Memorial Day Weekend Barbeques

In two weeks we will celebrate the official beginning of summer - Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day originated as a way to honor the American soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Civil War by decorating their graves. The holiday is now celebrated on the last Monday of May with parades and memorial services. This marks the kick-off to the summer barbeque/party season. Many Americans celebrate Memorial Day by firing up a grill and having a cookout. So send out the invitations, stock up on red, white and blue plates and napkins, drape the banners, blow up the balloons, hang the flag and welcome your family and friends!
One of the hallmarks of a good party is to treat your family like company and your company like family. I wish you all a very happy summer season of parties and celebrations with your family and friends!!

Planning a party in a senior community

Many senior citizens would like to give a party who are living in senior living residences. My cousin is living in a senior community here in the Hudson Valley and planning a family reunion this summer. She has written her list, sent invitations, and has hired a local restaurant/caterer to provide the meal. The affair will be held in the community room of the residence where she has requested the date in advance. There are several facilities that have community rooms that make it easy to host a party this way.
If you are hosting a large family reunion where you haven't seen the members in a while, having name tags for everyone may make it easier for everybody to connect or re-connect. Another idea is to ask each person attending to bring a favorite recipe and have someone compile a family recipe book afterwards. A volunteer to organize a family directory with names, addresses, e-mail addresses and important dates to remember may be helpful. Prizes could be awareded for the youngest attendee, the oldest, and for the one who traveled the farthest. A group photo would be a welcome addition to the day!

A year of parties...

It's been a fun year of blogging about parties! Please let me know if there are any particular type of parties that you would like to read about as I will be finishing up with The Party Lady blog at the end of this week.

Golf outings/parties

Spring is here, it's golfing season! Those of you who are golfers are out on the links, why not a golf outing and party? This can be combined with a wedding weekend. Make it a 9 hole or 18hole scramble for a more relaxed experience. Organize foursomes according to different handicaps. Some courses will prepare boxed lunches, you can order these, personalized tees, golf socks or visors for your guests. "Closest to the pin," "Longest Drive," "Lowest score" are just a few possibilites for prizes, these can be awarded at the rehearsal dinner.
There are many organizations that have golf outings as fund raisers. Often the group will play 9 holes, meet for lunch and off again for the last 9 holes with a dinner following. Those of you who would like to invite friends for a round of golf can make it simple; play and meet later with a "pot-luck" type of supper, or go to the golf club for dinner afterwards. Either way, enjoy the Spring weather and have a great round!

After the wedding...

Our daughter had a beautiful day for her wedding. 190 guests and they all made it to the Hudson Valley, from 23 states and Qatar with only a few glitches from the airlines. We were extremely lucky in the weather, the limo pulled up to the church, the church bells rang and the sun knew its cue and shone through the windows just as she was getting ready to walk down the aisle with her father. We were very blessed!
It's different being the wedding planner at your own family event. Thankfully I have a very capable partner who orchestrated the affair. (I had the day off!) I would highy recommend that a wedding planner help with a wedding, to coordinate and keep everyone on a schedule. Even the most seasoned bridesmaids and groomsmen need assistance and guidance prior to the ceremony. Something will go wrong, and it is comforting to know that the event planner will be there to take the reins or put out any fires. Our guests were very impressed with the Hudson Valley and all it has to offer. A good time was had by all!!

RSVP To A Wedding Invitation

I've written before about responding to wedding and general party invitations and am seeing the reality of wedding non-responses first-hand as Mother of the Bride. To date we are missing 19 rsvps. Depending on the venue, that can translate to more than 2 tables of guests! Having to call is awkward for both the caller and guest, but necessary to verify attendance. The small card can be lost in the shuffle with the rest of the mail, it can be overlookeed as just another item on a busy checklist of obligations. It's usually better to respond quickly when receiving the invitation than to let it wait and risk losing it. I know there are other MOBs or MOGs who have similar experiences, care to comment?

Easter Egg Hunt Party

An Easter Egg Hunt Party for your family and friends can be simple and fun. Purchase helium balloons in pastel colors for decorations. Keep it simple, you can use colored hard-boiled eggs or the plastic eggs filled with prizes. So there are no tears with the little ones who can't find the eggs as fast as the older children, color code the eggs in your hunt. For those under 4, they could hunt for the yellow and blue eggs, 4 - 6 can be on the hunt for green and orange eggs, etc. Put jelly beans or pennies or nickles in the eggs (quarters or folded dollar bills for the older children.) Have several "grand prizes" such as chocolate bunnies, or stuffed ones. The older children can go on to have an "egg and spoon race." Use hard-boiled eggs and spoons, make it a relay with teams. For a more elaborate gathering, have an Easter Brunch after the egg hunt. Happy Easter!

