Inspiration found; an ornament exchange party / by Suzanne

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One snowy evening last week I bundled up and headed a few blocks away for an ornament exchange party at Cindy's.

Every year in early December for the last ten years Cindy's been welcoming about 20 neighbourhood moms into her home. I wrote about it here and here.

Having a camera makes you pay close attention to elements that make any gathering a pleasure to attend - good lighting, good company, delicious food and drinks, and a host enjoying herself.

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Welcomed, warm and cozy inside. Fire, lots of greenery, ornaments, candles and lights.

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Offerings of wine, fizzy water, and a special drink - cranberry juice and champagne plus naughty drink markers.

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Savoury eats are served from the beautiful walnut topped island in the kitchen - pickled this and that, canapés, delicious cheeses, fresh figs, grapes, nuts, crackers and an inspired vegetable tray.

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Desserts are served in the dining room. Some are snuck away in napkins for children's lunches the next day. Cindy doesn't mind.

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We end the evening with the ornament exchange. It's an opportunity to give and receive with added elements of randomness and surprise - the drawing of the numbers from Cindy's hat and then deciding which wrapped ornament to choose from under the tree, not knowing what's inside.

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