Raiding My Sister's Closet: Christmas Party

Tuesday, December 15, 2015




Many years ago, Merrick and I volunteered at the Candlelighter's Cancer Alliance chapter (a foundation that helps families who have children undergoing cancer treatment) a year or so after my youngest brother died of cancer.  I was 11 or 12, I think, and Merrick would have been a few years older (I am the youngest of the three girls).

My mom came with us to the Candelighters office, and the person in charge had the costumes rented and ready for us to put on. The options were a large, round, sparkly snowflake costume, and a Christmas tree complete with a star, ornaments, and a hole for your face.  I chose the snowflake costume (to help preserve my dignity, of course), and Merrick chose the Christmas tree and we headed out the door costumed and ready to visit the nearby hospital.

Said hospital was across the street from the Candlelighter's office, and the best way to cross that very busy street was to use a pedestrian crosswalk that took you above the street.  The sides of the crosswalk were chainlink fence, and anyone walking across the bridge was extremely conspicuous to the traffic below.  Particularly if they were dressed as a large Christmas tree or snowflake...

The street below was at least 6 lanes wide and had lots of traffic at almost any time of day, which made our trip across the bridge a harrowing one.  We got honked at repeatedly, and occasionally someone would stick their head out the window to yell at us.  I knew we were on our way to do something nice for someone else, but there was a small part of me that wouldn't have minded if the ground had opened up and swallowed me whole, sparkly snowflake and all.

After surviving Christmas, we went back and helped out again just in time for Easter.  That time, Merrick picked a chick costume that had mesh over the face hole.  That way, no one would know who she was when she crossed over the busy street.  I had no such luck.

Maybe your Christmas plans involve large elaborate costumes, but they probably don't, so I picked a simple and comfortable outfit that would be perfect for a Christmas Eve party at your mother's house.  Something classy and lovely for photos, but nothing too fussy or hard to wear.  An oversized sweater, a stretchy skirt, comfortable booties (seriously: these are dang comfortable!), and a scarf.  Pretty, festive, and easy to wear.







sweater: clothing swap(similar or similar)// scarf: loft(very similar)// skirt: clothing swap// booties: dsw(similar)// earrings: a blog conference a few years ago... (similar)

Merrick and Janssen always have terrific party outfits!  Check them out! 

    



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