Girlfriend Charity Christmas Party and Give Away

Each year I host a Girlfriend Charity Christmas Party at my home on the first Friday of December.  I have been doing this for several years.


Every year each girl brings a beautiful gift to exchange that some or all of the proceeds from buying this gift benefit their favorite charity.



It always touches my heart to see the beautiful gifts that everyone comes up with for the gift exchange.

Each girl will be able to talk about the gift they bring for the exchange and why the benefiting charity is important to them.  The stories are heart warming.



We gather at my home and I usually have a theme for the party.  Last year's theme was Tequila and Tiara's.  We all wore Tiara's and had yummy Margarita's.  Anyway you get the idea about the theme!!!




This year is a Let's Whine (wine) that this is probably the last Girlfriend party in this home! (Since my home is up for sale.)



All my favors and prizes are wine themed.



Each girl wears their favorite Christmas jammies.  We all know it is more comfy to drink and eat in your jammies.  We really have a wonderful group that gathers each year to celebrate our love and friendships for each other.



This is my dining room table from the other day.  I started with all the stuff I needed to make up favors and prizes for the party.




I found these cute magnet Christmas lists at Michaels in the dollar bins.  Just adorable.

I added some Hershey's kisses and a red pen. An instant favor for less than $2 for each girl.

Michael's also had the sweetest note cards in the bins too. 

Look at these cute wine gift bags they had in the bins too.  They had several different designs one cuter than the next.

 I put each memo pad in a clear cello bag with some chocolate kisses and the pens and then tied them off with ribbon and small candy canes.  I think these will be a cute favor for each girlfriend to take home.  These will come in handy as they start their lists for the holidays.

Just wanted you to see my design assistant Libby is on break in the upper left corner.  Apparently her union contract states if the sun is streaming in the french doors she gets to sun herself.   She needed to nap while I was doing all the work!!!!!
Cute straws for our drinks in all different designs like the bags.





Since the Party is wine themed.  I got these cute wine purse/clutches.  Each girl is going to bring their favorite bottle of wine.  I will give each of them one of these cute wine purses for their bottle of wine.  We will play a game with the purses and wine and each girl will win a cute wine purse and bottle of wine to take home.

Loved this cheetah pattern.  Too cute!

Each wine purse comes with an insulated interior so this could be a multi tasking purse.  Maybe even used as a cute lunch tote!

Inside the zipper compartment each purse comes with a wine opener.



I found these cute wine purses at Marshall's and Home Goods.  They were on clearance for $7 each.  What a cool wine purse for $7.  They came in so many pretty patterns.
The hot pink is my favorite.  Love the cheetah pattern too.  Should be fun to play the wine game so everyone gets a nice bottle of wine and cute wine purse to take home.

One of the prizes I made up was this wonderful glamour satin pillow case.  If you sleep with this on your pillow it will give you smoother skin and healthier hair.  I found this at Home Goods and they came in different designs.  I got one for myself!  So we will see if my skin gets smoother and younger looking lol!
Also put in with this pillow case a wine mask.  Yep found these wine facial masks too.
So happy to find cute inexpensive wine themed things for prizes.






Now on to the Give Away.  You gotta love Home Goods.  I am addicted to Home Goods I will admit it!  That is my happy place to go!!!  Each year Home Goods brings out a shopping tote that when purchased the proceeds go to a wonderful charity.  They are only 99 cents to begin with but they sell so many of these it adds up quickly to benefit the charity.


This years tote proceeds are going to the Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund that helps kids with cancer.  My younger daughter Kim works as an pediatric oncology nurse at Lurie's Children's Hospital in Chicago.  I loved that Home Goods picked a pediatric cancer fund this year for the proceeds.


The art work used on the tote was done by a young girl (Kate 6 yrs. old) that is undergoing cancer treatments.

Love the sweet flowers she painted for the design of this tote.
 I am giving each of my girlfriends a tote to take home all her treasures from the party.  

I bought extra's so I have a few of these to give away to some lucky blog friends.

