PARTY THEME: WINE AROUND THE WORLD PARTY

Need an idea for your supper club or next dinner party? Here’s one that is interactive, entertaining, delicious, and educational, too. Oh, and just because it is educational doesn’t mean it’s not fun.

Who doesn’t love to share their travel adventures and who doesn’t love to get ideas for their next trip? A Wine Around the World party is easy and inexpensive to host since guests bring the food, the wine….even the decorations! Relive the days you biked in the South of France, rode with the gauchos in Argentina, or visited the bodegas of Italy! Dust off those photos, call your friends and get ready to travel the globe--- no passport required!

This party is inexpensive to host since guests bring food, wine and souvenirs to be used as decorations. Clear plenty of counter and table space so each guest has room to create a “station” for their country. Guests move from station to station as they sample food and wine from each locale. Stack plates and wine glasses in one central spot unless you have room to place them at each station. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your tableware.

Organize Your Travel Itinerary

Each guest brings a bottle of wine and food from their favorite destination--- whether it’s a place they’ve visited, or a place they really want to go someday. The host should coordinate the countries with guests. If more than one friend has been to Australia, ask one guest to bring an appetizer and the other to bring a dessert with their wine selection.

First, let’s plan the menu…. Wait, there’s no menu for this party!

You don’t have to plan a menu but you can help guests with ideas of what to bring so you have plenty of variety. Since I love Spain, I might bring a good, inexpensive Spanish red like Osborne Solaz, served with a tapas platter: little dishes of Spanish olives, almonds, and Manchego cheese. OR I might make a Tortilla Espanola- a Spanish potato omelette, if I have time to cook. Set a limit on what to spend on the wine. You can get a great bottle under $20. If you really want to challenge your guests, ask them to find a great wine under $12!

Don’t worry if you don’t have time to cook. Order a dish from your favorite restaurant or head to Whole Foods or a good local market to get what you need.  

Food, Decorations and Entertainment

Photos from our travels and favorite souvenirs are used to identify and decorate each station. Use your computer printer and make a copy of the flag from each country to mark the stations. You can use candles you already have or pick up some flowers to create atmosphere. Don’t feel like you have to go out and buy decorations; just use what you have and keep it simple. Your guests' travel photos and souvenirs will be the focus.

The Entertainment

Ask guests to bring their travel photos on a CD so you can play them on the TV. Have guests tell the stories behind the pictures. Award prizes for best photo, best story, worst story, worst travel nightmare, and best overall presentation. Prizes included luggage tags, luggage locks, folding totes, and other travel related accessories which you can easily find at any big box retail store like Target.

You’ve got a start on the entertainment. Now, let the music take you there…

In the days leading up to the party, I like to put together a playlist of tunes to set the mood. I do a little online research or browse through CD’s at the store or on iTunes or Spotify. For this party, try the world music section. There are lots of compilations available from different countries.

This party is easy to recreate and since everyone helps, it’s not a chore to host. It’s also a unique pre-wedding party for the engaged couple who loves wine or trying to decide on a honeymoon destination. The best part is that you won’t have to stand in line, take off your shoes, or go through airport security—you can experience exotic destinations right in your own home.

WATCH MY WINE AROUND THE WORLD PARTY VIDEO FROM MYRECIPES.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: ARDEN WARD UPTON, ARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

PARTY THEME: HOST AN OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT PARTY!

Years ago, I saw an ad for a huge inflatable movie screen in one of those airplane shopping magazines and immediately thought---yippee! Drive-in movie party! This party is perfect for so many occasions. It’s a great casual get together for the big game or an easy birthday party for any age. It’s also perfect for that neighborhood party you’ve been putting off! For the bride and groom, it's a fun alternative to a boring rehearsal dinner or the perfect shower for movie buffs. I even had a movie night party for one of my Food Network Star viewing parties and everyone loved it. The menu is classic snack bar food and since it’s all self-serve, all you have to do is set it up and grab a good seat for the movie!

Thank you to the Sonnet House in Leeds, Alabama for hosting our party!

