• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Follow Passion and Poppies on Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Passion and Poppies

Passion and Poppies

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
    • Entrees
    • Sides
    • Snacks
  • Travel & Destinations
  • About
    • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Entrees
    • Sides
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
    • Snacks
    • Breakfast
  • Travel & Destinations
  • About Passion and Poppies
  • Contact
Passion & Poppies - Homepage Placeholder

Favorite things Party!!!

January 25, 2022 // By: Jeanne
Posted In: Bullet Journal, Musings // Leave a comment... Be the first!

I love hosting parties!! Gnomes and champagne are also my jam!!! Any time of year is a good time to throw a party, but from October to January is definitely party season! On top of all that, I do love a good theme party! I myself, enjoy all the stages that goes into it!  The planning, decorating, choosing a menu, cooking and presenting! This can be as easy or as involved as you like.

I am a woman that likes to wear many hats, and one of those hats is a self proclaimed party planner! In my next life, I might make a living doing it. In this life, I spend the money to do it. I really have to reign that in (my husband would probably appreciate if I did). Until then, self proclaimed it is!

I try to host this party a few times a year. Christmas time was the season that I threw my fist Favorite Things party. It was a Christmas pajama party, which was a big hit. As fun as it is to dress up, it is equally as fun to dress down and be comfy!! I have hosted Favorite Things parties as Galentien’s, Spring brunches, and a 4th of July. Anytime is a good time to throw a party, right!

Alright, let’s get started!

Invitation: I love sending invites through the mail, but there is something to be said about a good ol’ Evite. Super easy! Pick your theme and get to creating the invitation. I used this free “Bright Spirits” Christmas theme a few years back. If post mail, digital mail or carrier pigeons aren’t in your wheelhouse…send a text! Text, “When and Where”,  and a link to the this “Favorite Things Gift Exchange” and keep it super simple.

Favorite Things Party | Evite

Party Details: The where, what time and details of the party. This is where you get to let your creativity soar! Are you serving dinner? Sunday brunch? Drinks and dessert? Would like your guest to bring a “Favorite” dessert or drink? This can be a lot of work or a little. I always go to the side of A LOT. Haha, but again, I love hosting!! So you do you!

My party is starting at 6:00 pm. So I am serving dinner, light desserts and of course, the gift exchange (which can be optional  for your guest, but the best part!) that goes along with “Favorite Things” party. I love giving gifts! Receiving isn’t so bad either 😉 The gift exchange can be easily misunderstood, but it all works out regardless. If you’re doing the gift exchange, which I HIGHLY recommend! This is what it is: *Don’t over think and complicate it!

Favorite Things Gift Exchange: Each guest brings 3 individually wrapped gifts, valued at $10 each. (You set the price point, but I find around $30 is a good price point for a little fun) You pick your “Favorite” theme and buy 3 gifts in that “theme” ($10 each) The gifts can be 3 of the same thing, or 3 of the same “favorite theme”. (example: Let’s say you love candles. You can buy 3 candles that are exactly the same, or 3 different patterned/types of candles. *Shameless plug: I make soy candles 😉 Feel free to check them out!! OR let’s say you love lipgloss, you buy your favorite lipgloss 3 times, or lipgloss, a chapstick, and lip stain) What ever you bought, wrap the 3 things individually, and not addressed to anyone. I like to wrap the 3 gifts in identical bags or same paper. That way it’s easy to identify your gifts when they are in a pile of gifts. Which you will need to identify in order to hand out.

Guest: After you’ve entered all your party details, send it out! Who are you inviting? My Favorite Things is usually a ladies night, but it could easily be a couples party, or just a group of friends. At first, in my mind, I was keeping this a small party. Until I had my email list in front of me, then I just started clicking away. Now this party is MUCH larger than I had originally planned. The more the merrier, right!!

Now that you have your Invitations sent out. Below you’ll find a little more of the detail Theme Party ideas.

