Every party doesn't have to be a BIG party!

As I approach my son's birthday this Friday, I am completly suprised that my sunroom aka work area isn't a disaster. It's easy to tell when I am working on a party because my sunroom turns into party central. I set up folding tables to practice centerpieces and arrangements. I lay out platters and cake stands to figure out how I am going to set everything up. No, I don't just automatically know where I am going to put things!

This year I decided to hold a small birthday party for my son. I have to admit that in the begining I wasn't even sure what "small"  really meant. Small guest list? Small budget? I once threw a dinner party for 6 girls with a budget of $600. I have thrown a party for 20 guests on $200. For this year I have decided that small to me will mean:

1. Not visiting 10 different stores to find the best deal on coordinated party goods without looking too matchy matchy, yeah I ordered this party set from orientaltrading.com. ( I love orientaltrading.com by the way)
2. Not staying up late cutting out shapes or letters for a super cute custom banner that kids rarely notice.
3. I won't spend more time setting up the party, then  actually enjoying the party.
4. I will not be making any of the food! Maybe a punch to put in my drink dispenser... No, not even a punch. Hello, Wal Mart!
5. I will have this party somewhere other than my home(Cherry Berry Frozen Yogurt party room, It's free!)

When I talked to my soon to be 10 year old about this party plan he didn't seem let down at all. He is excited about frozen yogurt, xbox kinect, and a few great friends.

A lot of moms think they have to go all out or go home for every party. I say every party doesn't have to be a BIG party, to be BIG fun!  I believe in being tasteful and making the guest feel honored, but I never make myself un happy planning a party.

Small birthday party pictures to follow. :)

Queen London Birthday

 

I can't express what a joy it was to work on this 3 year old's birthday party. When I found out little London was turning 3, I thought to myself with a name like that how can we pass on a London theme! The red & white flag was made with a giant erase board and red duck tape. The topiariers on each table were made with cupcake liners per Pinterest.  Party guests decorated their own crowns and walked the red carpet. Queen London sported her crown and regal dress for the event. Each prince or princess in attendance went on a Royal Hunt to search for hidden gems. The incredible 3 tier gluten free rice krispy cake was prepared by Lu's Lu's Sweet Expectations. It was a royal fun  for sure. 

Chocolate Fountain

This year I coordinated the volunteer snack rooms for vacation bible school at Cascade Hills Church. The last day I wanted to do something really special for the many volunteers who gave their time and talents. What better way to thank them for being so sweet than by breaking out my chocolate fountain! I decided to do this on a Monday and had to set it up Thursday. With little time to shop I looked around my stash  of party supplies and realized I have a lot of orange stuff. So orange and chocolate desert table it is. I used scrapbook paper to make labels for the assortment of treats. I had the great orange flowers left over from a birthday  dinner. I gathered my white dishes and placed four of them on orange scrapbook paper. I always elevate the chocolate fountain so that it takes center stage. I used a white metal container flipped upside down and added brown ribbon for a little interest. Cans wrapped in brown fabric held skewers on each side of the fountain. It was a simple table, but had a lot of impact. The vibrant orange really popped off the chocolate brown table cloth. The best part was hearing the volunteers oooh and ahhh as they covered their treats in chocolate!

Take me out to the ball game!

The scoreboard served as a great backdrop to the food table.
Simply made with black tape and stickers on a dry erase board.



Food table featured ball park favorites such as pop corn, cracker jacks, hot dogs,
old fashioned coke, and peanuts.




Why not a little American Apple Pie too




We couldn't resist splurging on the glass bottled cokes.



This party is proof you don't have to do it all yourself. I was contacted just two weeks before this baseball themed party to help. The very crafty mom throwing this party for her three year old had the concept and custom party printables and even most of the party decorations, but realized she needed someone to put it all together and set up the party. I believe that if you have the right layout of food, drink and activity stations the party will mostly run itself. I came up with the scoreboard back drop and organized the tables. On the party day I set everything up and hung the decor so the busy mom could take care of the food. I assisted through out the party  replenishing food and clean up. The kids had a great time swinging a bat at the baseball pinata and swimming. The great thing about entertaining at your home is you don't have to be rushed. You can actually spend real time with the people you invited. All in all I think we hit this one out of the park.

Tiffany Blue Glam Bridal Shower

Custom water bottle labels with couples monogram



Drink station decorated with glass ice cubes





This was used as a wish tree. Guests attached warm wishes
and advice for the Bride.




Food was served buffet style.





Favor and game table. Guests participated in a Bride trivia game to
see who knew the most about the Bride.




A Chocolate fountain is always a hit.




This Bridal Shower was a perfect blend of elegant meets informal ladies get together.



Fall wine tasting under $50

When I am talking to people about entertaining the biggest reason people give me for why they don't entertain more is money. Well, this party proves you don't need a lot of green to have a good time.

I invited eight women over for a wine tasting.(I used evite.com) Each lady was asked to bring a bottle of wine under $12. As the ladies arrived I attached a number to each bottle tied with twine. As we tasted each bottle we wrote notes with pencil and paper so that we could vote at the end. The guest who brought the best cheap bottle of wine won a scented candle and a silver decorative wine stopper. (Sorry not pictured)

Six small inexpensive appetizers were served. Ex. Spinach dip, cheddar, Swiss cheese, crackers, bread and fruit.

As we tasted the wines slowly we played a fun game! Whenever a lady didn't care for a wine she simply dumped the rest in a glass container and rinsed her palate for the next. Whenever a lady loved her wine she simply had some more. We tasted nine bottles over about three hours and had tons of laughs along the way.

By the way I spent none of my $50 budget on decor. I simply used fall decor I've collected over the years. I rarely waste money on paper goods except napkins. I used my own glasses, plates, forks, and serving dishes. Since I needed a big table to sit around I covered my kids train table with a brown sheet and had plenty of room for all the ladies. Proof that the ingredients for your next great party are already laying around your house!

Go Bananas Monkey Party

Pink and yellow monkey party. Can you believe I found this blow up monkey at a yard sale for $2!

Lemonade stand with regular and strawberry lemonade.


Yes thats right a build your own banana split bar. Yum!

Picture of birthday girl with My Funny Monkey book.