Ward Christmas Party...(Feeding the 500)

Our ward is massive, so when they asked the YW auxiliary to head up our ward Christmas Party, I new it would be a challenge.  There are 750 people in the ward so we planned on feeding 500.  That is a lot of ham and potatoes!  I was given a budget of about $1100 dollars for the entire event.  In order to stay within that budget, we borrowed roasters from women in the ward and cooked 100 lbs. Of ham at the church.  We did a pot luck for salads, rolls, and dessert, we served water, but we catered  potatoes supreme from BYU catering.

Since we knew there would be about 200 kids coming, we absolutely had to have a visit from Santa.  We decided to have him come before dinner and asked one of the photographers in the ward to take pictures for us.  They turned out great...

To keep the kids busy after they saw Santa, but before dinner, we showed Polar Express in the Relief Society room and had paper taped to the walls in the primary room so the kids could color on the walls.  It turned out great! 

During dinner, in order to get everybody through the lines in a timely manner we had 4 serving stations.  It took about 25 minutes for everyone to be served which made it possible to start our program right on time! 

For the service portion of the event, we set out Christmas giving boxes (presents with a slit in the top) on the tables so people could donate money that will go to help those in our ward who could use a little extra help this Christmas.

The Program was my undertaking!  Inspiration came to me one night as I was watching Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show.  I just knew that somehow I had to include a lip sync battle.  I decided to follow the Tonight Show format.  Ben agreed to be the host and do a funny Christmas monologue.  The bishopric and YM presidencies agreed to the lip sync battle, Santa Claus was our special guest, and Lori Beth Meldrum from the Mo tab was our guest performer, she sang Away in a Manger.  Following that part of the show, the "producers" (myself and Deirdre)  shared a Christmas message and invitation and we ended the night with the ward singing "Silent Night."     

So bummed this shot turned out fuzzy!
Best husband ever!

The lip sync battle was the highlight of the night.  The bishopric brought it and made me proud!
you can check it...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xep70UJpp38

I didn't sleep much the night before, and it was a ton or work, but our Christmas party turned out pretty sweet!  I was very pleased and thankful to everyone who helped to make it magical!