March Madness Party

It's time for the annual NCAA March Madness. Why not throw a March Madness Party? Similar to a Superbowl Party as you will be watching the games, but it can be held on several different dates all to culminate with the "Final Four." Decorate with basketball balloons or your favorite teams colors. Keep the fare simple, a meat and cheese platter, chips and dips, beer and soft drinks. Brownies, chocolate chip cookies or basketball cupckaes for dessert. A "slam -dunk party" to bring your friends to the Final Four!

Shopping for The Bridal Gown

Soon after my daughter became engaged, we set out one Saturday to shop for her bridal gown. She had gone with friends to Boston to see what was available there, and two weeks later she and I set out for several places in the Hudson Valley. I am happy to report that here, not Boston, is where she found her dress. We went to four places, in three she found a dress that was a possibility, but in the last salon I knew she had found something special when the tears appeared after trying on her first dress there. The owner of the salon brougnt her several other dresses, all equally lovely. She put the first one one again, more tears. That was the dress! I heard the popping of champagene being poured for us and out came my checkbook. Interviewing brides for wedding coordination usually tells us that the first thing brides-to-be shop for is the dress, long before finding the church or reception venue. How many of you have stories on finding THE dress?

St. Patrick's Day Party

St. Patrick's Day is coming, that means that Spring cannot be too far behind! You don't have to be Irish to celebrate with a St. Patrick's Day Party!
Have a green tablecloth? If not, use a white one and add greenery and maybe some shamrock confetti. You can purchase green sequin hats, St. Paddy bolwer hats and green beads for your guests to add to their "wearing of the green." For traditional fare serve an appetizer of smoked salmon with a dill sauce and then onto to the traditional corned beef and cabbage, colcannon (new potatoes mixed with boiled white cabbage) or serve them separately. Try adding green food coloring to regular mashed potatoes for something non-traditional, but fun! If you are looking for something different, you could offer Lamb chops, Baked Cod, Irish Stew, or Shepherd's Pie. Complete the dinner with Irish Soda Bread. Beverages include "green" beer, or Guinness. Also try some Black and Tan (Irish stout & lager beer) or Black Velvet (Guinness & champagne.) Top it off with Irish cream pie, green apple slices, kiwi, shamrock shaped cookies or cupcakes with green icing. Scatter some bowls of pistachios and green M & M's around. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wedding Presents

It is customary for the wedding presents to be sent ahead of time to the bride. The question arises then "what does the couple do with the wedding presents received before the wedding?" Hold on to them and wait to use them until after their honeymoon. While packages are sent ahead, cards are usually brought to the wedding.
The tradition of displaying the gifts is not as popular as it once was. In the past, gifts were displayed on a table usually at the bride's home for friends and relatives to see. An individual place setting displaying the couples china, silver and crystal pattern would be set and various gifts received would also be displayed. Checks were also on the table with a ribbon concealing the amount, covered with glass. Guests were invited ahead of time to the home to see the gifts. One rarely sees that practice today.
When shopping for the couple, one does not have to send a present from their registry, but it's a good idea to consult the registry. If the couple have registered for china, silver or crystal, the gift giver can give them something in the pattern that they have chosen. Consulting the registry is also helpful in learning their colors and style. Gifts can be given up to one year of the wedding date. It's not the cost of the gift, but the thoughts and good wishes of the giver.

Planning a daughter's wedding when you are a wedding planner

Someone asked me recently how has it been planning my daughter's wedding since I am a wedding/event planner? My answer: Interesting!
When my older daughter was getting married seven years ago, she and her fiance' wanted a destination wedding. Over 200 guests were invited, all from out-of-town. Since my husband and I were unfamiliar with the local florists, photographers, musicians, caterers, hair and make-up artists, etc. we hired a wedding planner. While checking the references I spoke to a mother of a bride who lived in the area and was planning a small wedding. Curious I asked her, since she lived there, why she would hire a wedding planner? Her answer was "Darling, that day I just want to put my dress on." So did I, I thought! We hired the wedding planner, all the details were taken care of and that day I too just "put my dress on!" Since this will be a larger wedding and I am now familiar and have worked with local florists, photographers, musicians, hair and make-up artists, stationers, rental companies, etc. it has been easier to find exactly what we're looking for. In making these suggestions to my daughter, the bride-to-be, I can rely on my business partner/wedding planner to act as the "buffer." She and I have been the "buffer" for many brides and their mothers as we've coordinated their weddings. Since I do not want to jeopardize our mother/daughter relationship (those of you with daughters can relate) my partner will orchestrate the rehearsal, wedding ceremony and reception and I (once again) will "put my dress on!"

