Leigh Morrisett

December 14, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Picture Perfect New Year’s Eve Party

Recently, I was at fund-raising event where the conversation turned to New Year’s Eve parties. One of the attendees at my table said, she and her friends have a picture party every New Year’s Eve. Unfamiliar with this theme, I wanted to know more.

She explained that she and her husband do a bit of traveling and so do their friends. On New Year’s Eve, they all get together and make a party out of sharing their past year’s travel experiences. They even have a rule that no one can show pictures of their trips till that night. If you break that rule, you have to bring a $500 dollar bottle of wine to the New Year’s Eve party.

Evidently, no one has yet to break the rule. Since buying a $500 bottle would mean a down grade in next years travel plans, it has be a great incentive to keep the photos private until New Year’s Eve.

This sounded like a really neat party, so I naturally I wanted more details. She described how each couple is required to bring a dish/drink; either bought on their travels or made with a recipe from a restaurant or the place they traveled to.

This party has been finessed over 10 years. The first time they held this party, every one brought a dessert item or wine. Since then, the month before the party they draw what part of the meal or drinks they are responsible for bringing.

Every year they get together on New Year’s Eve eat food based on their travels, view each others pictures and ring in the New Year and the excitement of the past and future trips. This really does make for a picture perfect News Year’s Eve party.

This party planning idea was brought to you by Wedding and Party Network.

Fireworks photo provided by c r i s via flickr.

December 11, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Strawberries and Champagne Party For Two

Valentines day will be upon us in less than a week. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan a sweet Valentine’s party for two. Now is the time decide on a party theme (say strawberries and champagne) and make preparations for the ultimate party. You will find that a strawberry and champagne party is easy, as well as romantic.

What You Need For A Strawberries And Champagne Party

As far as party supplies go, high quality rather than quantity is the key. You will need champagne, strawberries, champagne flutes or wine glasses, a bouquet (or bouquets) of flowers and candles. I, also, suggest a crystal bowl filled with sweet chocolate dipping sauce for the strawberries.

What You Need To Know About Champagne

Before purchasing champagne, you will need to know a few important facts.

What is Champagne? Champagne is the name given to carbonated white wines grown in the Champagne region of France. Many other countries grow similar grapes and expose them to a second fermentation to create carbonation. However, these wines are called sparkling wines. Through a law/treaty or quality-control regulations, only wines from the Champagne region of France can be called Champagne. Most countries abide by this rule as a courtesy to France. (The French are very persnickety when it comes to their sparkling white wines and the region of Champagne.)

Do I Need A Special Glass For Champagne? The proper glass for serving Champagne is a fluted one. Why? Because fluted glasses are tall and thin and have a very narrow rim. This glass design allows for a concentration of bubbles in an effort to keep the Champagne from going flat. The design also helps the tiny bubbles give your nose a bit of a tickle as you drink. If you do not wish to purchase special champagne flutes, you can go with a good quality crystal white wine glass.

What Will Champagne Cost Me? I have purchased a few quality sparkling wines for around $25. Some Champagnes cost hundreds of dollars per bottle. Whether you’re budget conscience or not, your local wine and spirit store can help you decided which champagne will suit your needs.

Making The Strawberries Chocolaty Good

Remember the suggestion of a crystal bowl filled with chocolate? Here is a recipe for a wonderful chocolate dipping sauce.

Sweet Chocolate dipping sauce:

5oz semi sweet chocolate chips
2/3c sweetened condensed milk
1/4c milk

In a sauce pan, melt the semi sweet chocolate chips. As the chips melt stir in the sweetened condescend milk. Slowly mix the chips and milk. When they are just about blended add in the 1/4 cup of milk. Stir the mixture until till creamy. Pour in to a bowl and serve.

During the party, you can dip the strawberries in the chocolate sauce. You can dip other fruit as well. Cherries, pineapple and bananas are all great. You can even cut up pound cake into bite size squares and dip them in the chocolate sauce. Tip: Place toothpicks in pound cake for easy dipping.

Most couples have a romantic Valentine’s day dinner. The strawberries and champagne party is the perfect way to extend the evening. After all, what better way to end the night than with your love, bubbly champagne and sweet strawberries dipped in chocolate.

December 10, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Party Theme: Bring Your Own Plate

Need a theme for a housewarming party? Take a cue from the old saying “Bring Your Own Bottle” and throw a Bring Your Own Plate Party. This is a prefect party for a someone moving out for the first time or someone newly divorced who needs dinnerware.

