Labels

7 SIMPLE PARTIES TO HOST

A Favorite Things Party





Everyone chooses a favorite thing (that’s $5 or less) and brings five of them to the party.
Then everyone puts their name in a bowl five times.
At some parties (like the one I just went to last week), everyone puts their favorite item on a table and at others, everyone keeps theirs hidden until it’s time to pass them out. Personally, I prefer seeing them all set-out – it’s fun to see them all together.
You go around the room and each person tells what they brought and an explanation if needed. Then they draw five names from the bowl (re-drawing if they pull their own names or two of the same name) and those five people get the item you brought. Ta-da! Super easy.
It’s always fun to see what other people brought and it’s especially fun to take a few things home.
To this most recent party, I took tall sparkler birthday candles (I bought some for Ella’s birthday last year and they were just so festive). Some of the popular items at this party were pretty notebooks, hair glaze treatment, cookie butter, dry shampoo, Burt’s Bees tinted chapstick, kitchen shears, and Febreeze.
In the past, I’ve taken my all-time favorite blue pens, a colorful little desk tray, and... I can’t remember what other things I’ve done.
One of my friends in Texas does this party every year around the holidays and everyone brings their favorite cookies along with their gift and you go home with a huge assortment of other cookies.
At the other ones I’ve attended, the hostess just does a spread of her favorite foods (the one last week was seriously impressive with multiple candies, tiny Greek salad cups, soup shots, two drinks, pear, and blue cheese crostini, and chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. I shouldn’t have eaten dinner beforehand).
Also, at this most recent one, the hostess had us all write our favorite color, a recent favorite read, our favorite place to travel, and our favorite way to relax on a piece of paper and then she read each one off and everyone tried to guess who it was.
I’m usually super not into getting-to-know-you type things (bleck!), but this was surprisingly delightful and low-key. Also, Jessica was phenomenal at asking fun follow-up questions and we had a lot of fun conversations about each person’s answers.
Anyway, there you have it.
And now I need to throw one myself because hosting parties is one of my favorite things.

How to Host a Book Swap Party


Our Book Swap party was a few weeks ago and it would be wrong for me not to share all the details because it was such a fun and easy party to throw. If you’re a book lover too, this is a party you should definitely consider hosting.

I asked my friend Michelle (who had kindly offered her house for my To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before viewing party last year) if she’d mind letting us use her gorgeous house again and she quickly agreed, which was SO nice of her.
I’m basically obsessed with her gorgeous house, so any excuse I have to go look at it, I’m going to take.
We had 21 people which seemed like just the right amount – enough that it didn’t feel awkward and not so many that it felt like chaos.
We asked everyone to bring a favorite book (new or used, and it could be in any category – picture book, young adult, non-fiction, recent or classic).
We waffled back and forth about whether or not to have people wrap their books and at the last minute, we asked people to wrap them (and we also provided wrapping paper so people who hadn’t gotten the update could wrap them at the party). Wrapping is FOR SURE the way to go – it really made it more fun.
We also asked everyone to write a little note that talked about why they loved the book (but didn’t reveal the name of the book).

As everyone arrived, we passed out name tags and people wrapped their gifts.
We had a MAJOR food spread with a spectacular vegetable tray from Chef Herbs, cookies from Sodalicious, plus chips and salsa, a bunch of different chocolates and, of course, my jalapeño popper dip because in my mind a party isn’t a party without it.

Also, Izze sparkling juices, which I think are pretty much the most delicious beverage on earth.


After about an hour of mingling and eating, everyone took a seat in the family room and we each went around and introduced ourselves, sharing our name, where we lived, and something interesting about us.
This was SO fun. It probably took a solid 30 minutes because everyone had such interesting and fun things to share. Most of us only knew a few of the other attendees, so it was really fun to get to know everyone, especially when everyone there had a strong shared love of books.

