On the first day of December the San Saba Garden Club met at the Mill Pond Clubhouse for our annual Christmas Party, Anna Wilson presiding. Ella Pavich introduced her guest, Phyllis Tolar from Orange, Texas and Sara Brown introduced her guest, Debra Lambert from Burnet, Texas.

After a short business session Anna presented Ella Pavich to give a History of the Christmas Tree. She lives here in San Saba, and teaches at Eastern Michigan University some of each month. Her slide presentation started with Prince Albert in the early 1800’s in England, bringing the first trees inside. Later Queen Victoria decorated the trees with fancy ornaments, flowers and lace.

In the 1880’s Woolworths sold the first ornaments in their store. She showed us slides of beautifully decorated trees around the world, and some famous Christmas trees, usually a centerpiece in a town square or located at famous places, like our White House Tree. We also viewed unique and creative trees, using bottles or feathers, or whatever folks could find. Truly a wonderful program, but she did not stop there as she then began to serve foods from around the world. Her friend, Phyllis had helped her prepare all these special dishes, from seven continents. Potatoes are available around the world, so we were served mashed potatoes at a potato bar quite elegantly. Main dishes included Australian Rocket Leaf Salad, European Boeuf De Bourguignon, Asian Chickpea Fatoush and South American Stuffed Dates. Shrimp, veggies, and fruits were delicious and served from several creative trees. Fran Hulgan and Carol Orr were also hostesses and served desserts to the 21 members and two guests.

Following the luncheon we enjoyed a Chinese Christmas Gift Exchange.