Party Planning 101- Desserts Part 1

Hi guys!  I thought it was time for another post in our party planning 101 series.  Hope this helps with your fall party plans.

People are always asking me if I make the items on my dessert table or if I purchase them.  I guess the answer is yes and no.  I hardly ever purchase the items completely done from a bakery or caterer simply because I hate wasting money on things that I think I can do.  All of the item above were bought at the grocery store and "dressed up."  Occasionally, I will buy sugar cookies to match my party theme because after lots of trial and error, I still can not find a sugar cookie recipe that does not spread.  It could be my 1950's oven with a door that does not close but my cookies always end up looking like blobs. (still trying though-- does anyone have a good recipe?)

Honestly, cakes and mini desserts are expensive.  At many of my parties, my guest are children.  They are happy with just about anything sweet, so spending a lot of more on desserts doesn't make sense.  Even if you don't consider yourself a great baker, there are lots of easy delicious desserts (some of which require no baking) that will please any body's palate.

THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE IN CHOOSING A DESSERT TO SERVE AT YOUR PARTY!- Choose dessert that can be made well in advanced (preferably the day before) and that will hold in the refrigerator.  You don't want to be scrambling to put a dessert together last minute- way too stressful.

Here are three great types of easy desserts that will work great at any party-

Trifles-

Trifles are an easy dessert made of yummy layers.  Usually trifles have a pudding or curd and a cake component- both of which can be made from a box. Add candy, fruit and whipped cream and you have a great dessert. There are TONS of great trifles recipes appropriate for any holiday or flavor profile.

The bottom two trifles are in paper cup rather than glass vessels because the color of the ingredients didn't match the table.

Store bought cookies-

Dress store bought cookies up with frosting, ice cream, or melted chocolate.  These are Oreo Cakesters that I drizzled melted chocolate on for bee stripes.

Here I took plain sugar cookies and piped frosting between each layer.

These are store bought fortune cookies dipped in chocolate with a candy heart.

Donuts-

Who doesn't like donuts and they are very inexpensive.  Both large chains and small local donut store will make mini donuts or donut holes in custom colors.  If the store doesn't have the color you want, order sprinkles from Amazon and take them in.  It takes some preplanning but the effort is worth it.

So, I will buy component of desserts in the market or cake supply store to make my life easier. This is where you should spend your money.

Instant pudding mixes and Cool Whip are your friends! Use them:)
XO,
Jenny

Party Planning 101- Dessert Tables

When planning a party, the one thing that I usually get stuck on is the layout of the dessert table.  First, I want to share that I am approaching this from an art history perspective since that was my major in college.  I look at dessert tables like a piece of art, a sculpture perhaps. So, when I talk about things like negative space, texture, balance, color and movement, I'm not a total nut- my brain has just been conditioned to see those things.  You may use totally different thinking when setting up your table.

Negative space

By Amy Atlas

The negative space on a dessert table is just as important as the sweet treats.  Your eye needs a place to rest.  Darling desserts can't shine if there are simply too many of them.  Edit your ideas.  Choose the best and give them so space to breathe. Don't create chaos.

Texture

By Amy Atlas

This is probably the easiest element.  Choose dessert of various sizes and shapes (unless of course if polka dot is you theme) to add interest to your table.

Balance- symmetrical vs. asymmetrical

Symmetrical

If you are new to party hosting or don't have a ton of self confidence in what you doing, a symmetrical table is the safest choice.  This automatically give your table balance since things on both sides are identical. Symmetry is peaceful, solid, and orderly.  Pick a larger item for the center of the table and match your servings vessels on each side.

Asymmetrical

This is a bit trickier because you want your table to look balanced. However, where symmetrical can sometimes become boring and a bit lifeless, an asymmetrical table can be more interesting and have a better sense of movement.  You can make the eye flow around the table with strategic use of color and height.  In the next picture, do you see how the tall wooden cake stand draws your eye from the center of the table up and the bright red licorice and gumballs pulls it back down.

This asymmetrical table is beyond amazing!

By Just Call Me Martha

Finally, a note on height,
I often hear people say you need to add lots of riser and height to a dessert table.  Not so!  It goes back to negative space, sometime you need that open area.  The perfect example is my most favorite dessert table of all time, by the amazing Amy Atlas.

Thanks for reading this mini art lesson.  I was an elementary teacher in my earlier life.  

If you didn't get a chance to read earlier party planning 101 posts, click here, here, here, here or here

Fabulous giveaway and link party tomorrow!

