Time to Wine With a Party

This week my husband and I will celebrate 9 years of marriage! It makes me think back to some of the great anniversary trips we used to take pre-kids! One of our favorite's being a trip to California's Napa Valley. How can you go wrong with a place filled with great wine, food and spas! Our room even had a balcony that overlooked a vineyard. It was heaven!

A wine and cheese party is a great way to bring a little wine country to your own home. (Okay, minus the beautiful scenery... but you know where I'm going with this!) With a little decor to make it extra special, it's a great reason to get together with friends!

Top Row: These wooden pedestals from Pottery Barn are perfect to display cheese and grapes. Let the wine inspire your decor: use purple-themed touches to add color to your tables. Using a wine decanter for your flowers also helps to enhance your theme. (Photo source here.) Dim the lights and use empty wine bottles as candle holders. It's a fun and economical way to set the stage for your party. Photo source here.

Second Row: These "mingle plates" are a great find–and ideal for a wine party! These plates hold your glass while you enjoy your cheese and other apps. These are also from Pottery Barn, but many online party stores carry them. Just search for "mingle plates." If you want to make your party educational as well as entertaining for your guests, create a "wine guide" they can take home. A wine guide will remind guests which wines they tasted at your party. It's a great reference if they want to buy that brand in the future. Use corks to mark the names of each wine, as decor or even create a "hot plate" with them. You can buy wine corks in bulk at craft supply stores. Photo source here.

Third Row: An alternative to using small chalkboards is this chalkboard platter found here. Use that along with old crates in your food display to simulate a rustic look. Finally, if you want to provide favors at your party, personalized coasters like these cork ones are very easy to make. Just cut out circles from cork board purchased at a craft supply store and glue felt to the bottoms. Paint or stamp the tops to give it a signature look.

Cheers!