A Party We Are Definitely Calling a Date...

I am the secretary for the Elkhorn Creek Ward Relief Society. This year, the Relief Society had responsibility for planning, preparing and executing the ward Christmas Party. This was decided before we were called as the new Relief Society presidency. It was determined when planning the 2023 calendar that everyone wanted to have breakfast served for the meal. We decided to give the party the theme "Christmas Morning". We invited those attending to feel free to wear their pajamas. The start time was 6pm.

As a presidency, all aspects of the party were divided amongst ourselves. I took table decoration's for 12 round tables and candy canes for Santa. Our meal was pancakes, scrambled eggs and ham. Each of us would scramble 5 dozen eggs. Three of us would warm a ham. Pancakes would be made on site. 

After the meal, a video presentation was prepared of members in the ward sharing traditions they have to keep Christ in Christmas. These were interspersed with Christmas carols everyone sang. A video of the birth of Christ was included at the end of the video. After the closing prayer, everyone sang "Here Comes Santa Claus". Bro. David Bennett came in dressed in his Santa costume. He grows a real beard for the occasion. Then all the kids took turn sitting on Santa's lap while the adults cleaned up the cultural hall and kitchen. 

At 10am, after a biscuit breakfast, Claude and I were at the Church Friday morning, December 15th to help with setting up. All the tables were decorated and set as much as possible. The buffet tables were put up and side tables for a cereal bar and a hot chocolate bar. The classroom we would use for Santa had a sofa from the foyer brought in, a table with a cloth and bucket to hold candy canes, a Christmas tree and blow-up dinosaur and a rolling chalkboard with a Christmas tablecloth over it for a backdrop behind the sofa. When all was ready, we all headed home to heat the hams, cook the eggs, and any other things we needed to do. We were home by 12:30pm. 

Claude and I opted to go to Burger King and get a burger to tide us over. Often, when one works these functions, one does not get to eat. We also dropped our Christmas cards in the mail. 

Once home, we enjoyed our burgers and Claude curled up for a nap. I also laid down for about 20 minutes. Felt good for sure.

Claude did our cooking. I made coloring cards for the children to be placed on the tables. We loaded the Jeep with the things I took down for getting the food ready. Claude dropped me at the church at 4:30pm and he returned to continue with the warming of the ham and the making of the eggs. He would come to the church at 5:30pm. 

It was great fun as the other ladies in the actual presidency all have children. Their kids wanted to help. So I worked with them to set the table with cups, napkins and plastic wear. We also put the coloring pictures on the tables. We added jugs of milk and pitchers of water to the tables. They were so happy to help and were a delight to work with.

We started promptly at 6pm. The meal was well received, with many coming back for 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths. The little ones even enjoyed coloring. 

After the meal, we watched the video of families and their Christ-centered traditions with singing of Christmas carols and then the Nativity Story. 

Jenessa, our president, thanks everyone and then told everyone to stay after the prayer and sing one last song. It was nice that a Primary child gave our opening prayer and a Young Man gave our closing prayer. After the prayer, everyone sand "Here Comes Santa Claus" and in came Santa carrying his bag of toys. As everyone sang, we walked through the cultural hall talking to the children.

The children then followed him in the hallway and formed a line going to the room we had set up for him to visit with each child and give them a candy cane. I must say, he was the softest spoken most gentle Santa. It couldn't help but think of the Savior in that picture with children on his knee. I do believe the Savior would have been that gentle and kind to each child. Listening to what they had to say. Calming them if they were a bit leery of him. It just felt right. One little guy brought him blanket for Santa to see before he sat on his knee. The teens waited until the end and then they took their turn with Santa. Two of the Young Women in matching PJ's, manned the exit door. It all worked very smoothly. 

After taking pictures of everyone with Santa, I went back to the cultural hall to help with clean-up. Imagine my pleasant surprise to find it completely clean. The kitchen was on the downhill side of being clean. Leftover food was disbursed to those wanting it. 

This was a really nice Christmas celebration. Good food with our ward family. A strong focus on the Christ-centered Christmas. Then a visit with the Jolly Fella. I posted all pictures on our ward Facebook page for those who wanted a copy of any of them. In that post, I assured everyone that they should be sure to keep Christ in Christmas. And...I am sure he smiles at his children when they are having a good ward family celebration.