After that, we went around the circle and each person chose a book to unwrap. They would read the card aloud and it was fun to try to guess what book it might be based on the card. On your turn you could either unwrap a new book or steal a book someone else had unwrapped previously (a book could only be stolen once and then it was locked). If your book got stolen, you could choose a new book to unwrap or steal someone else’s.
Here’s a list of the books that were brought to the Book Swap:
It was a DELIGHT to see all these books opened, with people jumping in to talk about how much they loved certain books or asking questions about them if they hadn’t read it.
Truly, book lover heaven, right there.

The only change we’d make next time is putting the wrapped books on display so people could read through the notes during the first part of the party before the exchange actually started.
In the end, we had some prizes, including Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy‘s book, I’d Rather Be Reading, a Loom Journal, a three-month subscription to Bookroo, and a Bookends candle.
Personally, I would bring Anne Rice books, Haunted Canada and such. I am more into those kinds of books. I'd also serve a veggie and dip platter but, I'd also add in cheese and softer crackers, easier to chew. I don't like crackers that are really hard. 


A Pi Day Party


The first Pi Day party we attended was in 2008 when my friend Kristi hosted one. Before then, I’m not even entirely sure I knew about Pi Day (Pi is the number 3.14159265 (except it goes on forever) so naturally, it’s celebrated on 3/14).
Five years later, we finally caught the vision and hosted our own in 2013, inviting some 12 couples and a few children to our little apartment.
Since then, we haven’t missed a year.
It’s the EASIEST party to host since all you need to do is invite some people, tell everyone to bring a pie, and then provide plates, forks, napkins, some water, and some vanilla ice cream.

It’s so simple that even the years I’ve had a baby in late February, it was no big deal for us to host one with a three week old baby.
I also love a Pi Day party because it requires no decorations and no activities.
You literally have everyone bring a pie and then you eat pie. And then you talk about which pies you liked best or which ones you’re going back for seconds of or which ones you didn’t have enough room on your plate for.
It’s the kind of party that’s really easy to invite a lot of people to (we usually aim for between 10-15 families) and it’s such a nice way to get to know people better or strengthen old friendships.
And did I mention that the entire point of the party is eating pie?
If you haven’t celebrated Pi Day before, might I suggest that this is the easiest and most popular party you will ever throw?
Choose 5-15 friends or families, put together a quick invite (I usually use Evite and ask people to leave a note in the RSVPs about what kind of pie they’ll be bringing so you don’t end up with 7 apple pies), and have people over next Thursday night.
I promise every single person you invite will be thrilled for an excuse to do something fun on a Thursday night (and if they don’t want to come to eat pie on a Thursday night, you might want to reconsider your friendship).
And I’d also suggest that you don’t eat dinner beforehand. Consider that a pro tip.

How to host a To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Netflix viewing party.

If you’re a fan of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and want to host a viewing party when it comes out on Netflix on August 17th, here are all my best ideas for throwing a premiere party!



I had big plans for throwing a viewing party on August 17th, but thanks to our move, I’m very dubious that I can make it happen. I’ll probably be watching it home alone, with a big pack of Pokky Sticks. It’s probably what Lara Jean would want, anyway.
BUT, even if I can’t throw my own party, you know I can’t resist telling you all the ideas I had for throwing a To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before the party.

TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE MOVIE VIEWING PARTY

FOOD IDEAS:

Chocolate Chip Cookies. This is a given (even though it’s more in the third book). I kind of would want people to bring their best chocolate chip cookies and have a taste test.
Fruitcake Cookies. I mean, I don’t really want to EAT fruitcake cookies, but there would need to be at least one plate of them. Make Peter proud.
Pocky Sticks. These are the perfect treat for munching on while you’re watching (actually, one of my dear friends bought me a massive box of these from Costco after she read the books. It was the best thing anyone has ever done for me).
Korean Yogurt Drinks. You can order these online if your local store doesn’t carry them.
Sugar Donuts. They might not be warm and they might not be mocha sugar, but I’ll still eat them.
Pizza. But guaranteed, no one will take the last piece.
Cupcakes. Only if they are frosted by someone who has earned the right to frost them.
Frozen Yogurt. Peter wouldn’t pay for it, of course.