Theme: What are YOUR Favorite things!?! I love Christmas, so the season works out perfectly. And with that, I love Champagne, Gnomes, candles, and all things that sparkle!! Gnomes have become more popular lately, (I like and dislike this fact) so I don’t have any trouble decorating for this!! My house is already decorated for Christmas and I have plenty of gnomes hanging around (Even when it is not Christmas) Just added some Glitter and Champagne!! One could stop there or take the theme into your food. Which I love to do. I enjoy the extra that goes into food and drink presentation. And since I mentioned hats earlier, the other hat I wear is a self-proclaimed Chef hat! Clearly, as food blogging is in my wheelhouse.

Appetizers

Food: I am a huge fan of Charcuterie plates! Crackers, cheese and meats… oh my!! So that is a staple in my house, entertaining or not. (It’s usually what I eat for lunch) And if different cheeses is your jam,  you have to check out Good Obsessions laser cut Cheese Picks. I LOVE them! Back to food…. I made Pasta Fagioli. (Super easy) Avocado and Pepper Jack Cheese bites, and a few simple desserts! Keeping it easy! My mom brought the veggie tray and my mother-in-law brought the cranberry and brie puff pastry appetizer! YUM! Working on getting that recipe!

*I am leaving this raw, terribly lit, unedited photo here for prosperity. This is how my photos started off when I first began this blog! I like to think they get better as I continue down this path.

Favorite Things Party | HostingDrinks: Sip, Sip, Hooray!! Champagne, Holiday Sangria, Wine and good old H20 (With fresh mint and pomegranate seed to keep it festive), what ever you fancy to imbibe on.

*Something a little extra I like to do, is give everyone a glass to pick from when they arrive, they use for the night and get to take it home when they leave.

The only things left to do is:

1) Enjoy the party!!

2) The gift exchange! This is how it works.

Favorite Things GameHow to exchange Favorite Things:  As everyone comes in, (make sure to have everyone do this as they walk in the door! It is hard to reign everyone in after) have a bowl or dish available, a pen and 3 pieces of paper, (per person) for everyone to write their name on. They write their name on 3 pieces of paper. They brought 3 gifts, so they have 3 pieces of paper with their name on it. They put the names in the bowl/dish and leave their gifts. Have a big area cleared for all the gifts to go. 3 gifts each, really adds up!

When it’s time to start the exchange, herd everyone into designated gift opening area, and good luck! If you’re at my party, everyone has most likely been drinking, talking loudly and in deep conversation. It’s actually like herding cattle!

Once you have everyone together, double check that EVERYONE wrote their name 3x on the little papers. (someone always misses this step) The Host will be the one that starts the game.

You stand up and explains what your “Favorite Thing” is, then pull 3 names from the bowl, then gives those 3 people your “Favorite Things” gifts. *If you draw the same name more than once, just put it back and draw again.

Your 3 people get your gifts, they open it, we all “Ooh”  and “Ahhh”, it’s super FUN! Continue this around the room. It really is a fun way to get to know people a little more.

This isn’t a perfect science. There has been a time, or two, where the last person who drew names, drew their own name. Just do what works for you guys. I find that someone is always willing to give up their gift, and open a different one. I also have done this gift exchange with my 2 girls. Being they are under “drinking” age (at least they were when I originally wrote this) whoever drew their name, if it was wine or something they couldn’t have, they drew again. Or if it was at the end of the game and their name was the only one left, whelp momma got it! Haha. Win, win!

A funny example of this happening was my oldest daughter, Alexis. She LOVES things being clean and tidy. So she picked “cleaning” as her “Favorite Thing” LOL (Lucky me, right!!!) She bought 3 Meyer holiday hand soaps, and 3 Meyer brand peppermint candles. (Value came to $10) Put a hand soap and candle as a gift, and make 3 sets like that. When it came time for her to draw names, being she was the last person to draw, she drew her name. She was happy to keep her own gift. Which was a big hit by the way!!

