Yay! It’s Show & Tell Tuesday!
Twice a month, Andrea hosts a link up where we show and tell you something. Today’s topic: Grownup Parties.
Now, I love hosting grownups at my house (and do so quite often!), but as soon as I saw the topic for today, my very favorite grownup party immediately came to mind…
MY ANNUAL RECIPE EXCHANGE!!
Every December, I host a group of girlfriends for a recipe exchange and it is hands down my favorite grown up party. Take a look at last year’s…
…we did appetizers (again…because seriously, it’s our FAVE!) along with making it an ugly sweater contest too.
I bought my sweater off of Etsy and my turtleneck from kmart.com :).
I took a few pics right before everyone showed up. I use these little Christmas tree holders for everyone’s food. We all eat and then we vote on the best recipe.
My napkins make me happy!
The calm before the crazy fun storm!
Here’s where we voted!
I always print off all of the recipes for everyone to take home with them along with a party favor.
I always make a little dessert to go with our appetizers. Recipe HERE.
Now, I took a picture of Sheaffer’s recipe when she brought it in because HOLY PRESENTATION! And guess what? SHE WON! We all voted and her recipe won in a landslide! You can see the recipe HERE because you all need to make this winning recipe ASAP!
We all took the obligatory serious picture…
…and then we took our crazy silly picture with Lisa front and center because her ugly sweater won. It was FANTASTIC! My favorite part? Her hubby made it for her while she was at work that day.
So, if you want to host a recipe exchange, this is how I do it:
1: Everyone emails me their recipe in advance and I compile I little booklet of all of them.
2: Everyone brings their prepared dish the night of the party.
3: We eat, eat, eat and then vote on our favorite (the winner gets a prize!).
4: Everyone leaves with a party favor and a copy of the recipe booklet.
5: I always provide drinks and dessert to round things out.
Many years ago, I started incorporating canned food as well. Everyone brings cans and then we donate them to the food bank here in town. I always offer a gift for the most cans. Last year, Narci had this in her trunk…
…so we didn’t even make her take them out of her car. Andrew went and got them at the end of the party and took everything to the food pantry the next day. Narci owns the canned food portion of the party 😉 .
So, that my friends…is basically my favorite night of the year. It’s always so much fun!!
You do NOT have to make this a holiday party. You can have your friends over now and celebrate (maybe with spring/summer/grill food!?!). In my opinion, some fun summer recipe exchange ideas include: pasta salads, salads, side dishes to go with grilled food, light desserts, things off the grill, patriotic recipes (for your Red, White and Blue holidays), back to school recipes, lunchbox ideas, etc.
In the past, I’ve hosted recipe exchanges in the following categories:
Breakfast
Appetizers
Casseroles
Cookies
Side Dishes
Every year, we have more and more fun with this!
So, now I’m off to read about everyone else’s favorite grownup parties!
To see what’s coming up on Show & Tell Tuesday, look below…
Next time, we’re sharing a trip down memory lane!
To see my Show & Tell from February on My Loves, click HERE.
To see my Show & Tell about Prom, click HERE.
And to see other Show & Tell posts from last year or the year before…
2015’s Show & Tell Tuesdays HERE
And from 2016:
And don’t forget…
…make sure you blog and link up to What’s Up Wednesday!
Tomorrow’s bonus question is…WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPRING/SUMMER SHOE?
See you then!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I was so confused about your recipe exchange at first and why you were all in Christmas clothes – then I realised, it was during December! It’s a great idea though, practical and festive!
–
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika Slaughter says
Friend!!! You are the queen of the grown up party! Let me tell you-this party every year is something I look forward to-one of my very favorite nights.
jamie says
i adore your grown-up party posts! you and your friends are such an sweet inspiration. here is an idea i saw this past christmas for an ugly sweater: use an ugly sweater as a felt board. so a plain sweater and have “felt board” pieces. i guess writing it out doesn’t sound funny but the photo i saw was hysterically ugly. a wife made it for her husband…
jamie says
i feel i must correct my grammar??!? “a sweet inspiration”, of course….
Courtney says
Can I come to your recipe exchange – it looks like so much fun! 🙂 I love how you can mix and match (see what I did there) so many things such as the attire could be PJs, ugly sweaters or sports jerseys and then you can switch up your food item too from breakfast to salads to cookies!
XO
Courtney
http://www.greywoodmama.com
Elspeth Mizner says
Sounds so much fun!! Could you do a blog post in the future about how you keep you (and your children’s) closets so neat? I need all the organization tips I can’t get. Happy Tuesday Shay!!
