Last night I finally got to host an evening I’ve been looking forward to for a long time- a girls night white elephant Christmas party! See, I really love to play hostess. David might give a raised eyebrow at that statement because he has the pleasure of seeing me those hours before go-time when I frantically wonder those important and rational things like did I get enough cheese?! and what if someone prefers flavored sparkling water?!
The hosting part is half selfish because honestly I really like having a reason to use my Christmas plates.
And if we lugged that big ‘ol tree inside our living room, then darn it, I want someone to see it in all its four-year-old designed glory. Notice all the lights and decoration on just the lower half? Haha. I figure one day we’ll have a picture perfect tree but won’t have the giggling little girls to go with it, so I’m kind of loving this tree just how it is.
And I can attest that it looks better in person.
The only detail I totally overlooked for the evening was my outfit- doh!
I know this would be the first thing many people would think of, but I was too busy stockpiling extra olives and attending to other crucial details. Literally an hour before the party started I went to get ready and realized that dreaded thought all women have at some point: I have NOTHING to wear. No red, no green, no leggings (I shrunk them and have yet to replace them). I thought about texting Molly to see if her adorable reindeer dress was still available, but just said screw and pretended it was fall instead of Christmas.
Note to self: I really need a staple wintry dress like this one in my closet.
Luckily the fire in the fireplace was just for show, as it was about 70 degrees yesterday, so comfort-wise I was fine. I just banked on the fact that people would pay more attention to the food than my lack of seasonally-appropriate clothes.
In an attempt not to stress myself out, I outsourced the dessert portion of the spread to Whole Foods, though I desperately wanted to pretend I created this little coconut beauty.
A baker I am not, though, so no would have believed it anyway.
I did, however, take a page from my friend Jane Marie’s book (who is definitely the hostess with the mostess!) and put together this festive baked brie that she shared on the blog back in 2011.
But let’s be real, the best part of the evening isn’t captured in pictures. It was the people.
This time of year is crazy busy so I understand it’s a tough time of year to plan a gathering. I always get last minute party anxiety that everyone is going to cancel or not show, so it really meant the world to me to see so many of my friends’ smiling faces walk through my front door. We finally had the chance to wear real clothes, sip wine, have uninterrupted conversations while Christmas music filtered through the background… and snap a group photo of course!
I hope everyone had fun because I truly had a winederful time! (No typo there)
As for the white elephant exchange, the most stolen items were a S’well water bottle and Christmas-Tree-on-Car salt and pepper shaker.
Curious what I ended up with in the white elephant exchange? Check it out on instagram 😉
What is the best/funniest white elephant gift you’ve ever given or received?
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Kate says
What a great girls night.
The food looks so great! And from what I can tell from the photos, you’re not playing hostess – you are! 🙂
John J. says
Festive spread served up by a lovely lady to an attractive group of ladies. Lookin’ good!
Tanya says
Such a lovely party! PS I love your dress!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
Looks like a fun party! I can’t even with the, “decorated by a 4 year old” tree. I love that you guys didn’t try to even it out or anything, since it’s her little creation! Too funny.
Brittany Dixon says
I know haha! I swear you can’t tell as much in person but I saw that picture and just cracked up 🙂
Christen says
Wow, sounds like fun! You can’t go wrong with booze for a white elephant gift!
Nathalie says
Could you explain why a white elephant party is for us non-americains? I’ve never heard of this before.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I’m sorry! Yes, definitely. So White Elephant has several different ways to be played, but basically everyone brings a gift, usually something funny, to contribute. Then everyone draws a number (1-however many people there are at the party). #1 opens a gift, then #2 can either steal that gift or open a new one, then the pattern continues. It is usually good for a lot of laughs! 🙂
Elizabeth says
My bosses daughter works for Swell water bottles and I received the white one last Christmas from him. I love that thing. It really works (hot coffee stays hot at least until lunch and cold water stays cold all day). My only complaint: you have to hand wash it.
Looks like a fun time!
Brittany Dixon says
Man, makes me wish I could have had the chance to steal that bottle! 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Looks like you threw a great party! I am throwing one on the 18th and I have so much to do the night before/day of to prepare. I’m the same way, more interested in the food than the outfits. 😉
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I hope you’ll share pics! I’m sure it will be fabulous. I wanted to make more food from scratch but was pretty limited in my prep time. C’est la vie I suppose! Have fun!! 🙂
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
We are having a White Elephant Christmas party for my Junior League committee next week and I hope it’s half as lovely as this looks 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Aw, thank you! Have fun at your party!!
Heather says
Love a White Elephant Party – they’re so much fun! We had one last year – just a small gathering and I found a David Hasselhoff CD to gift. :p I almost felt bad when most people brought semi-useful things that weren’t as horribly tacky as the gifts my husband and I thought of. Ha ha.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my gosh a David Hasselhoff cd is amazing!! Ha, I love it!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Your house is so Christmas-ed out, I love it.
Giselle says
How fun! Looks like you threw a great get together! I love to host too and am hosting my 4th annual Favorite Things party next week. It’s so fun and everyone goes home with three new favorite things!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow that is so generous! What a fun idea for a party!
Giselle says
We all bring three of the same wrapped favorite thing ( 3 lipsticks, 3 books, 3 bottles of wine…) around $15 then draw numbers and choose three different gifts. So we all bring something then go home with something. Its fun! Plus we do a cookie exchange so we get to go home with goodies too 🙂 Double fun!
Mounota Sewell says
Such a lovely girls night!
Nice group photo, It’s go back to my memory with friends when I was 17.
Cassie says
I love that dress on you! We don’t do White Elephant parties very much. My husband’s family does every once and while, but I can’t even remember what we’ve gotten or given at this point. Oh well.