This party is SO much fun to throw and attend! Everyone LOVES the gift exchange part of it, and the food is always delicious (toot, tooting my own horn)!  I don’t know about you guys, I have to find ways to make life feel a little more normal.  Throwing parties is one of the ways I do it.

I really hope you throw one of these parties yourself or get to go to one. Reach out if you have any questions, or if you DO host or go to a party… I would LOVE to hear about it!

Happy Holidays ~Jeanne

About Jeanne

I’m Jeanne – cook, photographer, momma of 3, and lover of all things homemade, especially tacos! I started Passion & Poppies because I wanted a way to catalog my kitchen and life endeavors.
I love to stay connected to my readers! You can find me on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
  • Homemade 3 Hour Crusty Bread
  • Blackberry Lemon Crêpes with fresh Blackberry Sauce
  • Banana Bread | Muffins
  • Italian Seasoning

Recent Comments

  • Jeanne on The Best Sushi Rice Recipe
  • Jeanne on The Best Sushi Rice Recipe
  • Jeanne on The Best French Onion Soup inspired by The Chef Show’s Roy Choi
  • Jeanne on Sweet Cream Filling | Great for Crêpes!
  • Jeanne on Sweet Cream Filling | Great for Crêpes!

Archives

  • November 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • March 2022
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018

Categories

  • Appetizers
  • Bread
  • Breakfast
  • Bullet Journal
  • Dessert
  • Drinks
  • Entertaining
  • Entrees
  • Homemade
  • Musings
  • Printables
  • Recipes
  • Salad
  • Seasonings
  • Sides
  • Snacks
  • Travel & Destinations
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Follow @passionandpoppies on Instagram

Happy Friday!!! Blackberry Lemon Drop 🍋 I onl Happy Friday!!! Blackberry Lemon Drop 🍋 

I only had a handful of blackberries left because @scoobzthebulldog keeps helping himself to my berries! So I opted to add them to a beverage. 

This will definitely be made again soon, it was super delicious! 

Recipe: 
In a cocktail shaker
5-6 blackberries- muddled
1.5 oz. Vodka
.75 oz Orange liqueur 
.75 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice 
.5 oz simple syrup
Add ice 
Shake•Shake•Shake
Strain into a frozen coupe glass
~ Enjoy 
.
.
.
#beverage #drinks #lemon #cocktails #homemade #vodka #fresh #foodie #easyrecipes #forkyeah #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #lemondrop #friday #weekend #california #reelsinstagram #reels
Whelp, this me! Mom of 3, bathroom beverage, harsh Whelp, this me! Mom of 3, bathroom beverage, harsh lighting and still trying to embrace the dark circles under my eyes and still contemplating Botox for my very expressive face. 

As grandma Hanson would say, “oh well, so what, who cares!” (In her cute little Wisconsin accent) 

Blackberry Lemon Drop recipe, coming soon. It’s super yum! 
.
.
.
#lemondrop #blackberry #vodka #freshsqueezed #homegrown #lemon #beverage #drinks #foodie #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #botox #slefcare #forkyeahfoodies #cocktail #thursday #selfie
I love making sushi rolls, but I also appreciate n I love making sushi rolls, but I also appreciate not rolling sushi and making bowls the next day. Either way, always a favorite meal around our house. 

There is definitely some prep work, but all easy stuff, and totally worth it! 

I have an easy and delicious sushi rice recipe on my blog. I hope you check it out and make some yourself. 

On my blog. Search “sushi rice” Link in bio or
www.passionandpoppies.com/sushi-rice 

And I super appreciate my people that go fishing and bring me fresh fish!! 🫶🏼
.
.
.
#sushi #sushilovers #california #poke #recipes #foodie #food #forkyeah #forkyeahfoodies #dinner #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #fish #fresh
Jar Salad!! Great way to meal prep!! Forgot how Jar Salad!! Great way to meal prep!! 