Each guest is asked to bring a plate for the new home owner. You can vary it by asking guests to each bring a plate, glass, and coffee cup. Be sure to specify this on the party invitations you send. To add a little extra fun, have the guest bring food on the plates with recipes attached to the back. They can bring items like home-made brochette, cheese and crackers, mini sandwiches, cupcakes, pies, or even a whole meatloaf. Leaving the food choices up to the guests and their culinary specialties makes for a fun surprise.

For decorations, create a table centerpiece by purchasing flatware, some ribbon and some flowers. Group the knives in a bundle leaving an open center and tie them tightly with the ribbon. In the center place a few items of the flower of your choice. Buy a short vase to hold the spoons and forks. Place flowers inside or around the vases. Since the flowers will be without water during the party, wait until the last moment to add them to the centerpieces.

You can vary this party idea in so many ways. Maybe they need furniture. Ask guest to give a piece of furniture they no longer use. The party would then change to “Bring Your Own Chair“, or a “Bring Your Own Wall Art“.

It all depends on the needs of the honoree. The concept is to help set up a new home, have some fun and make memories. I love the idea of an eclectic mix of plates and cups. Each individual item represents the friends and family of the honoree. After all, memories of family and friends help make a house your home.

Wedding and Party Network is happy to bring you this party planning idea. Also, a special thanks to PittyPat’s Porch, an Atlanta GA Caterer for the use of their southern Georgia Gumbo picture.

December 8, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

African Wedding Traditions: Tambiko and Kola Nuts

Africa’s rich tribal traditions offer some of the best family-inspired wedding traditions. In Africa, family and especially elders play a huge part in a couple’s lives. Even elders who have passed are still remembered in wedding celebrations.

There are many African wedding traditions. However Tambiko and Kola nuts are two traditions that can be used in any wedding celebration. Tambiko is a special prayer and blessing, while Kola nuts are a symbol of endurance of love.

Tambiko is an African wedding tradition that involves a libation ceremony. Alcohol or holy water is poured onto the ground. The libation is poured in the cardinal directions and prayers are recited to the ancestral spirits. During the prayer they also recognize those who recently passed.

Traditionally one of the eldest family members says the prayer. Today the bride and groom tend to have their clergy recite the prayer during the wedding ceremony. This ceremonial prayer gives the groom and bride an opportunity to honor the elders in their family.

Tambiko (Libation prayer)

An African proverb tells us that people who lack the knowledge of their past are like a tree without roots. So, in the spirit of remembrance, we pour this libation. We pour to honor the past, so that we may learn from it. We pour to honor the importance of family. We raise our cup to God to show our reverence for the original source of our lives. We use cool water as a symbol of the continuity of life, to purify and to nourish our souls. We pour to celebrate the coming together of these two families. It is said that through others, we are somebody. Through this marriage, we broaden our family circle, remember our heritage and recall those who gave us life. We call upon our ancestors—our mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers, our fathers, grandfathers and our great-grandfathers, uncles, aunts and cousins – the foundations of our families, immortalized in our thoughts. We call upon our elders, whose wisdom we seek in all endeavors. Our friends, whom we are blessed to have in our lives, our parents who guided us along the road to adulthood. We call upon family who have passed over and could not be here to day. We ask that they be with us in our thoughts. We call upon the Bride and Groom, that they may always find prosperity in love and devotion. We ask that this couple be blessed by children, because children give glory to a home. Place your minds with those who could not be here today. Family, friends and ancestors who have passed on, are ill, or simply could not find their way here. Place your thoughts with this person or persons so that they may bear witness to this union in spirit. Therefore we cast our libation to the North, to the South, to the East and to the West. We wish everyone to leave more blessed than when they came. Amen.

Prayer taken from the Celebrant Foundation and Institute.

Kola Nuts

In Africa, the kola nut is a symbol of healing and is used for medicinal purposes. During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom exchange kola nuts with family members and each other before they exchange their vows. This is a symbolic way of saying that they will always heal their differences and their love is greater than any hard times they might endure.

Both of these African traditions show how important family is. Most weddings are concerned only with the bride and groom. So, it is nice to stop and honor your elders and those who passed during one the most cherished days of your lives. When planning your wedding keep these family oriented traditions in mind.

This wedding tradition was brought to you by Wedding and Party Network, your resource for wedding planning.

December 3, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

And The Winner Is: A Country Music Awards Party!

Planning a party for your tween or teen? Is a country music an everyday necessity for them? Well then it looks like you need a to throw a Country Music Awards party.

