The secret to any well thought out party is a well thought out list. Honestly in your life you will host many wonderful parties. May it be a birthday party for a spouse, or your child. Or simply a girls night in, anything that includes people, drinks and food is considered a "function".
I think one of the most important things to remember is too write everything down at least 4 days before your event. Decorations, party favors, food, drinks, guest list, novelties and even recipes
Write everything down, I recently started using my phone for lists but to be honest i'm still partial too a good ole'fashion paper list.
When I was planning this Halloween party below, I went through my whole house deciding how and what I wanted to decorate. Each idea I wrote down, then searched high and low for the perfect decorations.
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Pay attention to detail my darling~ sometimes all you need a stunning dining room table, and honestly it doesn't have to cost you much at all. A simple dollarstore, some candles or lights and boom..you've got elegance and class presented perfectly.
What I do, something I want to pass down to you is whenever I hosted a function I always have one specialty drink available to my guests.
(New Years Eve Signature Drink, Cake Martini's)
Whether it be a mojito, margarita or some sort of fruity alcoholic beverage to me its important to have something cold and available when your guests arrive. You know how much this means to me, even at your earliest of birthday parties I would have some sort of fancy drink set aside specifically designed to suit the needs of your peer's. Nothing makes a guest feel more appreciated and accepted as receiving a smile and a drink when they enter your home.
Over the years I would set up a little station in the front hallway where my guests could help themselves after I had already poured and served their first drink of the night. Make it clear that after their first drink its up to them too help themselves. As far as decorations go, in the beginning of my party throwing days I would go all out..I am sure you remember those parties ;) Over the past few years I have come to realize that less is more, my advice would be to pay attention to the small details. Signature Drink recipe's on chalk board painted cards with frames.
Details presented in the parting gift, food table and advice or signature books depending on the event.
The above pictures came from a babyshower thrown at my house, I was not in charge of the decorations or the food table. I do however want you too see the details, such cute ideas. This event theme was Dr Seuss and so he was incorporated throughout the shower. SO cute, fancy, fun and fresh.
Even though there was a lot of detail, time and attention that went into this shower. I must say that some pretty simple techniques were used, even though they may have been as simple as printing out Thing 1 and Thing 2, coloring them and adding it too some desserts. What a difference it makes in appearance. Not to mention its all homemade by family with love. ~Gorgeous~
When throwing a childs birthday party (well of course I will be there to help with that lol) But when you become a mommy and you have a room full of toddlers here's my best advice. They need room and activity to blow off steam, so keep it simple. Maybe a small art activity, toys, out door play and lots of food. I am actually a pretty big believer in home parties. We need to go back to that, and although loot bags today seem to be dying out...I think you just need to be creative. They're important, kids love them. If you really don't want to spend the money on loot bag dollarstore things, then have a craft or activity that they can take home with them as well as even a dairy queen gift certificate for 5 dollars. Be fun, be creative.....
Kids are easy to keep happy, food, cake and games is perfect.
Kids are easy to keep happy, food, cake and games is perfect.
It's always a good idea to have some sort of theme, whether its a certain date like July 1st, or Halloween, birthday party or lastly keep it simple and go with a color theme for a dinner date with friends. KEEP IT SIMPLE...but always elegant.
A small trick I learned when throwing a party with people from different crowds always have things presented in the party area that may be of interesting conversation pieces.
When we threw last years Halloween party I had my friend Sue make a Zombie cake (the theme of the party was Halloween). This was by far the best topic of conversation for the night. It definitely got people talking and mingling around the food table.
Having something at a party that can WOW your guests helps people break the ice, gives new guests and new acquaintances something to talk about.
This beauty of cake did just that at Easter this year....
Lastly, music...it has to fit the mood of the crowd, make your playlist early hitting all the essentials. You may want to entice your guests to dance, mingle, laugh, joke and most importantly be comfortable.
.Dancing is a stress reliever and in the right atmosphere people will let their guards down and let loose. Be careful with your music choices....
Well girl, although throwing parties is something that I LOVE to do, they are exhausting. So always get as much done as you can ahead of time, that way you might get the chance too relax and enjoy yourself at your own party. Accept help from friends and family, but be specific with that. Tell them exactly what you need from them. They will appreciate that.
I could go on and on about Party throwing and get together's but I want to keep this post personal...between you and I.
The last and by far the most important thing you need to always remember is it doesn't matter where you live, how much money you make, what your house looks like, how well you can cook....its not going to matter to those who love you what all those things mean. My girl, its not about the size of your house, the color of your walls or how up to date your decorating is...people enjoy people. They want to be with you, so if in life you find yourself unable to fulfill all the wonderful "themes and designs" you would love too for friends and family. If you answer your door when the first guest arrives with a smile and a hug, there is nothing more comforting than that. Like I said, a nice drink and a few appetizers for guests too nibble...your hosting skills will not go unnoticed. If conversation lags amongst your friends, pull out a game, get them to help you make a new drink for everyone. Pull out some oldies from your child hood, Pokémon cards, Tamagotchi's, pictures, anything that your guests can relate too. I promise you....it will be a hit. You are the reason your guests are at your home...they want to see you,~ Love you Bug xo
Well my lovelies I am off to bed it has been some exhausting days past....until tomorrow good night and god bless~
You and paul have always thrown amazing parties! Over the years you have made them even better with the decorations and food. Always glad to be a part of them!
ReplyDeleteOh my god! Who made that Zombie cake! It looks so damn real. I just can’t get my eyes of it. It would definitely have been the centre of attraction. Can I get these cakes on order as well? There is also a fest in an event space Atlanta, you can exhibit these cakes there. Trust me, people will go crazy after seeing this one.
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