Fall Dinner Party
Before the holidays arrive in full force, Tyler and I wanted to have some friends over for a fall "friendsgiving" dinner party this past weekend. It was a great opportunity for us to wrap up a few lingering projects around the house and for me to test out new recipe ideas. Friends are some of the best guinea pigs. :) Plus, we have some great friends that feel very much like family, so having them over to celebrate the upcoming holiday season and the end of 2015 was important to us.
When hosting dinner parties, I find the key is to keep things as simple as possible. Seasonal decor and ingredients, a table for all to gather around, and plenty of wine is all that's necessary for the event to be a success. There were six of us for dinner, so our small dining room table was just enough room for everyone to be seated comfortably. Based on the limited table space, I knew the decor was going to have to be minimal and low in order to keep sight lines clear. I found some beautiful eucalyptus at the grocery and foraged around the house to complete the look.
If you're hosting any events over the coming months, this is a simple and inexpensive option to bring out the festive spirit in anyone!
s u p p l i e s
- (1) bunch of eucalyptus - $2.99 @ Trader Joe's
- A few candles (I prefer unscented for the dinner table) - $1.99/pack @ IKEA
- A handful of gourds - $0.79/gourd @ Trader Joe's
Total Cost: under $10
By the way, I'm a cheese/charcuterie board novice, but we found some winners with this initial attempt. I'd highly recommend the Sweet & Spicy Chili Jam for a nice little kick (bottom right), the Cranberry Chevre for a hint of sweet (bottom left), and the Vieux Chimay for a nutty hard cheese (top left). All were found at Trader Joe's. The Creamy Toscano Cheese soaked in Syrah sounded like a winner, but we all agreed it left a lot to be desired (top right). I plan to take another stab at the perfect mix for Thanksgiving and again for Christmas. I'll be an expert before you know it. :)