Setting The Party Stage

Set up the front walk way of your party event location with a red carpet. Do this by buying inexpensive red craft paper in rolls. This will help you create the “red carpet” for an awesome kid’s party.

Every awards event has a red carpet photo op including paparazzi. You can hire a photographer or play the part of the paparazzi yourself. As kids arrive at the party make sure they walk the red carpet. If you hire a professional photographer make sure the teens shot for the country music star interview and photo experience.

This country music bash doesn’t end with the red carpet. Tweens and teens will need the whole country music award atmosphere. Party decorations must include glitter stars, balloons, fan banners and a glitzy food table with floral sheeting. Add a country music band or DJ emcee with country music karaoke and you have the makings of a fine country music hall. Take it to the next level by renting a dance floor. A the band plays or even during karaoke the kids will want to dance. So, checking into renting dance flooring.

Award Them With A Country Feast

This party is more about dressing up and walking the red carpet. A fun night partying requires a fair amount of fuel. Grab and run is the food of choice – chips and dips, granola bars, sodas and bottled water. To add a little WOW factor to the party get a country music theme cake and it the focal point of the food table.

Since the food and beverages are simple and relatively inexpensive, you’ll have more money and time to invest in the party decorations. Be sure to make this party just as glitzy and great as the awards show.

And The Winner IS

All who attend this party! Give every person who attends an award – their own party favor or favors. Create a goody bag for each tween or teen with an inexpensive cowboy hat, sunglasses and tiny chocolate cowboy boots. To really make it memorable have some party glasses engraved with the date ad theme of the party.

With a little planning your tweens/teens next party will be a winner!

This party theme planning idea was brought to you by www.weddingandpartynetwork.com.

November 30, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Hosting An Interfaith Christmas-Hanukkah Party

Most of us have friends or family who are of different faiths than us. As the holiday’s approach and we start planning our parties questions will arise on planning an interfaith party.

Food is the biggest concern when planning an interfaith party. Including your friends with dietary restrictions takes a bit of extra planning and preparation. A cocktail party is a fantastic way to accommodate different dietary needs. By serving finger foods, you can prepare different serving platters based on dietary restrictions or customs. This is especially helpful if your Jewish guests observe kosher laws.

Anytime you host a Christmas/Hanukkah party, you should include kosher foods into your celebration menu. You can purchase kosher foods or you can make them yourself or hire a kosher caterer. I suggest purchasing kosher or using a kosher caterer, that way you know your food has been prepared according to the Jewish tradition.

You will want to make sure the party date does not fall during Hanukkah, which is December 12-19, 2009. Scheduling your party is very important, for both your Christian guests and your Jewish guests. As it gets closer to the holidays, both groups will have their own traditions to keep and religious ceremonies to attend.

Once the date is set and the invitations sent, food and decorations are at the top of the party planning list.

Food & Drink Suggestions

For a cocktail party, finger foods work the best. Try incorporating a few of these kosher food ideas in your menu.

Potato Latkas(potato pancakes) traditional food for Hanukkah
Baba ghanouj (eggplant dip)
Kosher franks wrapped in dough
Jelly Doughnuts ( jelly filled doughnuts are traditional Jewish food served during Hanukkah)
Blintzes
Rugulach
Wine, water, mixed drinks, soda’s are all okay to serve but they must be kosher.

Look for a local kosher deli or bakery, they can also make suggestion for food. If you wish to serve some kosher items found in grocery stores, you can look for kosher symbols on the products. Look for these symbols on soft drinks, wines, mixes for mixed drinks, crackers, chips, dips and other food items.

It is best to serve your food and drinks using plastic plates, glasses, and utensils. Plastic products ensure that your Jewish guest can keep kosher.

Inter-Faith Decorating

For decorations, I suggest using your traditional Christian or holiday items, but include some Hanukkah decorations as well. Items such as Star Of David, dreidel, and a menorah can be easily incorporated with your toher decorations. Think optional holiday colors. Blue and white are good colors to use for Hanukkah celebrations and still appropriate for the season. So forgo the traditional red and green holiday arrangements. Instead use flower arrangements with blue and white flowers or decorations with silver embellishments.

With a bit of effort you can throw a great interfaith party, that shows you care about your guest religious traditions as well as enjoy their company.

This party planning tip was brought to you by WeddingandPartyNetwork.com

November 22, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Why Carry The Bride Over The Threshold?

In researching the question; why do grooms carry the bride over the threshold? I found many interesting reasons.

