Party Tips

written by: Melissa McCance

The late weeks of winter can really weigh on our spirits. It’s still cold and it’s probably been pretty gray. Here are tips for throwing two different parties that will give winter-weary folks a reason to celebrate and have a good time.

Mardi Gras

This holiday can fall on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9 so it’s perfectly timed to cheer up the “gray days.” This year, it’s February 13. The name is French and translates to “Fat Tuesday” because it was the last day to eat up foods such as butter and eggs that were traditionally forbidden during Lent.

For a great Mardi Gras bash, think big, bold, and over the top! This holiday’s colors are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Use table runners, bunting, balloons, streamers, and definitely BEADS . . . whatever you can find. Highly-decorated masks are part of Mardi Gras, and you can provide them ready-made or get the supplies and let your guests make their own as part of the fun. Create a street sign labeled “Bourbon St.” for a great touch. Remember, too, that noisemakers and party hats aren't just for New Year's!

The food should reflect Creole and Cajun influences. French bread with assorted cheeses and mushrooms stuffed with Cajun-seasoned crabmeat or chopped shrimp followed by jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans and rice with smoked sausage fit the theme. Cocktails are a big part of Mardi Gras, including the famous Hurricane. Another option would be Cajun-seasoned Bloody Marys. For coffee, offer café-au-lait. And dessert must be a king cake! (King cake instructions and kits are available online.)

Music? Make it New Orleans jazz. Those swinging notes will keep the energy level of your party up and your guests happy. If you want to have games, do an online search and you’ll find a variety from active to relaxed.

So, gather some partying friends and laissez le bon temps rouler!

Spring

Celebrate the end of winter and the coming of leafy trees, flowers, and warmer days with a spring party! Michigan is still pretty wintry at the March equinox, but there’s no reason why you can’t make it spring in your home, right? This party theme is perfect for an afternoon gathering of friends as the colors and style definitely lean towards the feminine.

For a spring party, you want to focus on everything pretty. Pink, yellow, lavender, and soft greens accented with white are great colors for these events. Spring means flowers, so add some fresh flowers here and there and look for plates, tablecloths, and decorations that feature a floral motif. If you or someone you know does origami, fold lots of paper flowers in bright colors and use them as place cards or pile them in a glass bowl for a colorful centerpiece.

The refreshments should also be pretty. Whether or not you’re including alcohol, think about things like lemonade (pink or regular) and grapefruit juice as ingredients. A splash of grenadine adds a pretty rosy hue to any beverage. Just look for recipes that are light and fresh— this is not the time for rich, heavy, or smoky drinks. A main dish salad that includes fruit fits in perfectly and pairs well with small, herbed rolls. Dessert ideas include a beautiful cake or cupcakes decorated with your party colors or a meringue-based dessert topped with fresh berries.

Whatever you choose, make this party a celebration of the warmer, brighter days to come!