how to plan a party: theme

A theme is essential because it will enable you to create more party for less. A theme can be simple (like a color scheme) or elaborate. Take into account your STEP ONE answers when deciding on a theme.

Ideas:

Children’s party ideas:
Winter beach party
The giving tree gift party
Pajama party

Adult party ideas:
Martini bar
Cocktail Party
Cookie exchange
Chocolate lovers
Harvest Celebration
Fondue

Family party ideas:
Discover your roots
Star power
It’s chili
Potluck

how to plan a party: menu

When deciding your menu, you should use your STEP ONE and your theme as a guide.

(What do you want to spend?)

Small Budget:
-Have the party later in the evening and serve hor d’ ourves and/or desserts and drinks. (avoid meal times)
-Have a potluck. (I know what you’re thinking, but potlucks done right can be tres chic) Ask guests to bring a dish that describes their personality or begins with the first letter of their name, both fun ideas if your guests don’t really know each other. Have small pieces of cardstock folded in half for guests to label their fare.
-Breakfast or Tea

Large Budget:
-Sit down dinner
-Buffet, meal and desserts
-Have a selection of drinks and always consider water, juice, coffee and tea

(Who do you want to invite?)

Simple choices – children or adults, alcohol or not, meat or not, etc.

(Why are you having a party?)

Make sure your menu choices cover essentials for why you are having a party. (i.e. birthday cake)

Theme
This one is fun. Your theme can even be food – chocolate, apples, BBQ, fondue, etc. A theme often defines the menu.

how to plan a party: atmosphere

create the mood

Three fast and inexpensive ways to decorate and enhance your surroundings for a party are lighting, color and flowers\plants.

Lighting
Dim the lights
Use Christmas or rope lights
Candles are a favorite

Color
Helping create the theme
Keep it simple – one or two colors are good for the base. If you want a rainbow or wildflower look, consider basing the color scheme on white, cream or black.

Flowers
Here are a few flowers that look good individually:
Calla lily
Rose
Alstromeria lilies
Gerbera daisy
Orchids, especially dendrobium or oncidium
Gardenias, floating in a bowl or dish is best (very fragrant)
Hydrangea
Bear Grass
Wheat Grass
Snap dragons
Lilies, tiger or enchantment
Tulips

Other considerations:
-linens
-rented furniture
-moving existing furniture
-floor plan

how to plan a party: invites

Put time and effort into the invitations. They set the mood of your party right when they are opened. I always try to be very creative and outrageous with the invitations. Your party will more likely be remembered and attended if you make a very lasting first impression.

Ideas:
Rubber duck
Pencil
Puzzle
Wassail or spice pack
Christmas tree ornament
Brownie mix in a jar
Recipe style
Beach ball
Gift box

They don’t have to be expensive – especially if you make them.
-You can find velum and other beautiful papers and envelopes at craft and scrapbooking stores.
-Look around at a dollar store
-Use found items (leaves, acorns, pressed flowers, etc.)
-Spend some time brainstorming - with a friend is helpful. (I’ve had ideas that I thought were awesome and when I tell someone they look at me like I’m crazy.)
Always consider the cost of postage. I have spent more on postage than on invitations before.

Consider your time and budget. Don't let invitations overwhelm you. Send simple invites by email for informal gathering and spend your time and money on the actual event.

how to plan a party: entertainment

Again, as with all other decisions, consider your answers from STEP ONE.

Games
-Purchased board games
-Make games (use the internet to find ideas)
-Rent games (like carnival games from party rental company)

Music
-Use a CD player or Ipod, maybe even make your own CD or playlist
-Hire live music (can be less expensive than you think)
--Small party – acoustic like guitar, piano, harp, etc.
--Large party – band or string quartet

Comedy
Hire someone to do a “spoof” on a guest(s) – doesn’t work well with large crowds unless you have good sound equipment

Mingling
Talking and meeting people is always a must and FREE!

Guest
Santa, clown, etc.

Movie
Watch one
Make your own using video camera

Arts and Crafts
Set up a table or area with small canvases, paints and paint brushes for guests to create their own original artwork.
Just for Kids - check familyfun.com for fun ideas.

