party planning 101

aloha everyone!
its kim-erin from living eventfully.

a few weeks ago i had the privilege of hosting and speaking at a monthly mom's get together at our church.
i spoke about hospitality and quick, inexpensive party ideas.
we had wonderful time together.
here are some pictures.

monsters vs. aliens boy's party theme.

 
i used glass bottles to help these monster hand puppets stand up.


ice cream theme for a little girl's party.

keeping with the edible party favor idea, cupcake sugar cookies.
i gave each mom a recipe card with the sugar cookie recipe printed on it.

our menu was place on this kids magnetic chalk board.
always a good idea to place a menu out for your guests.
its a great ice breaker....everyone gets excited about food!
 
here is the hors d'oeuvres table.
use what you have around the house.
i used a clear acrylic tray and glass vase to display the crudites.
i found the "eat" letters at michaels.

this water so refreshing and inexpensive.
mint, lemon and cucumber...i left lots of room to add ice!
 
i placed homemade hummus in these cute ceramic ice cream cones i already had.
.
baby bird/nest theme for a baby shower.

along with the cookie recipe cards, the mom's took home a chinese take out box home which had an assortment of different cookie cutters in them.
 
the mom's begin to arrive!

for short gatherings (this lunch lasted about 2 hours) instead of serving multiple beverages like 5 different kinds of sodas, i like to place one unique beverage at each place setting.
i always make sure to offer water and coffee as well.
for this event i did individual box lunches.
each box had the mom's first initial on the outside.
when they found their initial, they took a seat.
each lunch included a chicken curry croissant sandwich, greek vegetarian wrap, pita chips, orzo cranberry feta salad and grapes.
 

for dessert we had mini red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

we also had time to do a craft.
we made these super cute and easy small cupcake stands. 

i encouraged the mom's to remember that entertaining and hospitality are really attitudes of the heart.
no matter your financial status or creative abilities, letting people know you have been expecting them and you are happy to have them in your home should be your number one priority!
have a wonderful week!
until next wednesday...

 

Comments

[Jane (Diiullo) Martin]

This really shows how easy it is to get creative. You always have the best ideas!! Thanks Kim-Erin!
Jane