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!