One reason is it was considered bad luck for a bride to trip over the threshold of her home. This just doesn’t seem romantic enough. Certainly, I could see how this would be bad luck especially for the groom. After all if the bride became injured or mad because she tripped, it could make the honeymoon a not so pleasant one.

Further research shows, a slightly more romantic note. In days of old a woman was not to give up her virginity so easily. Thus the man would sweep her off her feet and assert his manliness over her carrying her off to the honeymoon bed. This way the women even though married would still appear virtuous. However romantic as that might seems, it probably is rooted more in the tradition of kidnapping of women (during Roman times) and making her a bride to her abductor.

In some cultures, it is believed one’s family demons would follow the bride to her new home. To keep them at bay, the groom would carry the bride over his threshold. By carrying the bride over the threshold the demons could not follow or ever enter their new home.

In today’s western countries, the custom of carrying the bride over the threshold is still practiced. I suspect, mostly, because it has been romanticized in TV and movies. Just a little tip for those who want to carry on this tradition – make sure the groom has been working out.

This wedding tradition is one of the many wedding planning resources brought to you by WeddingandPartyNetwork.com.

November 16, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

How To Host A Dirty Santa Party

With Thanksgiving and Christmas, quickly approaching party that involve gifts are pushed to the forefront of party planning.

In the south, we have a gift giving party called Dirty Santa. In other parts of the country it is called White Elephant party. Whatever name you want call your party, it has the same rules and played basically the same. The only thing that changes is the name since Dirty Santa seems more appropriate during December and November than July and August. Dirty Santa is a popular party during Christmas because it gives everyone a chance to share a gift without having to take out a loan to pay for them. It is especially popular with large extended families who get together for the holidays.

Sound like something you want to do? Here’s how you do it.

Dirty Santa Party Rules

Ask everyone to bring a gift, preferably one that either sex might like. The gifts should be wrapped without identification. Half the fun is not knowing who brought the gift.
Set a price limit on the gift. Most of the parties I have been to set a price of 30 bucks, but you can go as low as 5 or 10 dollars. Include the rules and price limit with the party invitations.
As guests arrive, pile all the gifts in a stack and have each guest pick a number out of a hat or box. (Make sure you have equal guest to presents – you might want to stash one or two extra presents in case someone forgets.)
After everyone arrives and your ready to play, the person with the number 1 goes first. They chooses a present from the pile and open it.
Now the fun part, the number 2 person selects a present from the stack. After they open it, Dirty Santa can be declared and anyone who has open a gift can steal an opened gift and replace it with the gift they have in their possession. As the game goes on, any one can declare Dirty Santa and steal a present from any other guest and leave them with the gift they chose. Once you declare dirty Santa you can’t declare it again. But someone can declare dirty Santa on you, and take the present you wanted. Each person has once chance to declare dirty Santa, after every present has be picked and each person has declared dirty Santa, the game is over.

Gag gifts are great for this Dirty Santa game. I remember playing one year, one of the male guest end up with tiger print teddy. Novelty or gag gifts add some fun and laughs to this crazy party. With Dirty Santa or a White Elephant party, you can add to the rules or mix them up and make the party idea yours. It’s a great idea for adult birthday parties, anniversary parties, family reunions, office parties and (of course) Christmas parties.

So – Merry Christmas! Go out and plan a Dirty Santa party this year!

November 12, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

What You Need “Reel” In A Great Theme Party

In my post Reeling in a Great Bachelor Party, I suggest a fun-filled bachelor party can revolve around a fishing theme. A few suggestions may have been cast here and there, but a real “how to” was not offered. Here are implementable tips for decorating, food and entertainment to create a fishing theme party.

Decorations Are Like Bait

Fishing Lure Just like a fisherman knows which lure will attract which fish, you need to know what will put your guests in a fishing mood. A tackle box is a good place to get ideas. Lures, bobbers, nets, and hooks are all things that dangle and so must your decorations.

So this party must incorporate streamers into the decor. Here is how to make fantastic party streamers using fishing line and bobbers:

Items you will need:

50-100 plastic fishing bobbers. These bobbers come in various colors — red and white are the most common. Should you need a variety of colors, you can always spray paint them a different color to match your theme.
1 spool of fishing line (you can buy this at the same place as the bobbers)

To make the streamers, begin by determining how much line is needed to space the bobbers apart so they dangle but with enough extra line to attach to the walls or tables. To create a table streamer for a 6 foot table, you will need 7 feet of fishing line. If you want a swag effect with this streamer add another foot or two. Same principal applies if you are hanging these streamers from wall to wall or around a pole.

