Dare to Entertain!
Three years ago, Tom and I were anticipating have our first Thanksgiving by ourselves. I don't mind the cooking part, I actually enjoy it. It just sounded lonely. I thought maybe we should invite friends over for dessert. Tom said that no one really enjoys Thanksgiving dessert because they are too stuffed on Thursday. If we really wanted to have fun, we should invite friends over on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, and we could really enjoy dessert. THAT is how the Pie Party came to be.
Every year, we stuff our home with our dearest friends. Every year, we say we couldn't hold any more, but the next year we always do. Every year, I get really stressed out about the imperfections of our home - but the party is a success every year. It has become my favorite get together and I look forward to it all year.
Here are some details that we like to include in a pie party.
I send out an evite using Pingg and invite our friends to come and bring a pie!
In the foyer, we set up our Book of Thanks. This was the first year we did this. We asked friends to sign a few things they are thankful for and their name. I blocked off a square to put a picture in. I think this will be real fun to look over every year.
We set up a large chalkboard in the kitchen. Voting is very important to my children. I. writes down each pie as they come in. We give everyone 2 votes and they can't vote for themselves. The winner takes home a prize - usually a candle. I love how imperfect the system is - I think it keeps the competition away. It's bugging my kiddos, almost to tears, and I'm sure we'll find a new system next year.
I provide paper goods, whip cream and drinks. This year we just had water and Sprite (clear to avoid any stains!)
The pies get set up on our kitchen island. There was such a variety this year - I love it! We had apple, pumpkin, pear, blueberry, cherry, key lime, candy bar, banana blackberry cream . . . . you get the idea. Pumpkin Cheesecake took home the prize this year! Yum!
This year, the kids and I made Cherry Pops - via Bakereala. Didn't they turn out cute?
Everyone comes and goes (actually no one really goes, which is how we like it). It's impossible to get a picture of everything perfect!
I really don't like getting a babysitter to go to a party, I like my kiddos with me. Because of this, kids are totally invited. We let them go down into our unfinished basement and be loud and yell down there. The only casualties this year were 2 big bouncy balls that were popped. Other than that, it wasn't bad. Our friends have really good kids.
I love love love having our home stuffed with our friends that we are so grateful for. I love having this get together to kick off the holidays. It gets bigger every year! See you in 2011? I sure hope so.
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13 comments:
Looks at all those pies!!
Those pie pops are too cute!
love your idea! The pie pops look yummy.
I love this idea, I swear I think I am going to copy it for next year! Love the cherry pops, too cute, my daughter would enjoy making those! Janell
I love this idea! I rarely entertain because it stresses me out so much, but I think I might be able to handle this.
Awesome idea. Thanks for sharing. I would love to do something like this too.
Totally adopting this for next year, wherever we are. Although I might do it on Friday since Wednesday is my prep day.
Love that you have your kids there.
What an awesome idea!!!! Very cool, Laurel. We don't have a basement, so parties with kids would really limit our guest list, but maybe someday... :)
How much fun is this? Looks like a blast.
That sounds so fun! What a great tradition. I do a cookies and cocktail party for Christmas. And the Book of Thanks is an awesome idea! Your kids will love to look back at it even more when they are older.
Looks like everyone had an incredible time! And those pies on a stick are adorable!
fun! you inspired me to throw my own party! I think instead of a Christmas party this year we are going to do a dessert party with a contest! and I must check out pingg. I have been unhappy with evite lately so I need something new!
Found you through the Dare to DIY Party- this looks like so much fun! We host a Mock Thanksgiving every year, and it rivals our fun family parties! So relaxing to just spend some holiday time with friends :)
http://myhappycasa.blogspot.com/
This is the coolest tradition! Every time you mention it, I love it. And it's really tied to the true meaning of thanksgiving - spending time with those you care about and having a good, casual time. You are so awesome!
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