As school has started and fall is quickly approaching, the cooler weather provides plenty of opportunity for hospitality (inside and outside the home) and parties. Parties can be loads of fun, but tons of hard work, especially if your thinking of ideas from scratch. Recently the family I was living with was hosting a luncheon for all the college-age and career age singles and young-married couples after church. Our host was expecting about 50 people. To prepare a lunch of that size and the “theme”the party was quite an undertaking-but with a little budget creativity and a few helping hands she pulled off a “fall-equinox party”. The idea came from the date 9/22- which just so happened to be the first day of fall (and according to certain sources started 4:22 pm). A lite lunch of chicken salad sandwiches (or eggplant/vegie for the vegans), ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit and cut veggies was the perfect way to say “good-bye”to summer and “hello”to fall. The host even opened up the pool for the “last -swim”of summer (though in Florida swimming season extends almost until November). She made simple white signs that had the menu on them, a sun and moon and others pointing to where the bathroom was (or the room where ladies could place their purses) . The guests enjoyed the nice weather as the pool veranda was open to eating and they could come and go in the house as they pleased.
Party themes don’t have to be elborate. In this case, a few simple signs made the decor perfect for the occassion. Party themese can come from anywhere circuling around the time of year, old photographs, favorite foods, or favorite games. To plan ahead keep a notepad with you and jot down ideas as they come to you, then hold on to them for a later date.
The menu
Directions
The outside patio set up before the guests arrive.
The host and the guests enjoying their sunday afternoon.
Sandwiches and sign decor
thefashionablycleanlady 