Your pictures are lovely! Both you and your daughter look great. I do sort of think that the pink is a little too summery for a Christmas party. They again, I don't know what part of the county you're in. But, people generally will dress more wintery for a Christmas Party. Your other two options sound ok... again, though, maybe you could ask around if you know others going. I find formality of parties and such is so regional that what goes in one county will be totally different in the next. I'd hate to tell you to wear the black skirt and then have everyone else in strapless pink dresses with tiarras -LOL I'm pretty sure your husband will be fine in a tux (even with a red shirt!), but it's harder with women. Do you know anyone else going to the party you could ask? If you're going to buy something, you may want/need to go even more formal; an actual gown may be a better option... I know I'm sort of changing my opinion from my last post but I was going more towards something that you could blend in with either way. But, if your husband is wearing a tux, you can afford to buy something, and everyone else is dressing really formal, you may want to go up a notch and wear a long gown. Ask around. And, post back even after the party. I am curious as to how strictly the word formal will be followed. Here is a link that might be useful: How to Dress

Thank you for the compliments. I stayed up last night to learn how to post the picture but was unable to. Then this morning I was able but I forgot to write something. Yes those are my 3 children, one of my daughters just had a baby 2 months ago so she and her husband were unable to attend the wedding. That was at the end of the night of dancing and having fun. The dress remembered only cost me $30. WELL TO MAKE THINGS MORE DIFFICULT!!! I went to Lord and Taylor this morning and bought another dress, which I think is the one, I cant find it on the computer. It is a Tahari dress, sheath, stretch cotton with a collar like the one above, looked more like a day dress to me. I only wish I could find it on the internet, if not I will take a picture and download it. I was thinking of a medium sized black hat (which I had my heart set on) and dress it up with yellow, which and maybe a hint of red flower on the hat. Just a thought. I just want everyone to know how much you all have helped me. I was looking at the wrong type of dresses, hopefully I can find the dress and see what you all think.

I hope nobody thought I wore socks with sandals! I meant to say that ALL shoes rub so I wear socks or hose, I don't wear the flip-flop type sandals at all b/c they rub. Sometimes I will wear hose with a strappy shoe that I guess you could call a sandal - if they're dressy, have heels (even wedges). Casual open-toe sandals I don't wear hose - of course I'm usually wearing those with shorts! Even in my 20's and wearing miniskirts I always wore hose with heels. They help reduce the friction. Don't do anything for sweaty feet though - I had lots of pairs of hose with stained feet from the dye coming off the shoes. My kids' shoes stink - even 10-yr old DD's feet sometimes stink. But the 15-yr runner's are the worst!

Thank you for your responses everyone, all are very helpful. We always use a very nice tablecloth for a large party because that is when we have kids of all ages, older folks, someone who might have had an extra drink or two etc. And with a large crowd in the house who is going to look at the table anyway. The tablecloth goes to dry-cleaners and is then stored untill the next occasion. But you guys are right, for a nicer table I might have to get some padding to put under the tablecloth. For every day use or for a small gathering I want to see the table. Tracie and everyone else with the glass covers, I am with you on that and would love glass but we need a table with leaves to accomodate DH's large family when we need it. That means removing the glass, taking it to another room and then putting it back. I don't think that would work, would it? Does anyone here do it? I am going to look into waterlox very seriously as it sounds like what we might need (mondragon, I love your table, it came our great. I am thinking of something like this but darker) and also will check the Antique Tables Made Daily shop (thanks amberley) and the Cost Plus Market (thanks beschenbach) cawaps, sorry about the acetone accident. johnliu, wow, those are some cool choices, so creative Sweeby, RH has some great things. I really like RH Camden Trestle Table but the larger one is too large and the smaller one doesn't extend. And even that one says "veneers". They do have salvage wood tables but that would be way too rustic for us.