ACTIVITIES:

Happily, with a viewing party, you don’t actually need a lot of activities, but if you want to extend the party. . .
Hair Braiding. Make Kitty proud.
Cupcake decorating. Then you don’t have to do it beforehand!
Nail painting. Plenty of time to let them dry while you watch.

SWAG BAGS:

Probably you wouldn’t do swag bags for a regular non-sponsored party, but I loved thinking of items that would go in them. Or if you wanted, they’d make fun raffle prizes or prizes for the best cookies. In my dream world, each of the swag bags would actually be a small hatbox.
Chocolate Chips. A bag of great chocolate chips, like Guittard or Ghiradelli or Scharffen Berger.
Coconut Shampoo. Obviously.
Korean Face Masks. Gogo would approve, especially because they’re only $3 each.
Stationary. Because how else will you write a love letter you never intend to send?
Cute printed socks. Bonus points if you wear them DURING the movie.

Writing all this out has made me want to somehow make one happen in Utah, but if I can’t, and you happen to be in Utah and throw one, definitely invite me.
My Pokky Sticks and I will be happy to attend.

6 Tips for Hosting a Minute to Win It Party

Our favorite Minute to Win It games, plus tips for how to throw the perfect Minute to Win It Party. This is the MOST fun party to host!
Back when we were fun (e.g. fewer children, fewer work responsibilities, and more young and energetic), Bart and I really loved hosting parties.
We made this elaborate Jeopardy game on PowerPoint with everything linked up so you could click any number on the board and it would pop up the question and then click through to the answer. We invited several couples over, provided everyone with buzzers, and laughed ourselves sick.
We hosted a Mission Impossible birthday party for Bart and another friend, complete with ding-dong-ditched invitations in manilla envelopes with water guns, a CD with recorded information about the event and the signature music.
We organized a burger hop where a bunch of us went to four different burger places in Austin in one evening and tried the classics at each one and rated them (complete with a little scorecard, I think. Maybe I’m just inventing that part).
(All of this is making me miss our Austin days in the worst way).
But for sure our favorite parties have been Minute to Win It parties.
We first hosted one in Texas, then another during Bart’s MBA program, and one during Bart’s family’s reunion a few years ago. We’ve done more low-key versions with his family during Thanksgiving. It’s just hard to go wrong with Minute to Win It games.
Over Christmas break, we decided it might be time to host another one.
I wrote a whole post about our Minute to Win It party in 2012, but after the one we just hosted over the weekend, I had a lot more details and suggestions I wanted to share.

