Holiday Parties Galore

I am preparing myself for the insane amount of holiday gatherings we have planned for this weekend. Friday night we are hosting our annual Christmas Extravaganza (appropriately named this year). It is a simple get together with friends with a white elephant gift exchange involved. Last year was a hoot, seeing what people brought from their homes (our rule for the exchange is that you can't spend any money, it must be something laying around your house). I was the recipient of a candle set, expired condoms and a roll of toilet paper. The hit gift was a box of miscellaneous dress up items that I discovered in a box. This year, who knows what will come of the exchange, a bridesmaids dress perhaps?

Saturday night is my company's work party, complete with another white elephant gift exchange. It is already wrapped and ready to go. I also have my crazy Christmas sweater out and ready. I am contemplating whether I should bother making chocolate cupcakes with peppermint iciing for either party. I would like to do a trial run tonight. I'm using the recipe off the back of the cocoa powder for the cupcakes, and this peppermint iciing recipe. My first cupcake making adventure that's not in a box! I love any excuse to bake, especially when it includes my favorite flavor in all the world, peppermint.

Following the work party is the Santa Pub Crawl. I spent all day in thrift shops looking for something that I could work into a Mrs. Claus costume, to no avail. The husband wants to get our group of friends together to become a live (travelling and drinking) nativity scene. Inappropriate? Yes, but I think that's the reason for the event.

You'd think this would be breaking the holiday get together threshold, but wait! I love seeing the Nutcracker and 3 of my girlfriends do too! That's on Sunday.

This weekend is chock full of holiday events and I can't wait for every single event. It's one of the things I love about the holiday season. There is so much to do and everyone is involved. It is truly the best time of year.