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How to Host a My Favorite Things Party

My friend Sue and I had a wonderful tradition.  Every year when Oprah would do her My Favourite Things show, I’d go over to her house and we’d watch it together.  We’d sit in her cozy family room drinking coffee and gasp over the incredible gifts all those audience members were going home with.  We’d also wonder what we’d actually do with some of the things, or ponder deep thoughts like, “What exactly would make shower gel $150 anyway?”

I thought the Favourite Things tradition would end with Oprah’s show ~

Until I read this post over at The Nester last year.

Hayley (who was guest posting at the Nester that day) turned the Favorite Things idea into a lovely party evening with friends.  Friends + Gifts =  How fun is that??  I was so excited to read how she did it, that I decided to have my own party last year.

gift 2

It was so. much. fun!

I’ve been plotting and planning to do one again this year.  However, when I finally got my calendar out last Wednesday, I realized all my weekends until Christmas were already booked ~  except the one that arrived just 3 days later!

I agonized for a few hours.  I wanted to do the party “well”, but I knew if I fussed and fretted and looked for the “perfect date” it probably wouldn’t happen.  So I did something wild.  {gasp!}

I quickly fired off a Facebook message and invited some friends to join me for an Impromptu My Favorite Things party ~ just 3 days later.

I begged their forgiveness that it wasn’t a beautiful handmade invitation given well in advance.

They didn’t seem to mind.;)

Thankfully, there were some who didn’t already have plans, and we had a hoot.

Here’s a quick run down of how the party works:

Each lady thinks of an item that is one of her favorite things.  She then buys that item to give to each person coming to the party (or at least enough for those in her “group”.  I’ll explain more below.).

gifts

I set the buying limit for 5$ or under for each item, but if you want to set it higher, you sure could!  Ideally, this works best for a group of 5 or 6.  If you have more than that, divide the group up into 2 or 3 groups.  The items can be wrapped, or not ~ whatever you choose.  Once it’s time for the party, each lady tells what her favourite thing is and why and hands out her item to each person in her group.  It is so much fun to hear what things people love and why.  I learned something new about every person that attended ~ and I know some of them really well!

Here’s a few more nitty gritty details if you’d like to try it, too.

1.  To divide my group into 2 groups, I prepared a bowlful of different colored Christmas balls ahead of time.  Tags were attached to them with each lady’s name on the back.  The silver ones were the “Silver Belles” and the purple ones were the “Sugar Plums”.

bowl of ornaments

2.  When I invited the ladies, I also asked them to bring a sweet or savoury food item (of course something that was their favourite thing)  to share with everyone.  I set all the treats on the coffee table and we just helped ourselves throughout the evening.

snacks to share

3.   Along with a simple snack, I made a  frosty, slushy drink to have ready when they arrived {recipe below}, along with coffee.

sparkly drinks

4.  This really is a no stress kind of party.  The biggest challenge I had was trying to get a confirmed number of those attending because of the “impromptu” aspect of this particular date.  Numbers don’t usually matter, but for this party it really does.

 

***

I’m reminded over and over again that “things” shouldn’t be what we focus on in life ~ but one thing I do want to focus on is friendships and growing them.  This little party does that.  (And I do admit to loving all the special little gifts!  They remind me of the person who gave them.)

Thanks to all the ladies who were able to join me last week.  You are some of my all time favorite “things”/ people!

In fact, there are so many more ladies I know that I’d like to do this with.

Hmmm…maybe I should have these parties all year long??

***

sparkly drinks

Recipe for:

Here Comes the Sun Slushy Drink

12 oz. can frozen concentrate peach punch

2 cups water

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

2 frozen large bananas, cut into 4 pieces each

Ice cubes (about 24) ~ 4 cups

1/2 cup grenadine syrup

Orange slices and maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)

Process first 4 ingredients in blender for about 30 seconds until smooth.  Remove and set aside 1/2 of mixture.

Add 1/2 of ice cubes through hole in lid, 1 at a time, processing after each addition until smooth.  Pour into large pitcher.  Process remaining 1/2 of peach mixture and ice cubes.  Add to mixture in pitcher.  Pour 4 tsp. grenadine into bottom of six 14 oz. glasses.  Add peach mixture until glasses are 3/4 full.  Stir gently in bottom of glass to achieve sunrise appearance.

Garnish with orange slice and cherry skewered on wooden pick.

***

P.S.  If you were to attend a party like this, what thing under $5 would you bring?  My gift was a scarf.  I love wearing them all winter long!

Linking to:  The Nester

How to Host a My Favorite Things Party 

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6 Comments

  1. It was so much fun.. I have my scarf around my neck as we speak. It is sooooooooooooo soft. What a great time and a wonderful way to get to know others and just what makes something special. I highly recommend it for a fun filled evening. However.. Rita attending is a must since she makes any party fun. Thanks again for the night and the laughs and for the decorating inspiration. Deck the halls and blessings to you my friend.

  2. I love this idea and have been trying to think of a good party idea for a girls night ~ this is perfect! Thanks so much for sharing! I am curious though, where did you find scarves for $5??? Thanks! Laura

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