Parties – Pollyanna 2016

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My husband's family holds an annual Pollyanna party each December in which my in-laws and his sisters and brother-in-laws exchange gifts.  Everyone who is able to attend in the family (children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc) loves the good food and the good company.  This year was no exception to the excitement and fun we all shared together as an extended family.

Dinner

This year my Aunt prepared various appetizers and asked the family to bring either an appetizer to share or a dessert.

My husband and I decided to bring something kid friendly (and it turned out to be a hit with the grownups, too).

We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches using four different types of jellies and jams.
Before adding the jelly and peanut butter we cut some of them into holiday shapes using cookies cutters.  (Any of the left over pieces of bread were saved so we could feed the animals.  You could also use them in various baking recipes as well.)

We also prepared some applesauce and fruit cup containers to look festive. 

The fruit cups we turned into Santa using a black permanent marker, a gold metallic marker, and some black construction paper and glue.  My son helped me but the belts onto the fruit cups. 

And we made reindeer out of the applesauce cups.  We glued on eyes, a nose, and taped on pipe cleaners for antlers.  We gave one a bow to be Clarice from the Rudolph television story. 

There was also a Joyous veggie tray. 

My aunt prepared a meatball buffet (which included four different kinds of meatballs and sauces which included marinara, Swedish, buffalo, and sweet & sour.

She also had a pierogi and kielbasa casserole and a Rustica Meat and cheese platter. 

Another Aunt prepared a Pea Soup as well as bacon-wrapped sausages. 

Dessert

My aunt had different candies in beautiful jars on display (and for snacking).  We also had cakes and cookies for dessert baked and brought by aunts and a cousin.

Games

My uncle has several trains set up (around the Christmas tree upstairs) as well as several downstairs. My son was thrilled with them last year and even more so this year because he was allowed to blow the whistle for the train.

Gift Wrapping 

We wrapped two 'willing' teens for fun as well.  My step-son was wrapped by cousins and his grandparents while his cousin was wrapped by other family members.  Both were very nice to put up with our family's silly ideas of fun.

Crazy Sock Exchange 

As a family, the adults participated in a sock exchange.  Each person who wanted to participate brought a pair of socks and filled them with various items (such as candy, gift cards, pens, etc.).  Then we all picked out a pair of socks.  

After the exchange we tried on our new crazy socks!

Here are some ideas for your Holiday Party

Stockpiling Moms Christmas Sock Exchange 
Purex Sock Exchange Ideas 
Crafty Morning Reindeer Applesauce 
The Nerd's Wife 50 Winter Holiday Class Party Ideas 
Mil Dicas de Mae Santa's Fruit Cups 
Tiny Prints Christmas Party Games 
Women's Ministry Toolbox Christmas: Wrap It up Game