All you have to do is just leave me a message.  That's it no hoops to jump through or sign ups!  Just leave me a message and I will enter you into the giveaway for one of these totes.

If you are a no reply blogger please make sure you leave your email address so if you are picked I have a way to contact you.

Have a wonderful week ahead.  I want to wish safe travels for each of you traveling this week for Thanksgiving.  For all the rest of you that will be home for Thanksgiving have a wonderful day with family and friends.

I am thankful for all the sweet friendships I have been blessed with in this land they call blogging!!!  So blessed to know each of you.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Kris
:) 

77 comments

  1. What a fun party idea and your treats and prizes are all totally amazing. I love, love, love the wine purses, how fabulous is that. I need that leopard or cheetah one. Got to go to Marshalls. Have fun with your guests.

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  2. Awww...I wanna be a girlfriend and come to your girlfriend party. wah-wah-wah. Those gals are so lucky to have a friend like you, Kirs. Seriously. You are just the dearest person and always thinking of others and how to make them happy. You do a great job of it, too.
    No need to put my name in for a bag- this old bag has plenty of bags. I LOVE Home Goods, too. It is one of my favorite places o shop. That is a great thing they are doing with those proceeds this year.
    Have a wonderful Sunday, Kris. Love ya, kiddo- xo Diana

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  3. Kris, I love that your girlfriend party is to help others..and you get to enjoy the company and love of friends. Blessings all the way around. Your daughter must be a brave person every time she is at work...seeing sick kids can be so painful. Thank you for the blessings for a good holiday. You know we all wish you the same. You are special Kris. May God bless you and yours, xoxo,Susie

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  4. How fun, I remember you doing this last year too:) You deserve some time with friends with a chance to unwind. What a lovely time.

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  5. This is the cutest idea for a party ever!!! And I love your little favors and gifts - way too cute for words.

    I am going to have to look for those wine bags....and hit up the dollar bin at Michaels!!

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  6. Looks like you and your guest are going to have a fun time partying together. Envious of your girlfriends...and your girlfriends are so lucky to have a friend like you. What a great theme, and I'll have my eye out for wine purse.!

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  7. That looks like TONS of fun Kris! This is the time to play, create and give for the fun of it. ENJOY!

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  8. What a fabulous idea Kris! And you scored so big on those wine totes, I saw a couple and was planning on using them for my gift stash. I haven't done much shopping yet, need the mood...and of course being buried in snow helps. Are your geraniums still bloomin, LOL. I brought some in, and they are in full bloom again, Sandi

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  9. how wonderful that you celebrate the season with your girlfriends, while assisting charities. Love the concept. Now I just need to get some girl friends and I will borrow you idea. LOL. Take some photos of the space after your done decorating for the party...can't wait to see everyone in their jammies. Have a great Thanksgiving.

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    1. It is a fun party and a wonderful group of girlfriends.
      Kris

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  10. I think you should move to California when you sell the house so that I can join in one of your girlfriend parties - too much fun!

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  11. Kris,
    I love your enthusiasm and creativity! Your love and friendship shows in everything you do, you have a very generous heart. Your "Whine" theme sounds like such fun and I will be there in my heart and in my leopard PJs on the night of your party sending love your way. Kris if I am lucky enough to win one of the bags please give it to your daughter Kim and let her gift someone at the Laurie's Children hospital. In our small family and friends circle we have loved ones fighting cancer and prayers are being sent up for miracles this year. I respect business's who donate to charities and the fact they put a 6 year old's drawing who is fighting cancer just rocks in my book.
    Sending love and blessing for a joyful Thanksgiving.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  12. How thoughtful of you..Love the purses... I have great news and since I cant share with anyone in the family as it is not my news to share I can't think of a better person to share it with. I am going to be a grandma again. My daughter just informed me last night. She has Londyn who will be 7 in January and has been trying for sometime. I am so giddy! The best Thanksgiving and Christmas present all wrapped into one.

