Party: Murder Mystery Dinner

Happy 2013! It's a new year and last year was full of fun parties. My most recent party was during Christmas break. The hubby and me planned a Murder Mystery Dinner.  Here are some pictures of the night:

Here is the snack table with festive napkins labeled "Be Very Very Merry". Gotta love all the baked goods that come around the holidays. So why not share the goodies with party guests?

Here is a list of what we have here-

From left to right, starting from the top: Peppermint bark, assorted Pepperidge Farm cookies, gum drops, dried coconut strips (mmm), Muddy Buddies, potato chips, and more peppermint bark. Bottom Left: Chex Mix, crackers, chocolate covered yums, Triscuit and  Wheat Thins platter, secret dipping sauce, Quinoa chips, and utensils... 

The Secret Dipping Sauce
My favorite snack this Christmas was the SDS. Keep it in the fridge and use with bread, tortilla chips, potato chips, or anything dip-able. The taste is a little sweet and spicy. I would post the recipe but it's a secret!

My hubby found the recipe for SDS online and we made a huge batch.  We filled jars with sauce, labeled them, and gave them to friends and family. I would make this sauce again. It can get addictive because it is so tasty. 

 

Our Murder Mystery was set in the Old West, so here we are all dressed up. The City Slicker (Me), the Judge of Cactus Gulch (Chase), and the gambler Doc Holladay (Eric). It was a fun night for sure.

Check out freeformgames.com You will see our game titled "Way Out West".  There is a family version and an adult version.

Drinks Anybody?

Here is our open "bar". All equipped with water and soda. (see pic)

All in all the party went well. We had a potluck style dinner which helped us on setup and cleanup. We invited 15 people and emailed info with character bio's to them beforehand. Most everyone dressed up which was what I look forward to. And two people were "murdered" so Chase liked that part.

Party: Success!

Christmas is Coming!

More Christmas Ideas! I love decorating for the holidays, especially when you have a big family gathering. This year we are in charge of Christmas Eve dinner at my parents house. I've been looking for cute ideas to spice up the dinner table. Whaddya think?

Centerpiece from Anthropologie.
I love the silver pears and red berries. So classy and beautiful! A centerpiece or decoration on the table would add so much to dinner. I need to think of something for the table.



Utensils in tiny stockings and placed on napkins via designrulz.com

Party 101 for Fall

Get ready to make your party all cute for Fall.  I was looking online for ideas and found a bunch of Halloween looking decorations, but let's face it - we all leave up our fall decorations until Christmas rolls around right?

This Harvest Party was featured on Edison Avenue.




Interior Design Inspiration has great ideas for decorating spaces.




Cute set up by Classy Mommy. This is unique to Halloween only.  Look at that cute banner that reads "Trick or Treat".  So creative.  I love the organization and bright colors.

Apple and Pumpkin Recipe's

Fall...mmm...

These recipes would fit perfectly into any party or get-together over the holidays. I am going to see friends and loved-ones over Thanksgiving and am looking forward to eating some goodies together, chatting, and catching up since last time we saw each other. Maybe I will try out one of these yummy looking treats.

I love this time of year because that means all kinds of apple recipes pop up and pumpkin decorations which turn into recipes later right?  I...love...food!

The Girl Who Ate Everything posted this recipe for Pumpkin Rolls

 

These Brie and Apple Tarts from Blog Hungry look amazing!

 

This one is from All Recipes (picture via Pinterest)
Pumpkin Dip with apples and 'nilla wafers. Yum!







Bargain Hoot made Caramel Apple Bites, handy for a party since they are on toothpicks.





Try these Ooey Gooey Caramel Pumpkin Blondies from Tasty Kitchen.  These look so tasty!






Jam Hands made an Apple and Cream Cheese Bundt Cake with Carmel Pecan Frosting

Thanksgiving and Fall 2012

Fall Decorations are key to enjoying the season and can be simple and easy.  Check out these ideas I found online:


Bluebird Hill showcased this gorgeous combination!

 



Buy a cheap frame, paint, and strand some leaves across to add some Fall spirit. This is a simple and creative way to decorate your Mantlepiece.

Blogger WTFrills writes "This one with just a simple strand of leaves across it is just too cute!"

More Christmas...

Christmas Party 2012

Decorate your doorway to invite your guests to join the party in the spirit of giving.  This porch is so festive, warm, and welcoming.


Style Estate featured this charming entrance! 

 

GAMES

White Elephant Gift Exchange is a really fun way to get to know each other and have some fun. Each guest can bring something wrapped to the party. It can be something from home that you don't use anymore, but someone else might or might not like. Check out the link for game rules and enjoy! I love this game.



MORE MINT

I found this image on Pinterest. Wish I could tell you who made these super cute sleighs!

The Pinner wrote "Candy Cane Sleighs - candy cane runners, hot glued to a kit kat bar, topped with 10 mini Hershey bars in different flavors. Tied off with ribbon and a small bow on top...great Hostess gift, or Christmas party favor."
 
This is a cute gift at a Christmas party that you can place on dinner plates or on each place setting at the table!







This looks like a fun way for your guests at the Christmas Party to take pictures! You can send them home with a Polaroid or email a link to them later.

Etsy - Holiday Photo Booth Props

More Peppermint!

I...love...peppermint!
Here are a bunch more recipes and ideas for a Peppermint Christmas this year...

Check out:

Baker's Royale - Chocolate Peppermint Roll






A great beverage to serve at a Christmas Eve get-together.

Taste of Home - Candy Cane Punch