<p>You don’t “have” to have an occasion to throw a party but it does help with planning. Most people tend to celebrate on the popular days, like Halloween and the Super Bowl, because they are traditional “party” holidays. </p>
<p>I like taking those days and twisting things around into a fun party under a different theme. You mentioned the first day of spring. A friend of mine in 2005 asked for my help in throwing a party during this exact same time. It’s now an annual event held on the first Saturday of April and it’s called the … well it’s pretty bad. But it’s a hit.</p>
<p>I throw a BBQ at the lake around every 4th of July but I call it the “Boys of Summer” party. It started in 2003 with about 20 people, last year we had 80. lol</p>
<p>In 2006, I threw a party on Memorial weekend dubbed “Backyard Olympics” where I set up a lot of different “games” such as slip-n-slide races, races where you have to pop the balloon in the chair by sitting on it except they are filled with water. We had a huge nacho/taco bar, lots to drink and hot music so fun times were had by all :)</p>
<p>My mother throws a party every 3 months for the ladies in her book club (Think Oprah) where they come to dinner and they talk about the book etc.</p>
<p>For this Labor Day weekend, I’m planning a Casino party that is going to double as a charity event. Think James Bond, black-tie, lots of champagne. </p>
<p>My sister-in-law has a party for Martinmas - November 11. You make lanterns and march around her yard singing. We’ve borrowed the idea, but done it for the winter solstice instead. Last year I had a party for 3 Kings Day (Jan 6). We did housewarmings and house anniversaries for years in February. Or you could do a president’s day party or a spring equinox party. One of the best parties I went to was for the birthday of some dalmations - so everyone was asked to come dressed in black and/or white. For years I did a Bastille Day party, but now have a French neighbor who does it - I always bring the escargots though!</p>
<p>My house has an indoor layout that is not conducive to entertaining, but we do have a huge porch with a gorgeous view, so most of our entertaining is there in good weather. We do “make your own kebobs” often, where guests “code” what skewer is theirs with whatever pattern or combination. We also found a “sausage and beer pairing” list in a magazine and hosted a party to taste them all, which was quite fun. And the Friday after work “bring a crudite, we’ll supply the wine” parties are always a hit after a long week…</p>
<p>On New Years Eve a friend hosted a Chinese hot pot party, where there was a huge simmering pot of broth in the middle of the table on a hot plate. Like fondue, we cooked all kinds of meats, seafood and vegetables in the pot, then noodles are cooked in the broth and served as a soup at the end, it was delicious!!</p>
<p>I love to entertain and host parties…the more guests the easier the menu though
I had two parties in Dec…one for the neighbors and one for employees.
Both were fun.
The neighborhood party was supposed to be a progressive , but the third host had a sick child so parts 2 and three were at my house. Everyone brought food , so I didn’t have the entire weight on me.
The work party was all on me, but it was appetizers and finger foods
We have had some really fun graduation parties too, for two of our girls and also the young man who we sponsored as an internaional college student.
We had Americans, French and Swedes…a lot of fun and thank goodness the weather co-operated all times
I have never hosted a formal party with fine china and good linens , but my guests usually make a point to let us know how much fun they have</p>
<p>Scott, I giggled through your descriptions-your love of detail and beauty is inspirational, if not for the faint of heart, or those of a little shy on finances, time or energy. Your guests must have a great time-as you certainly seem to in the planning and execution. Toilet paper origami is a new twist I’ll have keep eyes open for. </p>
<p>Yes, a routine of parties keeps things flowing. I have a yearly backyard potluck with a band, in conjunction with my immediate neighbors, and a few blocks of houses in the surrounding areas are invited. That was a neighbor’s idea, however. Inside the house I do an annual Christmas caroling party. Pass out books of lyrics, venture out into the cold to carol at least a few houses, if not the block in warmer years. With kids home from college for short time periods, I think of giving this one up-but people ask me about it right after Thanksgiving, so can’t stop. </p>
<p>mathmom, never heard of Martinmas, but sounds great, as does Bastille Day.</p>
<p>Thanks Scott…
can I hire YOU? I am definitely copying your lists…and I really appreciate your taking the time to walk us thru your plans…</p>