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  13. I always look forward to seeing what you do with these fun girlfriend parties! You always come up with such great ideas! I've never seen a wine purse, but what a great idea! Love that you can use it for other things too, with it being insulated. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  14. You have the best party with your friends :) Very nice gifts for your friends! I've never seen a wine purse! Since I just won the magazine, don't enter my name for this giveaway!
    Happy Thanksgiving to you.
    warmly,
    deb

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  15. Oh how I'd love to be at the party!!! Every detail is fantastic and all for a great cause!

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  16. Kris - Sounds like so much fun. Wish I lived close enough to attend. You really go all out - what a special remembrance for all of your dear friends.

    Judy

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  17. Hello Kris,
    Wow, what a fun party. I am looking forward to photos of the food and party. :-))
    Thank you for all the support on all our blogs. Your Spotlight is so fun. Thank You!
    Happy Thanksgiving,
    Carla

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  18. This is such a neat idea, Kris. Women just love to get together and when you throw in a good cause well it's just perfect.

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  19. What a fun party, I want to come! You are such a gracious and generous friend and host!

    ~Trisha

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  20. Your party favors are SO fun! I just love all the colors and the though that's been put into each item...the price is pretty good, too! You are a fabulous shopper, my friend. The giveaway bags are super sweet. I have been a lucky giveaway winner three times, this month, can you believe it?? So I'm going to sit this one out. I'd like to leave some prizes for the others!! ;)

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  21. You the the hostess with the mostess! I love all of the details you have thought out. Those wine purses are too cute. I've never seen those before.

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  22. A wine purse? That's just what I need. What a fun time you're all going to have and such a worthy cause too.

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  23. What a great idea! I love those wine purses. I'm going to stop in at Home Goods and Marhsall's to pick up a couple for gifts. Lovely idea. I'm addicted to Home Goods as well. I can spend hours just walking around and could spend a few thousand bucks in there if I wasn't careful! I'm going to pick up a couple of those totes. What a nice idea. I hope you have a wonderful time at your party and a happy Thanksgiving.

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  24. I'm not a wine drinker, but your party could certainly make me change my mind! Your preparations for it makes it look like it will be so much fun. I don't need to win a tote. I just wanted to comment on your special touches.

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  25. Your the best Kris, yes and I remember your post on this very theme of your last year party.
    The whole PJ. Thing I would be totally up for that, relaxing enjoying a laugh or two and even shearing a tear with heartfelt stories.
    Your wine bags are going to be a hit, just like your trunk bag giveaway that was filled with all the god does one may need on their weekend flea marketing that came in very handy for me, I still keep it stocked and ready for anything.

    The bag design did choke me up, I love when children are used in special ways to even brighten their days.

    Have a ball with the girls, I know you will, I have to say it sounded a bit sad that you realized your home won't have another charity functions after the sale of the home... I know 2016 is going to be your wow! year..

    See you soon

    Xx
    Dore

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  26. Hi Kris, You are definitely the best at theme shopping! How great that you found so many wonderful wine themed items. Have a wonderful time at the yearly get together. Happy Thanksgiving to you and to your family. So glad that you are a part of my blogging friends. Milena

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  27. Ooooh what a fun party you are going to have. I love all of your goodies. Thank you for the giveaway. I love the tote and that you are helping to support a charity. I love your blog.
    Susanne
    robsuehefner@gmail.com

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  28. You are the most caring person I have met in a long time. What a wonderful way to have a party for your friends and give to a Charity. Everything you put together is great and they are going to have such a good time. To have a party in your jammies, I love it. Have a great time.
    Wishing you and yours a most wonderful Thanksgiving.
    Please enter me into the drawing.
    Hugs,
    Mary

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  29. Hi Kris,
    What an amazing girls night you have planned, you gals are gonna have an amazing time...and in your jammies, what a great idea!
    Love the favor bags that you made...I bought a bunch of those at Michael's too to give as Christmas gifts, I thought the designs were so cute and especially for girlfriends that love shoes and purses and bracelets! ;)
    Love the wine bag/purses and have never seen anything like those before!
    Great give-a-way, I bought one of those bags the other day, such a great cause and such a cute bag...don't enter my name though.
    Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
    Hugs, Kimberley

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  30. What a fun party theme and you have outdone yourself with your favors. Everyone is going to be delighted!

