Decorate it Forward

Every year I aim to host a holiday gathering for my closest friends. It's an opportunity to show them how special they are to me and to thank them for being in my life. This year we celebrated the holidays a little earlier than usual because I was given the opportunity to host a Kmart Decorate It Forward party through HouseParty.com. 



As I explained it to to my guests, the holiday decorations we're surrounded with this time of year help to instill a sense of joy that we carry through our days and that in turn help us spread cheer to those we interact with. I can't overstate how much I love this time of year so I jumped on the chance to host this party. I received a Kmart gift card to purchase a few decorations and a holiday CD by Colbie Caillat to help set the tone for the event but the rest was up to me.


I cooked up some of the food that my mom used to make for Christmas (Pernil, Arroz con Gandules, and Empanadas) and provided holiday themed snacks like peppermint chocolate cookies, candy canes, and apple cider. In an effort to make sure my guests remembered the Decorate it Forward theme, I purchased blank holiday cards and asked that each of my guest fill one out for one of our many military heroes. Today, I mailed those cards to the Holiday Mail For Heroes  program through the Red Cross for distribution at military installments and veteran's hospitals.

How do you decorate it forward? Do you host a holiday party for friends and family?  Tell me about your holiday traditions.

Monday, December 3, 2012 Posted in | , , , , | 6 Comments »

One Responses to "Decorate it Forward"

  1. Connie Gomez says: December 4, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Awesome idea!!! I love my house to be filled with everything Christmas; the tree, lights, noche buenas, and of course..all the Yummy Mexican food we love... my favorite is Ponche... a sweet and warm drink, kind of like a tea that we make with different fruits, sugar cane and spices...it's so good!

    Happy Holiday's and great party....NOW I WANT EMPANADAS! :)

  1. Ezzy Guerrero-Languzzi says: December 4, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Love these decorating ideas, M! The colors, the food, it's all so inviting. Every year my girlfriends from high school and I would get together for a mother-daughter tea. It's a tradition that started when we were all real young. This year that I'm traveling to CA will be the first time my mom and I participate in over five plus years. Can't wait! :-)

  1. Maribel Lara says: December 4, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Connie - I love ponche. The church I went to as a kid was predominately Mexican and during the fest of Our Lady of Guadalupe, they would make a huge batch of ponche and other treats.

    Ezzie - I'm so excited for you that you'll be home celebrating Christmas with your mom and reconnecting with old friends. Sounds like it's going to be so special.

  1. Ruby says: December 4, 2012 at 11:28 PM

    What a cool idea! How fun!!!

  1. Melissa Libertad says: December 5, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    I love that you incorporated the men and women who are serving our country into your gathering. Thank you for sharing. It has inspired me to get off my butt and do some more giving this holiday season. :)

  1. From the Kitchen of Mama Harris says: December 5, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    What a great idea!! I love it!

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