Christmas came early last week as my husband, Frank, and I hosted a holiday party in our home for members of the Seattle Fashion Group International. FGI (www.fgi.org) is a global, non-profit, professional organization with over 5,000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, and home.

Friends Kristin Downing-West and Count Kody Tuwaletstiwa, of Kristin and The Count, created the perfect menu and beautiful table décor for this festive event.

Each FGI guest brought a wrapped gift for the Holiday Giving Tree to benefit New Beginnings (www.newbegin.org), which provides shelter, advocacy and support for battered women and their children. This agency has an emergency shelter and transitional housing apartments; a community-based program, which provides individual advocacy and support groups; and a social change program.

The Christmas wish list was for children ages 2 months up to age 16 who are living in transitional housing with their mothers.

Ella, age 9, wished for a Glowing Fairy Barbie; Andrew, age 3, wanted Tonka trucks; Sara, age 4, requested Sing-Along music videos; Trey, 2 months, needed clothing; Ryan, age 8, wanted a book bag for school; and Francisca, age 7, wished for a warm winter coat.

Gifts were collected for 39 children, so they too, will be able to celebrate the holidays. I felt like Santa Claus when I delivered all of the wrapped packages, knowing that each gift will bring a little bit of happiness to every child on our list.

Wishing all of you the joy of the Holiday Season.