Gifts

how to plan a party: miscellaneous

Don't forget the miscellaneous:

Supplies
Make a complete list of supplies you’ll need for your party and make sure you have extras*of certain essentials.
-serving dishes/utensils
-chaffing dishes for hot food and fuel
-linens
-napkins
-plates, glasses, utensils
-salt and pepper
-ice*

Parking
Consider parking and if you’ll have enough.

Capture the moment
-Use video camera, digital camera or one-use cameras to record the fun (and the fruits of your labor.)
-A fun idea is to purchase a frame with a white or cream mat in it. At the party remove the mat and have guests sign it with an acid free pen. After the party, place a picture of the guest of honor or a party photo in frame for a lasting reminder of party. Great for weddings, birthdays, anniversary, or any time you are celebrating a person or persons.

party: cookie exchange

STEP ONE
Who: adults or family
What: Small Budget
Why: to get together and to trade cookies for the holidays* see variations at bottom

STEP TWO

Theme: Cookie Exchange – it allows guests to bring baked cookies, pick and choose from the selection at the party and package up and take home a large assortment. It allows guests to save time and money and have fun with family and friends.

Menu: You can eat cookies, but I suggest you forgo them as they will be a take-home treat.
Dinner: Homemade chili and cornbread
Drinks: Water, sodas, coffee

Atmosphere: Usually decorated for the holidays, a home won’t need much added to it with the exception of some furniture rearranging. Make sure you have a large table covered with a nice linen and serving trays at various heights for cookies to be placed. Have small pieces of cardstock folded in half for guest to write the kind of cookie they brought and place by cookie selection. Serve meal in a different room from the cookies.

Invitations: Send 3-4 week in advance. The holidays are busy and guests will need to plan what to bring and gather ingredients, etc.
Brownie Mix in a Jar - hand deliver with invitation.

Entertainment:
-If children will attend, have baked sugar cookies available to be frosted and decorated.
-Music – holiday CD’s
-Mingling
-Cookie Exchange

Misc:
Supplies – have bakery boxes or other containers for guests to package up their cookie choices. Large ladle for chili, (serve from stove top to contain any mess and keep hot or in a chaffing dish – remember the chaffing fuel), bowls, plates, grated cheese, tortillas, tortilla chips, crackers, butter, honey, spoons, glasses, ice, etc.
Parking –
Capture the moment -

VARIATIONS:
-Valentine's Day: homemade candies
-Contest: all guest bring their homemade fudge, chocolate chip cookies, etc. label the treats with a number and provide voting ballots. Remember a prize for winner, trophy, certificate, etc.

party: the giving tree

STEP ONE
Who: Children
What: Small – Medium
Why: to have fun and learn about giving

STEP TWO

Theme: The giving tree

Menu:
Choose child friendly foods like:
-make your own pizza
-vegetable tray and dips
-fresh fruits
-ice cream sundae bar for dessert
-water, juice, natural soda or make-your-own-soda

Atmosphere:
-decorate with an undecorated tree, an evergreen or a tree branch (children will make a few crafts at party which can be hung on tree until time to take home) Children will be asked to bring a gift to be donated to homeless shelter and will place them under a tree.
Invitation: small wrapped gift box with invitation inside or printed on cardstock cut-out of a tree

Entertainment:
-make your own pizza (if working with dough: have child pat out dough, top with sauce and toppings of their choice. Adult will bake them.)
-make your own sundae
-make hand print tree ornaments
-make photo ornament (requires a digital camera & printer)
-find fun craft ideas in books in your local library or at familyfun.com
-arrange for “Santa” to pick up the gifts or for enough drivers to deliver the gift (everyone has a seatbelt)
-read the book “The Giving Tree” (check it out at your local library when gathering craft ideas there.)

