Saturday night was our annual Holiday Party, a night of socializing, shopping, toasting the upcoming holiday season with wine and cider, and taking camel and reindeer selfies - usually after a glass or two ;) Check out our slideshow of party photos at the bottom of this post!
This year was even better than usual because we were lucky to be able to partner with Whole Foods Market to throw a benefit event for the Ballard Food Bank. After our Summer Nights at Swansons events, which helped support both Ballard Food Bank and Whole Kids Foundation, it was a little like a reunion!
Whole Foods Market generously provided amazing appetizers and dessert bites that evoked Thanksgiving dinner and were so delicious, we couldn't resist helping ourselves to just one more... every time the tray came around! Perfect bites to sustain us as we shopped holiday décor, ornaments, poinsettias and the fresh garlands and wreaths that had just arrived at the nursery.
We also enjoyed beautiful harp music by Susi Hussong, Theo chocolate samples, trunk shows of velvety, faux-fur accessories by Pandemonium (so snuggly and so chic) and creative holiday gifts from Whole Foods Market, and a special appearance by local jewelry designer, Kristin Ford, from whom we learned about the meaning of certain stones. Did you know garnet means love and health?
After feeling warmed by a glass of wine or hard cider, we ventured out into the storm to visit with Curley our live camel, and Dasher and Blitzen, two of Santa's reindeer, and take the perfect holiday selfie. Or perhaps a group shot at our holiday sleigh vignette - Christmas cards done!
Finally, we tested our luck at the Prize Tree, where each $5 ornament held the name of a special prize and the added bonus of helping to support the Ballard Food Bank. I worked at the Prize Tree for some of the evening, and I'd have to say the most popular prizes were definitely the Frasier Fir votive candle by Thymes (the scent of a mountainside holiday chalet in a bottle) and cool jewelry from Boma and Simpatico. I was personally pretty excited about the book City Goats - I hope the lucky recipients brings in goat cheese for us to sample after they start raising their goats!
We had a fabulous time and are extremely proud to have raised about $3,000 for the Ballard Food Bank. A big thank you to Whole Food Markets for their generous donation of food, time, and culinary talent (Chef Chad rocks!), to all the vendors who donated prizes for our Prize Tree, and especially to you, our intrepid guests, who braved the inclement weather to join us and to donate to such a worthy cause! We can't thank you enough.
If you missed the party, be sure to still come by and see Swansons transformed into a holiday wonderland. New seasonal plants and gifts are arriving daily, the model train is up and running, and Curley and the reindeer are here until December 24th at 3pm, when they are called to help Santa pull his sleigh (at least the reindeer are, we're not sure what Curley will be up to). Plus, Christmas trees will be arriving shortly. I know, I know... it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but time flies, so visit picktheperfecttree.com to learn about our fabulous trees and make your tree-shopping plans now!
When you stop by, be sure to bring non-perishable food for the food bank. We will be collecting until December 23rd, so please bring whatever you can. They especially need fresh produce, canned soups and meats, and hygiene items this time of year. You can learn more on their website.
Thanks again for joining us at our Holiday Party.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Swansons Nursery! We hope to see you again soon.
