Staying at home in lieu of going on an exciting vacation doesn’t need to be boring. Gather your friends and family and get creative for various ways to entertain in your home. The latest hot party idea is an elegant Denim and Diamonds party. What exactly is a Denim and Diamonds Party? Use your imagination to get as elegant or country as you’d like, but a Denim and Diamonds party is an upscale event with great food, drink and entertainment. Guests are asked to wear casual attire such as denim jeans, but are encouraged to ‘dress it up’ by accessorizing with diamond-like sparkle (aka rhinestones!). Venues can include your home, backyard or rented elegant country estates for grand affairs or fundraisers.
Tip 1: Use What You Already Have on Hand
When you host an at-home Denim and Diamonds party, you need to get creative. There’s no sense in going out and buying a lot of items that you will never use again. Look around your home, basement and garage to see what you can reinvent or repurpose for your party needs. Outdoor tables can become indoor furniture with an inexpensive floor length fabric covering to meet your theme. Spend wisely on a few key items you need to pack a lot of punch for your dollar. Check out discount stores and clearance sections at more upscale stores to secure particular finds. Vases for table settings can be mix and match as can table and drink ware.
Tip 2: Choose Your Theme Colors
With a Denim and Diamonds Party – blue, white and anything that sparkles is a must-have! Integrate your colors into your table coverings and decorations. Check out craft super-stores to add sparkle to your table or buffet. Choose inexpensive glass stones, rhinestones or crystals and toss amongst your table settings to catch and reflect light from your table top candles. Colors for a denim and diamonds party can extend to your decorations, invitations, centerpieces and party favors as well.
Tip 3: Plan Ahead
Manage you time carefully and don’t put off shopping or decorating until the day before your party. Decide on your décor and estimate food and seating requirements at least a week or more ahead of time. If you need to engage a party rental service for tables, chairs or other food service items, plan this at least 2 weeks ahead and make your reservations with the rental company. Prepare as many food items as possible in advance – this will reduce your stress level and help you enjoy your own Denim and Diamonds party! Planning on grilling outdoors? Grill items ahead of time and keep in your oven on ‘warm’ so items can be ready when your hungry guests arrive.
Tip 4: No Time for Sit Down Dinner? Think Buffet!
Let’s face it, sit down dinners are nice when you are inviting only 3-4 close friends over for an intimate gathering. Hosting a party for 20+ requires fast, easy service of a buffet style setup. Presentation can be fun for a buffet. Create elevated levels by placing pots upside down beneath your table covering to create a staggered look for your culinary offerings. This is practical too and allows your guests to more easily reach for items around a crowded buffet table. Use baskets lined with denim-like towels for your biscuits/breads. Disperse country-themed sparkling items such as inexpensive crystals among your serving platters for extra pizzazz!
Tip 5: Candlelight and Fresh Flowers Are a Must
Whether you are hosting your party indoors or outdoors, candles add a special flair and ambiance. If outdoors, add floating candles to your pool. Cluster candles of varying height, colors and widths on your tables and walkways to create ambient lighting for your guests to enjoy. Citronella candles are available in a host of colors and styles to provide functional and beautiful purpose for keeping bugs at bay and guest comfortable.
Fresh flowers are a treat no matter what the occasion. But there is no need to splurge as fresh arrangements can get costly. Roll up your sleeves and check out your garden… Black Eyed Susans, Daylillies, Sweet Peas, and Butterfly Bushes and evergreen branches, offer inexpensive but fragrant bouquets. Place a glass in a cowboy boot and arrange your cut flowers for a true Denim and Diamonds centerpiece! Supplement smaller arrangements in smaller conversation areas with a few store-bought white roses.
Tip 6: Bring the Indoors – Outside or the Outdoors – Inside
You’ll want to pamper your guests even while outdoors. Add comfortable throw pillows to your patio chairs and pair you indoor dining room chairs with your outdoor country furniture. Crystal pitchers, silver platters and other metal (pewter) bowls make for an elegant presentation for beverages and appetizers. Need a little outdoors… inside? Add various evergreen branches to your arrangements or consider using outdoor decorative lighting such as string lights indoors to complement your Denim and Diamonds Party theme.
Tip 7: Make It Personal
It’s your party so add your own personal flair! Email is a convenient communication tool but a Denim and Diamonds Party calls for a more elegant strategy. Handwritten, themed invitations fit the bill for what to send to your guests. Your guests will be excited when they receive your Denim and Diamonds inspired invitation (invites shaped like denim Levi’s pocket complete with red tag and all?). Add some ‘bling’ to get the ‘diamonds’ theme going by using crystals and add-ons available in scrapbooking supply stores and craft super stores.
Tip 8: Keep It Cool
Backyard Denim and Diamond parties can get hot in the summer and cold in the spring or fall. Secure small fans with misters and camoflauge behind shrubbery and plants in your backyard. Use portable propane powered table top heaters and provide piles of blankets (western printed please!) to keep your guests comfortable for hours.
Tip 9: Always Have a Plan B
Always have a contingency plan because Mother Nature can be unpredictable despite your best plans for your Denim and Diamonds event. Keep your supplies well stocked for you last minute needs and plan ahead for what you will do if you need to move the party indoors due to inclement weather. Outdoor seating may be moved indoors and accented with throw pillows. Remember – these are your friends and they’ll have fun despite the weather!
Tip 10: Ask for Help if You Need It
Don’t be afraid to hire a party planner to consult with you on your plans prior to your party. If you can’t afford the planning – hire them to advise you on ideas, tips and decorating to help you organize and make it happen on your own. Keep it Simple! Hearty appetizers, classy cocktails and knock out decorations will make for a fun, stress free time for your elegant Denim and Diamonds party event!