Ask Martie: Help! My Supper Club is soooo BORING!

Teresa from Nashville, TN (one of my favorite cities!) asks:

Hi Martie, our monthly supper club has gotten so boring. It's always the same thing. Any suggestions to change it up a little? I want to do something different, maybe a theme? Our supper club is all couples and every time we get together, the girls end up in the kitchen and the guys end up in front of the TV watching whatever game is on. How do we turn this from a dinner to a party? We love your website, it is wonderful to have a place to get ideas just for parties.

Hey Teresa from Nashville-  thanks for the question! One thing I know for sure. Good food and drinks are the foundation for any good party. Since everyone is cooking at home more these days--- and since the girls are already hanging out in the kitchen, why not host a "TOP CHEF" party? This one is really fun and it gets everyone in on the action.

Couples draw a course--- drinks, appetizer, soup, salad, entree, dessert. If you have 10 couples, add several drinks, appetizers, entrees or desserts so everyone gets a course. Couples arrive with their dishes already assembled or with most of the ingredients prepped and ready to go. If kitchen space is  limited, ask guests to bring their dishes already done or open up some additional space by firing up your grill. They can use slow-cookers or whatever they need. Set up folding tables to give everyone room to work. The teams have a timer and everyone has to complete their dish by a designated time.

Everyone votes for their favorite. Have prizes for the top three winners. Gift cards from Williams-Sonoma, a set of measuring cups, spatulas, ice cream scoop, cocktail shaker, cookbooks, spices, a good bottle of vanilla or liqueur you can cook with like a bottle of Grand Marnier. Any prize is great.

We did this party one time--- it was a blast.  We all took pictures and exchanged recipes after the party. Even the guys loved it and the TV never even came on, not even Food Network!

Hope this help! If you have a question or party problem, email me!

Engagement Parties and Bridal Shower Ideas: Throw a Breakfast at Tiffany's Party

Today was the Breakfast at Bromberg's wedding planning event in Birmingham. What a fun party! Bromberg's is to the South what Tiffany & Company is to New York; generations of area brides have trusted Bromberg's for their wedding rings and bridal registries. Since I am Bromberg's wedding expert, I was on hand to participate in all of the festivities. 

The party was a spin on the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Brides-to-be enjoyed a yummy breakfast buffet among the diamonds and dishes as they met with area wedding professionals to get wedding planning ideas and information. Attendees dressed like the legendary Audrey Hepburn character Holly Golightly had a chance to win a strand of cultured pearls and all of the brides got gifts and won prizes, too. It was tons of girlie dress-up fun for everyone and a unique party theme for an engagement party, bridal shower or your next girl's night party. Have guests dress up in their favorite little black dress and strands of pearls as you watch the movie, drink champagne or martinis and blow off all of your wedding planning stress. Check out the fun in the photo gallery and get ideas for your own Breakfast at Tiffany's party! 

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Update on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 8:18PM by Martie Duncan

So many people have asked for more ideas for a Breakfast at Tiffany shower! Here are a few other suggestions: Serve mini cakes for each guest in Tiffany blue with the signature white bow. (Cake by The Cake Girls Chicago) Send Tiffany blue box invitations from Fine Stationery to let your guests know what the party is all about. Be sure to give instructions if guests are to dress like a character from the movie, like we did for our party. Here are more party pics: