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One of the joys of the holiday season is rediscovering the dining-room table. Cleared of all the homework, craft projects, laundry, unpaid bills and dust, it gleams again, but it is barren. In anticipation of holiday feasts and in gratitude for the months of ignominious service, it deserves decorating.
With a few snips of a ribbon, the new $80 million facility opened its doors Friday morning.
I've been steeling myself for the coming tidal wave of holiday craziness and needed an antidote for that mad dash in a "gotta-get-it, gotta-have-it" world. The word "peace" beckons us all to embrace a less commercial, more simplified ideal that the Christmas holiday embodies.
Tallying up the costs
Elements used for all centerpieces
| 14-inch hexagonal mirror | Garden Ridge | $5.99 |
| 12-inch round mirror | Garden Ridge | $5.99 |
| 8-inch glass candlesticks | Garden Ridge | 3 @ $2.97, $8.91 |
| Green bead garland | Hobby Lobby | $6.99 |
| Ribbon | Joann’s | $2 |
| Floral swag | Hobby Lobby | $20 |
| Potpourri | Garden Ridge | 2 @ $7.99, $15.98 |
| Walnuts | Local farmers market | $5 |
| Total | $70.86 |
| Small glass fish bowl | Garden Ridge | $3.99 |
| Tapers | Hobby Lobby | 6 @ 99 cents, $5.94 |
| Brown boa | Joann’s | $3.99 |
| Total | $13.92 |
| Small glass fish bowls | Garden Ridge | ...