Theme for a party...

 So this little collection shows how our family's fevered brains come up with themes to make simple parties with the same ingredients varied and different to each other...

Month 7 - Bite 15

Choose a colour and go for it.. a red party or an orange party for example - it might mean everyone turning up wearing the colour or decorations made to fit the theme or even all the food matching the chosen hue! It can be a bit mind bending, but it's great fun too. Oh and the joys of cooking cakes with food colouring or hunting down juices and drinks in the right colours.

Last year my niece went for a gold party. No, we couldn't push the boat out as far as golden presents, but with sequins, foil curtains and so on it was a special day. 

We do recycle lots of the decorations and table dressings though in an effort not to be wasteful - on which subject you may have noticed in a previous post a huge 60 decorated and used on a party table - well, that's about to reappear this week at my mum's 90th! See what I mean.

'Dressing up' our parties like this may mean lots of effort and brain stretching, but largely keeps some of the costs down as the value is in us all being together (pandemic allowing) and having fun, not splashing the cash necessarily.....

Month 7 - Bite 16

Now here's a practical one that's been used when a big job needs finishing.

A working party is always helpful if something like planting and digging or stripping wallpaper is required. By getting all the hands available on board you can cover a lot of man/woman hours of work and enjoy yourself at the same time. It makes the tasks go quickly and saves on having to get in extra, paid for help. All that's needed is some music, the right tools (especially if the workers can bring them and save on buying new ones) and some refreshments.

On one previous flat move my niece and her husband were simply moving a few streets from one flat to another. They got their friends round to a grand moving party and then furnished everyone with plenty of pizza to enjoy together once the job was done. Much cheaper than a removal firm, even if the sight of them walking the bed and mattress through a shopping street was an unusual comedy routine for the Saturday shoppers!

Month 7 - Bite 17

Then, of course, there are the 'make it' parties. These are great - exploring the brains and interests of those around you who can show how to create something or to pick up a skills - or just gathering a group of you together with a pile of materials and going for it. There's something quite liberating when you try your hand at a craft session with others who are trying it for the first time. Whether it's beading or weaving or, well anything really, just pitching in and having a giggle while you attempt a creative explosion leads to plenty of chat and discussion.

It might be that you all bring along a kit to finish or gather up any odds and ends of crafting leftovers to reduce the cost.

Or that you're all making something with a purpose. When I was in the classroom we did have some craft parties that were to make items for the summer or Christmas fair. Or a group yarn effort can lead to the fun of yarn bombing. At the moment the post box round the corner from here is sporting a fabulous knitted scene.

Or there's always the traditional quilting bee or blanket making session. As long as it's a group of people having fun, and probably a little wine, it's classed as a party for me!

Month 7 - Bite 18

And finally, for now, there's the foodie parties based on a particular country. It doesn't matter which country, as long as everyone enjoys the menu. Of course, it's not just the food, whether it's Italian or Mexican or Chinese or Caribbean or ..... the table and setting have to be right. 

Printing photos or making up collages from travel brochures add to the atmosphere, as well as food mats made from travel pictures and music too, naturally. Speaking a bit of the language relevant to the meal, if only to say 'please' thank you' or 'this tastes great' helps transport you to another place. 

Don't forget the menu describing each dish and decorated appropriately (that's where children are very useful) to add to the feel of the occasion.

There's also the possibility of a slide show cast onto the TV of photos of a visit or a streamed programme/film based in the particular country so that you can all feel immersed in the idea of being somewhere else.

Bearing in mind that you would be buying the ingredients for a meal anyway, this sort of party doesn't need to cost the earth either!

Onto the party ingredients next time.......