The Party of All Parties

Every year, Ben's work hosts a fabulous Holiday party. One of those, that in these economic times, most companies don't host anymore, and let me say, I'm soooo glad his employer has continued the tradition of this party!

It's held each year, the Saturday before Christmas at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Women wear fancy dresses, men wear suits, and it feels like a real night out on the town! This past weekend, Ben and I attended, and can I just say, the party was even better than ever this year!

My preps started with my friend Lindsay coming over to help me do my hair and make up.

Thanks Lindsay!!

The party starts every year with a shrimp buffet that is usually talked about all year long leading up to the party. There are rumors the shrimp is flown in that morning from the east coast; I'm not sure where it comes from, but let me tell you, it's delicious.


Following the awesome cocktail hour, is a delicious dinner. This year, Ben and I sat with a table of many fun people, some I've known for years, some we just met that night!


Following the delicious three course dinner, there is, you guessed it, more food! Each year they have a dessert buffet that could have me up a pant size in about five minutes. This year, it included a fruit cobbler bar. Many different types of fruit cobblers for the choosing (cherry, blueberry, peach, apple cranberry, etc.) and people there to top it with ice cream and whipped cream!

I was so impressed by the cobbler bar, I had to pose with it!

I had the apple cranberry cobbler, topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

That, along with my four glasses (yes, FOUR) of Sangria, had me on a sugar buzz like no other (I subsequently crashed from it around 1:15 a.m.).


The last part of the night is the best part, and of course I have no pictures of it-- the casino night. You can play the tables, and win more raffle tickets for the wide array of prizes they have to offer at the end of the night; playing black jack, without the consequences of real money!

Plus, I guess I got lucky somehow, during the raffle I won a $50 gas card, and a $50 gift card to a local restaurant, alright!

So, that pretty much sums up my weekend. Does your work have holiday parties? Are you doing anything special at work this week get in the spirit of the season??