prepared food and cold cuts and make a picnic dinner at the park. Now that the Roosevelt is reopened, we can make this a tradition again.
What traditions do you celebrate each year?