October is such a fun month for gatherings! Whether filled with Halloween festivities or just to celebrate the autumn season, October is an ideal time for celebrations! The crisp, fall air is cool enough to don the fuzzy sweaters but still comfortable enough to enjoy the outdoors…the foliage spattered with the first traces of color and the smell of wood smoke wafting through the air! We had a beautiful weather opportunity to have just such a celebration…and since it is October–Halloween fun had to be included! This gathering for adults was an opportunity to get spooky with some holiday cocktails, serve up simple food, and enjoy great conversation around the fire! Today we’re sharing a long post filled with easy ideas that can pack a party punch! We hope you can find some inspiration for your next gathering…
let’s start with a cocktail…
a simple menu tells guests what brewing!
glasses labeled for each cocktail make it easy to
pick your potion!
printed tags right from the computer
post the directions for any mixed drinks that might not be familiar…
making it easy for guests to help themselves!
all the ingredients are also playfully labeled…
another easy way to disguise bottles and make your bar color coordinated…
a piece of paper simply wrapped around the bottle! crazy zig-zags make the top look more fitting for the occasion!
(make sure you tape the paper to the bottles so that they don’t slip while pouring!)
these bright red cherries looked perfect for the Dracula’s Kiss topping…and tasty too!
paper is so useful and inexpensive!
the label on the bloody mary mix is replaced with a simple square in holiday color…
this light up arrow points to the bar! a few magnets hold it in place along side the menu…guests won’t miss this serving station! (available at Target)
simple food compliments the potion selection…
serving no-fuss food makes for easy set up…
so you have more time to play!
labels for the food tie everything together…and let guests know what they’re eating!
holiday paper products are so fun…and no washing-just tossing!
let’s move the party outdoors…
a small, festive table holds beverages that need to stay cool
sarah & i both keep furniture pieces outside for patio entertaining. find inexpensive, garage sale tables, dressers or desks…all will work wonderfully as serving stations and a little weather won’t hurt them! galvanized buckets & containers are also great for braving the elements! keep plenty on hand…you’ll find lots of opportunities to use them!
buckets hold beverages and flickering candles…
while orange globe lights and happy pansies make a whimsical table!
plastic bar ware is great for outside entertaining…
even disposable extras would be great!
grab a drink and have a seat by the fire…
straw bales make comfy, seasonal seating! these were topped with a piece of foam batting & canvas simply tied with twine!
these are considered half bales…much lighter than full-size making them easier to work with and move around! simple, inexpensive, and when the party is over…they can be recycled to the garden as protective cover to insulate flowers during winter!
speaking of keeping warm…
a basket full of throws for easy grabbing as the evening air takes on a chill!
as dusk takes over and guests begin arriving…
that’s the best part of a lovely October gathering!
