As is our tradition, when my niece visits around Christmas even if it is not the calendar Christmas we designate a day to be Christmas Eve and a Day to be Christmas. For our Christmas day this year we enjoyed a Snow Globe themed dinner.

Arrangement: Snow Globe – my Mom planned this and niece helped her create it.

Special on Table: Christmas Crackers, Scratch Off Lotto

Snow Globe Favor: I came up with the concept. When I went to the Dollar Tree to look for something to use, I found snow globe kits! I also found mini trees at the Dollar Tree. I used my labeler to add names. I made Royal Icing and assembled with a Lindt Chocolate Snowman, mini tree, and shredded coconut. The Royal Icing did not get a hard as usual (maybe since I put the globe on before drying). It made it easy for people to remove and eat their chocolate after the meal. Afterwards, I was able to easily wash off the icing and can use in the future with something else.

Tablecloth: Embroidered Christmas tablecloth given to use by an old neighbor

Dishes: Blue Floral

Drinks: Snow Globe Cocktail – we did our own version of this with plastic glasses

Garlic Bread: We bought bread from Leo’s Bakery and then added butter, garlic powder, and a little dried parsley. Wrapped in foil and baked in oven while lasagna was cooking.

Lasagna: Niece made her delicious lasagna with homemade ricotta she made.

Lemon Asparagus: Boiled asparagus with butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt

Snow Globe Dessert: Vanilla cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting (I use less sugar), Snow Globe cookie with this cookie, and these directions for snow globe – we used blue Jolly Ranchers and Pineapple Life Savers.

My critique of the meal: 

This was a memorable meal! We all worked together to make it beautiful and delicious. It is fun to take time loved recipes and add a twist with themed table decorations. As usual, it was special for the four of us to spend time together.

No scratch off lotto winners amongst us this year.