"A Night at the Museum" Party

Why not a party for 8 -12 year old budding paleontologists? I recently visited the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. They have a AMNH Sleepover for 8-12 year olds. Quite an adventure! The price includes exploration of the live-animal exhibits with museum guides, fossil exploration by flashlight, watching "Dinosaurs Alive" in the IMAX theatre, challenging "Museum Quests," an evening snack, sleeping in the museum, a light breakfast, and take-home activiites.
Because of the very popular movie, this would be a fun adventure with wonderful memories for this age group. Are there any other museums that you know of locally that have a similar program?

Hosting an "Oscars Party"

Since the Academy Awards will be given out on Sunday, why not throw a red carpet "Oscars" party? Invite some friends to watch the Oscars. Encourage them to wear their finest and perhaps have some tiaras and top hats to hand out when they arrive for added glitz. Serve a buffet dinner or just snacks. Whatever you serve, make sure you have buckets of popcorn. Decorate with silver stars and twinkling lights around the room. Pass out ballots and pens and have everyone vote for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Song, Best Foreign Film, Best Animated Film, Best Documentary, Best Achievement in Film Editing, Costume Design and Best Picture. The one with the most correct answers could make an acceptance speech before accepting their prize. The prize for the winner could be movie passes to your local theatre.
Have fun and make it festive!

Post-Wedding Party

Since so many weddings today are weekend events, it has become a new trend where the "post-wedding party" has become popular. For some this is a brunch hosted by the parents of the bride or groom and can be held in the hotel where the guests are staying. For others it can be a casual party in someone's home held in the early afternoon before guests drive home or head to an airport for their return trip. If the wedding takes place at a beach or resort, it can be a picnic or a beach party. If the bride or groom's family is hosting at their home, they may want to consider hiring someone to do the arrangements for a "stress-free" affair the day after the wedding. What type of post-wedding parties have you attended or hosted?

Rehearsal Dinners

Rehearsal Dinners usually are held the night before the wedding, after the wedding rehearsal and usually hosted by the groom's parents. If this is not possible, the bride's parents can arrange for the rehearsal dinner. It is customary for the wedding party and their spouses to be invited along with the officiant, the bride's parents, siblings, grandparents, readers, ushers and some out-of-town guests. The rehearsal dinner can take many forms, such as a picnic, beach party, buffet or formal dinner. It is usually not as formal as the wedding. It's a good idea to have invitations sent so there is no confusion as to who is included in the guest list. Some rehearsal dinners have everyone on the guest list invited, but this is usually for small weddings. The rehearsal dinner is the time for the bride and groom to give their individual gifts to their bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Birthday Parties for the New Teen

Birthday parties for the girl turning 13 can be a challenge. Since they are experimenting with make-up, why not have a party with a make-up and skin care professional? The pro can talk to the girls about proper skin care and make-up application. A long table with individual mirrors, wash cloths, water, cotton swabs, individual pots of make-up while they practice and apply these new skills. Alert the parents before you begin to make sure there are no allergies that need to be addressed. "Goody Bags" can include nail polish, lip gloss, emery boards, make-up removal sponges. I've witnessed this type of party first-hand and it was a big hit!

Valentine's Day and Proposals

Happy Valentine's Day! Today is a romantic day! While this isn't usually a busy "party" day for adults, this is a day for sending and receiving cards, flowers, chocolates and in some cases, jewelry! Many of you will celebrate Valentine's Day with a special dinner. Others will have more elaborate plans with a weekend get-away, or a noted restaurant reservation or attending a Valentine's Day Dance. Some of you will become getting engaged today. Valentine's Day is one of the four highest days for proposals, the others are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. While most proposals are intimate affairs between two people, the trend today for some is to have a more elaborate proposal with other people involved. There was an article in the NYTimes recently about a man who staged a fake show which the bride-to-be thought was a real show. The actors were all part of the ruse. Locally, a bride was proposed to on the rink at Rockefeller Center. Both Marist alums, the groom invited the bride-to-be to go ice skating and proposed on the ice. The snow was falling and the groom-to-be had several friends help him. One of his buddies had a large bouquet of beautiful red roses ready ringside. The groom-to-be skated to pick up the flowers, then skated to the middle of the rink and proposed on one knee. Another couple was there with their camera ready and shot the scene. Afterwards they all went out to dinner and celebrated the romantic event. Lot of happy spectators and skaters cheered. Way to go, Luke!
A very Happy Valentine's Day to all and let us in on any special proposals that happen to you this Valentine's Day!

