Christmas in Cayman

This year we were in Cayman for Christmas. This was the first Christmas spent away from our families, so I was a little apprehensive. How do we celebrate properly and make the holiday extra special? Luckily I have a few friends that were on island for the holiday that wondered the same thing.

I started by bringing every Christmas movie I love down on DVD (from A Christmas Story to A Muppet Christmas Carol) and some Christmas decorations from Target. Then we watched the movies with our friends over the week leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve Alanna and James had a Christmas open house including mince pies with brandy butter (no meat is in them any more, just dried fruit), meats, cheeses, and mulled wine. And of course, I brought a cheese ball :)

After the open house, the four of us headed out to St Ignatius for Christmas carols and midnight mass. The best carol was a west indian classic (apparently) "De Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy".

Christmas Day we went to the Ritz Carlton for their Family Christmas Brunch. It was AWESOME!

There was a long foyer filled with food stations.

There were multiple snow machines, so when you see little spots on the photos, you know it was just festive awesomeness falling from the sky.

Here is a view of the ballroom, all dressed up for Christmas. There was a harpist and a special arts and crafts station for children.

Here is Bob with Alanna and James, getting ready to enjoy the Moet!

Here is a photo with my new work friend Maria and her bf Joe. I have work friends now!!

And because the Ritz is ridiculous and he was there, Alanna and I had our photo with Santa!