Misc.
-Supplies: large plates for their individual pizzas, cups, bowls for sundaes, pizza and sundae toppings, all supplies needed for crafts, etc.
-Parking:
-Capture the moment: If someone picks up gifts or you deliver them take pictures! Make a copy and send to each guest about 1-2 weeks after the party with a thank you note! Thanking them for giving a gift to a child that might not have gotten one otherwise and attending the party.

party: harvest celebration

STEP ONE
Who: adults
What: Medium Budget
Why: to celebrate fall

STEP TWO

Theme: Apples (fall harvest)

Menu:
Dessert Buffet
-spiced apple cranberry bundles
-old fashioned apple pie
-apple crisp
-caramel apple cheesecake
-variety of cheeses and apples on a tray
Drinks
-apple cider
-apple martinis
-soda, bottled water, coffee

Atmosphere:
-Colors are deep red and gold or apple green, black and white
-Make candlesticks from apples using an apple corer and insert taper candles – use on buffet and drink station
Centerpieces: use a large, shallow bowl or dish. Fill with apples, and then insert flower and greenery randomly between apples keeping it low enough that it only sticks out 3-4 inches max above apples.
Burn an apple-spice candle if you didn’t bake the desserts at the party location.
Put lights on dimmers and use the apple candlesticks generously.

Invitations:
Deep red or apple green cardstock with velum inset (about 1 inch smaller )
Tie together with twine or natural rafia

Entertainment
-Number one of all parties – mingling
-Food
-games like pass apples by holding them under your chin, bob for apples, etc, if appropriate for guests.
-Music – Acoustic guitar or CD’s

Misc.
-Supplies – trays and servers, lemon juice mixed with water to keep apple slices from browning, apple corer, apple slicer, plates, forks, glasses, coffee cups, martini glasses, ice, napkins, etc.
-Parking –
-Capture the moment -

pumpkin bread

3 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 cups pumpkin
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
4 eggs
1 cup oil
2/3 cup water

mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Combine both mixtures together. Add 2 cups mini chocolate chips, if desired. Pour into greased loaf pans (2 regular size or 12 mini) and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

{this recipe is courtesy of my sister, Heidi}

brownie mix in a jar

Ingredients
1 2/3 cups sugar
¾ cup cocoa
1 1/3 cups flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup mix-in like chopped nuts or semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
Layer ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order listed above, pressing firmly after adding each ingredient. (After adding cocoa, wipe inside of jar with paper towel.)
Seal with lid and decorate as desired.
Recipe to attach:
Pour brownie mix into a large mixing bowl; stir. Add ¾ cup melted butter, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons water and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; stir well. Spread into greased 13x9” baking pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 18-25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool in pan on wire rack. Make 2 dozen brownies.

apple martini

1 part vodka
1 part sour apple schnapps
1 part apple juice
Shake well with ice – strain into martini glass. Garnish with a thin slice of green apple.

spiced apple cranberry bundles

Ingredients:
2 lbs (about 4 large) golden delicious apples
2 TBS plus 8 TBS unsalted butter
½ cup dried cherries or cranberries
¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
8 sheets phyllo dough

1. Peel and core apples. Cut them into ½ inch chunks. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. Add the apples and cook and stir over med heat until they are just tender, 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and pour off and discard any excess liquid. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Let cool.
2. Measure ___ cups of spiced apples into mixing bowl. Add up to ½ cup dried berries of your choice. (or choose to leave them out – add ½ cup more apple mixture to your bowl.) Stir until apples and berries are just mixed.
3. Unroll package of phyllo sheets on work surface. Cover the sheets with a dampened kitchen towel. Keep them covered while you work so they won’t dry out.
4. Pick up 1 sheet of phyllo, place it on a large cutting board and brush it lightly with melted butter. Repeat, stacking and buttering 4 layers. Using a sharp knife, cut the buttered stack of phyllo in half, crosswise and lengthwise, making 4 rectangles. Put about ½ cup of the apple mixture in the center of each rectangle. Gather up the corners of the rectangles and gently pinch the dough together just above the apple filling. Butter, stack and cut another 4 rectangles; fill and pinch into bundles.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray. Place 8 bundles on pan. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until they are a rich golden brown all over. Keep warm in the oven with the door ajar. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve with warm caramel sauce.

Serves 8

High altitude recipe