OUR FAVORITE MINUTE TO WIN IT GAMES

  1. Oreo on your Forehead – Each person tips their head back and balances an Oreo on their forehead. Your goal is to get it in your mouth without using your hands. If it falls on the floor, it goes back on your forehead.
  2. Cup Stacking –Each person gets a stack of 20 Solo cups, plus 1 of a different color. The different color is on the bottom of the stack and you grab the top cup with one hand and put it on the bottom of the stack, then switch hands and grab the new top cup and put it on the bottom, and back and forth until the different colored cup is back on the bottom. Only one cup at a time, obviously, and you have to switch hands on every cup grab.
  3. M&Ms with a Straw – Ten M&Ms on one plate. Using a straw and the power of suction, you have to move all the M&Ms to the other plate.
  4. Card Throwing – Each person gets a deck of cards and stands about 4-5 feet away from a bowl placed in the center of the floor. You have 60 seconds to get as many cards in the bowl as possible.
  5. Banana & Tennis Balls – Each person gets a banana and a long piece of yarn to tie the banana around their waist so the banana almost touches the ground. Then you use the banana (no hands allowed) to move a tennis ball about 10 feet onto a taped-off square (if it goes into the square and then back out, it doesn’t count).
  6. Dice Stacking – Each person gets seven dice and a fat Popsicle stick. You put the stick in your mouth and stack the dice vertically on it and then have to keep them all balanced for 5 seconds.
We invited four couples for a total of 10 adults (children were not invited), which seemed like a good number (although 8 or 12 would make it a little easier to divide into two groups of four or three groups of four).
Here are a few tips that I think make it a smoother and more fun party:
  1. Invite the right people. You want to make sure everyone who comes knows that they’ll be participating and that they’re okay with that. There’s nothing wrong with people who would rather sit quietly and observe, but . . . this is probably not the party for them. Or people who are going to be so competitive they make it miserable for everyone else.
  2. Have everyone participate in every competition. In the past, we’ve had people draw names to see which event you competed in, but it made it fairly tricky, plus I always felt really stressed that there were some I didn’t want to do, and other people would be bummed to miss competing in one they thought looked particularly fun. Also, if your name got called a bunch of times early on, you might not compete at all in the second half. This time, we did two sets of each event with five people competing at once and then the second five repeating it (we put papers with A and B on them in a cup and everyone drew one before each game so they knew if they’d be competing in the first round or the second). We’d never done this way, but I thought it was MUCH better. If you have more people, you could do three rounds of four people each or four of four or whatever works with your crowd size.
  3. Start with the Oreo game. Bart and I agree that of all the Minute to Win It games this is the perfect ice breaker. You need pretty much no supplies (just a box of Oreos), it doesn’t take almost any explanation, and everyone looks so ridiculous trying to get an Oreo from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands that everyone is all relaxed and in the spirit of the party right away.
  4. Keep score. Last time, we used poster board, but this time we just pulled out our big chalkboard and had everyone write a nickname for their spouse on it. Then for each round, the first place winner got 5 points, second got 4, third got three and so forth. In some cases, if you didn’t complete the competition in 60 seconds, you got zero points (many people got a zero for Oreos). Same for the second group of five for the same competition. After four Minute to Win It games, we tallied the points to see how everyone was stacking up.
  5. Pause for treats. We did four events, then paused for dessert and it was a nice break between Minute to Win It games. Everyone was in high spirits by that time and there was so much laughing and joking, and people weren’t rushing out like they might have been if we’d saved dessert for the end.
  6. Have prizes. I felt like this really made it feel like a party and a competition. We hadn’t done prizes the last couple of times because they were more low-key parties, but about an hour before this one, we realized prizes would make it more fun, so we rounded up a few swag items we had in the gift closet – a few pairs of Happy Socks, a shampoo/conditioner set, a journal, a workout headband, plus a couple of leftover Christmas treats like a bag of Fudge Pretzels. We set them all out on the bookshelf as a display and at the end, everyone got to choose a prize in the order they’d come in (so the person with the most point chose first, and on down. When we had ties, they played Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who got to choose first). It was surprisingly fun to watch what other people choose (and there was no stealing allowed). Hilariously, the most desired item was this Munchkin stainless steel sippy cup. At our first party, we had the winner of each challenge pick a prize as soon as that challenge was done and then it could be stolen as the night went on and different challenges were won. You could also have every couple bring two small prizes so you don’t have to provide them all.
It ended up being a really fun night, and because we’ve done it several times, it was very quick and easy to get everything ready.
And of course the next morning, the girls were dying to play all the minutes to Win It games and Ella’s asked that her birthday party this year be a Minute to Win It party.
If you have any questions, let me know and I’ll try to answer!

A Summer S’mores Party



Last year, right before we left for the summer we had an s’ mores party.
It was so fun, we decided to have another this year (it doesn’t hurt that our backyard is way nicer at this house than it was at our last house).

We provided the standard s’ mores ingredients and then had everyone bring something extra fun.
And our friends did not disappoint.
There were cookies to use instead of graham crackers, homemade caramel, a variety of dark, milk, and toffee chocolate, Reese’s peanut butter cups, raspberries and bananas, and cinnamon and chocolate graham crackers.
I had a cinnamon graham cracker, marshmallow, caramel sauce, and dark chocolate s’ more and . . . well, I shouldn’t say any more because I don’t want to make anyone jealous.



