By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Last Wednesday I hosted an annual Ladies Holiday Brunch in my home. I’ve been inviting friends to this yearly event for over 12 years. It’s my way of giving back to the precious women I love, ones I wish I could spend more time with during the year. If only I could invite every friend both near and far.
Twenty-four ladies were served a sit-down brunch with festive dinnerware, real silverware, and cloth napkins. It seems like I’m running around the rest of the year and don’t give these ladies the attention they deserve. Hosting the brunch is a small way to let them know they are special and appreciated.
My home looked Christmasy, and each table had a unique theme. Each year I don’t guarantee every food item turns out perfect or my decorating ideas look spectacular, but this is my Christmas tradition and a wonderful way of celebrating the season.
This year’s menu consisted of the following:
Vanilla Yogurt
Fresh Fruit
Granola
Sausage Egg Casserole with Mushrooms
Hash Brown Casserole
Grits Southern Style
Mini Quiches
Crispy Bacon
Bite Size Sausage Links
Banana Bread
Pumpkin Bread
Mini Double Chocolate Muffins
The Best Bread Pudding
French Toast Casserole
Freshly brewed coffee
Hot water and assorted teas
Orange juice
Cranberry juice
How do you make Christmas special for your loved ones?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
Have you considered a special library event for shut-ins, a hospital, or nursing home? Be creative! Involve other librarians or patrons to join in Christmas carols. Bring light to those who may spend Christmas alone.
Comments 24
Your story warmed my heart, and encouraged me, after a tough day, DiAnn.
I have always wanted to give to many, but lack the means. Two of my my spiritual gifts, are hospitality, and mercy, but because circumstances prevented me from having people over, for the last few years, I have come close to desperation.
I also love to volunteer, and just a few days ago, God showed me how I could give a gift that goes on and on. I was on the lunch line, in a men’s shelter. Over 60 men, from various cultural backgrounds, and from late teens to the early eighties, received service.
In every eye, I saw a hunger, not for the food they received, but for love and respect. God also showed me the mark on all their faces, although in some it was hidden, and in others, disguised: worth.
At Assembly on Sunday, the Pastor said how Jesus’ coming to earth was significant: Jesus was the right one to pay the price for man’s sins, therefore, salvation is important.
I realized that I could give those men a gift-whet their appetite, for the best gift:salvation! As I smiled, and greeted each of the men, their eyes lit up, as my smile
in a small, yet significant way, helped to portray to them that they had worth.
That has helped me to give a better gift than that which I can physically hand out: love and acceptance.
Thank you, Frances, your words always inspire me. Have a blessed Christmas.
Your brunch sounds delightful, DiAnn – – and such a kind thing for you to do. Thanks for sharing your menu with us – – everything was delicious, I’m sure. As a lifelong southern girl, I smiled when I read “grits” on the menu. 😉 I love love love grits!
Hi Patti Jo – Your words made me smile! Have a wonderful Christmas.
I have a Christmas Tea in my home for the ladies in our church and friends, too. It’s so much fun to decorate, get out the silver and serve them who do so much for others. Sort of my Christmas gift to them. We look forward to it each year.
Hi Marjorie, I so understand. Love the season and all our opportunities to reach out to others. Makes me wonder about what we could do year around.
What a special time for you and your friends. In the past, I have hosted cookie exchanges for friends. The ladies were friends from various aspects of my life—neighbors, co-workers, church friends and fellow coaches’ wives. I would make simple dishes for us to share before we gathered our goodies to take home.
And yes, please share Bread Pudding recipe if possible!
Hi Karen, it’s the laughter and the smiles with our friends. I was going to simply post a greeting for this coming Monday, but I’ll post the bread pudding recipe too. 🙂
Beautiful! Do you share your “Best Bread Pudding” recipe??? 🙂
Hi Vondia, I will share the recipe this coming week!
What a lovely tradition. I am certain it is much enjoyed by all!
Would that we all could delight in such an affair!
Happy Christmas!
Thank you Kathleen. Have a blessed Christmas.
Wow!! Such a lovely gift. God bless you richly Diann. I look forward to such an opportunity
Thank you Nneka, have a blessed Christmas.
What a lovely idea! You give so much of yourself to others. God’s richest blessings to you, my dear friend.
I like Martha’s idea as well: honor those who have preceded us to Heaven by sharing stories. What a wonderful way to remember friends.
Like the bumper stickers declare, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season!”
Thanks Jann – yes, Jesus is the reason for the season.
Thank you for sharing the menu from the brunch. Looks delicious! Merry Christmas!
Hi Melissa, thank you so much!
You know how much I love this idea! And you~~~~~
Hi Julie – 🙂
Reading this menu made me hungry! And, it had to be great fun, too. There are few things so heartwarming as sharing Christmas with friends and loved ones. DiAnn, you are amazing! May God bless you richly in every way.
Hi Rebecca, thank you! And may you be blessed this Christmas and every day through out the year.
I’m so sorry I had to miss this year. The brunch is always a highlight of the season for me. I have a luncheon every year for ladies from church. Some of them have been friends for over 50 years. We’ve grown our children together, been in choir, SS class, and youth work. We have a grand time with memories and sharing pictures of our grandchildren and even our great-grans now. Two of our beloved ladies went home to Jesus this year and we remembered them with special stories.
Hi Martha, I missed you! Hope you and Rex are able to relax and enjoy Christmas and 2017.