After you decide line length, take the bobbers and hook them to the line spacing them every 6-8” apart. When finished attach the streamer to the table using heavy duty tape or clear packing tape. Hint: Fishing lures come in many shapes, styles and colors making them a great items to decorate with. So you can do the same thing with fishing lures as the bobbers. However, you need to remove the hooks and barbs from the lures before using them in this fashion.

Party lights are another way to decorate. You can buy fishing theme lights at party supply stores. Attach these lights to some fishing nets and hang them on the walls. Use your imagination, don’t be afraid to jump right in and tackle the decorating with any and all fishing related items.

If your having the party outside or if room allows, you can always use a small boat as a table. Place a sheet of painted or decorated (use stencil to decorate) ply board over the boat.

Rig Up Some Great Food And Beverages

Use a “live well” to hold your beverages. A live well is a tank they hold the bait or the fish after you catch them.

Make a “live well” by painting fish stencils on new Styrofoam “minnow” buckets. Then place ice and beverages in these cleverly decorate buckets. Shazam! You now have a beverage “live well” for you fishermen. Don’t forget to purchase fish themed drink koozies. You know the ones that look like bass, trout or catfish. These koozies are great as decorations, as well as drink holders and party favors.

I suggest a menu of catfish, smoked salmon or trout which can be catered by a local company. For “fingerling” food serve shrimp dip and use oyster or goldfish crackers for the dippers. Shrimp cocktail or peel and eat shrimp are great appetizers for a fishing theme. Your caterer may have some party platters in fish shapes. A party store is another fantastic place to find themed serving platters.

Don’t forget the sweets. Have a local bakery create a theme cake in the shape of a fish. This will give them a tasty treat and add to your decor at the same time.

Entertainment – GO Fish

Rent a Playstation or a Wii game console with the fishing game. This game is great for kids and adults. In fact, adults love this game – all the fun and no mess.

Don’t want to rent a console. Create your own fishing game. Grab some fishing rods and hook the bait (candy bars tied on with fishing line.) Now have players stand on the opposite side facing the people who are holding the rods. Cast out your bait – just far enough for your teammate to be able to eat the candy bar (no hands can be used). Whoever eats their candy bar first wins. Or can always play a rousing game of go fish!

Using a bit of creativity along with some real fishing tackle will ensure you and your party will defiantly not be up a creek with out a paddle.

***A little side note for those in the Port Coquitlam, BC – Luscious Creations created the awesome fish face theme cake in the picture above. ***

November 3, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Reeling In A Great Bachelor Party

So the groom isn’t into the standard bachelor party of going to a bar with the guys. But, the groom is all about fishing. Make fishing your theme for your bachelor party.

Pick The Right “Fishing” Location

If you’re lucky enough to live in area where fishing is prevalent, rent a cabin and decorate it to the rafters with all types of fishing theme items. If you can’t rent a cabin or a lodge, you can always use your home. Wherever you choose to hold this bachelor party, it can be transformed into a honey-hole.

Lure Them With Party Decorations

Colored bobblers found at any tackle store are the foundation for this bachelor party decor. With a little fishing line you can use the bobblers to make awesome streamers. To create the ultimate fishing atmosphere, beg, borrow and buy any type of fishing theme item you can find and deck the place out completely. Don’t forget to buy a few inexpensive tackle boxes to decorate with or use as serving pieces. You can hang lures and lights from fishing nets to create a fantastic back-drop for the party. As a final decoration pick up some fishing theme napkins, maybe ones that have fishing lingo on them for fun.

Food and Drinks: Serving The Catch Of The Day

“Fingerling” foods will make this a record book party. Catfish fillets, fries, hushpuppies and all the “fixins” make an tasty treat for this bachelor party. If the frying pan isn’t your thing have a local caterer prepare the meal for you.

Want a more casual bachelor food atmosphere? Clean out those tackle boxes and fill them with chip and dip. Serve your own version of a jig-n-pigs (fishing lures) sandwich – a little fried bologna, ham, or other cold cuts with a variety of cheeses. Add in a little beer, wine, soda or mixed drinks and you won’t need a lure to get them to the buffet table. For a fun twist to the evening, everytime someone gets a drink make them sing a song that uses the word “live well” (a fishing term).

A bachelor party should be all about having fun. Theme parties are all about creating fun around a theme. So playing up a theme based on the groom’s fishing passion it will net you a great bachelor party.

This bachelor party planning idea was brought to you by weddingandpartynetwork.com.