Zumba Christmas Party

Our group of a dozen Zumba buddies decided to have a Holiday Party.  Myrtle happens to love organizing parties and is a party planner extraordinaire.

She made reservations at the Waikele Country Club.  I've never been there or to this kind of island holiday party and didn't know what to expect.  We agreed to a $10.00 grab bag instead of worrying about any other gift.

Art's cousin, Renee picked me up and we found our way there.  She'd never been there either.

It was a gorgeous day and the temperature was perfect!

We realized then that this was a rather classy place and I wasn't exactly dressed properly.  Everyone arriving were dressed beautifully.  I thought it was going to be more informal since it was a luncheon and this is Hawaii.

Oh dear!

Then I discovered that everyone had brought little gifts for everybody.

Arrrghhh!

I thought the grab bag alone was supposed to be the gift.

Renee kindly, thoughtfully told everyone that her wrapped macadamia nut cans were from both of us.

Things are done a trifle differently here in Hawaii.

I was just amazed at how creative and generous everyone is.  There was one friend who sent little gifts even though she wasn't able to make it.  I almost wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

Of course no one paid my faux pas any mind and soon the meal arrived.  I was surprised that we could all order whatever we wanted and the restaurant had agreed to give us separate checks.  That's 11 separate checks.  The staff was attentive, friendly and very helpful.

And yes, the food was delicious.  I had a Chinese steamed salmon dish that I loved and it was under $14.00.

Myrtle had a whole arsenal of party games that were tons of fun.

There was a game where we had to put a cardboard and paper on our heads and draw a snowman.  Then we voted on the winner by putting a sticker on that sheet.  Irene won... hands up!  I didn't even recognize the scribble I did.  Myrtle also had us eat a hard boiled egg saying that the first person who could whistle after that was the winner.  Renee won!

Another game was hilarious.  You had to translate the pidgin to a Christmas song.  There was: Eh, manini-size home turf of Jesus (Oh Little Town of Bethlehem).

I loved:  I going stay come bumbye to da hale on da 25th. (I'll Be Home For Christmas)

Surprisingly, I got 7 out of 10 correct even though I've lived on the mainland for 35 years.  I didn't win.  Someone did get 9 of them right.  Amazing!

There were quite a few more games and while we were eating, Myrtle had us tell everyone something that nobody knew about us.  It was hilarious!

The grab bag was played a little differently.  Myrtle read a poem directing each person how to pick a grab bag and who to exchange it with.

On the mainland, I didn't much enjoy the white elephant grab bag where you kept taking a bag away from someone and having the game sometimes last way too long, often leaving a little taste of disappointment along the way.  This way, we were all happy and excited about our gifts.

Now that I know what the parties are like here in Hawaii, I'll be more ready for the next one.  I've already told Myrtle she needs to organize another one next year.

She's already set the date!