My husband is off for the next two weeks, so he helped with the last of the food preparation this morning, so I have spent the rest of today getting set up for the party tomorrow. I feel like we are WAY ahead of schedule.
I started setting up in the laundry room/butler’s pantry where the bar and the wine are set up.
I had these frames from a silent auction I helped with a couple years ago, so I made a printed menu and instructions for the bar area.
I started the decorating in the “bar” by putting down waxed paper (to protect the counter from sap, and then cool cocktail shakers, faux trees, candles, and the menu.
Then I added a bunch of arborvitae greenery.
Once I got to this stage, I realized that there was an outlet that was SUPER handy, so I added a string of lights before I added the glittery branches to this. I normally don’t use glittery ANYTHING, but I found 5 big branches of this at the thrift store for $1, and the tags were still on them, and they were originally $6/branch. There were 5 branches in the bunch.
Then I added some garland by Shiny Brite made of glass beads.
Then I set up everything for the Batched cocktails and the cozy drinks. I think have everything I need for this.
Then I set up the beer in the sink, with glasses for beer and water. (I love the green glasses I found at the thrift store.) We’ll get ice tomorrow and ice everything down a couple hours before the start of the party.
Then I set up a place for people to put their dirty glasses.
Then I set up a place for people to recycle cans and bottles.
I set up the wine in the butler’s pantry.
Then I worked on the dining room table–the decorations on the bar have been on the table, but I wanted to do something retro in the dining room. I found these cool green vases in Ohio, and I found this vintage 70s cloth here in town and the candle holders came from the thrift store. I saw a similar cloth at a different antique store and they wanted $150 for it. I got this one for $15.
Then I added the vases of flowers, boxwood, and holly. I brought my vases to my florist and sent him photos of the table cloth. I think he did a great job on these.
I was going to stop there, but then I remembered I had a garland with just the right colors.
Then it was time to get the food buffet laid out. I started by clearing the decks and cleaning it well. Then I put the centerpiece and menu at the widest part of the peninsula. I went by the menu and made sure that I had serving pieces for everything. I also set out napkins and forks. The glass plates are in the dishwasher right now, but I’ll put some of them at the start of the buffet and the rest by the desserts.
I set up a tray table and pail by the door for dirty dishes and scraps/trash.
So tomorrow, we have to get the ribs on the smoker, and do some last minute cleaning and prep, but really pretty minimal. My husband really helped so much today.
It’s good that we’re ahead of schedule because we both have dentist appointments tomorrow.
Cathy At Home on the River 