My Disneyland 50th anniversary Fantasyland tea set
The holidays can add a lot of unnecessary stress brought on by what I refer to as “gift-guilt.” The idea that you HAVE to get a gift for EVERYONE you know. To do so otherwise means you are clearly unworthy of any sort of human companionship and if you don’t get everyone you even remotely know in passing a gift you might as well be marooned on an island inhibited by cannibals. Maybe Kurrekurredutt Isle.
OK, that’s how I used to feel – key words “used to” as in no longer, past tense! My finances have hit rock bottom this year, right as the holiday season was kicking into gear, and I knew that only a select few would actually be receiving gifts from me. I can’t sacrifice things like necessary medical endeavors giving into my paranoia that my friends may be suffering from a severe case of butt-hurt if I didn’t purchase something off of their Amazon wish list.
Still, I wanted to let my friends know that they are greatly appreciated, so I decided to do one of the few things I know I do well – host a party, a holiday tea party to be exact – and the only stipulate I imposed on my friends was to wear a hat, any hat of their liking.
To my Russian Bunny with Steffie Love hat
This is what I wore (sans hat):
MY HAND!!! Curse you, Vader!
What the #@!^ is up with my perpetual bedroom eyes?
The day in question was quite warm for December, and my long-sleeve holiday dresses were cumbersome, hence the sleeveless dress. I bought it at a local boutique – it’s by Nina Perez from her Red Beans and Rice collection. Within the off-white polka-dots is fine, gold thread. It’s a fabulous dress, and I was lucky to find it on SALE! *jazz hands*
Had I more creativity, time and skill on my hands, perhaps I could have replicated the Lindt chocolate Christmas dress:
Designer: Lindka Cierach
Or compensated for the fact that I have gone without a Christmas tree in our apartment for the last five+ years:
Where’s my string of popcorn and cranberry? I’m hungry!
QUESTION: Do you have a traditional holiday outfit, or favorite Yuletide style?
First of all, I am beyond jealous of that tea set! It is gorgeous. I wish I had seen one when I went to Disneyland a few weeks ago.
Anyway, gifts for everyone? I’ve been over that for a few years. Your gift is my friendship and you’ll like it! Hah. It just isn’t worth the amount of stress that it used to cause me. I do gifts with my significant other and that’s pretty much it.
This year aside from my parents I’m giving/have given gifts to four other sets of people, which is pretty good I think. I didn’t spend a lot on anyone this year, but I tried to put a lot of thought into what I got. I also started putting some people’s gifts together early, which really helped. I also like to give people gifts and do things for people when I can afford to without the expectation of anything in return. I can’t always afford to, but sometimes I can. I do realize that people often feel obligated when they receive something though, so I try to keep that in mind. I wish it wasn’t that way, though.
As I mentioned before, I *love* that tea set..so cute! My favorite pieces are the dumbo tea pot and the teacups plate XD
Oh, you look GORGEOUS in your outfit! I don’t have a standard Christmas outfit, but I always try and incorporate something red into the mix. Last year it was all about red satin & black tulle
Thank you! Red satin and black tulle are a stunning combo!