pumpkin party 2018: back to basics

Hey there, hot stuff. How’s your week going so far? I’ve been meaning to write more here and have no real excuse for the why nots, other than life is busy, my drive to do all the things is slowing down, and well, that’s about it. I am happy to report that all is swell, and that’s sincere and not at all sarcastic, promise. We hosted our Pumpkin Party 2018 version a few weeks ago far differently from years past. After much thought and consideration, with plenty of encouragement from my sisters, we (slash-I) decided that I’m just not up for the usual blow-out Halloween bash from years past (see examples here, here, and here). Besides, who even cares about Pinterest-worthy parties anymore, anyway? … Yeah, OK, that was slightly sarcastic.

Pumpkin Party 2018

So with the overwhelming support from family, we went back to basics for this year’s Pumpkin Party. No over-the-top decorations, kids games, food and drink stations, cleaning, planning, prepping, cleaning, running around, cleaning and spending. I am SO over the cleaning – can you tell? Here’s the usual planning calendar from prior years: plan and prep for months, assemble decorations and food for weeks, invite half the world over, moderate invites/responses/comments/requests/allergies, clean for days, take the day before the party off, get the house together for at least a week prior, stay up late for the two nights before the party setting up tables/stations/food/kid’s activities, run around like a chicken with my head cut off the day of and finally, spend the next two weeks cleaning up the chaos afterwards.

Pure. Exhaustion. And while I loved, loved, loved making all our friends, family and friends of friends and family happy and comfortable while showing them the best time I could, I just don’t have it in me anymore. After the last couple years, I’ve learned to appreciate the small things, take comfort that I can’t and really don’t want to do it all, and just enjoy my loved ones on a much smaller scale. It’s hard to cherish the dear moments in life when your head is spinning and you’re running in every direction but straight.

So! Pumpkin Party 2018 went back to basics: just the family, just carving pumpkins and eating food and just enjoying the season and each other for a few hours on the weekend. While there was some Pinterest involved, this year’s party included no pressure, no mass prep or clean-up efforts, and very little stress.

Tip: When preparing for pumpkin carving, get yourself something disposable for the guts if you aren’t saving seeds. It’s SO much easier to throw the gunk away if don’t have to clean up the slime from inside. Also, soak your tools before washing – most of the yuck will fall off, making it easier to wash.

Our pre-teen niece made these awesome deviled egg eyeballs. How cool, right?!?

I snapped this photo of the toddlers enjoying the landscaping haha! They used pumpkin carving tools to fengshui our yard. I showed this picture to my sis, and she was like, “See! I told you they don’t need fancy games!” <3

My brother and his family dressed as Thing 1, 2, 3, Father of All Things and Mother of All Things, and they were the absolute cutest!

The night ended so much earlier than in years past, with a clean kitchen, a mostly-clean yard and far less leftover food and trash. We strung lights inside this year, and after everyone left I sat and admired them in the peace and quiet.

And a few gifts from my sisters. They spoil me and I adore them! I won’t lie – it made me sad to exclude so many people I love and cherish from this year’s event. Not having the games and build-your-own booths, over-the-top food and drinks, contests, and all the fuss from years past kinda left me not knowing what to do with myself -slash- super relieved. Maybe we’ll have a big, blow out bash in a few years, but for now, Pumpkin Party 2018 was perfect.

My top five tips for you to host your party:

1. For chili, we made these recipes: Traditional and Vegetarian – they were both delicious!
2. We stalked Target and the dollar store for kids goodie bag supplies: cheap, easy and the kids love the variety.
3. Reusable tablecloths are great for tables people eat at, disposable all the way for carving tables – pick those babies up afterwards and throw them away.
4. A Pot Luck menu is the easiest, bestest way to make life simple for you. We made the main dishes and everyone else brought the sides.
5. Let. People. Help. Sister or friend wants to do the dishes for you? LET THEM. Go mingle for a minute before you dig into cleaning.

I’d love to hear what you are doing or did for this year’s spooky festivities! What is your family dressing up as? Please share! Happy Halloween!

-xoxo, amy