Shopping locally for your Party

I just returned from four days at the New York International Gift Fair held at the Jacob Javits Center. There were some wonderful invitations, decorations, favors and ideas for all kinds of parties, weddings and celebrations! Lots of color will be seen this coming season. There was good news to report; in a difficult economic climate many independent retailers are actually thriving. "Buy Local" campaigns have helped sales to increase by encouraging shoppers to support locally owned businesses with strong community roots. We have a plethora of wonderful shops and venues here in the Hudson Valley with many talented and knowledgeable caterers, bakers,jewelers, chocolatiers, tent rental professionals, florists, photographers, invitation stationers, bridal salons, tuxedo shops, day spas, hair dressers, skin care and make-up artists, musicians, djs, travel agents, transportation vehicles, artists, shop owners and store employees willing to help with your selections. The Hudson Valley has become a destination for weddings, parties and corporate events. Having an event planning business and planning my own daughter's wedding here this spring, I have seen this first hand. All your needs and details can be obtained right here in the Hudson Valley. So shop locally for your next party or event!!

Kids invited to The Super Bowl Party

If there will be children at the Super Bowl Party make sure there are "kid-friendly" snacks for them. Also, they may be not all that interested in the game. How about having some board games, movies, dvds, word scramble games (using "football" related words such as touchdown, pass, quarterback, goal, etc.) For younger children have a place where they can color and provide new coloring books and crayons.
The older kids may like "Football Charades." They can act out words such as goalpost, cheerleader, half-time, first down, etc. Purchase small footballs or nerf footballs for prizes. For those kids who will be watching the game, keep them focused with questions such as: which team won the toss? Who scored the first touchdown? What is the score after the first quarter? second quarter? Give some questions about the commercials too! And have prizes ready for the winner(s).
Popcorn has become the most popular snack of Super Bowl Parties with pizza being the number one choice for the main course. These are both easy and enjoyed by kids! Enjoy Super Bowl Sunday whatever your plans are and have fun!

Countdown to The Super Bowl Party - shopping for the party

Shopping for your Super Bowl Party should begin today, since the stores may be crowded toward the end of the week.I was in a party store on Monday that was completely sold out of Super Bowl plates, napkins and decorations with Giants logos. Patriots supplies however were aplenty.
Place your orders for deli trays and large sandwiches early. Since over 29 billion pounds of chips will be eaten this weekend, make sure you have your supply handy! Cheese items for dips, Mexican dishes, and pizzas will go up by 32% this Sunday, so shop early for what you'll need. This Sunday Americans will eat more salty snacks such as pretzels, chips, nuts and popcorn than any other time during the year. And what is the most popular snack? Popcorn!
Have a great Super Bowl Party and enjoy whatever you serve: pigs in blankets, potato skins, nachos, salsa, bruschetta, guacamole, dips, quesadillas, crabmeat spreads, meatballs, chicken wings, spinach balls, spareribs, hot dogs, Fenway franks, corn dogs, hamburgers, hero sandwiches, New England clam chowders, baked beans, lobster rolls, black beans, onion blossoms or whatever you enjoy....and enjoy the game and the party!

Countdown to The Super Bowl Party - decorations and games

There will probably be more Giants Fans at your Super Bowl Party than Patriots, but Super Bowl parties are usually very democratic. Decorate one side of the room where you'll be watching the game for the Giants, the other side for the Patriots. If you have a large table decorate this with a green cloth, add some white lines to indicate the field, some football shaped confetti, 2 goal posts with the NY Giants on one end and the NE Patriots at the other. If you can find those large helmets for chips, even better! Your guests will most likely come dressed in football jerseys or colors of their team. (If you want to be really creative, make little jerseys out of felt and hang them around the room.) Have a large board with squares for the teams and quarters for betting. In addition to the quarterly scores you could include the time the game will end, the MVP, winner of coin toss, team for first touchdown before the playing really begins. For young children present purchase some new footballs as favors for them. Make sure you have "kid-friendly" snacks and food for them, perhaps make up a "word search" game using traditional football words such as "goal," "touchdown," and "quarterback" for them. Popcorn is the number one snack of choice on this most snacked day of the year, so make sure you have plenty! Enjoy!

