I think that parties are a wonderful way to celebrate relationships with those we love and enfuse life into the often mundane day to day. They don’t have to cost a lot, and they don’t have to cause a heart attack with preparation either. Instead, I believe that planning and executing parties should be an experience of fun and creativity.
Here’s my take on it all!
Theme
I think it’s important to think outside the box. I like to shy away from parties that involve the Party City aisle of cartoon characters (unless your kiddo lives and breathes Batman or Cinderella.) The cost is a lot for such memorabilia and I think it often detracts from a much lovelier ambiance that you can create for yourself.
Did you see the cherry party Stephmodo threw for her daughter? The perfect example of simplicity and thought. She found some cherry lollipops and used them as her inspiration and theme. Perfect.
I also love throwing parties for no particular reason (and sometimes think they can be the most fun.) I recently threw a Lemon Party simply because I love lemons. The color…the idea of sitting on a porch sipping lemonade with friends…a reminder of summer. About a year ago when I saw some lemonade pitchers, I knew I had to do something with them. Theme decided.
Decorations
Use what you have or what can be thrifted.
I use sheets for most of my tablecloths. King and/or Queen flat sheets drape beautifully, and the sky is the limit in the patterns you can find. I also use pillowcases to make napkins. Have you seen how much fabric napkins cost? And for a large crowd? If you don’t already have a variety of napkins at home, or simply want to add to your stash, this is a great route to go!
(napkins made from thrift store pillowcases)
My mother-in-law and I decided that my brother-in-laws wedding reception should be an Italian theme since his grandmother was full-blood. So, I researched exactly what life in Italy is like (haven’t been there yet)…and I found a sense of family and a mix of old and new. Then I looked at everything in my house that could create the same feel. I found baskets, wood bowls, candlesticks, silver/tarnished platters, etc. Between my house and my MIL’s, we hardly bought any decorations.
The same thing happened when I recently threw a Pamper Mom baby shower. I literally grabbed anything in my house that had similar colors to what I was going for and placed them in a laundry basket to take just hours before. You might be surprised with all the goodies you have around you and how they can work flawlessly together. Oh–and I used the same tablecloth that I had from the Italian reception.
See what I mean?
THIS is probably hands down the most important factor to me. Every party I throw has to have details–the little ones that end up huge in the end!
I like to label everything at the party. From “olive oil dipping station” to “lemon coconut cake”…somehow it just makes everything special…as though it’s a written guide to your experience.
Flowers are a must at most gatherings. This is such a gorgeous detail and it can be done really cost effectively (and what about field flowers and/or greenery?) Did you see my lemon party yet? I bought a $15 bouquet at Costco and it dressed the whole sha-bang.
For the Italian reception, I thought how fun it would be if we used tomato cans for the flower vases. We used the tomatoes for the marinara and then filled them with flowers and rosemary. They turned out really orginal and it was a detail that might have otherwise have been overlooked.
(tomato can used as a flower vase)
Take home treats/objects play a big part. For the lemon scene, I had everyone take home lemon curd–the same lemon curd that was in two of my desserts. For the chocolate party I had everyone take home a mini face mask–the same face mask I had everyone put on at the party. It’s important that it always comes back around to the theme and it gives your guests a sweet memory of their experience.
( lemon party favors)
Activities
Moolah
That’s right folks, money is a HUGE factor. You should have a budget and stay on budget because there are tricky items that tend to add up. For instance, those ingredients in your pantry just to make the food can add up and you have to plan accordingly. Another example would be when I realized at the last minute that I didn’t have enough teacups in my Grandma’s china to use. I sent my sister out to Goodwill to pick up some more to possibly match, but at $2.00 a cup that added up. I finally just said “you know what? I have some pint size canning jars in my cabinet and I have seen lemonade served in mason jars before.” I used those in addition to my china ones, and I don’t think anyone thought any different about it.
Help
Preserve your sanity. Whether it is for set-up or contribution towards food, enlisting help from family and friends not only brings people together, it eases your burden so that you can focus on those “details” 😉
Inspiration
I have my favorite websites that I love going to and sometimes they trigger an idea. I actually buy wedding magazines and go to wedding blogs because they are the perfect inspiration drawing point. I don’t like to copy and I think originality is best, but sometimes using someones favors or colors is enough to give you the ability to make it your own. I actually had a girl look at my lemon party on my blog and then take that idea to throw a “pucker up” bridal shower. How cool is that?
*HINT* Keep an inspiration binder where you can store all your ideas from past parties or future ones. It can be your own personal go-to guide for all the ideas you will ever need.
(page found in my inspiration binder-gave me the idea to do mismatched napkins)
Overall, I like to think about WHY I would have a party. Aside from the obvious holidays, weddings, and birthdays, isn’t it just fun to be random? I had a princess party for my daughter and all her little friends a couple years ago. No reason at all.
~ Carrie
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Cathie says
Love this post. Thanks!
Mariel says
i LOVE the flowers in tomato cans! you’re full of wonderful ideas, always.
Thanks!