Every year, the talented Mindy Rice hosts a festive wreath-making party to get into the holiday spirit. This time, Elizabeth Messina captured it on film for Santa Barbara Magazine, and for us! Minday also shared some details about the event: I live in a valley that is full of beautiful, creative friends and an overdose of nature. It’s so easy to let time to fly by, especially during the holidays, so about three years ago, I invited my local girlfriends to an early winter wreath party. I hold the party at my dear friend Michelle deWerd’s home as she has a beautiful barn as a back up in case of rain.
Each of my guests was asked to scour their properties for beautiful foliage and organic elements that would last the season. I think many were surprised by how much was available right out side their doors. People brought olive branches, oak, walnuts, pine, bay leaf, dried hydrangea, grapevine, fresh succulents – you name it! I often display all the foliage in front of the barn – buckets and baskets brimming with goodies cause a stir as everyone arrives!
My dear cow friend, Ferdie, came to the party this year sporting her own necklace of fresh pine.
I supplied each guest with an apron, clippers and hand-calligraphed name tags (that everyone tied on their wreaths at the end).
I provided wreath forms, clippers, base foliage, fresh oranges, vintage millinery leaves and oodles of ribbons that I collected throughout the year.
The party is scheduled for the late morning into the lunch hour as I like to offer sandwiches that everyone can enjoy during their crafting time! Every year I serve the same thing: chicken curry sandwiches on a French roll, classic egg salad served on Mom’s whole wheat, and grilled winter vegetables on ciabatta. The sandwiches are wrapped in brown butcher paper and slipped into a burlap bag with a calligraphed label.
For beverages I always offer L.A. Burdick hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream, and for dessert, mini pecan butter tarts.
Isn’t this a brilliant way to celebrate the season?! And everyone takes home a beautiful wreath to decorate their door. (I also love the red aprons with the Provençal print.) Thank you Mindy and Elizabeth for sharing this fun party with us!
See lots more pics from this creative holiday wreath party right here.
SEE THE FULL GALLERY
Holiday Wreath-Making Party with Mindy Rice
11 December 2012Leave a Comment
what an amazing way to spend the day…and beautifully captured by elizabeth
How wonderful & awesome this is!! I love that the cow came all decked out! =)
Ergo – Blog
Can’t get over what a wonderful concept this is! Such a heartwarming way to kick start the holiday season!
Totally jealous of this party! The wreaths turned out beautifully. Happy Holidays!
What a beautiful way to share the holidays with friends and family. Love the cow!
I enjoyed ths documentation so much. It is the essence of friends sharing, giving, and fellowshipping at Christmas. What a wonderful way to express your love for one another in this richly beautiful tradition. I adored the aprons all lined up on the fence. Beautifully done ladies.
What a fun, festive and creative day spent with friends. Love it!
Such a lovely and fun idea!!
xo
http://www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com
So fun! Makes me want to make my own wreath!
That looks like such a fun activity!
Such incredibly festive pictures! And it looks so warm there – so jealous :)!
Adore the picture of the cow with the wreath around its neck!
Trisha
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How beautiful! I was also decorating for Christmas using garden foliage (http://wakemeupwithasmile.wordpress.com/2012/12/22/bringing-in-the-garden-for-christmas/) but having a party for it sounds great :)
Very nice, so festive! xoxo
[...] The ranch’s Barn and friendly cow Ferdie were recently featured in December 2012 Santa Barbara Magazine. The Guest House Suite and Guest Cottage are located adjacent to the Barn. Also, for more photos of the property, here is a link to a photo blog featuring the our recent ranch wreath party http://www.snippetandink.com/creative-holiday-wreath-party/ [...]