XO,

Jenny

Party Planning 101- part 5

Presentation
After theme, mood, color, party plan and invitation, the real work begins- repackaging and labeling.  This is where your party goes from good to great.  I start by going down my party checklist.  I look at each individual item and decide how it is going to be packaged or displayed and how it needs to be personalized or labeled to highlight the party theme. I'm sure I take this to the extreme but everything that is out at a party I am hosting is repackaged or relabeled, be it a beverage, food or craft item.  I am obsessive (nutty?) that way.  Try starting simple with just a few items, even that will make a huge difference.

For example, at my Apple Of Our Eye Party, I decided to serve lunch in bushel basket.  They were lined with the green gingham fabric I had found for cheap and then tied with a ribbon to the chairs- adorable decorations.  Then I had to come up with ways to make the food highlight the theme of the party.

Sandwiches were wrapped in gingham favor bags tied with bakers twine and labeled with a sticker calling them "applewiches."  They were simple turkey sandwiches cut in the shape of an apple with a cookie cutter.  Honestly though, the girls liked them much better with the cute name.  Apple sauce was served in mini glass jars tied with ribbons and labeled with a sticker.  "Harvest Chips" were packaged in clear cellophane bags with labels and the macaroni and cheese was served in individual paper ice cream cups, secured with a ribbon and sticker. All cute little presents for my guest to open.

I made very simple covers for the juice boxes and printed them on full label sheets to cover the ugly packaging and served lemonade in reused frappuccino bottles that were relabeled.  None of this was really expensive but it make a huge difference.  I use the same process with crafts.  This extra effort really makes your guest get into the spirit of the party.

If you asked for a party checklist- it is coming.  I am revamping it a bit.  Please remember to vote!
XO

Party Planning 101- part 4

I hope this series is helpful! With the colors picked, mood set and plan in place, the next step is invitations. This is the first impression your guest will have of your party. It's your opportunity to create some excitement. It's really the beginning of your party!

Evites work great for many kinds of gatherings. I use them myself for less formal events like girls' night out and book club. However, for more important gathering, nothing is better than a printed invitation. It a little present or keepsake that arrives in your guest mailbox that will hang in their house and continuously remind them about something wonderful ahead.

For Charlotte's party, I was creating my own invitations. Generally, for my parties I prefer simple layouts, graphic shapes and clean lines. Along with picking colors, I needed to pick the patterns and image I wanted to use in the printables. The image was easy- simple, soft apple with a leaf. Gingham was the obvious choice for an apple of my eye party. I really struggled with it though because I did not want the party to become a harvest or to be predictable.  I tried really hard to incorporate it in a fresh way. I tried with several sizes and colors. I had ribbon and fabric that I was coordinating with as well.  Nothing seemed quite right. In fact some of them were horrible.

I wanted something modern almost preppy. I kept thinking of the shorts they have at J. Crew with the embroidered whales on them. That was what I wanted. So I took the apple images and turned it into my background paper. I need one more pattern to go with it.

I LOVED the stripe but I had found a cheap green gingham fabric that I wanted to use for tablecloths, so I went with that! 

This invitation set the exact mood I wanted for my party and was definitely worth the effort.

XO

Party Planning 101- part 3

Back to the planning!
Once you know the  theme and have decided upon the colors and general feel you want for the party, you can can move to the next steps- research, brain storming and making a party checklist.

Research-
Thank goodness for the web.  There is amazing inspiration everywhere.   Don't limit your research to parties with the same theme.  Look at parties you like.  Take the inspiration from them and adapt it to fit your party.  For example, if you see a dessert table you love, it will most likely be very easy to you the same layout and possibly even similar dessert at your party.  What do you do to organize all this research- pin it of course!  I'm not sure what I did before Pinterest.  Here is my Pinterest board for Charlotte's Apple of My Eye Party.

Brainstorming-

This is the messy party.  In a notebook, I just write down every idea I have for the party including guest list, ideas for crafts and food, phrases and words that relate to the theme that I could possibly use for labeling and even a rough sketch of the dessert table.  Here are my messy notes for Charlotte's party.  Obviously, I don't even worry about penmanship or neatness.

Checklist-

Then, I use my brainstorming notes to make a party checklist/to do list.  I always start with the guest list and then list the areas/tables at the party (dessert station, craft table, beverage table, etc.)  Then, I separate out each of these areas and list all of the things I need for them- supplies, printables, etc.  As I complete each item, I change the font color.  It helps to me feel good when actually see that I am making progress.  I always use black for initial list, then another color for in progress (pink) and a third color for totally complete (green).  When the party favor is made and wrapped I change the guest name.  This list is actually always changing as the party prep progresses.  Usually I have to delete some of the food or desserts that I have planned simple because I have to much. 

