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Original poster

Surprise party help!

44 replies

FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 22:26

I'm throwing a surprise party for DH soon. He's the type to love it, so I'm not worried about that...but I've never hosted a "real" party before!

There'll be roughly 20 people, and I wanted to do a mediaeval theme (it's his area of research, and he's quite obsessed 😁). We don't have a huge house but I've bought a few extra chairs so we'll muddle through.

Plans so far.

No fancy dress, just themed decor. No idea how. I've been considering wall hangings but not sure if that'll be naff.

BYOB, however I will supply a small selection. All our friends do BYOB so no worries there about etiquette.

Food - definitely not themed. Wedid that once before and while we're good cooks, there are only so many ways you can cook a turnip. 😂 We have allergies so I'll be making it myself. Thinking:

Quiche
Potato salad
Egg sandwiches
Cheese sandwiches
Cheeseboard
Olives, sun-dried tomatoes, etc.
Hummus
Guacamole
I make a few other interesting dips he likes
Crisps
Greek salad
Spicy sweet potato wedges

We're vegetarian (as are most guests) so no meats, but was thinking smoked salmon for the pescatarians.

It's basically a low key, fun, silly party with as many people he loves in one space. Due to logistics I can't make him leave and come back, so I'll be sneaking guests in. We have a 5 month old who'll be happy in the sling, he doesn't have a bedtime as he's happy sleeping on me, so it'll likely go on into the evening.

It doesn't sound much but I think he'll love it if I get it right. Any tips on decor, food, or general hosting?!

OP posts:
StCharlotte · 24/08/2021 22:48

Mead to drink.

Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 22:52

Oh that's a great idea! We've a fab local cheese shop that sells gorgeous mead.

OP posts:
Nopetryagain · 24/08/2021 22:59

I think it is a lovely thoughtful thing to do but if you are having a themed party it needs to be more than just the decor in my opinion. Having a medieval party can’t just be some wall hangings.

Maybe better to just host a great non-themed party, less effort and stress too!

Interested in this thread?

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General food
Palavah · 24/08/2021 23:02

Can you get a couple of those inflatable horse things that you wear and do jousting?

grafittiartist · 24/08/2021 23:02

Could you hold it in a gazebo/ tent which could feel a bit more "medieval "?
Music would help the setting.
Candlelight?

Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:03

@Nopetryagain

I think it is a lovely thoughtful thing to do but if you are having a themed party it needs to be more than just the decor in my opinion. Having a medieval party can’t just be some wall hangings.

Maybe better to just host a great non-themed party, less effort and stress too!

I know, this is what I'm stressing about. It'll mean a lot to him to have some elements of it incorporated, but going full out and doing it all alone is a bit of a nightmare.

I suppose it could be fancy dress. I just can't bring myself to slave over mediaeval theme food though. 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:05

@grafittiartist

Could you hold it in a gazebo/ tent which could feel a bit more "medieval "? Music would help the setting. Candlelight?
Our garden is in the middle of a huge refurb unfortunately - it has a huge pond, and we're trying to sort it out now the baby is here. 🤦 I do wonder if there's some way of translating that indoors though.
OP posts:
Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:06

@Palavah

Can you get a couple of those inflatable horse things that you wear and do jousting?
That would actually be hilarious, and I can totally see him loving that!
OP posts:
grafittiartist · 24/08/2021 23:08

You could hang banner style fabrics over the ceiling.
Or hang flag type fabrics?
I am off to look on Pinterest!

MumofSpud · 24/08/2021 23:12

I think you should do fancy dress!
I have never been to a fancy dress party as an adult and I would go as a wench!

Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:12

@grafittiartist

You could hang banner style fabrics over the ceiling. Or hang flag type fabrics? I am off to look on Pinterest!
You know, I actually think I might have that sort of thing in the loft! I used to run lots of am-dram days for children around Halloween time... pretty sure there'll be some flag/drapery style things lurking.

Now I need to explore Pinterest, too!

OP posts:
Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:14

@MumofSpud

I think you should do fancy dress! I have never been to a fancy dress party as an adult and I would go as a wench!
Do you reckon adults would go for it? I've always loved the idea, but then again I was absolutely Halloween obsessed as a child. 😂

I want to be a wench too!

OP posts:
Hellotoallmyfans · 24/08/2021 23:16

Just go on Amazon and google medieval theme party and loads of stuff will come up - you need flags, goblets, pictures you can hang up with knights/castles on etc. What about a fake stocks set-up for photos or is that taking it too far? Ooh, I love planning parties, my mind could run riot with this!

