From Becca’s Desk, January 2022
Ho, ho, ho! What a whirlwind of a holiday season! The St. George Village Botanical Garden really had a wild ride in December! As it is my first winter season as Co-Director of SGVBG, it didn’t occur to me that holiday season (in all of its festive glory) coincides with WEDDING SEASON! Weekend weddings, weekday weddings, and engagement parties galore! I’d like to send some personal congratulations to all of the newlyweds that blessed our garden with their love this month!
Aside from the happy nuptials, SGVBG celebrated the holidays with our incredible Mistletoe and Martinis holiday event. The Bodine was dressed to the nines, in shimmer and shine with thanks to Breathless Occasions. DJ Akira had everyone rockin’ around the Christmas tree. Zalatina Foods decked the tables with lamb lollipops, smoked duck meatballs, beet and fennel blinis, and other extravagant dishes. Our martini shakers jingled with the sound of Mutiny Island Vodka, and our wine glasses glistened with Italian VI Trading red and white wines. Leatherback beer was on tap, and we kept everything ice cold thanks to our friends at Food Town. Coral Fire Entertainment gave a festive and fun fire show, and our guests got to strike a pose with Mermandy Photography’s holiday photo booth. It may have rained a little bit, but it didn’t dampen our spirits!
Our holiday celebration continued bright and early the next day with our Second Annual Breakfast with Santa! The children worked up an appetite by running pell-mell across the garden, collecting hundreds of candy canes during the holiday scavenger hunt. Cost U Less generously donated a whole case of candy canes for the children. This year we featured two breakfast seatings, and a casual afternoon Cookies with Santa. The children were greeted by The Grinch (or, as my three-year-old said, “the big green monkey”) before taking their seats. The Bistro Catering pulled out all of the stops with their pancake breakfast! Mom and Dad both enjoyed the Mutiny Island Vodka Bloody Mary Bar, and ice cold mimosas! Santa Clause made sure to stop and every table to greet the children. After breakfast, it was finally time for a one-on-one with Santa himself! Santa listened attentively to every child, and gave them each a very special gift. Alda Anduze captured the holiday magic with her camera. Because it can be tough waiting for Santa, the SGVBG Tyrannosaurus Rexes frolicked by the kapok tree to create a much needed distraction while waiting in line. By 3:00 pm the staff and volunteers of SGVBG were happily exhausted, full of pancakes, sugar high on candy canes, and ready for a Mutiny Island Vodka Bloody Mary.
As December comes to a close, and we are on the precipice of a whole new year, we would like to send our warmest wishes across St. Croix and beyond. Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, and Safe New Year. See you in 2022!
