Every year at the Pool and Racket club there is a Steak and Lobster Party. It started out as a very picnic like event. We would all bring our plastic plates and flatware and plastic cups. In the past few years it has evolved a bit. Groups who would like to sit together plan a themed table with non-plastic everything. Last year there were lots of brightly colored "fiesta" tables which were so pretty. We did a Dr. Seuss theme just for fun. This year there was a wonderful table with a lobster theme complete with tiny red lobsters sprinkled down the center of the table and bright Gerber daisies in a very tall vase.
We decided that we wanted an un-picnic theme. Deep purple table cloths with tiffany blue accents and nectarine orange for punch. It was a blast to put together and it was fun to work with colors which I don't have in my house. The centerpiece was loads of nectarines which are so sweet this time of year. I would have used peaches instead but they weren't as fresh and colorful. The roses were from the grocery store. I couldn't believe that I actually had three different shades of orange to choose from. I didn't realize that there was such a variety of colors. At $9.99 for one dozen (in this case they call a dozen 14 stems) it was a bargain.
The table cloths were fabric which I didn't even hem. I used two different fabrics. A shiny purple underneath and a more iridescent purple on top. The bottom fabric was $2.99 and yard and the top $3.99 a yard at Hobby Lobby. I bought 3 yards of each and it easily made a cloth for a table for 8. A couple of purple candles from the Crate & Barrel outlet and dishes, etc. from home and we were set.
I made little swags for the back of the chairs with wider ribbon and little monogrammed tags I made on the computer. I did matching (but smaller) tags for the gift boxes. I wrapped 4 x 4" boxes with Tiffany blue tissue paper and tied them with a bow. The ribbon was half purple-half blue wired (Offay from the Michaels crafts store.)
Inside the gift boxes I put a cellophane bag with the topping for a nectarine crumble and the recipe. All the guests had to do was slice the nectarines, mix the topping mix with cold butter, sprinkle on top and bake. I sent them home with a little white shopping bag filled with nectarines. The other boxes had gummy bears in them. Each couple got one of each box.
I really enjoy doing this type of thing. It is like doing all the fun stuff for a party without having to do the cooking. It fits into my philosophy of making everyday activities special. We had a great time and all felt pretty spoiled I think...I know I did. Sometimes it pays to stop and smell the (orange) roses...and the nectarines.