You have to wear Guinevere style gown with one of those pointy hats with a veil - your dh will be in heaven, either that or a toothless old hag Grin

DelphiniumBlue · 24/08/2021 23:18

If you won't be doing Medieval food or fancy dress, what about it will be Medieval?
Maybe Medieval -style music? Medieval games ( there are some, Blind man's Buff, skittles/quoits - have a look here:www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-life/medieval-games/best-medieval-games/

Hellotoallmyfans · 24/08/2021 23:19

These are on Amazon - two for £12

Surprise party help!
Hellotoallmyfans · 24/08/2021 23:20

And these are £7 - that's just a very quick search.

Surprise party help!
Atalune · 24/08/2021 23:21

There is something really inelegant and sad about egg sandwiches. I think you can do a better buffet!

I would instead do

5 bean Chilli with all the sides
Rice
Jacket potatoes

Serve on big platters with the chilli in a big cauldron like pot? Much more feast like and a bit of wowee/indulgent. Hello fresh do a great vege recipie online.

Theme-
What about asking the guests to wear medieval colours and maybe even a cheap medieval ball style eye/face masque? So everyone in burgundies and deep greens and navy’s etc.

You could do scrolls for the food menu
You could have music and candle light
You could have swathes of fabric and make a big table scape with greenery.

Depending on how crafty you are this could be done quite cheap with a big of artistic know how.

Could you have enlarged photos of the birthday boy and his family and make a big ye olde family tree and give everyone silly/funny medieval names-
Lady Alice of … mother of ye birthday child

You could use a font from a laptop or just use a slant tipped large marker to do the writing?

Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:22

@Hellotoallmyfans

Just go on Amazon and google medieval theme party and loads of stuff will come up - you need flags, goblets, pictures you can hang up with knights/castles on etc. What about a fake stocks set-up for photos or is that taking it too far? Ooh, I love planning parties, my mind could run riot with this!

You have to wear Guinevere style gown with one of those pointy hats with a veil - your dh will be in heaven, either that or a toothless old hag Grin

Reading this has suddenly got me all excited again, rather than stressy! I'm going to do some late night ordering, I think! 😁 LOVE the idea of a stocks! If I can't buy one, it can't be that difficult to make....? I've got wood and power tools. 😂

I actually have one of those dresses! I bought it on a whim from Etsy a few years ago, and it's been under my bed ever since. I think, anyway!

OP posts:
Hellotoallmyfans · 24/08/2021 23:23

Yes, go for it OP - everyone will be glad of a bit of fun after this past year!

Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:30

@DelphiniumBlue Ooo, brilliant idea! He'd absolutely love games like that, it's little things like that which would jump out at him!

@Hellotoallmyfans Oh they're fab! Going in the cart I think! I didn't even think Amazon would do anything like this, for some reason I've had in my head trekking out to the local fancy dress shop!

@Atalune Seeing it written down like this, I do think you're absolutely right. I was focussing too much on being scared off by traditional recipes, but I could absolutely do this. I think it'd look gorgeous too.

These are amazing ideas. I think I'm going to pull my big girl pants up and do it properly - I've got a week and a bit to prepare, and set up this way rather than the jumble in my sleep deprived mind, it looks so much more fun. Way more memorable.

OP posts:
Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:31

@Hellotoallmyfans

Yes, go for it OP - everyone will be glad of a bit of fun after this past year!
I think you're right! I'll stop being a wimp and get to it. We all deserve a laugh, and DH will be living the absolute dream!

Ooo, I'll have to pick him an outfit! 😂

OP posts:
MumofSpud · 24/08/2021 23:33

Yes - I think adults would go for it - after all we've all spent 18 months NOT going to parties!
Medieval would be a fairly easy, even cheap theme? You could always go as a peasant! Well, not you and DH - you would be the Lord and Lady and your DC would be a little knight!

grafittiartist · 24/08/2021 23:37

Wish I was going to a medieval themed party!!
I am getting excited on your behalf !!

Original poster
FolkyFoxFace · 24/08/2021 23:38

@MumofSpud

Yes - I think adults would go for it - after all we've all spent 18 months NOT going to parties! Medieval would be a fairly easy, even cheap theme? You could always go as a peasant! Well, not you and DH - you would be the Lord and Lady and your DC would be a little knight!
DS would absolutely love it. He's just started properly laughing and playing, so I think it'll be fun seeing him react to everything. 😁 I've just filled my cart on Amazon with a load of bits, and it's definitely not going to break the bank...think I'll update the group chat with "costumes only!" and await the response. 😂
OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 24/08/2021 23:39

You really need to get him out of the house to set up though!? It will take at least a couple of hours to do all the food prep and get everything hung up / set out etc.

How were you planning on doing all that with him in the house??