With every other ad on television announcing
“back to school sales,” to say nothing of the chirping crickets, foggy
mornings, cool nights, ripening fruit
and heavily laden tomato plants, fall is definitely on its way. Even though the
bounty of harvest lies ahead, for many, autumn is a hard time of the year.
Letting go of lazy summer days and preparing for shorter days, and the eventual
cold, and harsh conditions of winter, can be depressing. However, embrace the change
that’s about to happen and linger over these last warm days by planning an end
of summer or “welcome autumn” party.
This could be a special BBQ, bonfire, drive-in
movie, beach day or whatever strikes your fancy. If you know someone in the hospital, this
could be a very fun way to spend an afternoon.
Pick
a Theme. For the dreaded “back to school blues” people,
liven it up by doing things that are a
fun spin on school, such as create a “class project”-tie dyed T-shirts, make
their own chalkboards etc. You can even make a “brown bag” lunch. Since I hate the heat of summer, I’ve always
liked the idea of “welcome autumn” as a theme. “One last swim” also works,
since many people close their pools after Labor Day. If you’re stuck for a
theme, think about who you’d like to invite, That should give you not only a
“theme” but some ideas of what they might like doing.
Invitations:
Some people love to send out print invitations, I’m an e-mail/phone kind of
person myself. Check out Pingg for free e-mail invites. For someone in the hospital, send an invitation so
they not only know when to expect you, it gives them something to look forward
to.
Decorate
the table: Note: If you are taking this to someone in the
hospital, live plants may not be allowed. If at all possible, see if you can
take the party outside.
• If your basil is going gangbusters, take
sprigs of it and put it in small glass jars with water. Not only will these
grow roots and can be potted, these can be placed on the table so guests can
take them home.
• Gardens are at their peak at this time
of year, so decorate the table with things like tomatoes, peaches, squash,
vases of herbs etc.
• Make a center piece of potted plants or
wildflowers. Sunflowers are in full swing.
• Keep the table linens and napkins simple
and crisp-white, yellow, pale blue, unless you are thinking fall and then go
for the rust colors.
Food:
This time of year is all about the tomatoes for me, so think up plenty of ways
to use them. BBQs are fun, but consider all the fresh produce in the store
and/or garden and plan accordingly.
Activities:
While the theme will dictate the kinds of activities to do, consider some of
the following:
• For the evening bonfire, upgrade smores by
using really good chocolate and putting them on cookies versus graham crackers.
• Since fall is on the way, consider a
fall craft project that guests can take home to help them welcome the new
season. Need some ideas, check out 50 Favorite Fall Craft Ideas.
• This is a great time to host a “canning”
party, where you can take advantage of the abundance of fresh fruits and
vegetables. It doesn’t just have to be jam or spaghetti sauce. Consider things
like salsa, dilly beans, and pickled watermelon rind. In the dead of winter,
there is something very special about opening a jar of sauce, beans, tomatoes
etc. that you made on a hot day at the end of summer.
• One of my favorite parties involves
everyone bringing a dish that is made from either local foods only, or with the
primary ingredients coming from your garden.
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