We gathered in the community hall on a chilly Thursday afternoon, December 11, to celebrate the winter holidays. Sixteen fellow carvers attended our woodcarving winter holiday party. The room filled with the low hum of conversation as members started setting up a woodcarving display table.
Dozens of pieces we have carved over the years stood side by side: tiny winter ornaments, a smiling Santa, a few Viking warriors, neckerchief slides, and chip-carved coasters. Gary Paulson added examples of eggshell carving and a silver‑wire inlay that sparkled under the ceiling light.
The potluck began when the first salad bowls arrived. We passed around homemade cookies, green salads, and a few family recipes while the club’s pizza trays and a cooler of sodas stayed on the side. Everyone grabbed a slice, helped themselves to a sweet, and swapped tips about grain direction and tool angles.
After the meal, we handed out participation prizes. Each carver received a small gift: a handmade coaster, a clamp, a measuring tape, a pencil sharpener, or a block of basswood. We saw a few surprised smiles when the tools were opened, and many of us already talked about using the basswood for next winter’s ornaments.
We took a group photo behind the display table, the carvings forming a backdrop for our smiles. The camera clicked as we laughed about the Viking’s tiny helmet and Santa’s crooked beard.
The evening reminded us why we keep the club active: sharing our work, learning new carving techniques, and having a place to cheer together. We are already planning the 2026 woodcarving winter holiday party and hope to have even more hand-carved ornaments ready for our holiday gift exchange.
We thank the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America for allowing us to use the spacious community hall; the extra space made it easy to set up our woodcarving display and accommodate everyone comfortably. We also appreciate every member who brought a carving to share and who contributed salads, sweets, or other potluck dishes. Your generosity and enthusiasm turned our gathering into a memorable evening for the whole club.
If you enjoy carving, want to try a new project, or just like being around wood and friends, bring a tool or a snack and join us at the next meeting. All skill levels are welcome. Please see our schedule here.
Read about our previous winter parties here:
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