Summer Picnic

Summer is a great time to add a splash of color to your table.  You can use bright colored table covering, fresh flowers, fruit, and/or bright colored place settings.  Summer offers a variety of options for cool salads, cold colorful beverages, yummy sweet fruit to please any palate.  Invite a few close friends over to enjoy a picnic.  Think non-traditional when planning your summer picnic.  Instead of a customary pasta salad in bowl, try tortellini with your favorite veggies such as snap peas, cucumbers, zucchini, toss in shrimp and blend with a zesty vinaigrette dressing and place on a skewer.  Skip the heavy mayo based potato salad and opt for a lighter potato salad made with light sour cream and/or Greek yogurt.  You'll be surprised by the response from your guests.  A summer picnic can be complimented with refreshing fruit salad.  No need to add a dressing to your fruit salad juicy fruit add plenty of flavor.  For your main course a lobster salad sandwich made with Greek yogurt is cool accent to your picnic table.  Offer a cold strawberry lemonade with sliced strawberries and lemons.

Now that you have a few ideas for a simple menu, all you need to do is set your table. Determine your place setting colors.  Summer opens the door for lots of bright colors.  Choose a great orange, blue and red to decorate your table.   Place your tortellini skewers on a bright colored plate.  Scoop your improved version of potato salad in colored ice cream cups.  Make your lobster salad on a toasted sub roll and cut into fourths and place on a bright round serving plate.  To keep your strawberry lemonade cold and tasty pour some of your lemonade in ice trays.  With you lemonade ice cubes, you can put your  strawberry lemonade in a clear picture, add sliced strawberries and lemons for flare.

During the summer most of us are relaxed so an informal invitation would be appropriate.  If you want to be creative and to match your decor, choose color paper and a fun image to entice your guests.  On the day of the picnic good music, and the appropriate outdoor protection such as sun block, insect repellent

 and shading.  Your guests will have a great time.

Spring Theme Parties

The weather is getting warmer which is ideal for outdoor parties and events.  There is more to Spring Events than colored eggs and baskets.  Now is the time to break out the pastels and enjoy your patio or backyard.  On a warm day, you can host an outdoor brunch.  A casual low key brunch can be a great way to bring in the new season.  Start with a handmade invitation or E-vite.  Use festive colors and images to put spark to your invitation.  Plan a simple but hearty meal.  A good spring brunch need not require hours in the kitchen.  A sample brunch could include:  Chicken Salad Sandwiches, melon, arugula salad, truffle asparagus crostini, a refreshing ginger tea and angel food cake.  Decorate your tables with beautiful spring flowers and tableware.  Fill the atmosphere with light music and good conversation with family and friends.  Enjoy your Spring.

If you need assistance with planning your next event contact Events by Ms. T.

Invitation Only

One of the most important aspects of planning an event is getting the word out to attendees.  For private events such as weddings, birthday parties or other special events celebrations, the host will need to send out invitations. Invitations can be emailed, texted, mailed, hand delivered, or verbalized through word of mouth.  If you are having an event at a restaurant you may have to ability to use their website to send an electronic invitation.  There are a number of programs to send an electronic invitation.  The advantages of this method is the recipient is able to access the invitation immediately, it’s no fee or low fee depending on the service, no need to mail , you can manage your RSVP online at any time, and it saves paper which is good for the environment.  Most programs will also offer the host, party planning guides, design, and tips.  The event or party planner can manage the details of their party online.  In some circumstances sending an electronic invitation will not be appropriate.  In these cases the traditional method of mailing a paper invitation to attendees will be necessary. Pre-printed invitations can be purchased at discount stores.  Pre-printed invitations include fill in the blank details about the party.  Once the invitations have been penned then they can either be hand delivered or mailed.  Pre-printed invitations are an inexpensive alternative to custom printed invitations.  More creative hosts can opt to create their invitations.  There are dozens of software that can be purchased or templates that can be downloaded to create custom invitations that can be printed at home.  If a more formal invitation is needed one may opt to have a professional company create and print the invitations.   The invitation should mirror the party.  If you are having a casual party the invitation should be casual in theme and nature.  No matter which method you choose, be sure to allow plenty of time for delivery and response