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  31. I love those wine clutches and your gift bags! What a fun event!-Aimee

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  32. I love hearing about your girlfriend Christmas party and can't wait to see photos - don't forget to take photos this year :) Enjoy a wonderful time. You really create a special night and I'm sure your friends will have a blast!! Blessings, Cindy xoxo

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  33. Your party sounds like so much fun. I hope you post some party picks later so we can see all the fun.

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  34. Your parties sound like such fun, and your photos of everything are great.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week and a great girlfriend Christmas party.

    FlowerLady

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  35. Kris!!!!!!!! There are so many fabulous ideas in this post - who wouldn't love to attend this party? I adore the little wine purses and such a great prize. The charity idea is wonderful as well. Thanks for the drawing chance too. Jane

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  36. I love the idea of your party. You seem to live life to its fullest. That is something I want to incorporate in my life.

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  37. I love the idea of your party. You seem to live life to its fullest. That is something I want to incorporate in my life.

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  38. Kris, Our 17 month old great-grandson Arlo was just diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemiia. He was immediately treated with huge chemo and now on steroids. The cancer cells have been blasted, however, not out of the woods yet! Perhaps the benefits of The Jimmy Fund have made its way to Children's Hospital of New Orleans and benefited our precious baby, too~!

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    1. Oh Mary this is terrible. My prayers go out to you and your family. Oh to only be 17 months and dealing with chemo and treatments. My daughter does tell me how resilient these kids can be. They just do not know anything different and they tend to endure it like little troopers. Mary I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I cannot even imagine if my granddaughter had to go through this. May Arlo be in good hands. Prayers.
      Kris

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    2. Mary Baldwin, I am praying for a complete recovery for little Arlo. Hold your faith strong that all will go well. Special hugs sent for your and yours.

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    3. Thank you Kris and Lilalee...we are so grateful to the researchers, nurses, Dr's and all who have been working diligently to not only treat children (and adults!) with diseases but for continuing to find new methods and treatments to actually cure.
      Arlo is doing well...albeit quite puffed (little Michelin man!) from the steroids...still, he continues to take it in stride!

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  39. Kris, what a wonderful party idea. Great that you and your girlfriends are doing it for charity. I sounds like a lot of fun and your ideas are darling.

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  40. Kris,
    You always amaze me! What a wonderful idea.
    Kathleen

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  41. Sounds like a fun party and I never knew there were wine purses!

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  42. How fun and festive everything looks....enjoy!
    <3DianeM
    basketblessed@yahoo.com

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  43. Love all of these treasures! What a wonderful party...I so wish I lived closer...I would just jump right in! Those wine purses are just too adorable!! Love and hugs to you!!

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  44. What fabulous prizes ( and prices ) Kris - I've never heard of a wine purse in my life - I just LOVE them - have to look for them here !
    And 7.00 each PLUS a wine opener? I really need to move to the States LOL !
    I just adored seeing Libby basking in the sun...........you know why
    XOXO

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  45. Adorable totes! Love them. I have never seen a Home Goods store so not sure any are out my way. Have a wonderful party!!

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  46. Love the tote! So nice, I will have to search out a Home Goods store and see if I can get a few. I am a teacher and would love to give them to my parent volunteers.

