Uno Party

Who doesn't love the card game UNO? I grew up playing this game, and still love playing it with my family today.  I decided it might be a fun theme to have at our November monthly dinner, and it did not disappoint.  From decorations to food, the colorful theme was easy and fun to put together.

Invite: I designed the invitation around the Uno logo and all the colors used in the game.  I tried to incorporate words from the game into the wording of the invite as well.  I kept it simple, but an additional idea that you could incorporate with this theme might be to ask guests to dress head to toe in one of the colors.

Decorations: Of course, I tried to incorporate UNO cards wherever I could.  On the mantle above the side table, I added Uno cards to the Thanksgiving turkey in my HOME display for added fun.  

I borrowed giant Uno cards from a neighbor, and used red mini clothespins to hang them for a festive banner display.

I also used these giant Uno cards to create a small runner on the dining table on top of a black tablecloth. 

For the centerpiece, I used an Uno Attack shooter that launches cards at you in that Uno game.  I also designed an image with various Uno cards that I printed and wrapped around a vase.  I purchased a bouquet of red roses to put in the top (any excuse to buy myself flowers!).

For the place settings, I purchased paper plates and napkins from the Dollar Tree in the 4 Uno colors.  I put them on top of my white plates so they popped a bit more on the black tablecloth.

For place cards, I designed Uno wild cards with a photo of each guest in the middle.

For the napkins, I just placed an Uno card on the center of a colorful folded napkin.  They were real playing cards, so I didn't glue them or anything.

Had some fun as usual with designing wine labels.  I played off specific Uno cards.  The red wine was a WILD card that I designed to say "Wild about Red Wine."  I used a colorful Uno card wallpaper behind the center image. For the white wine, I used a yellow Draw Two card and photoshopped two white wine glasses into the center squares.  The wallpaper on this label was the same black burst that I used on the invitation with the Uno logo also from the invitation.

For wine charms I printed out mini Uno cards to tape to the front of the glasses.

As added fun, I had guests draw an Uno card to see which glass they used for the evening.

Menu:  There are plenty of colorful foods that could go along with this theme.  I used some color, but mainly used Uno cards as inspiration for my menu.  We started with a 7-Layer Dip and tortilla chips to go with the Green 7 card.

Next was Draw 2 Tacos with all the fixings.  I served TWO options (shredded chicken or ground beef) and each guest started with TWO tacos.  On the side guests could add cheese, tomato, lettuce, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.

I served WILD rice and black beans inside a red, yellow, and green bell peppers that I called WILD CARD stuffed peppers.

For dessert, I made individual raspberry cheesecakes, but I made them upside down to represent the REVERSE card in Uno. This recipe was very easy to make, and was the perfect amount of cheesecake after we were so full.  

Favor:  As a party favor for guests, I filled a favor bag with M&M's.  I pulled out the orange M&Ms to keep them with the traditional Uno colors.  I probably should have taken out the brown ones so they looked more festive (hindsight).  I designed a tag that said "Hope UNO (you know) how amazing you are!" 

A super fun theme & a super fun game to play. Hope you are inspired to host an Uno party for your next gathering!

Welcome to Adulthood - Celebrating 18 Years

It's hard to believe, but this October, we celebrated 18 YEARS of monthly dinners together!  Yep... that is 216 dinners happening once a month over the past 18 years.  These have been such a blessing for me as they are a chance to catch up with girlfriends in our busy schedules & strengthen friendships.

To celebrate this milestone, I decided to theme my dinner "Welcome to Adulthood" and plan the decor and meal around everything you can do when you turn 18.  It was a lot of fun to plan.

Invite:  I created the invitation on PhotoShop with a fun sign with the theme on it.  I added images along the bottom of various things you can do once you turn 18 - join the military, play the lottery, vote, get a credit card, buy cigarettes, and buy fireworks.

Decorations:  I set the table with a black tablecloth, and then added items to the centerpiece that you can do when you turn 18 much like I did on the invitation.

To represent being able to VOTE, I used some flags and a hat decoration from my fourth of July decorations.  I also included a local ballot packet from the upcoming election under it.

I found some toy handcuffs to go with 18 as the age when you can be taken to JAIL.

I printed out an image of some fun and silly tattoos for when you can get a TATTOO without needed parental consent.

I hate cigarettes, but it was fun to make these pretzel and candy ones to represent 18 year olds being able to purchase CIGARETTES. I got thicker pretzel sticks, and used white and red candy melts to cover them to look like cigarettes.  I used some black sanding sugar mixed with some regular sugar to dip the red tip.  For the ash trays, I filled small dishes with crushed oreos mixed with sugar.

Also in the centerpiece I had some cans of spray paint, some fireworks, and a jury summons.

For place cards, I made name badge stickers using PhotoShop and added a little tag on top for guests to CHANGE THEIR NAME which you can legally do when you turn 18.  We had guests change their name to everything from Princess Consuela Banana Hammock from Friends to childhood imaginary friend names.

For napkin rings, I wrapped some camouflage scrapbook paper around the napkin and designed a tag for each branch of the military since a person can JOIN THE MILITARY at 18.

Designing wine labels is always a lot of fun.  For the white wine, I created the label to show a waitress serving white wine.  At 18, you can serve alcohol.  I just changed it to serving white wine.  For the red wine, I designed a wine-related image that looked like a tattoo.  At 18, you can legally get a tattoo without parental consent.

I made simple wine charms for various other things that you can do once you turn 18.

Menu: It was a little bit of a challenge to come up with menu items related to the theme, but I think I pulled it off.  I started with an appetizer of humus and pita bread as well as taquitos and salsa.  At 18, you can get a Costco card, so I served these appetizers in white cupcake wrappers in small portions like they do for samples at Costco.

Next I had a green HOUSE salad to represent that you can purchase a HOUSE at 18.

For a main dish, I made chicken parmesan.  I will admit, this one was a bit of a stretch to fit with the theme.  I was originally planning a GUILTLESS grilled chicken to tie in with 18 year olds being now called for Jury Duty and having to determine guilt in court cases.  Of course, switching to a chicken parmesan instead of just grilled chicken kinda took away the healthy eating idea with that that yummy cheese and sauce!  Oh well...it was delicioius.

Along with the chicken parmesan, I served spaghetti, but I served the blended sauce in a blood bag since 18 year olds can DONATE BLOOD.  I bought these bags from Amazon.  Since they are typically intended for drinks, I did blend the sauce a bit to make sure it could easily come out of the opening.

For dessert, one of my friends helped me by bringing delicious cupcakes from her work (Small Cakes in Huntington Beach).  

They were a beautiful pink and white with white edible pearls on top.  I added a diamond ring to each cupcake purchased at Party City.  These represented that you can GET MARRIED when you turn 18.

Favor: I tried to pull in more things that you can do when you turn 18 with my party favor.  I matched up various candy with these things, so each guest chose which candy they wanted to take home.

I designed the favor tags to match the invitation and the rest of the party details.  

What an amazing 18 years of fun it has been with these friends.  Although these monthly dinners are a lot of work, I love doing them to be able to spend this one night with my closest friends.  Hope you enjoyed my post!