Make Your Own - Pastry Platter

Make Your Own Pastry Platter!

I learned this a while back on a show about yard sales, but I put in my own little twist that makes it very unique.
This is an inexpensive and creative way to showcase your sweets and snacks at your next event.

Here's what you will need:

-An assortment of plates and cups in the party's theme colors
-Super glue
-Objects (to be explained later)

Step 1.
Design your platter. Line up different plates with different cups to find a look you like best.

Step 2.
Apply super glue to the bottom of the cup and attatch it to the plate selected to be on the bottom.

Step 3.
Fill the cup (optional). Based on your theme, fill the clear cups with a related object. For example, my "Forever Young" party will have round, clear glasses filled with gumballs. The examples in the pictures are for a cabaret party using a feather boa and beads. For an ocean themed party, fill it with sand and seashells or give it the look of a fishbowl by filling it with fishbowl rocks and aquarium plants.

Step 4.
Once filled, apply super glue to the rim of the cup and attatch it to the bottom of the top plate.

Step 5.
After letting the glue dry (and making sure the dishes are clean) garnish with cupcakes, cookies, crackers with a cheese dip in the middle, etc.

TADA! Beautiful DIY party decor.

(Ignore the giraffe print carpet.) My pastry platter will be used with my purple and black themed cabaret party with a purple floral table cloth, crystal vases, and little plastic glass slippers.

Ice Breakers

You're inviting your boy friend, Jenny and her brother, Brenna and her boy friend, Sean and his friend, his friend and his girl friend. Do you all feel comfortable with each other? Starting off your party with an ice breaker is a great way to ensure guest interaction throughout the night.

Children are less likely to need ice breakers at parties because they can jump right in and have fun without feeling like they are being judged. On the other hand, adults and older kids don't want to embarrass themselves on a first impression. So, forget those rediculously embarrassing "get to know each other" games they make you play on the first day of school (you know, sitting on random peoples' laps and having to go around the circle introducing everyone who introduced themselves before you, things like that) These games and activities will let your guests get comfortable with each other without looking like idiots.

Packaged Games:
Any packaged game in general is good for breaking the ice. They require minimal thought and everyone's in the same boat. My personal reccomendations are -

• Party Jenga - each block has a simple question that all guests will have fun answering.
• Any trivia game - people love asking each other triva questions! Even if you just leave some cards around, people will pick them up and read them to each other on habit.
• Would You Rather? - I have this game in book form and it never gets old! Once again, it's filled with questions

Activities:
If you want to do ice breaker activities, make sure that no one is the center of attention if they don't want to be.

• Break your party into teams of three or more (you don't want an akward duo) and give them a teamwork assignment (I just read this about building a hat out of an assortment of balloons, but you can also do a dress out of trashbags and tape "runway show style", or a cooking contest if time and space allows, a scavenger hunt, etc, etc.)
• Mad Libs- Always fun! Make your own, find them online, or buy a book. No matter which way you do it, guests will have fun interacting in such a simple way.

I'll admit there are people out there who love those embarrassing activites I mentioned above, but for the populace who absolutely HATE things like that, show them some compassion.
-Don't make them mingle with guests, collecting names and information. If you want return guests to your parties, make sure they're comfortable and not forced to do anything!
-Don't make your guests do stupid things (unless they're willing) like pass a lifesaver around a circle using only your mouth and toothpics! (yes, that will totally break the ice, and it's a fun game for people who really know each other, but don't do it if you know someone won't be comfortable with it)