Before Thanksgiving, I had the awesome opportunity to throw a Christmas party with some friends.  It is sort of a long story as to how we arrived at this point, but we were at a place where we had a date set and people coming, and needed to make it a special event.

(tree pillow from here; poster from here)

I talked with a couple of my friends about some ideas I had for something we could do to help the community, and they mentioned the work they are doing to start up a ministry for teen moms at a local high school.  It's a real need, and something they are truly passionate about and it seemed like the perfect thing, especially since it was mostly moms coming to the party.  As moms, we all know how challenging the transition can be and how life-changing it is to have a baby; can you imagine going through it mostly alone and with very little support?

Many of these girls/young women are victims of abuse or trafficking, which makes things even more difficult, so my heart was certainly moved to intervene however we could.  My friends Christina and Keri were working to put together care packages for these girls, so our objective was to raise enough support and gather enough items to put together 15 packages.

(garland from here, adorable map from here, poster from here.)

We asked everyone to bring a pack of diapers , and I worked on getting some items donated and we also had a silent auction for artwork and other items.  I asked 4moms if they would be interested in donating anything, and was completely floored and moved to tears when they graciously gifted enough mamaroos for each care package we were assembling (that is 15!).  Can you even imagine how much of a blessing those will be to these precious young mamas learning how to soothe and help their babies sleep (seriously, those things are the best!)?  Just amazing.  They also gave spout covers, too - so helpful for safe bath time!  And look at all the diapers!

We also wrote notes of encouragement to include in the packages.  I adore this sweet stationery from Minted!

Sugarboo donated this gorgeous wood print for the silent auction.  There was a quite a bit of back and forth over this one, and I think everyone wanted to go home with it.  So beautiful.

Of course, we also had plenty of yummy treats and such on hand, and it was a really fun night hanging out with friends and enjoying an evening out!  (And also, much to my surprise, this polar bear-a-lope was the second highest bid item.  This would be such a fun idea to do among friends - everyone bring a crafted item for a silent auction, and everyone contribute some food to raise money for a cause!)

And what about this cake?  I just love it.  It's a simple white cake with a vintage deer placed on top.  Isn't it the cutest?  Kind of wishing I could have a slice right now . . . it was strawberry with white buttercream . . .

On one wall, we put up this quote from Home Alone.  I was inspired by Lindsay Letters'  Christmas print with the same quote (love her entire Christmas collection!).  It just seemed so fitting as it was an event for moms to bring hope for other moms!  And it just makes me want to cry, because Christmas movies always make me want to cry.

And that s'more pillow.  I just love that little guy.

I had my favorite deer and armadillo prints up for auction, and my dad was kind enough to make some custom heart pine frames for them.  That blue mantel is from an old farmhouse.  Isn't it great?

It was a truly sweet and special night.  There really is something extra magical about working side by side with your friends, using your hands together to bless others.  The results are exponential, and it is just so good.  I hope we can do it again next year, and make it an even bigger event!

Thank you so much to the Land of Nod, 4Moms, Minted, Sugarboo, Swell Forever (go check out their sweet and precious blankets!), and Kids II for all they donated to make this event possible, and of course to my sweet friends who inspired the event, brought the most yummy food and drinks, and helped me get it all together at the last minute.  My cup overflows!