After a much too long hiatus from party planning I’m back in the saddle with not one, not two, but three big parties in upcoming months!  Coming very soon to this blog: how to plan a Company Picnic, an unbelievable Spring Themed Surprise Birthday Party, and a Red Carpet Reception.  Of course, as I plan each party you can be sure to see many updates on my creative process as well as photos and maybe even video of the big events. 

Below are photos and party planning tips from the party that rocketed me to fame: Our Luau Themed Wedding (not held in Hawaii)

Our entire budget for the wedding including food was $3000. 

If you’re planning a wedding use the same facility for both the ceremony and the reception to save some dough.

To mask very ugly and carpeted walls we unrolled match stick blinds purchased for $3 each at a Big Lots, removed their hardware and tacked them to the walls.  It instantly gave the room the feeling of being inside Tiki hut. 

To mask a coat rack along the entrance wall we used a green grass table skirt, trimmed down and positioned to look like the edge of a roof.  Gift table and receiving line happened below.

Grass skirts gave an island feel and hid feet and ugly tables at our head table.

I made my own bouquet and cake toppers from artificial flowers.  The artificial flowers were not cheap but withstood July heat and looked beautiful. 

Fabric (purchased on clearance at Wal-Mart) hung across the windows helped set the mood, blocked late evening summer sun, and helped hide unattractive shades.

The best part of having a themed wedding is that it instantly relaxes your guests.   Our guests were asked to wear Hawaiian shirts and flip flops.   The Mr. & Mrs. High Heel wedding was one of kind and our families had a blast.  It was extremely DIY and I will be sure to post more about how I orchestrated, while wearing high heels of course, what people are still calling “the best wedding ever!”  

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have parties to plan and a crown to polish! 

You can find complete instructions on her blog but here’s the jist: you dip peices of yarn into elmers, wipe off the extra and drape the yarn over plastic wrap covered bowls (or cups depending on what shape result you want) allow to dry and peel off.  I used my Martha Stewart crafty power to make little nests for peeping chicks and treats which will adorn each place setting at our Easter table.

Plastic Wrap Covered Bowls

Now covered in messy gluey yarn

The finished product.

Here are a couple of tips I learned in the process:

Do not underestimate the messiness of this project.  Expect and prepare for glue covered hands.

Use more yarn.  I didn’t use nearly enough yarn the first time around.

Little Chibby sized bowls work perfectly for molds

This is a funny easy little project for crafty high heeled mamas and little Chib’s alike.  You definately have to give the Easter nests a try and be sure to visit Absolutely Bananas blog. 

Now I can already hear some of you saying No way! Too much work!  Who has time?  Being a very busy woman myself I’ve found a few ways to give something of yourself without giving up your life.  Below are a few tips and a step by step guide to make your Christmas Cookie Boxes a success.

Tips for making Christmas Cookie Boxes:

• Go semi-homemade.  Keep recipes simple and fast.
• Be prepared.
• Give yourself plenty of time for baking. For me it’s two afternoons.
• Narrow the list, gift to those who’ve been a big part of your life this year and aren’t receiving regular gifts.
• Make up a few extra boxes for your hairdresser, babysitter, mailman, and the UPS guy if he’s hot!  They make a great personal gift at little cost. They also make great hostess gifts.
• Tune in!  Rock out to a cool Christmas soundtrack while you bake.
• Invite the kids in.  It doesn’t make it any easier but always way more fun!

Step by Step Christmas Cookie Boxes: 

• Create list of recipients and gather addresses.
• Choose 2-4 treats to include. My picks this year include peppermint bark, oatmeal raisin bars, brownie cookie bites, chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate covered twizzlers (sounds gross tastes amazing.)
• Purchase ingredients, packaging materials, shipping boxes (if shipping)
• Create labels or notes for inclusion in the box (i.e. “Merry Christmas and a Delicious New Year” or “Thanks for not stealing my lunch money this year”)
• Fold cookie boxes or prepare bags for packaging
• Decide your plan of attack
• Bake like crazy
• Package and tie with pretty ribbon and a label
• Ship to friends and family.  I try for the second week of December before people have OD’d on sugar.

For those not receiving a box of treats I send an e-greeting or make a phone call so they know that I’ve thought of them and I can still convey our holiday wishes.  If you have the time and desire you can of course send both treats and cards! 

Food can be a simple pleasure and a way to share the warmth of the holidays with those you important to you.  For me it’s a joy to see my creations and hear how happy the recipients are to enjoy them.  If you choose simple and quick recipes you’ll find that boxes of cookies are far superior to fruitcake, and they cost much less to ship too.