I didn't know when I hosted my first favorite things party that it would be one of my favorite parties to throw. When we lived in Denver (for less than 12 months), I threw one there too and my sweet neighbor has kept it going year after year. I received a Christmas card from another friend in Denver who said she just hosted her third. (I believe mine was the first she had ever attended.) People seem to love this party idea. And this year didn't disappoint either.
We started the party with a game of Bingo. I asked all the guests to write their favorite holiday activity to do in Jacksonville on the picture cards for Bingo. Then when I drew a card, I was able to share everyone's favorite thing. The picture matched a square on the Bingo card. Players used Christmas colored candy corn as their Bingo markers...and of course, there were prizes for the game.
The prizes were a Santa door hanger, soap from Nectar, Bad Moms DVD with a gift card to PopNBox, a tube of LipSense, and a wine cork reindeer.
Then we did the gift exchange. Here is a list of the items given. Note: Amazon links are given for clarification of the product but may not be the best price available:
1. $10 gift card to Amazon
2. Dr. Teal's bath soaks Restore and Replenish and Lavender
3. A "boyfriend" pillow
5. Ulta's Illuminator
8. Socks - lots of socks...some holiday themed, some fuzzy, some with aloe
9. Personal Poinsettia Drink pack
14. WOW DreamCoat for anti-frizz
15. Variety of scarves
16. Peterbrooke Chocolate
17. Perfectly Posh - Big Fat Yummy Hand Cream (scent given: coconut cream/vanilla)
18. Schick Hydro Razor because as it was explained at the party...in Florida, you have to be beach ready at any moment! This has a trimmer built-in.
There were so many yummy foods that came too! Here is the receipt for the pineapple cheese ball.
2 blocks cream cheese (softened)
1 small can crushed pineapple (drained)
3-4 green onions
1 small green pepper
Season salt (1 teaspoon or to taste)
Chopped pecans
Mix all ingredients together except the pecans. Form into ball. Sprinkle pecans on outside. Put in fridge to help it firm up. Serve with crackers of your choice.
People are so kind and bring me gifts too. What fun! Here's my stash this year:
