I’ve been throwing a fall party for 11 years. It’s my biggest party of the year and honestly, it might just be my favorite. Better than Thanksgiving or Christmas you ask!?
Probably. Maybe…okay, not better-than Thanksgiving or Christmas…but at least as good as…
The coming of autumn kicks of the holiday season, at least for our extended family. We have get togethers every month through the end of the year…it’s our time to celebrate and catch up and have a little fun…
We don’t always do the same things at our fall party. Ten years ago, there were no tiny people…only teenagers and twenty-somethings.
Tip #1
With pre-teens, teenagers & twenty-somethings a Pumpkin Carving Contest is perfect! For years, that was our perfect party!
Pumkin Carving parties are easy…
*set up tables covered in paper, *have everyone bring their own carving tools, a pattern and a pumpkin, *appoint 3 or 4 judges…
Our pumpkins started our simple but every year the bar was raised…the ‘trash-talk’ started in September with everyone keeping their “designs” top secret!
Tip #2
A Chili Cook Off is great if you have young married couples!
Couples just starting their lives together (or even older couples who have a few years behind them) find it fun to collaborate and come up with a “family” signature chili recipe and share it with everyone! Chili Cook Offs are the easiest party ever…Every family bring their ‘signature chili’ and you appoint a panel of judges to do blind taste-test (bowls w/ names on the bottom keeping the chili identity from the judges! 🙂 )
Tip #3
If you have a contest of any kind…you have to have a prize!
The prizes don’t have to be expensive…one year I had a little trophy engraved, one year I did a small poster collage of our past parties, other years I did Starbucks or Target gift cards! Not a lot is required BUT you could ask each entry to throw in $5 or $10 bucks and give CASH to the winner! Use your imagination and keep your guests in mind…what would they like?
Tip #4
Whatever your menu…let your guests help!
My friends and family love to bring their favorite fall dessert, favorite chili or favorite fall dip! We end up with a dessert bar that rivals our Thanksgiving dessert table! As for food, normally the menu includes barbecue, baked beans, mac and cheese…you know, typical fall food. (except for the Chili Cook Off year!)
Tip #5
A must-have at a fall party is a place for a photo op-
Just a little corner in the yard, front porch or even inside, where families can have a picture taken…
The biggest benefit of staging a photo op is having photos year after year…here’s the cousin photo from 2012…
And one from 2013…
And this cousin photo one was taken last weekend at our 2014 party…
Tip #6
If there are kids coming…make it FUN for them~you’re making memories!
Both my sister and I have tiny grandchildren (7 in all & 1 on the way!), so I like to plan some fun things for the kids! Depending on the year, I’ve done a little or a little more…what I mean is, it doesn’t take a lot to make a lifelong memory for your little person. Put out some fall stickers, crayons, markers and paper…challenge them to make a picture and then hang their artwork up for everyone to see…play freeze tag or hide-and-seek…just take a little time to focus on something fun for them!
This year I decorated the playground area of our yard…(because I already had these things!)
The Boo-Banner was from last year–>HERE.
These easy Pumpkin Kitties —> HERE.
(The owl and the pussycat —> HERE...)
I put bean bags in the bottom of these pumpkins (to hold them in place) and set up an easy ball-toss game…
Of course there were prizes…
And everyone loves a piñata …(this was a FAVORITE thing!)
And setting up an easy craft gives the kids something to do in between running around and eating sweet stuff…
Tiny vials of bubbles aren’t messy (because they’re tiny) and the kids love taking a minute to blow their own bubbles!
A couple of years ago, we did this cute Whoooo Loves You Owl (this craft required adults to help-so it got everyone involved!)…HERE
Tip #7
Do most of your prep & decorating beforehand so you can relax and enjoy the day of …
Fall party prep is easy, especially if you decorate for fall anyway! Use what you have around the house to decorate and buy just a few fun things, like *paper straws and *chalkboard labels for food labeling-both can be found at Target or craft stores…
If you have kids coming to your party, *these cups are a BIG help…(from Target)
Bring in beautiful fall color with gourds from the grocery …
Spread a quilt or blanket in the yard for anyone wanting to have a picnic…
If you have a place, set up a table outdoors. If you don’t have a table you can put outside, make one using a couple of saw horses and a piece of plywood—instant table, then simply cover it with a drop cloth! Or even better, buy a 6 foot fold out table! In autumn, the best decoration for your party is your outdoor space!
Tip #8
If you want to start a tradition, keep your party on the same weekend year after year…
We normally have our party the last Saturday in October, but this year we have a new baby due October 20th so the party was early. I suggest, if you want to start a tradition, that you keep your party on the same weekend every year. Especially if you’re having a large number (we have 35-45 people)-a particular Saturday in October is easy to remember year after year and everyone will begin keeping that date open…
Tip #9
Set up spiced cider and hot chocolate outside, especially if it’s a chilly day!
