“We need a family to volunteer.”
Eyes down.
No eye contact.
Silence.
And, then . . .
“We will host it.”
And that was the beginning of a year of thinking, planning, and talking about possibilities. Hosting a family dinner, the Sunday before Christmas, a busy time of the year!
I’ve written about our family Christmases before…
so you might have a picture in mind.
But as with any great plans…
We needed a back up plan…
And even on Thursday,
Just three short days before the dinner,
We changed the location AGAIN!
Here’s the church basement
In the middle of setting up
Taking our turn to serve as organizers/coordinators/hosts.
The Ruth Family Christmas Dinner!
i
Where will you gather over the holidays?
Will you be adding any new traditions?
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
And connections . . .
How do volunteers in your world feel?
Do the same folks volunteer all the time?
How do you check in to see if your “process” is working?
What do those conversations sound like?
What adjustments do you make?
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this weekly forum. Check out the writers and readers here.
Resource - Full 
Three days and a change of venue?? Wow!
Christmas comes to our home this year with my wife’s family traveling to visit. Honestly, I prefer this because then, when everyone finally is gone, we just crash and reflect on the day. We’ll have fifteen at our house, which fills it up nicely.
On a more selfish side, my wife is an amazing cook, and I know the food will be exceptional! ♥️
Good luck and enjoy your family dinner! 🙂
Darin,
Remodeling at the church so 6 weeks out, everyone heard the possibilities. We announced at 1 week and then were able to revise/adjust once more.
“My family” is over 40 total. The “Ruth cousins” total is now in the 400s + so we have been at church/school halls all my life!
Our food was amazing . . . new this year . . . jalapeno corn!
And perfect traveling weather. We will catch snow another time.
Wishing you all that the gathering will be filled with joy and laughter.
I’ll be at my mom’s place.
Remembering that getting relatives to be quiet is just like school . LOL!
Happy Holidays, Terje!
There are times when we need to say yes. And what follows can be of great reward. I said yes to my daughter six months ago about keeping Leo the weekend before Christmas. So much to do, but I stopped and was grandma. I’ve also said yes to my youngest daughter, newly engaged, when she asked to have her wedding at our house. Of course! Now I need to learn to ask for help.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Margaret!
How lovely to have a wedding at your house! And yes to having help and back up plans/ideas! I am sure that your care of Leo was such helpful timing for your daughter!
It is wonderful to see where your klan will gather. My husbands’ siblings are coming over today and I am cooking what his mother always made – Stuffed Cabbage. Then my family is coming over on Friday – ordered the Honey Baked ham. Exciting and stressful times. I like how you show it is the same with gatherings at school. Asking for help and not assumming others will help needs to be the mantra. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I look forward to meeting you here and in person in 2020.
Sally,
Stuffed cabbage sounds wonderful. Food traditions are some of the best. For everyone! Happy Hidays and yes to seeing you in several places in 2020!