A Sip Between Friends: Our Practically Perfect Planner Poinsettia Party!

Posted on Dec 6 2014 - 6:00pm by Brenda and Jessi Meehan

We were hosting a gal pal get together with the CCM “tea ladies” to start off the season – here’s a low cost and creative poinsettia plan to decorate and dine on a dime, with fresh florals and adorable favors!

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Three reasons to purposely plan a gathering at the beginning of December:

1. Avoids crowded calendars: it gets everyone together before the business of the season.

2. Tremendous time saver: Since this is immediately after Thanksgiving weekend, it motivates me to pack up the autumn box, wipe and clean my focus points, and unpack for Christmas at the same time.

3. ‘Tis the season to be jolly: So while not all is complete, there’s still time to putter and perfect each area. Priorities are set, and the pressure is off. Our main attractions were: a sprinkle of poinsettia arrangements, dining room dolled up just right, and pretty Poinsettia Packets for all!

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Filling unique “pots” repurposed from ice buckets accomplishes dimension and uniqueness without additional cost. Creating clean lines, and a colorful + seasonal “pop” right where it was needed. This approach took potted plants and dressed them for the holidays, creating something special.

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By staging simple poinsettia vignette’s throughout our home, it brought the colors of the season to life right before our eyes, and focused visitors on featured areas. This fresh approach is fast, convenient, and affordable. Poinsettias seem to be on sale EVERYWHERE! We’ve seen them on sale at Home Depot, also at Winco for $5.99. At our local Vons, when you buy 6…you receive 10% off! So for under $60…we were able to theme our table and fill our home with fresh flowers to last us through the holidays! 3P Tip: We paired red and rose colored poinsettias for a “practically perfect” color contrast.

Our dining room was adorned with these pretty posies, by filling a wooden sled with two potted plants, nestled snugly with matching napkins around each plant to tie in the theme, and to tuck store-bought pots away!

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Friendship Favors were bundled up to look like Poinsettia pots, filled to the brim with candies gathered up by a red doily in a clear cup. All wrapped in lime green tissue sealed with a curling ribbon bow…pots looked like a miniature version of store bought poinsettias!

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Each gift was perched on a box of Russell Stover Cake-Chocolates for added deliciousness AND dimension.
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These pretty packages could also be filled with friendship tea, candles, jewelry and more. Speaking of tea, we had a lovely time with Louise, our “tea lady” of Little Candle Tea Company, sampling her hand picked selections and learning stories behind each. Her teas and tea accessories make excellent gift: Take a peek HERE!

Christmas tree napkin rings saved over the years were dressed up with poinsettias snipped from faux-bouquets. Each place setting was topped with a dolled up tree, adding a touch of ruby red polish.

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It wouldn’t be a tea without a scrumptious salad to accompany our meal, and we featured our spin on a salad we’d read about in a cookbook from Christmas’ past.

Christmas Chicken Salad: Ingredients: Serves 6-8  (This recipe is easily doubled for a large group!)

4 cups cooked chicken, cut into cubes
1 10 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup grapes, sliced in half
1 cup diced peeled cucumber
1 cup diced apple, with skin on
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 large handful bean sprouts

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Dressing: 
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Combine all salad ingredients in large bowl.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients in separate container, pour into salad in small amounts as desired and gently toss to coat.

A truly terrific time was had at our tea, and seeing our home in full seasonal bloom got everyone right into the Christmas spirit! Speaking of Christmas spirit, be sure to share your “Merry Christmas to Me” moments with us in a comment below or on Facebook for your chance to win a $150 customized Holiday Package from Practically Perfect Planner!