Countdown to The Super Bowl Party - food

This year the Super Bowl Party is especially important with the NY Giants playing! Generally speaking, hosting a Superbowl Party is relatively easy; it's a casual atmospher with casual food. You need a room (or several) with tvs set up for watching the game. You can do it yourself with standard snacks, such as chips, pretzels, dips, spreads and more hearty fare for half-time or make it even easier with having a "potluck" supper where everyone will contribute. You can have others bring the beverages (beer, wine and soft drinks.) Why not decorate with a Southwest flair since the game will be played in Arizona? Colorful decorations and a Southwest menu of guacamole, nachos, tacos, a hearty chili, chicken quesadillas, Mexican pizza, stuffed jalapenos to name a few. You could serve margaritas in addition to beer and wine and make it more festive. Be creative and have fun with it!

Alternatives for the Ladies on Superbowl Sunday

This is for those ladies who are not die-hard football fans: Why not a trip to a day spa on Superbowl Sunday? Take in a Broadway show? A movie? Lunch? How about trying a "Re-Gifting Party? The stores will not be crowded, why not a shopping spree with some like-minded friends? Head to a museum. You can always meet up later at a Superbowl Party, say around half-time? I've seen Superbowl parties with a "Bridge Room" where those who were interested played bridge and mingled with the crowd at half-time. Game room? Many of you in the retail industry will most likely be at the NY International Gift Show that opens that weekend in Manhattan. How many of you have alternative plans for The Big Game? Any good ideas???

An Accessories Re-Gifting Party

How about an idea for an alternative to the Super Bowl party? With the success of our Re-Gifting party it was decided we should have another one. It's in the planning stage and will be held in February. This one will be an Accessories Re-Gifting party with the items being scarves, belts, purses, and costume jewelry. How many of these do we have that we really don't want to throw out...but have grown tired of, seldom wear and maybe someone else would see the item differently? How would this work for some football widows who really don't care about the big game? Simple! As we learned from the last one, lump the items together eliminating the cost factor and everyone gets a turn to "shop!" Ours will be after Super Bowl weekend, why not try yours that day? Maybe those interested are sequestered in another room while the game is going on? Meet for the snacks at half time. Who's game for this?

"Former Bridesmaids" Party

With the new movie coming out about all the bridesmaid dresses in one closet, why not throw a party and show off some of those creations? How many of us still have a bridesmaid dress (or two or three....) in our closet that we haven't parted with? (guilty!) Some may have been recycled. I know of one such dress that was a lovely light purple (actually it was periwinkle, the color that looks good on everyone!) that was recycled for a Halloween costume of Miss Piggy! (The former bride was not in attendance.) We were all told that we would wear them again...so why not all at once - with a party? This could be a great alternative to a Superbowl party!?! You don't have to actually wear them to the Superbowl gathering (although, why not?)

That Re-Gifting Party

I decided after hearing and blogging about a "Re-Gifting Party" to throw one. I invited some friends for the first Friday evening after the New Year. We met at my home last night for a light supper and refreshments - 9 women and one male, Jack Daniels. We all brought our unwrapped "treasures" to be re-gifted. There were 4 places to put the items: one table for the $0-10 items, another $10-25, another $25-50 and one more spot for the $50. and up. We had a meeting to determine how we were going to do this. My original premise was that depending on the price point one would receive a ticket to "shop" at that table. Vetoed! It was decided that no one cared what the price point was, we didn't want the stuff back and who cared if someone got something they chose that happened to be more or less than what they brought. So, names were called one by one and that person "shopped" for one item, another name was called and she "shopped" for an item until we all had mutiple turns to "shop" and the items were gone! Well, almost all... there are 2 very small items left which will be donated to charity. Interesting comments when gifts were put on the tables "Can you believe someone actually gave this to me?" A moment later: "Oh, I love this!" (concerning the same item!) It's amazing how many gifts were originally given by relatives!! We had a lot of laughs and it was decided that we wanted to continue to meet, so a monthly book club was formed. Our first meeting will be the end of January.
I highly recommend this "Re-Gifting Party!" The adage "someone's trash is another's treasure" definitely applied!