Over the top, crazy organized?  I would agree :) but after I spent the entire duration of my daughter's first birthday in the kitchen chopping and prepping food, I promised myself that I would always be completely done with a party by the time it started and I have been.  I never choose foods or activities that require a lot of last minute work.  I was really sad that I missed celebrating with her.  That is what a party is all about. 

If you want me to send you a blank party check list like this, leave a comment with your name and email:)  Have a great weekend.

XO

Party Planning 101- part 2

From Pinterest

After settling on a theme, I generally decide on the tone (whimsical, modern, vintage, etc.) and color scheme of a party.  Usually, you would use color to highlight the tone of the party so they sort of go together.  If you are making your own printables, there is no problem picking whatever color and mood that you want.  If you are purchasing them you are a little more restricted, although most etsy store will customize the color of their printables for a small fee.  Another thing to consider when choosing a color scheme, is the paper goods you are using.  Your paper goods do not need to match perfectly but should coordinate.  For example, there are so many shades of pink that your products could easily class.  (Stick to either orange based pinks or blue based pinks and everything will blend nicely.)

For Charlotte's Apple of My Eye Party, I was doing my own invitations and printables which gave me endless possibilities on choice of color.  Also, since lunch would be served out of bushel baskets, I didn't need to worry about coordinating plate or even cups.  I wanted to stay clear of a typical harvest, so red was out.  I came up with the green apple design and since I wanted a crisp, modern, almost preppy feel, I pared it with a bright pink.  Exactly the feel I was looking for.  Next step, invitations.

Speaking of parties....I am so appreciative of everyone who linked up to our party link party last week.  I wasn't sure anyone would participate, so I am actually very happy with the results.  All the party ideas were fabulous. 

Creative Party Ideas by Cheryl

Modern yet old-Fashioned

Repeat Crafter Me

Our Daily Obessions

Restlessrisa

Make sure you check each of them out! Back tomorrow with another link party.

XO

Party Planning 101- part 1

So- people always ask me how I go about planning my parties.  I just hosted my daughter, Charlotte's 6th birthday party and I thought it would be fun to share what goes into creating the party before featuring the actual party. She is a twin and has always shared her birthday with her brother.  This year, they both protested and insisted on their own party.  I was happy to oblige- just meant one more party to create!

Party Planning Step 1- Theme

Obviously the first thing that goes into a party is picking a theme.  There is a tremendous amount of resources out there which are great to draw inspiration from.  I usually settle on a theme for the party 6-10 months before the actual event:) Yes, I know crazy long but this gives me a lot of time to create the event in my mind and to be on the look out for ideas and party props.   For Charlotte's birthday, I settled on this theme last July.  I have had the theme for my daughter, Audrey's November birthday since last December.  This extra time also allows me to come up with the party plan and then "sell" it to my each of my children. (I've also thrown parties together in 2 day, like my silver and white one, so don't panic or quit reading.  You don't really need to choose one that far ahead.. I just like to.)

When I was trying to come up with the theme for Charlotte's birthday, I wanted 3 things-

1. It needed to be new and fresh- something I hadn't really seen much.
2.  I wanted the party to be based around a simple object.  I had recently seen a party based on the line drawing of a firetruck.  I loved how simple and graphic it was.  I wanted the same for this party.
3.  Most importantly, it had to be based on something that reminded me of Charlotte.

So I started running objects and themes through my mind (think of alphabet cards)
immediately apple popped up. Perfect for #1 and #2 but how did it relate to Charlotte?  As it conveniently worked out, my husband calls Charlotte "Charlie Pie", which took me to apple pie which lead me to "Apple Of My Eye."

I quickly jumped on the computer and searched for apple of my eye parties and apple parties.  I found one apple of my eye party for a boy in 2009 and one or two baby showers with apple of my eye as a theme.  I was pretty surprised because the theme seemed perfect for a party.  Next, I looked on Etsy.  There were a few invites matching my theme but they were all in red and green and leaned towards harvest.  I wanted neither.  I decided to use pink and green as a color scheme and wanted a feel that was more modern and graphic than a harvest would be.

Apple of My Eye!

Theme picked, and basically, I crossed my fingers for the last 7 months hoping it wouldn't become too popular. I only hit one snag when my dear friend, neighbor and extraordinary party planner, Lauren, whose works I've shared here and here, told me in December that she was having an Apple Of My Eye party for her daughter, who's birthday is six days before Charlotte's.  Lauren graciously came up with a different (amazing) theme, but knowing that Lauren would have had an incredible party, made me step it up!

Come back tomorrow for part 2:)   Hope this helps!
XO