NeighborHood Events

I have attended many neighborhood events planned by members of the homeowners association.  It is a good way to bring the neighborhood closer.  If you live in a neighborhood with a HOA hopefully you have been invited to events planned by the HOA.  The holidays are a good time to plan events and invite your neighbors.  If you live in a golf community or swim and tennis then you probably have received invitations to join your neighbors in celebrating special occasions.  If you are on the HOA’s event planning committee then this is the time to showcase your ideas.   If you need some help, visit other communities’ websites, take a drive through nearby neighborhoods for inspiration, or contact them.  Some of the things I’ve seen during Christmas include:

• Mailbox decorating contest.  Homeowners decorate their mailbox with Christmas decorations and the HOA judge the participants in several different categories.
•  House decorating contest.  This is probably the most popular.  Neighbors vie for the best house in the neighborhood, and in larger subdivisions best house on the street.Take pictures with Santa.  The HOA gets some brave dad or granddad to dress up as Santa and let the neighborhood kids take pictures.  The kids receive candy canes, candy, cookies or small gifts.  This is a good idea for larger subdivisions and the parents can avoid the lines at the mall.  Some HOA’s will have a special time for the pets to take pictures with the Big Guy.
• Christmas party.  Decorate the club house the neighbors come out to enjoy a night of Christmas cheer.  This can be a great way to get to know your neighbors in a relaxed cheerful setting.  This is not the time to bring up issues with your neighbors barking dog.
•  Cookie exchange.  This can be done at the clubhouse or if you live in a small subdivision where the neighbors are already pretty close, invite the neighbors over for an old fashion cookie exchange. 
• Adopt a family or shelter.  Christmas is a time for giving back.   The neighborhood can adopt a family or shelter to provide presents for less fortunate children.  This can be combined with other events such as the Christmas party.  The neighbors can bring an unwrapped, unopened toy for the family or shelter.

The activities and events are endless.  The key is to plan ahead and to try something to include everyone.  There will be those in your neighborhood that won’t participate, don’t let that stop you.   You have the entire year to plan events to include others.  

The advantages of planning a neighborhood event is it’s close to home, you have lots of help and you get to know your neighbors.  Stay tuned to Events by Ms. T. for more neighborhood event ideas.

Last Minute Events

The holiday season seems to bring out the party planner in us.  Whether it is an end of year party at work, or a winter party for your daughter’s 2^nd grade class, now is the time to let down our hair, distress and enjoy ourselves.  Don’t get overwhelmed when if you’re now the unofficial party planner and hostess for several holiday inspired events.  A few tips to help you pull off a celebration no matter the size or the guest list.

1. Keep It Simple.  The old adage is true less is more.  When faced with coordination a party, keep it simple.  The negative thoughts that race through your head are just that, your thoughts. Coordinators or event planners can bog themselves down with the details.  I’m not saying details are not important but don’t get so wrapped up in the details that you forget the reason for the event. 
2.    Delegate.  I’m an advocate of delegating tasks to willing volunteers.  Especially during the holiday season, party goers or those associate with the event will often offer to lend a hand.  You don’t have to do it all, spread the planning love around.
3.     Create a list.  A list of what is needed will prevent you from making multiple trips to the store.  Use your mobile phone to store grocery or supply list.  There’s nothing more frustrating than realizing you were at the supply store and forgot to pick up the tissue paper.
4.    Prepare, Prepare, Prepare.  Don’t wait until the day of the event to get everything together.  Even if you find out a few days before the event is to take place get started as soon as possible.  Preparation is key to ironing out the details.  Take time while waiting for the kids at the dentist or the carpool lane to get prepared.  Grab a pen and notebook or use an electronic device to outline what will be needed to coordinate the event.
5. Relax.  Planning a last minute event can be stressful.  If you utilize your resources and don’t panic you can pull off an unforgettable holiday event and enjoy it.

Happy Partying.