There’s something about standing outside with a warm cuppa! Greeting your guests with spiced cider and hot chocolate for the little ones creates the atmosphere from the moment they arrive…
Tip #10
When you’ve got a couple of years behind you-create a memory collage-
Last year, Mike made a chicken wire screen and I ordered pictures from all of our past fall parties…as everyone stood looking at pictures from over the years, the conversation was priceless. Remember when Stacie put on that clown nose? Look at how tiny Ellie was! Look at all the kids around Uncle Timothy! Effortless trip down memory lane… and as a fun bonus, everyone got to grab a few of their favorite pictures to take with them…
At the end of the day…a Fall Party is fun because unlike Thanksgiving or Christmas, there are no expectations. No pressure to have a perfect turkey and the perfect gifts…just family and friends laughing, loving, making memories and kicking off the holiday season.
Does your family have any fall traditions?
Linking to Monday Funday
Robing what a fun time celebrate. Your party sure looks like it brings a lot of joy and love into everyone’s life. Your the best! ((HUGS)) Jo
Joanne, thank you my sweet friend xo hugs to you too!
Robin,
Thank you for sharing this fall party & all the love you lavish on your family! I moved 800 miles from my home 4 years ago…. I did similar things on each Holiday for both sides of family. I have missed a houseful of happy family so badly! You have given me an idea to try and have a small fall gathering for the few friends we have. Maybe it will become something we look forward to each year. The trick is blending people who don’t know each other- any ideas for me? Thanks again ~ you have revived my love for having people over!
Wendy
Wendy, 800 miles!!! Oh my goodness! I love the idea of blending people who don’t know each other…their commonality is you! Maybe put together some fun ice breakers for the group to get the party started! Let me know if you decide to have the party…I’d so love to hear about it my friend xo
Robin, everything looks perfect and the kids are adorable! I hope you had fun and what a great way to make memories.
Diana, thank you! And my favorite thing is to make those memories xo
You are just brilliant!!! Looks like the kids had a great time at this party! Love what you’ve done! The kids are adorable with these cute costumes!
Tenancy cleaners Croydon
Jessica, thank you so much my friend …have a great week xo
Love it. Living in the Rockies, I dread the end of summer, but then I remember how beautiful fall really is and all the decorating makes me happy again. What a beautiful family you have.
Marla, I imagine a winter like you have would make me think twice about giving up my summer!!! Thank you for your sweet words my friend xo
wow what wonderful Idea. The best way to make memories. You are definitely blessed with all that family.
Robin,
I am starting a new tradition this year with a few of my best friends. There will only be a total of four of us, and includes me. I am having a “Picnic on the Porch”. I have purchased bucket (“baskets”) for each from Dollar Tree, planned a menu, designed a personal invite. They know I have something planned for that day, but they don’t know what. Hope this will continue each year
Tawn, that sounds WONDERFUL!!!! you are so creative and thoughtful…please post photos so I can see everything! xo
Love your backyard….and all of your tips!!! Thank you ~
Suzy, thanks so much friend – have a wonderful week xo
I’ve loved following all of your fall gatherings- from the pumpkin carving contests, to the chili cook-offs and the huge family photo that ensues- they’ve all been so special. Love the collage idea- that would be great for our next family gathering. Thank you~ xxoo
Vicky, you have been there along with me for so many years my dear friend! I hope to see you face to face again soon xo love you
I love looking at your parties! Just like out of a magazine! Everyone seems to be having so much fun and your decorations are fabulous!! ~~Angela
Ang, thank you so much my friend, you’re so kind xo
What a wonderful Fall tradition your party is. I bet people look forward to it every year! Your decor is outstanding! Love it!
These are all great tips too. xo Diana
Nana Diana , thank you my friend xo
Your home/yard and love for your family is beautiful. You are a very talented party planner with such creative ideas. I wish I could join every year. 🙂
thanks so much Monica- you’re very kind…have a wonderful day ox
What a fun family tradition! I love all of your tips-and the family photo’s are priceless!
thanks so much CD! your so kind xo
Wow! I love all these ideas – thank you for sharing what has made your annual party a success. I definitely plan on incorporating some of these into our next family gathering. It looks like a wonderful time and I always enjoy seeing families of your lovely home and family. The tiny ones are not so tiny anymore! Great post, Robin!
Jane, Thanks so much my friend…these little ones grow too fast don’t they!!!? Have a wonderful week ~ ox
Oh my goodness, what a fantastic tradition you have! Love it Robin and the cousin pictures are precious! Can I join your family?! lol Blessings to you!
Julie
Julie, you’re in the family my friend! thank you for the encouragement xo
This looks super fun! Pinned. We couldn’t think of anyone better to party with! Thank you for stopping by. I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks so much girls (& thanks for pinning xo)