MORE THAN A HALF DOZEN years ago, Meb Ryan decided she would host a get-together for women who needed a break from the holiday hustle and bustle.  She hatched the plan after attending a similar party at a friend’s house during the fall.  
     That gathering was such a hit that Meb decided to start a “Girls’ Only Ardsley Park Holiday Party” at her east 45th Street home.
     For the last seven years, Meb has decorated her home for the holidays, arranged for refreshments and jotted down a list of women who she hoped would take time out of their busy schedules to drop by for female fun and fellowship. 
     The party has grown by leaps and bounds and is a much-anticipated annual soiree for Ardsley Park residents and their gal pals.  
    
LAST YEAR'S AFFAIR TO REMEMBER
     Meb’s most recent party was once again a success because of a formula that she has fine-tuned through the years.  After penciling in the date on her jammed December calendar, Meb orders printed invitations, addresses them to the lucky recipients and drops the festive envelopes in the mail.
     “A hundred (invitations) probably wasn’t enough,” Meb fretted.  But invitees always are encouraged to bring friends, which they always do.  Last year, in a twist to the buddy system, Margaret Lange brought Kim Collins who, at the time, had just bought the east 45th Street home that Margaret and husband Stephen built several years ago.  The Langes were moving to Whitemarsh Island after the holidays, and Margaret wanted to introduce Kim to some of the Ardsley Park girls.
     “The absolutely best thing about Meb’s party is that you get to meet all the new people in Ardsley Park,” Margaret said.  “Meb does an outstanding job. It’s certainly not a late night, but it’s a fun night.”
     Meb always plans the come-and-go casual party on a Thursday night in early December.  Doing so gives her a “deadline for decorating” after which she can relax and enjoy the rest of the season with her husband, Hurley, and their two sons.
     For the crowd of women — both young and not so young — Meb provides drinks from two bars — one set up on the front porch and another in the sunroom.  
    
PREPARATION IS KEY
     Meb prepares for the party by asking several regulars to bring hors d’oeuvres.  She used to try to do everything herself but learned quickly that people wanted to pitch in and help.
     Margaret’s assignment consists of a platter full of chicken fingers from Barnes Restaurant.  She always anticipates sampling other dishes, such as Danielle Sussman’s “amazing, to-die-for” onion recipe, she said.
     Danielle admits that people do go crazy over her contribution of Vidalia Onion Torte, which she found in the vegetable section – not the appetizer chapter — of the cookbook, “Savannah Style,” which was produced by the Junior League of Savannah, Inc.
     Danielle said Meb took “a good idea and has gone with it,” when it comes to her unique party.  
     Most of the food is set out in Meb’s dining room, where last year she provided ham biscuits, a fruit tray and pink and cheerful green cocktail napkins.  
Kim Ergul, who lives around the corner from Meb, always prepares hot pimento cheese, a recipe she spotted in Southern Living magazine.  Meb’s party is an “event that we all look forward to,” she said.  “It’s a great way to see folks that you don’t see during the year.”
    
ASK A BUSY PERSON
     She admires Meb for taking time out of her busy schedule to open her home.  In addition to being a wife, mom and avid runner, Meb owns Cherub, a children’s shop across Barnard Street from The GAP downtown.
     The party is extremely convenient for Jane Pressley, who lives just across the street from Meb. “I guess I’ve been five or six times,” said Jane.
     “It’s a treat we all look forward to,” she said.  “It’s that time of year when everyone is running around in different directions, and it’s wonderful that everyone stops for a minute to get together for fun and fellowship.”
     Jane said she is always surprised to meet people who live nearby that she didn’t know previously.  She usually brings a friend who ends up being invited the following year.  Thus, Meb’s list swells.
     Last year, Meb made a typographical error in the invitation and identified the get-together as the sixth annual party when it was actually the seventh.  
     This year Meb plans to continue the tradition of the all-girls party.  No doubt the bash will be bigger and better, although guests can’t fathom how Meb’s unique Christmas get-together could be too much more fun. 

Editor’s note: This story has been condensed for online viewing. For the full story, pick up a copy of the November/December 2008 Savannah Magazine.