Ringing in the New Year With Cards and Chocolate!

One of my all time favorite clients called me the week before Christmas and asked if we had time to plan a New Year's Eve party for her daughter and friends. She said she was leaving town in the morning and wouldn't be back until New Year's Eve day. I of course, said "yes" and began the planning right away.

What better way to spend New Year's than at a black jack table, roasting s'mores and creating a gourmet cup of hot chocolate!

When you are rushed to get the word out about a party you usually decide on an electronic invitation, but since this party was for teenagers we opted to get a cute invitation printed so the mothers would know about about the party. I called my friends at the Scribbler and they designed and printed a super cute invitation that went perfectly with my "casino night" theme.

There was a hot fire surrounded by hay bails for seating. The rain had graced us with its presence right before the party and a little throughout the party, so the fire was made and quickly put out. Regardless, the guests enjoyed hanging out and lighting sparklers from the flames even if it was for only a little while.

If you are like the Butlers, we usually use old wire coat hangers for our s'more adventures, but the party planner in me didn't want a bunch of unattractive hangers for this party. I hit up Home Depot the day before and found some metal rods that worked perfectly. If you decide to do this, don't forget to have a way for the rods to stand up. You will not want the marshmallow end getting on anything!

Ingredients for the s'more and hot chocolate bar:

S'MORE....chocolate and regular graham crackers, Hersey bars, marshmallow (you could always add a little peanut butter...I had a peanut butter s'more for lunch yesterday and all I can say is YUMMY!)

HOT CHOCOLATE.....hot chocolate, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, cinnamon and chocolate stir stick and marshmallows.

What is a New Year's Party without some nonalcoholic champagne......

.....and party hats!!!!

Saving the best detail for last..........

The CASINO tables!!

I hired Good Fella's Gaming to bring in 4 black jack tables. They have professional dealers that handed out $1,000 in fake money to get the night going. It was fun for the experienced players as well as the novices!

Many thanks to Aabco rents for the rentals, Scribbler for the invitations and Kyler at Good Fella's Gaming!!!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Happy Planning!

New Year's Eve Sneak Peak....

I am working on a New Year's Eve party for one of my favorite clients. I had the privilege of planning a sweet sixteen party for her this summer, so I am super excited to be planning another fun gathering. I don't want to tell you to much and spoil the surprise, but I thought I might give you a little peak of what we are doing in case you were looking for something to add a little fun to your New Year's Eve House Party!!

(photo from Stylemepretty.com)

I thought it would be fun to have a fire pit going in the driveway for all the guests to enjoy. Picture hay bails around a fire, throw blankets and what else but a S'MORES station. There is nothing better than a graham cracker with chocolate and marshmallow!

Happy Planning!

-NB

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you!!

I hope you have enjoyed 2009 as much as I have! It was great year for me...marriage, step-motherhood, the start of Gather, LLC., a happy and healthy family, 10 years since I was first diagnosed with cancer and 5 years cancer free!!

With the end of each year, a new year begins....what will 2010 bring?? I am hopeful you will have many, many reasons to GATHER and celebrate!

Below are a few photos from a New Year's Eve House Party Gather helped with. Why fight the crowd and pay the prices of the pre-set menu...when you can have fabulous food, festive decor, flowing champagne and all of your friends!

DIY Project: Jazz up your NYE decor by doing it yourself. A quick trip to Smith's Variety and $11.00 later, I put together some party hats that won't be seen anywhere else tonight. All you need is scrapbook paper, tinsel garland, a hot glue gun and and whatever you want to decorate your hat with.

Before you put up all of your Christmas decor, see if there is anything that can transition into New Year's. Gold or silver balls can be festive (see above), and they can even resemble champagne bubbles if poured in the right canister or vase.

Happy Planning!

-NB