I love a party where the kids can just run around outside and the adults can visit.
And where other people offer to hold my baby so I can eat another s’ more (peanut butter cup, marshmallow, and plain graham crackers the second time).


Last year, we were all huddled around the fire, wearing jackets. This year, happily, it was perfect.


It was just a perfect evening. Plus, several people stayed and helped clean up so, by the time the last person left, the only thing remaining was a pile of candy on the kitchen counter. That’s the kind of mess I know just how to deal with.




And last year, we borrowed a fire pit, but this year we bought our own (when we couldn’t FIND someone to borrow one from) so I see at least a few more s’ mores parties in our future before we leave North Carolina.



A Birthday Lunch for Friends


One of the things I’ve found most surprising about getting older is how difficult it is to maintain friendships.
When my girls were little, we had lots of free time, and we went to library storytime with friends, I hosted a toddler music group, I ran three days a week with two friends, and walked two mornings a week with four or five other moms, all of us pushing our strollers. There were playdates galore.
I had no sense that this was going to come to an end as my girls got older. Because now with older kids, you have school schedules to work around, sports and music lessons, and increasing responsibilities.
Combine that with moving to a new city, and I’ve felt keenly the lack of strong friendships in my life. So, one of my goals this year was to spend more time with my friends and really nurture those relationships.
And, as I usually do in practically every aspect of my life, I stole a good idea from Ralphie (like this new baby gift she brought me which is the best thing ever).
Ralphie is one of my dearest friends from Texas and one of those people you can’t help but love.
One of my favorite things she did over the years organized birthday lunches.
She’d ask me to pick four or five friends to invite and then she’d host us all for lunch at her home. She’d keep it simple – usually a soup and some homemade bread and then a little cake at the end.

It was the BEST.
As an adult, your birthday doesn’t tend to be as big of a deal as it is when you’re a kid, and I don’t know that most adults want a full-on birthday party, but it’s also so sad for the day to go unacknowledged.
A special little lunch on a weekday just feels so delightfully out of the ordinary.
When we lived in North Carolina, I hosted one for my friend Celeste and it was the BEST time, and I thought, “I should do this more often.”
And then I proceeded to not do it again for two years.
This year, though, I decided it was time to bring back the birthday lunch.
I’ve kept it pretty simple – I invite around 4-5 ladies, they’re welcome to bring their children if needed, and I make a big salad (I love this strawberry, chicken, bacon salad with balsamic honey dressing – it’s SO good and easy to prep ahead of time).
Each time I’ve hosted a birthday lunch, everyone has volunteered to bring things, but if they didn’t, I would ask them to so I don’t have to do it all myself. Someone brings bread, someone else brings cake, someone brings fruit, and someone brings a fun beverage.
I buy a bouquet of flowers for the table and consider that ample decoration. Maybe a few balloons if I’m feeling like really going all out.
We sit around and eat lunch, the kids eat and then run off to play in the backyard and basement, and we sit around and chat until we’re ready to eat cake, and then everyone goes home.

It usually lasts less than two hours, takes about an hour of prep time beforehand for me to make the salad, clean the bathroom, and sweep the floor, and it’s just the highlight of my month.
When Ralphie hosted my first birthday lunch (and every birthday lunch afterward), it made me feel SO special but didn’t feel overwhelming (introvert alert). It was such a fun little chance to spend time with a few of my favorite friends, enjoy a good meal, and most people aren’t booked up on a weekday at lunch – even my friends who work full-time in an office can usually sneak away for an hour.
In a recent episode of Awesome with Alison, she talked about doing the things she was good at. She’s great at party planning, so she volunteers for those kinds of things at her daughter’s school instead of feeling guilty that she’s not volunteering in the classroom teaching literacy skills or something.
I feel the same way about the birthday lunch. Having people over isn’t stressful to me, and this kind of event is basically 100% fun for me, so it’s a great fit. Am I likely to throw an extravagant surprise shower? Absolutely not.
Basically, I need to have friends with birthdays every month, because I love doing these so much. And maybe because I enjoy eating cake at lunchtime on a Thursday afternoon.










Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts