Living in a country where there is more rubbish rainy weather than nice sunny weather, we have to make the most of the sun when it comes out on those odd few days in the spring and summer - which in my books mean parties, barbecues and fun times with friends having picnics and meeting up for lunch at the beer garden. A lot of my friends and close family members have their birthdays in the autumn and winter months, which means that when spring and summer come around (with my birthday especially, being in August), I like to make the most of the creative side of my brain and think of some interesting party themes that I can do or organise (not that I ever get around to doing most of them as there is always too many to choose from)...But I thought I would share with you some of the party themes I think will be trending and hot for this spring...
The Garden Party | Fun Food & Floral Fancies
Garden Parties are one of my favourite things to have in the summer, even if it's just a few friends around for cocktails and some sandwiches in the garden. I love picnic style dining and there is something about cups of tea and cake that scream British summer time to me - but an old fashioned garden party with cups of tea and a Victoria sponge is outdated, and in 2015, it needs to be re-vamped...
The Garden Party Essentials;
Alphabet Shaped Food; An interesting addition to a party atmosphere is having some items which will be talking points and alphabet shaped food is exactly that. Whether it's sandwiches, cake, biscuits, jelly, or anything else edible it doesn't matter - having these in the shape of a single letter, for example the first letter of the party hosts name or whether they spell out personally meaningful words, or even modernised into hashtags, can bring a special and unique element to your garden party.
Self-Service Food; Vamping up the way your guests receive their food can be a simple, yet effective thing for getting excitement flowing at your party. Reverting back to the days of your childhood and having extravagant ways of delivering food items at parties, I believe, will be big in 2015. Some fantastic, inexpensive and classic ideas for having different ways of serving food other than on a cake stand at your party is to get things such as a candy floss maker, a popcorn machine, or even hiring an ice cream truck - you never know, you could get Rupert Grint at your party!
Garden Party Cocktails; Whether serving alcoholic drinks at your party or not, there is a simple way to play on the idea of having a garden tea party, yet still having the cocktails (or mocktails) flowing - why not serve your drinks in large tea pots, and people can help themselves from the tea pots with their own cups and saucers to drink from (you could even personalise these cups and saucers if you know who is coming or having time on your hands to give it that extra special touch) - it beats a punch bowl any day!
Food Thats Not What It Seems; This is for the more extravagant event hosts of you, who have time or money to spare. Interesting food doesn't have to be food that people haven't tasted before, it can be well loved food, but just presented in a different way - a little like cake pops! Why not serve white chocolate mouse in a milk chocolate shell to make it look like a cupcake, or serve jelly that looks like marbles, or even cake in the shape of fruits with detailed icing? There are so many possibilities with this.
Going The Extra Mile; To keep the guests happy at your party who are more inclined to having beer (alcoholic or not) at your party, why not hire or create your own micro-brewery. Miniature kegs or a variety of different alcoholic and non-alocholic beers and ciders are available from a number of different supermarkets, and placed on a rack and made to look like a proper bar can give a high-end edge to your party. You could even to the same with wine or cocktails by using decanters and ice buckets filled with fruit to give it a little extra wow factor. And of course, don't forget the bunting!
The Fairytale Party | Living in a Treehouse Dreamland
Reverting back to our childhood seems to be one of the things that all adults wish they could do at some point in their lives, returning to a time where money wasn't an object and the biggest thing we had to worry about was whether we would get noticed if we sneaked out of school at lunchtime or not. So, what better was than to revert at a party, to a time where things were simpler, with a classic fairytale themed party - you could even make it fancy dress.
Fairytale Party Essentials;
The Dress; If you're going all out on a fairytale themed party, the dress is very important. Even if you're not doing fancy dress, why not try and wear something floaty like a maxi dress, and accessorise with plenty of 'bling'. A tiara is also an essential accessory for any party princess. Why not create an added theme for your party around the fairytale theme and have a masquerade ball to bring an adult sense of allure to your child-inspired fairytale party?
The Entertainment; Magicians aren't just for children's parties - there are a huge number of amazing entertainers from close up magicians to circus acts which would look amazing at a fairytale inspired party. Some of the best magic tricks are for adults, as our brains can compute and come up with even more magical inventions of how the tricks are actually done. Why not have magicians walking around performing to small groups of people at a time, or have waiters on stilts serving drinks and snacks? Another way to give your party that fairytale feeling, as well as adding a sentimental feeling to it also it releasing floating lamps, like a recreation of Tangled, so that your guests can make a wish upon a star for the future.
Get Back To Nature; For a true fairytale feeling to your party, why not have it outside, in a green, wooden area. Fill the place with fairy light and lanterns to give it that magical feel, especially at night time. Outdoor parties are few and far between with the rainy weather lately, so make the most of it.
Fairytale Food; Obviously no party would be complete without party snacks or cake, but why not make these a little bit more special by offering fairytale inspired food, like toffee apples to represent the apple in Snow White, or having intricately decorated cupcakes rather than one large cake? You can do so many things with food as far as decoration goes, such as serving macaroons or biscuits with stained glass window icing, or even go all out and display your food items in an amazing way, for example putting sweets in chocolate high heeled slippers or in dishes shaped like stars or crowns.
The Colour Schemed Party | Pastel Perfection
Pastel colours are very in at the moment and are such beautiful colours, it would make an incredible party theme if you are looking for something a little more sophisticated or relaxed, maybe if you are just having a few friends round for a dinner party or a family get together that you're looking to give a special twist to.
Pastel Party Essentials;
The Colour; Obviously a pastel party wouldn't be that with out a strict colour scheme. The Black and White party theme idea is such a classic, why not put a modern twist on it. Pastels have been such influential colours this winter, and look so pretty in the spring and summer as well. You could go all out and have your guests dress in pastel colours also, giving the party a more French vibe, or have a contrast with guests having to wear bright colours - florals and block colours are very in this Spring and would make an eye popping contrast to the pastel colours in the party
Food for Sharing; Pastel has such a relaxed vibe about it, your food should also mirror that - why not have miniature food, such as miniature burgers, miniature pastries or even miniature bruschetta if you're wanting a more upper-class feel to your party. Dessert can also come in sharing form, for example having pastel-colour iced cupcakes instead of one large cake and having miniature brownies or donuts. Drinks can also be tailored to your pastel party - why not offer milkshakes as an option, made even more special by serving them in miniature milk bottles with pastel straws?
Subtle, Low-Key Decoration; In a pastel party, the key features should be your guests, so keep decoration minimal, yet beautiful. Something as simple as putting out a vase of flowers in a pale pink or white can make the tables look sophisticated, and in keeping with you colour scheme. Other touches like using pastel coloured balloons, or ribbons can make an impact without being over the top. If you're having a more sit down party, which I think suits a pastel party the best, why not use miniature jars with tea lights in to decorate your table with string or pastel coloured ribbon, or even, if you're feeling daring paint (or buy) furniture which is pastel coloured as well. Its so easy to get so many varieties of colour in wood paint - take an old garden table and chairs and paint them in pastel colours to in keep with your colour scheme - not only will this look really unique and pretty, they will look stunning after the part as well.
Journey to Part II to discover more party theme ideas for this Spring...
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