<p>seriously, as someone else mentioned, I too have a full time job and so I don’t ever really have the time to focus as needed to pull a party together… but like so many others on here, with empty nest looming in the horizon this fall, I want to do more of this casual having dinner and chatting…a sign of the times, perhaps. </p>
<p>I mentioned the Baked Potato Bar at a Project Graduation fundraising meeting I was at tonite…so, thanks again for that thought…it is a great one…</p>
<p>Oh another party idea - another brother of mine always has a party for the Kentucky Derby. </p>
<p>Scott, I’d love to go to your party, but no way am I giving one like that! </p>
<p>You can do simpler things with the lights. Christmas tree lights or themed light strings are easily available. We went to a tropical themed party last weekend that had a light string which looked like very realistic butterflies except their wings were outline in teeny tiny lights. We brought pina coladas to that party and someone else brought a tropical punch. Food was catered from the local Indian restaurant plus whatever people felt like bringing.</p>
<p>VeryHappy–I like the event-prompted party ideas too. It seems like a good ‘deadline’ to get me moving. Some ideas coming up: Groundhog Day, in Feb (um, okay, hard to theme that, but I’m sure ScottZ could do it…! :-)). Also, some friends have Mardi Gras day parties (also in Feb). That’s a little more festive, but could be easy to decorate for (beads, masks, etc.). </p>
<p>I’m a chicken, so I might do Groundhog Day to have low expectations.</p>
<p>Edit–mathmom, I love the warm-weather ideas! It’s cold & grey here; it would be fun to pretend we’re somewhere warm w/bathing suits, pina coladas, etc.! </p>
<p>Btw, my daughter (age 7) sometimes has a Valentine’s Day party. She’s more of a Martha Stewart-esque person w/a hopping social life than me! :-)</p>
<p>My favorite easy dinner for a large group is make-your-own burritos. We put out refried beans, cilantro rice, shredded chicken, and lots of options like salsas, cheese, sour cream, chopped tomato, guacamole, several types of tortillas, etc. This works well even when your guests have a variety of dietary restrictions or preferences. And a lot of it can be prepared ahead of time or purchased ready made.</p>
<p>shyparentalunit…love your idea because our family loves eating Mexican…we could not buy anything ready made unless it was Old El Paso. I have never done it for more than about 6-10 people, because I make my own salsa , guac and marinaded meat
Yum, I am in the mood for some</p>
<p>Hi easy entertaining cohorts! I’m jumping in–hosting a lasagna dinner for another couple & their kids tonight. So far, have been good about not stressing (even though Christmas tree is still up!). Played music while cleaning to reduce stress. </p>
<p>Would enjoy hearing about your easy-entertaining progress, especially fellow-novices! :-)</p>
<p>I’d like to get the guts to ask if they’d like to play a board game, but not sure if they’d think it too unusual…</p>
<p>Also—can I ask the pros (maybe I’m overthinking this) if you think about think about convo topics? No religion, I guess, but maybe politics unless we’re diametrically opposed?</p>
<p>We had a few couples over on NYE and played wii! It went over very well with the over 40 crowd! I made seafood manicotti, mediterranean salad, and a crusty tuscan bread. Apps before were stuffed portabella mushroom caps wrapped in puff pastry “bags”, citus marinated shrimp (very festive!), and a crostini with pears,gorgonzola and honey. Dessert was assorted cheeses and fruit and chocolate cups (pre-made and sold at Target!) filled with instant cookies and cream pudding and garnished with crumbled oreas…no kidding…ten minutes to make and people loved them! I have also used the choc cups and filled with lemon pie filling and topped with fresh raspberries. Easy!!!</p>
<p>Just got caught up on this thread! Sorry I missed it for awhile. I will work on copying over some appetizer recipes!</p>
<p>I like a make-your-own pizza party. Barefoot Contessa talks about this in one of her cookbooks, but you can PM or e-mail me if you want details about how I do it.</p>
<p>I do a lot of Mexican as well because the appetizers are fantastic and it’s another thing people can assemble themselves which always makes them happy. I have a recipe for a pomegranate avocado salsa that is so good it will make you weep. Anybody who wants it can pm or e-mail me and I’ll send it right out to you. Also have a fanstastic black bean tip recipe–and incidentally they are both from Cooking Light so yummy and healthy!</p>
<p>Wow, NorthMinnesota, you had more ingredients in your dinner than I think I’ve ever put in a meal! But, inspiring! Glad they liked the Wii. That could be cool! Helenback I’ll pm you soon for those enticing recipes!!</p>
Some ideas coming up: Groundhog Day, in Feb (um, okay, hard to theme that, but I’m sure ScottZ could do it…! :-)). Also, some friends have Mardi Gras day parties (also in Feb). That’s a little more festive, but could be easy to decorate for (beads, masks, etc.). </p>