OctoBEAR party for moms and tots

How about a party for moms and pre-schoolers? This party is inspired by the song "The Teddy Bears Picnic." A playdate party where the children bring their favorite teddy bears. Make bear prints leading to your front door for the children to follow. Have books on hand with bear themes, such as "Corduroy," "Winnie the Pooh," We're Going On A Bear Hunt, "Bear Snores On," "Every Autumn Comes the Bear" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
Each child could wear "bear ears" which can be made out of chenille pipe cleaners. Spread a blanket or tablecloth on the floor and serve out of picnic baskets lined in red and white checked fabric. Depending on the age, you could serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut out using bear cookie cutters. Don't forget "teddy grahams," "gummy bears" and teddy bear stickers as favors. For the moms you could serve sandwiches (other than pb&j) or salads. Have the theme of "The Teddy Bears Picnic" playing to greet your guests. This can also be adopted to include a birthday celebration. Add teddy bear balloons, a teddy bear cake and give teddy bear books as favors.

Oktoberfest

How many of you have been celebrating at an Oktoberfest this month? Now is the time! Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September and early October. To have your own version of "Oktoberfest" invite friends over for some pale ale or a hearty stout (or your favorite beer or a micro-brew.) Decorate with fall foliage (anyone have edelweiss?) incorporating the German colors: black/red/gold. Serve German fare for your menu such as bratwurst, pork, sauerbraten, Black Forest ham, cabbage, German potato salad or spaetzle and finish your meal with apple strudel or Black Forest cake for dessert. Tell us how you celebrated Oktoberfest!

Holiday Open House

The leaves are falling, November is around the corner and time to think about hosting a Holiday Open House. Open House parties are usually held in the late afternoon. Guests are not obligated to arrive at a particular time if it's an Open House, but state a beginning and ending time such as 4 pm to 6 pm, or 5 pm to 7 pm on your invitation to ensure that someone won't be dropping by when the party is over. One can make it simple and serve hors d'ouevres with wine and beer or add spirits for a full bar. You can hire a bar tender or make it a self-service affair. If you decide to serve wine, you will need one bottle of wine for every 5 guests.
A buffet with many choices of hors d'oeuvres, hot and cold arranged on a table where they are easily accessible for guests to help themselves. Plan on 8 hor d'ouevres per person. Some of your guests will plan on your appetizers being their dinner, while others may have dinner plans for afterwards. Better to plan on having more than less!
Try different heights for your appetizers, place large books under the tablecloth to elevate some dishes for a more interesting table. Gourds, pumpkins and leaves are an easy way to decorate your table at this time of year. A dessert table with coffee and tea offerings for the ending time. Finger food desserts such as cookies, brownies, fruit on skewers, chocolates are the simplest and always well received.

Halloween Party costumes

What to wear to a Halloween party when the invitation requires a costume? If you are attending as a couple, how about a famous couple from tv or the movies? Singles can go as a pop star, cartoon character, politician, animal, food item, popular toy or stuffed animal? Perhaps a favorite team mascot or sports figure? Country western singer or a Broadway show star? Fictional characters? Song and dance team? A popular character from a children's nursery rhyme or fairy tale? Costumes from foreign countries? What have been some of your favorite costumes, either you have worn or have seen on others? Was there a theme to the party? What costumes were awarded prizes? Tell us some of your most creative costumes.

Halloween Parties for Children

How many of you are planning a Halloween Party for children?
Many parents today would rather have a party at their home instead of having their children go "trick or treating." Parents want a fun and safe way for their children to celebrate.
About.com has a wonderful website with great suggestions for Halloween games for children's parties. The October issue of Better Homes and Gardens is filled with Halloween tricks and treat ideas. Kaboose.com is another website for fall crafts and fun snacks. What's your favorite way your child will be celebrating Halloween?

when the invite says "dress to impress"

Having heard from "golfgirl" about what to wear for a party when the invite says "dress to impress," do any of you have ideas for her? How many have been in a quandry about what to wear for a particular party or affair? Any great tidbits to pass along?? Have any of you hosted such a party? What were you expecting to see? How many of us go shopping at the last minute...panic stricken for something that's "just right?" Anyone???? (golfgirl's question is from her comment posted on the last blog - Leaf Peeking.)

Leaf-peeking party

Parties in the fall tend to be more relaxed and Mother Nature can do a lot of the decorating for us. Vivid hues of coral, amber and apricot help us with our decorating scheme. Look for apples, pumpkins, gourds and artichokes and add some greenery from the garden to add to your table decor. Platter of cheeses with these accents will add a rustic touch to your table. This can set the stage for a "leaf-peeking" party. Plan to take an afternoon drive with friends and explore our breathtaking Hudson Valley fall foliage, then complete the afternoon at an outdoor table decorated with natural elements, wine and cheese.