In lieu of a regular monthly meeting, San Saba Garden Club (SSGC) held its annual Christmas party for members and their guests on Tuesday evening, December 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The theme for the evening was “An Old-Fashioned Christmas.” Hostesses Marjean Alexander (chair), Rebecca Britton, Dianna Furlan, Charlotte Holland, Sandra McCrary, Leanne Pollock, and Karen Sloan transformed former SSGC president Rhonda Killion’s spacious barn on Storey Street into a nostalgic winter wonderland for the occasion.
Walls were draped from ceiling to floor with white curtains and strung with icicle lights. Near the entrance to the barn, a forest of gaily lit Christmas trees formed a backdrop for stuffed forest animals frolicking with sleighs and a vintage Gladding sled. As if spying on their activities, a Mark Roberts elf perched mischievously on an antique Coke box. In every corner of the room, lights sparkled and candles cast their glow on holiday vignettes with jolly Santas and Christmas greenery. A trail of lush red poinsettias wrapped the scene in nature’s holiday colors.
Suspended from the towering roof of the barn was a spectacular Christmas chandelier designed, handmade, and hung by Dianna Furlan specifically for the SSGC party. White Christmas lights peeked through dozens of yards of tulle. Draped strands of glass beads swayed from the pendant’s poinsettia wreath canopy. Redand-gold Christmas baubles were suspended at varying lengths, drawing the eye to two giant glittering ornaments at the bottom.
Laden with savory and sweet hors d’oeuvres that showcased the excellent cooking talents of SSGC members, the long buffet table was covered with red linen cloths and adorned with a centerpiece composed of a giant poinsettia, glass Christmas balls, and sprigs of holly.
On the beverage table, revelers found a glass urn of water infused with cranberries and stems of fresh rosemary, bottles of white wine resting in a wine chiller, a pitcher of warm wassail, and a bowl of refreshing adult beverage dubbed Jingle Juice.
Conversation tables were draped in white linen with Christmas runners; each had a unique handcrafted centerpiece supervised by Marjean Alexander. The 40+ attendees enjoyed eating and chatting at the tables, mingling among the crowd, and visiting around a cozy fire on the outdoor patio strung with sparkle lights.
Continuing their tradition of giving Christmas presents to residents of the local nursing home, SSGC members loaded the designated gift table with over two dozen packages which were then delivered in time for the residents’ Christmas party.
Everyone agreed the party was a wonderful way to kick off the approaching festivities of Christmas and New Year’s.
The hostesses gratefully acknowledge the generosity and many hours of work contributed by Rhonda Killion as well as the much-needed and muchappreciated assistance of Neal Alexander and Walter Engman.
San Saba Garden Club wishes a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to San Saba and the surrounding communities who make our area such a great place to live.