First, I would like to wish every Smith’s School of English student a very Happy New Year!
I hope 2023 brings health, happiness, and prosperity to each and every one of you.
My last blog featured the annual Smith’s School of English Miyakojima – BBQ party, which was held in October, 2022. This month’s blog will continue with the event theme, featuring the Smith’s School of English Miyakojima – Christmas party.
At Smith’s School of English Miyakojima we are more than a group of students and a teacher; we are a family. And, our school family’s biggest event of the year is our annual Christmas party. As always, this year’s party, was held in the Smith’s School of English Miyakojima classroom and lounge on Saturday, December 10, 2022. It was our biggest and best Christmas party ever with 25 people attending.
Decorations
I love the Christmas season. I love the decorations, the lights, the food, and the atmosphere of Christmas. This year, I did a complete renewal of all the decorations in the school. There was a new bigger Christmas tree, all new lights and garland around the doors and windows, and many new decorations. All of my students were able to enjoy the decorations and Christmas feeling from the middle of November until the end of December. Setting up the decorations is a lot of work, but the smiles on my students’ faces make it worth all the effort!
Christmas Party Concept
The school Christmas party is my attempt to share Canadian Christmas culture of the “home party”. In Canada, the host makes most of the food, but all party attendees bring something to the party, and everyone shares the food and drinks together. We call this a “pot-luck” party. The spirit of this kind of dinner is warmth, friendship, family, sharing, and love. More than Santa Claus and gift giving, these are all the most important things in the “spirit of Christmas”.
Moreover, our school Christmas party gives my students a chance to meet other students and build friendships that extend outside of the school. I believe this is very important in building the “family feeling” that we enjoy at Smith’s School of English Miyakojima.
Food
Two of my passions in life are cooking, and hosting events. I love to cook, and I love to prepare food for large groups of people. I prepared the majority of the food for this year’s party, but every student made an important contribution. Some students kindly brought homemade dishes, which were served as appetizers or dessert. And, the other attendees brought drinks, such as wine, beer, and soft drinks.
I would like to thank everyone for bringing food and drinks, which made this a true “pot-luck” dinner.
What was on the Christmas party menu?
APPETIZERS
Cheese Fondue
French Onion Soup
Jamon Serrano
Spanish Omelette (made by Ms. Tataki)
Mini Pizzas (made by Ms. Kadota)
Korean Kinpa (made by Ms. Hara)
Thai Curry & Rice
SALADS
Tomato & Mozzarella Caprese
Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Greens Salad with Persimmon
MAIN DISHES
Pork Spare Ribs
Whole Roasted Chicken
Roasted Vegetables
Maple Bacon
Beef Steak with Cauliflower Puree, Black Truffles & Madeira Wine Sauce
DESSERTS
Tiramisu (made by Ms. Yonashiro)
Cereal Bars (made by Ms. Yonashiro)
Sweet Potato Tarts (made by Ms. Yonashiro)
Lindt Chocolates
Party Food
Party People
As you can see in the photos, the party was a wonderful evening of eating, drinking, talking and laughing. I know that all of my students enjoyed it very much, and everyone said that they are looking forward to the next event.
Unfortunately, many students at Smith’s School of English Miyakojima couldn’t attend this year’s Christmas party for various reasons. But I hope they can come next year!
Christmas Party 2022 Group Photo
And finally, a special message to all of my students:
“I would like to thank all of my students at Smith’s School of English Miyakojima for their continued support and for being such wonderful people. Each and every student is unique, and I enjoy all of the time we spend together in English lessons, and at the parties we share together. You are all amazing people, and you are part of my family…the Smith’s School of English Miyakojima family. I wish you all the very best in 2023.”
Dan
Smith’s School of English Miyakojima
What an amazing event, you’ve created there Dan. It looks spectacular. Happy New Year. Tom
Thanks Tom. The Christmas party is always a big production, and a lot of work goes into it but my students love it. It’s very rewarding for me to be able to pull it off every year.
Happy new year to you too!