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  47. Hi Kris, your party looks like it will be another fabulous success. What a great way to share friendships! I'm looking forward to the after pics and seeing everyone in there pjs. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hugs, Jo

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  48. Sounds like so much fun! Enjoy your party.
    Hugs
    Alessandra

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  49. What a fun and sweet party idea. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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  50. What a wonderful idea! I don't understand how the gift exchange goes. I love the themes! Have a great Thanksgiving and also time at your party.
    Deb

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  51. WOW what nice party favors you have fixed up

    I seen a lot of those adorable paper items at Michael's binds

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  52. I remember this girlfriend party from last year. So generous that you do it all for charity. And just like last year, I wish we lived closer so I could hope for an invite :) I love how much thought you put into those goodie bags too. Have a great party and I hope you'll share some pictures.

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  53. Hi Kris! I love reading about your annual party and seeing all of the clever and creative goodie ideas you come up with! I think that one of the first posts I read on your blog was about the party, a few years ago. So glad I found you back then! Love those wine purses! How cute! Everything looks like the makings of a fun evening and I'm so glad that you decided to hostess the party again this year! Looking forward to seeing pictures (hint, don't forget to take pictures). I love Home Goods! The first time I went, I walked from aisle to aisle just going "oh wow" under my breath.I enjoy going even if I don't buy anything, but how often does that happen, right? I had to make sure it and some other stores were nearby where we're moving in fact LOL! The tote bags are so special so please, put me in the running! Have a very wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Hugs, Leena

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  54. You put alot of time and thought and caring into this and i applaud you! Great job and it all looks just lovely! So bright and festive!

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  55. I'd have to say that this is lovely. Its really very festive for sure .
    thefiggtree@yahoo.com

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  56. OH MY what a unique ideas and party to host - you are outstanding.. I am impressed indeed!
    Hugs

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  57. What wonderful ideas for such a great party! Have a wonderful and very happy Thanksgiving!

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  58. I would bet that your girlfriend party is the highlight of the holiday season for you and your group of friends! It's a wonderful idea to have fun and support your favorite charity at the same time. No matter where you find yourself next year at this time, I know you'll be surrounded by supportive friends. You are fun loving and have a good heart and good things will come your way!

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  59. I love your annual party idea. What a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season and spend time with some special friends. Cheers to you and yours.

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  60. You are the Hostess with the Mostest, Kris. I recall your PJ party last Christmas and thinking then how creatively you think. This year is spectacular, too. Those wine bags are so cool, and the girls will love them. Isn't it amazing that a little girl going through cancer treatment can create a beautiful picture that portrays so much hope? Precious.

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  61. You have such a generous soul Kris. It shows in everything you do, and this is no exception. Not only that, but you're just about the most creative person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. These gift items are adorable!! If I lived closer, you'd see my face pressed against your window looking for an invite ;).

    Many blessings to you this holiday season. May it be all you wish for and more.

    xxx

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  62. Happy Thanksgiving!!! I know this last year has been a little stressful, but you have handled it with such poise and grace. You are always in my prayers and I am so thankful for such a lovely friend.

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  63. Kris you are amazing and pull together a fabulous party. Love your theme this year. The wine purses are awesome. Everything just adds to the party. Most important, you have such a beautiful heart and I am blessed to know you. Wishing you a special Thanksgiving and all good things ahead.
    xo

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  64. Have a fabulous girlfriend party Kris! LOVE all of your party favors...and the love you put into each & every one! Much LOVE my friend! xoxo

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  65. Have a wonderful time at your party! Wine bags....really....who knew! I'll have to track one of those down! Have a great weekend!

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  66. you have such amazing party ideas. this sounds like such a fun time, Kris!

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  67. Kris, I remember your fun girlfriend parties from previous years. What a wonderful thing to talk about charities. The purses are so cute, never heard of a wine bag, but fun!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  68. You are so much fun Kris! Great looking party. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

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  69. You are so much fun Kris! Great looking party. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

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  70. I love this!!! This is the kind of party I love ~ pj's, wine, goodies and a contribution to a worthy cause. Can't wait to see photos! You are one of the most creative and talented ladies in blog land...always sharing something beautiful and from a beautiful heart.

    Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!
    xo
    Pat

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  71. this is a wonderful tradition. It's a fun party ideas, and I love how it's geared to help charities

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