When my pastor's wife told me about this "Advent by Candlelight" service tradition that goes on at some churches, I was imme...

Advent by Candlelight

Friday, December 06, 2013 , , , , , ,

Advent by Candlelight
When my pastor's wife told me about this "Advent by Candlelight" service tradition that goes on at some churches, I was immediately all game. Basically, it's a ladies' service at church where each table has a hostess who invites her own guests, and the hostess provides decor and dessert for those guests. Not only is it a great fellowship and outreach event, it is also a creative outlet. So when our church decided to try holding Advent by Candlelight this year, I was excited to think of a way to decorate my table.
Advent by Candlelight
Of course I toyed with a lot of ideas--classic Christmas, vintage Christmas, woodland Christmas--I finally settled on a sugar land Christmas. This is how, my friends, I ended up with the ridiculously pink table in a collection of classic red, green, and gold tables. Oh well. It might have been over the top, but I had fun doing it!Advent by Candlelight
I used some of my jadite bowls to hold vintage ornaments and cookie cutters. Some of the yard and felt decor was from Hobby Lobby. I used a pink tablecloth and a candy cane striped runner.
Advent by Candlelight
I was worried about having enough decor for my table, though in the end I think I almost had too much.
Advent by Candlelight
At the last minute, I remembered it was called Advent by Candlelight for a reason. My table needed candles. I figured some of these vintage metal Jell-O molds would work for cute tea lights.
Advent by Candlelight
I made this chocolate raspberry torte for a dessert for my table. It was very rich! I served small slices and nut cups.
Advent by Candlelight
I had also been concerned that no one would sit at my table, but I had the perfect turnout. Every spot was taken with a seat left for me. I was also really happy that Justin was able to drive down to Castle Rock to pick up his grandmother to join us. She is at a retirement home and doesn't get out much, and I think having a home-made dessert made her day.
Advent by Candlelight
There was live music, handbells, Advent themed skits, and devotions. Prayer and fellowship. The sweetest part was that men from our congregation provided the music and served drinks to all the ladies for the event. There is talk of making this an annual thing and I sincerely hope it is.

I also made an ornament for each guest at my table to take home.
Advent by Candlelight
So that was my candy land table for Advent by Candlelight. You can see other photos from the event as well as some of the other tables here at my Flickr page, if you like.
Advent by Candlelight

Oh, and that chocolate rasperry torte? You can make one too! I've posted a detailed tutorial over at Lark & Lola.

Chocolate Raspberry Torte

Cheers,
Heather

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2 comments

  1. With how similar our decorating tastes are, I would have been your pink table competition had I been a part of this event! If I was a guest, I would have booked it to your table as soon as the doors opened. You did an awesome job. My absolute favorite thing is how you used the old Jello molds for tealight holders. Brilliant! I have stacks of those that I have picked up at sales and thrifts over the years waiting for my no-so-creative mind to come up with a use for them. Now I have one! Thanks, Heather :-)

    Have a wonderful weekend,

    Erica

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