For most of the 22 years that I’ve been married and even before, when I was living on my own in South Carolina, I have hosted a holiday party.
This is one of my favorite traditions because I get to close out the year by celebrating with our greatest gifts: dear friends, old and new.
Embedded within the party tradition are other traditions. Since 2000, when we read about Alberto No. 1 in the NYT, we’ve also had a signature cocktail. In the last few years, we’ve often had a theme. And almost always, we have party favors.
We threw a Gaudi-in-Barcelona-inspired party this year with tapas. And our featured item was a Jamon leg, mounted for easy carving. We also served Spanish shrimp, Manchego, olives, Spanish chorizo, paella, lots of other finger foods, and, of course, boozy and non-boozy sangria.
This year may be my favorite of the favors.
The favors were ornaments made from tumbled stained glass and wire. The colorful pieces reminded me of the breathtaking windows representing the lifecycle in Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Crafting each ornament took me back, at least momentarily, to the church. I can’t wait to go back for real sometime.
I purchased the glass from an Etsy shop that sells stained glass seconds from their primary business. I’m sure most of their customers are mosaic tile creators. But I used the glass to craft ornaments with wire.
I had so much fun making these, many near the beach in Turks & Caicos with my college friend, who treated our guests this year to an impressive fruit pizza and some amazing patatas bravas.
Virtual Farmgirl 