Using an inflatable movie screen to show movies out on the lawn is one of summer's best party ideas!

We screened an episode of Food Network Star at one party - so much fun to watch it on the big screen!

EQUIPMENT

The big star of our show was the twelve foot Airblown Inflatable Movie Screen. Fantastic! It self-inflates in a matter of minutes and presto! You have a movie theater in your yard! It was just as easy to take down as it was to put up and it stores in a tote bag. You can make a screen from an old white sheet if you don't want to invest in the inflatable screen but I ordered an Airblown brand inflatable screen for only $150. You do need a projector to show the movie but there is new technology out there. Search online for the type that suits your budget.

Be sure to check the length of the movie before you make your choice. I would recommend selecting a movie less than two hours in length and one that will appeal to men and women. If you have a large crowd, you’ll need speakers. If you’re not the technical type or if you’re having a large party, it is worth the money to hire an entertainment company. Not only will they set up everything to show the movie, they can play music to get the party started. Another fun idea? Have them instantly screen photographs of your guests arriving as they walk the red carpet! When I am in Birmingham, my great friend Geoff Carlisle from Jamm Entertainment always does the sound for the party and also provides some music before and after the movie. Makes the party a lot more fun.

DECORATIONS

Decorating for this party couldn’t have been easier because you can find “movie night” items like popcorn boxes and supplies almost everywhere, including the $1 store or the $1 bin at Target. Better yet, find one-stop shopping for movie night decorations at Oriental Trading Company.

Line the entrance to the party with colorful patio lights and you can probably score movie posters from a local theatre. Next, you’ll need lawn chairs, quilts, blankets, etc., or simply ask guests to bring their own seating. If you have a large yard or are holding the party at a park, you can even let guests drive up, drive-in style.

Ask guests to bring their own blankets, quilts, and lawn chairs to make sure you have enough seating.

Set up a special VIP seating area for the guest of honor with quilts, pillows, or chaise lounges. The sign is from Oriental Trading.

Make an authentic drive-in style snack bar with movie candy, popcorn, and other snacks.

Create a topping bar for hot dogs so guests can make their own favorite style dog.

FOOD AND DRINKS: Think snack bar favorites for this menu or select your own easy to make, easy to serve foods. We served deluxe hot dogs with tons of toppings so guests could create their own favorite combos.

Next, we built a huge candy and snack bar complete with boxed movie candy that I got on sale at Walgreen's. You can also find it at most discount or dollar stores. Make fresh, hot popcorn; put the popcorn in boxes to make serving easier. Roasted peanuts in small brown bags are another good choice.

Invite your local popsicle man to come- you can pre-pay or guests can pay for their own.

MARTIE PARTY TIP: SECRETS OF A PROFESSIONAL PARTY THROWER

MY TOP TEN ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS TO A GOOD PARTY

Some parties are hits. The lucky guests talk about them for weeks afterwards and you sit in envy, wondering why you weren’t on that guest list. Other parties never quite get off the ground. You know the ones I am referring to— you spend the whole evening looking at your watch, trying to make any excuse to go while silently cursing the money you spent on a new dress. When you host a party, no matter whether it is at home or another venue, it should express your style and personality, it should be fun (obviously) and it should be memorable. What makes a good party? While there is no magic recipe, most really good parties have a few fundamental items in common: imagination, personality, and plenty of advance planning. Here are ten essential elements to think about as you plan your next party. 

1. PERSONALIZE YOUR PARTY

It is really important to put your own spin on your party. Add something to make it uniquely yours. Are you a greenie? Make your party eco-friendly by using sustainable products. Are you a music nut? Showcase your favorite artists or tunes by making different mixes and give copies as favors or even invite your favorite emerging artist to play. Like cooking? Send guests home with a small potted herb along with a recipe using it. You get the picture. Make it yours. 

2. DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Go out on a limb and try something new instead of the same tired old cocktail party. Throw a new spin on your annual party and your friends will talk about it until next year. Need some ideas? How about a ‘wine around the world’ party where guests bring a wine and a dish from a country they have visited or a place they’d like to go. Another fun idea is a “Top Chef” competition where everyone makes their favorite dish or an annual chili cook-off or other food throwdown.  

