Today’s Show & Tell Tuesday is ALL about our Favorite Parties!
For
many, many years now, I’ve just had a knack for party-planning. It
could be that one of my best friends, Emilee (you’re welcome for me
doing this post)…she and I share a party planner’s brain. Between the
two of us we’ve accumulated quite the stock in party supplies. We rarely
have to buy much because we can share pieces back and forth that we
already have between us.
We’ve got a good thing going.
Like
many others who have linked up today, I can’t narrow my favorites down.
But I’m sharing some of my favorite ideas and favorite memories of
parties I’ve thrown. (It’s also important to note that these are all
within the past few years, as I was late on the digital camera band
wagon and a boat load of shindigs I threw pre-2009 are documented on
photo film negatives. Remember those beauties?)
I’ll
start with some of my favorite party memories. My Mom and Dad were born
exactly 13 months apart. When Dad turned 60 in 2010, we wanted to have a
BIG celebration for him. He had just recently gotten over a very
serious illness that almost took his earthly life and was on the road to
making a great and full recovery. Prayers were answered and we were all
so thankful! We planned a big surprise party and pulled it all off
without a hitch. He had no clue and was genuinely shocked. Over 100
people came to celebrate him that night…it was such a special night. For
decorations, we kept it somewhat simple by using “throw back” items to
his childhood years in the 50’s. Coke bottles, Moon Pies, Goo-Goo
clusters, Cracker Jack, etc. We kept food super simple and just served
cakes and ice cream. We set up a candy station to resemble an old store
that my dad frequented often when he was little. It was a hit with
everyone, as was the table filled with old photos. It was a wonderful
night to celebrate a great man who is loved by so many!
A year later, we wanted to do something special for my Mom’s 60th.
Only she asked that we not do anything big. Instead, we planned a
charming Birthday Luncheon and invited her sister, sisters in law,
nieces and several of her cousins. We were thrilled that so many got to
come and get together as many of these ladies hadn’t seen each other in
years. We kept the menu very “southern” and lady-like. Chicken Salad,
Homemade Pimento Cheese, Pasta Salad, Quiche, Fruit Salad, Pound Cake,
and a few other goodies. We had two tables set in the dining room and
one outside on the deck. I loved hearing all the girl-talk and laughter
that filled the house that day!
Lately,
I’ve been in LOVE with ideas I’m finding on Pinterest for different
types of “bars” at parties. For this wedding shower we hosted in
September, we did a brunch and had a Waffle Bar. WHICH turned into a
pancake bar...but that’s another story for another day.) I LOVED how all
the topping choices were main attractions in their little dishes and
the “Top, Drizzle, Smear, Sprinkle” chalkboards were just perfect! (I
expect to be using this theme again in the future!!)
A
couple of my “signature” decorating tricks for the main table is to use
what I call “risers”…and of course my love for all things chalk. Risers
are simply whatever boxes you’ve got laying around your house, covered
with fabric that coordinates with your overall theme or color scheme.
It’s that easy and adds so much character and detail to your table!!
Using risers also gives you more space to place serving pieces. I have a
few actual chalkboards, the others I use are just art canvas that you
can buy at a craft store, and I paint them with chalk paint. For me,
it’s easier to write on these than the actual chalkboards. 
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