Meagan Ruse says
I cannot wait for the next recipe exchange! It’s one of my favorite nights of the whole year!
Sarah says
LOVE this idea!! I would love to do something like this for Christmas this year!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Narci Dreffs says
Your recipe exchange is always the best!! What a fun time!!
Sheaffer Sims says
One of my favorite parties EVER!
Erica @ Whimsical September says
I’ve been reading your blog for years and ALWAYS look forward to your recap of this annual party!!
Brittany says
I totally knocked off your recipe exchange idea a few years ago with friends and it was SO FUN. We did it the Sunday before Thanksgiving so everyone had new appetizer recipes to bring in to the holiday season.. Plus it was before things got crazy. I can’t thank you enough for this idea! It’s now something we look forward to every year!
Alicia says
Your blog is the one I check every morning to start my day. I LOVE this recipe exchange party and your ideas for other types of exchange parties! Have you ever done a favorite things party? I’ve been wanting to do one for years but my house is super small and I have so many ideas I can’t narrow any down!
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t hosted one but I’ve been to several. They are so much fun!
Jamie Z. says
I have made Sheaffer’s recipe for literally every get-together we have hosted or attended since it was shared in December…it is ALWAYS a hit. It is definitely my new go-to when I have to bring a dish.
Whitney Pegram says
Your parties are seriously THE best!
Ashley says
When you host parties like this, do your kids stay at home?
Mix and Match Mama says
Typically, Andrew takes them out to dinner and then they hang out upstairs. If we’re hosting a couples grownup party, then a sitter stays with them upstairs.
Briana N. Lee says
This is such a fun idea! I might just have to get some friends together and do a summer version.
Briana | youngsophisticate.com
Alexis deZayas says
I am dying to host a party like this!!
Lindsay Gauche says
So fun!! What do you do for drinks? Sangria, wine, pop??
Mix and Match Mama says
It depends on the theme. I’ve done hot chocolate for breakfast, wine for side dishes, etc. I think you should find one that’s fun to pair with whatever your theme is!
Angela Ellingson says
I love this idea so much and love hearing about this party each year. I’m going to host one of some sort this year! It sounds like so much fun! And I love having everyone bring canned food for the food pantry!
Francie says
This is so cute. I love your recipe exchange party! http://www.supersimpleways.com
Kelsey says
I love this party idea of yours!! I’m really wanting to do this with our friends this Christmas because it looks so fun!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
Y’all are so stinking cute! This past year was my first time wearing a tacky Christmas sweater and I loved every second!
Megan Butler says
Such a fun party!!! We may have to do this for our next girl’s night!!!
Anna says
Speaking of Christmas…I can’t remember what post it was in but you had the perfect green colored nail polish for Christmas time…could you tell me what it is? I tried to find it but failed=/ thank you!
Ashley says
Hi Shay – I hope you don’t mind me asking this question here. I was afraid it wouldn’t be seen if I asked in your older posts. I was reading through your DC recap and I was wondering how you got from Georgetown to the Arlington National Cemetery. I saw in the comments that you walked everywhere. Did you walk from Georgetown? I’m trying to plan a trip there and that just seems like a long walk. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
The DC Metro system was amazing!! So clean and easy to use!!
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
I remember when you posted about this one, it was one of my favorites!!! I so need to start this, it would be awesome
cori baird says
Shay,
I have a not on topic question, but I am laughing, because the comment right above mine is asking you about nail polish! I am looking for a great quick dry top coat…I saw an old nail polish post that where you mention you use the seche v ultra v, but the description online is saying you need a uv light…Is this the right one? Still a fan favorite or is there a newer, better one?
Thanks!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
You do not need UV light for the Seche! It says it, but you do not :).
Detroit Duchess says
I LOVE this! I so want to host more parties like this. I need to plan them out further in advance so I am not doing everything the night before (which makes it more stressful and less fun).
Ashley says
Hey Shay! So question, I’d love to host a party like this, but where do the kiddos go and what do you think is the best time for a party like this?
Mix and Match Mama says
My hubby takes the kids to dinner and then they hang out upstairs. We always start at 6:00 so that it’s supper.
Shan says
I’ve had the cream cheese dip with caramel and topped with bits of peanuts, SO GOOD but have to try Shaeffer’s version ! You gals look like such a fun group 🙂
Jaren says
Love your recipe exchange party! I think I just might have to try it myself next year!
Amanda says
This is such a fun party idea! What kinds of things do you give as party favors and prizes?
Mix and Match Mama says
All sorts of things! Candles, gift cards, blankets, slippers and such!