3. GET HELP

One sure party killer is a frantic hostess. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and once the party starts, try to relax and enjoy the party. If you don’t hire help, ask several reliable friends to help with essentials like ice, pouring drinks, and clearing dishes. Assign jobs for no more than one hour so your friends can actually have some fun, too. For me, it is money well spent to have paid help on party day- even if it is a college student to help bus dishes, keep ice buckets filled and empty garbage cans. As a hostess in a pretty party dress, garbage duty should not be on your to-to list.

 4. THE INVITATION IS INFORMATION

In addition to letting your guests know when and where, your invitation should also give guests an idea of what will happen at the party and how they should dress, especially if the party is outside or if special clothing or costumes are required. Email invitations and e-vites are fine, but a personal note, printed invitation, or phone call is still the best way to invite guests. Include a phone number for regrets or request an RSVP if you need an exact head count for food, beverages, favors, etc. 

 5. UP THE NUMBERS

Invite more people than you want to attend. Typically three guests in twenty are no-shows. Have a diverse mix of people and always invite new people to keep things interesting. If you’re inviting a group of people who have never met one another, it is essential to greet your guests at the door to make introductions. Have drinks or a bar close by to let people have a chance to settle in and feel comfortable as the festivities get underway. 

6. START AND STOP

Set an exact start and end time for your party to insure your guests don’t straggle in or stay too late. Guests typically show up 30 minutes or more after your stated start time because nobody wants to be the first to arrive. Ask a few good friends to arrive early to help kick things off. Ask someone to corral those last remaining die-hard party guests and get them out the door when you’re ready to call it a night.    

7. TURN DOWN THE LIGHTS

If your budget doesn’t allow for a lot of decorations, simply dim the lights and light candles. Replace some of the light bulbs in your lamps with soft pink bulbs which give the same effect as candlelight. You can get them at any home improvement chain store. Fresh flowers can be expensive but are totally worth it. Use whatever your florist has that is plentiful, fresh, and cheap. Use a variety of vases (short, tall, round, square- whatever you have) and use only one type or one color of flower. Cluster them in groups or use them individually. A bowl or vase of limes (or other fruit) makes a striking centerpiece and by using what you have on hand, it makes decorating easy, too. A large grouping of the same item looks modern and stylish. If you develop a good relationship with your local florist, you may be able to get a deal on gently used flowers that you can repurpose for your party. 

8. THE MUSIC MATTERS

Music plays a big role in the overall mood and ambience. Start with a mix of low-key tunes, increasing the volume and the beat as the night goes on and noise levels intensify. Give guests time to mix, mingle, and talk, then increase the tempo as the party progresses. Make playlists of your favorites that will play continuously for hours. If you have the budget and space for great live music or a quality DJ, hire them. They will take your party to the next level and take the worry of entertaining your guests off your list.

  9. GOOD AND PLENTY

Most people don’t come to a party specifically for the food, but if the food is bad, or there isn’t enough of it, there will be complaints. Make sure to plan for more ice, drinks, food, and utensils than you think you need. Some caterers recommend padding your order by ten percent. Many will automatically add ten percent because they look bad if you underestimate your guest list and run out of food. I am very cautious about having enough food so I always prepare or order up to twenty percent more than I think I will need and replenish dishes frequently to keep them fresh. If I have food left over, I send helpful friends home with a care package. For large events, take leftover food that has been properly stored to a local shelter. 

10. THE ENTERTAINMENT

It is always a good idea to have activities planned to keep people engaged Do something simple that doesn’t require a lot of explanation. For example, give each guest a printed card when they arrive with ten easy questions about other guests. They must go around the room and interact with one another to get the answers. Give prizes for the first three to complete their cards. There are lots of ways to entertain your guests depending on the theme or type of party you are having. Everything from contests and card games to karaoke and Wii can get people involved and interacting.  

How did you personalize your party? I’d love to hear about it!