Hostess With The Mostest

This month's Enrichment Activity was right up my alley. I've had several peeps ask about learning some fun hosting ideas, and since our committee is full of talented hostesses, we got together and came up with some fun stuff! 

First off was centerpieces. We set up 7 round tables and I basically scavenged flowers, plants and herbs from my yard to put together some examples of inexpensive centerpieces. I used fabric tablecloths and runners made of cut butcher paper. 

We have a gal in the ward who does floral for weddings who offered to bring these two centerpieces. Aren't they fab?!? Thanks Jaime!

 I was also in charge of setting up a display table. I was stoked that the only thing I had to buy was a bundle of gladiolus for $5.99 at Trader Joe's. The rest of the stuff I had at my house or borrowed from Stephanie. I fully intended on giving a spiel about table displays, but I never got around to it. Just in case you wanna hear my spiel. Here it is... 

*Flowers. Fresh ones. Use them. They make everything bright, classy and colorful. 

*Varying height. Use boxes, cake stands, candle holders, etc. to display things at different levels. 

*Layers. Lots of layers. Layered tablecloths, runners, confetti, fabric, etc. Add layered decor to walls and layer things hanging over displays. It will all add so much visual interest.  

*White dishes. Use them. They look good with any decor and really make the food they're serving the star. 

*If you're on a budget use things like burlap, butcher paper, scrap fabric and scrapbook paper. Try to find free items like those wine boxes & sticks I painted and thrifted items like Stephanie's scale. 

*Clearance. Stock up. I'll shop through the clearance of Target, Marshall's and Ross for napkins, straws, serving pieces, paper goods, etc. to have handy to use.  

*Recycle. The paper flowers were a reuse. Stephanie let me have them after her  Gender Reveal. 

 The display table was to be filled with Hors d'oeuvres that we invited everyone to bring. We even made it exciting by having a friendly voting competition, with a prize for best tasting + most creative. Katie made these adorable lists for voting. I put together a gift jar full of toothpicks + mini skewers + a mini spatula for the "Hostess With the Mostest" winner.  

 Next up was dinner settings. Becca set up a formal, informal and causal setting and gave a great little demo on how to set and use them properly. Plus, aren't they beautimus?!?!

 Meghan did a display of mason jars and showcased some fun and different uses. I really like that geometric one. I shall be doing that to the next spaghetti jar I wash out. 

 Angela set up a tablescape of tropical fruits and did a fabulous demo on making a pineapple boat. 

She also made a mini Weber Grill out of watermelon.  

 Food time! We snacked on our Hors d'oeuvres during the demonstrations. They were all delish!

 The winner, and my favorite, were these mini chicken & waffles, made by the talented Stephanie. They were super yummy and SO very creative. Really, I expected nothing less than amazeballs from her. She's kind of my hostess hero.  

 I brought my crostini with fig butter + caramelized onions + herbed chèvre & thyme. They were pretty scrumptious. 

 It was a blast. I mean, with all that delish food and great company, how could it not be? I think I shall hug and squeeze every beautiful gal on my committee next time I see them. They rock. 

The End.