Make Your Party Amazing!, Part V

Well, here we go again. Here's another installment - with ways for you to make your party amazing, that I hope will prove useful and positive as a helpful guide.

You may have previously read that I'm headed to the Houston area to start up Carlo At Your Service Productions #2. With that in mind - I'm thinking... all the way Texas, baby! And, you know what they say about Texas. Everything is big in Texas! Check it out...

I've already "done" Houston, so going back to Texas will be like going home.

One thing about people in Texas... they pull no punches, they keep it real and they do most everything with distinctive flair and style. For example, a successful Texas businessman will typically wear a gorgeous Armani suit with a pair of custom-made snakeskin or alligator cowboy boots that will cost practically as much or more than his suit. And, the women - even their casual styles reek fabulous!

In keeping with true Texas style, this is a post that I won't skimp on. The ideas reflected here will go "full tilt boogie" because in Texas... it's go big and spend big, or plain and simple... just go on home!

• A Texas theme party that a Yankee would love

If you're into throwing a definitive, Western or Texas party theme, it's best to go all the way - from your invitations, to your dessert and aperitif. Consider calling the Western store in your town, requesting that they send their best employee to custom-fit your guests with Stetson Western hats. The icing on your corporate celebration cake (shaped like Texas, of course) would be - have your hats brand your event with your company logo. Yee-ha!

To take this Texas-thing to another level, ask the Western clothier to send a few more employees to your event to have your guests measured for a pair of custom cowboy boots. Made-to-order boots can be made with initials or your company logo added and shipped to each guest.

• Authentic Texas
  

The origin of the name "Texas" is derived from the Caddo Indians, who called their group of tribes the "Tejas", which means "those who are friends" and the state motto is "friendship". For the "right" couple or corporate group, to celebrate your friends or to celebrate with friends would be a perfect way to throw a Texas theme wedding reception or a corporate party.

A Western or Texas wedding reception theme could also make for some wickedly interesting floral results if you choose a talented, non-traditional floral designer that has a great imagination. The Texas state flower is the bluebonnet and the state plant is the pricklyic pear cactus, and paired together could make an interesting combination. Texas actually has five state flowers - and they are all bluebonnets. Horticulturally speaking, they are:

1. Lupinus subcarnosus, the original champion and still co-holder of the title, grows naturally in deep sandy loams from Leon County southwest to LaSalle County and down to the northern part of Hidalgo County in the Valley. It is often referred to as the sandy land bluebonnet. The plant's leaflets are blunt, sometimes notched with silky undersides. This species, which reaches peak bloom in late March, is not easy to maintain in clay soils.
2. Lupinus texensis, the favorite of tourists and artists, provides the blue spring carpet of Central Texas. It is widely known as THE Texas bluebonnet. It has pointed leaflets, the flowering stalk is tipped with white (like a bunny's tail) and hits its peak bloom in late March and early April. It is the easiest of all the species to grow.
3. Lupinus Havardii, also known as the Big Bend or Chisos Bluebonnet, is the most majestic of the Texas bluebonnet tribe with flowering spikes up to three feet. It is found on the flats of the Big Bend country in early spring, usually has seven leaflets and is difficult to cultivate outside its natural habitat.
4. Lupinus concinnus is an inconspicuous little lupine, from 2 to 7 inches, with flowers which combine elements of white, rosy purple and lavender. Commonly known as the annual lupine, it is found sparingly in the Trans-Pecos region, blooming in early spring.
5. Lupinus plattensis sneaks down from the north into the Texas Panhandle's sandy dunes. It is the only perennial species in the state and grows to about two feet tall. It normally blooms in mid to late spring and is also known as the dune bluebonnet, the plains bluebonnet and the Nebraska Lupine.

The Bluebonnet horticulture information is from the Texas Bluebonnets -- Texas Pride website.

• What type of food should I serve?

A good 'ol Texas, smokey, melt-in-your mouth barbecue would be a big hit, of course. The state fish is the Guadalupe bass and the pecan tree is the state tree - the state vegetable is the sweet onion and the state fruit is the red grapefruit - all of which are items that a Chef de Cuisine would have no trouble incorporating into a unique and interesting menu.

• Texas-style

When Bernie Taupin (who was Elton John's music chum and writing partner for many years) married his wife, Stephanie, at their ranch known as Roundup Ranch, I'd never seen such a beautiful transformation of a barn's work space. We incorporated the existing horses stables, making it part of the guest entrance, by dressing the horses stalls with fresh greenery made into garland laced with white flowers. It was anything but typical, and certainly gorgeous. It's always a joy and a pleasure when a client wants to do something different than the status quo.

Your theme party reception tables could be named after various cities within the state, along with facts, maps and symbols (with Texas or Western themed floral concepts) to compliment your Texas or Western theme party as a conversation starter for those who are meeting for the first time or maybe happen to be shy.

If planning a theme wedding reception, bridesmaid dresses or bridal party participation gift jewelry reflecting the Texas state gem, the Texas Blue Topaz, would make an exquisite choice. It goes to show, there are more to Texas theme party fashions than Western hats and cowboy boots. Texans are known for their Cotillions, or "coming of age", debuttante parties, where fashion is king.

• Random Western and Texas party ideas:

Cowhide coasters with a star in the center. Texas heat hot sauce and Texas-shaped tortilla chips. Mini-gift baskets full of Texas state treats and Texas-shaped frosted logo cookies.

• Saying thank you

A Western-style/Texas-style host or hostess gift, that would definitely make a memorable impression on your guests, is a custom branding iron. You could use a branding iron to brand hats or steaks the night of the event. Made-to-order with the bride and grooms initials, or your company logo - and placed in a wooden presentation box - is a gift that will certainly continue your Western theme.


Going Texas or Western for your event is doable without the more casual look of gingham checks (unless you'd want it), if you desire a more elegant affair.

It's all in the details and with a state as large as Texas... ideas and possibilities are endless.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Zac Brown Finds Musical Soulmate (theboot.com)
• Top Three Rules for Hiring the Right Catering Professional (carloatyourservice.blogspot.com)
• Cater-Hater? (carloatyourservice.blogspot.com)

Special Offers for Cater-Hater Subscribers!

We respect your email privacy