Forgot how much I loved making these, and this dressing is a favorite in my house. 

Measure with your ❤️ or get recipe details on my blog:
www.passionandpoppies.com search “dressing” or
Link in bio. 

Ingredients 💚
olive oil
red wine vinegar 
garlic
lemon juice
oregano
Dijon mustard 
kosher salt
black pepper
.
.
.
#salad #greek #italian #homemade #dressing #food
#mealprep #healthy #recipie #forkyeahfoodies #foodie #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #dinner #lunch #easyrecipes
Nothing says Summertime BBQ like smoked ribs! I Nothing says Summertime BBQ like smoked ribs! 

I like my ribs to fall of the bone. So smoking them for a few hours, then wrapping them up for a few more seems to do the trick. Man, these were delicious!! 

Plus seasoning them with our buddies @wood.iron.works_bydean mixture, always ends in perfection! 

I was intimidated to do these for some reason, (probably because my hubby always kills it with the smoking and BBQing) but these were super easy and simple. 

What’s your favorite thing to smoke?
.
.
.
#ribs #babybackribs #smokedmeat #smoked #bbq #summer #summertime #weekend #food #foodie #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #forkyeah #forkyeahfoodies #greenmountaingrills #smoker
Goodbye July!! You’ve been so good to me! It’s Goodbye July!! You’ve been so good to me! It’s time to move along…

What was your favorite thing you did in July?
.
.
.
#goodbye #july #santabarbara #ojai #4thofjuly #cavaletti #wine #summer #birthday #sushi #foodie #losolivos #malibu #paradisecove #drinks #winelover
Breakfast Sammy! Happy Saturday! Here’s to mak Breakfast Sammy! 

Happy Saturday! Here’s to making sandwiches that don’t fit in our mouth! 

And cooking bacon on the BBQ! 🙌🏼

Bagel 🥯 
Eggs 🍳 
Cream cheese 
Tomato 🍅 
Avocado 🥑 
Bacon 🥓 
.
.
.
#bacon #breakfast #bagel #avocado #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #forkyeahfoodies #food #foodiesinternationalchat #globaleats #bbq #weekend
Pineapple Coconut Margarita!! 🍍🥥 Oh man, t Pineapple Coconut Margarita!! 🍍🥥 

Oh man, this was delicious! Will be making these again this weekend! Let me know if you’re stopping by 😘🤣

I got a lot of request for this recipe. Link is in my highlights. Or on the blog: 
www.passionandpoppies.com/pineapple-coconut-margarita 

And let me me know if you make it!! 🧉

~Salute 
.
.
.
#margarita #pineapple #coconut #tequila #drinks #beverage #drinks #summer #friday #friyay #weekendvibes #globaleats #foodie #forkyeahfoodies #puertobackyarda #tgif
I’ve been back from vacation for a few days, and I’ve been back from vacation for a few days, and am already dreaming of getting away again. 

@brendo234 let’s go back to wine country!! 

Where’s your next vacation? 
.
.
.
#wine #winetasting #winecountry #pasorobles #vacation #california #cali #reels #reelsinstagram #schittscreek #summertime #summer
We celebrated the fact that we FINALLY got to “t We celebrated the fact that we FINALLY got to “turn on” our solar panels, (we’ve had them for a month) by cranking the A/C, and making it cold enough to have soup! 🙌🏼

Roasting the tomatoes made this amazing! If you like tomato soup, you’re going to LOVE this! 

Recipe up on the blog soon! 
.
.
.
#soup #soupweather #solarpanels #foodie #tomatoes #dinner #forkyeahfoodies #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #italianfood #italian #easyrecipes
I appreciate going out, or when someone else cooks I appreciate going out, or when someone else cooks for me. But my favorite, is home cooked meals after being on vacation! 

I tried a new enchilada recipe, and it was amazing! A little more work than my usual enchilada recipe, but 100% worth it! 

Let me know if you want the recipe!
.
.
.
#kitchen #homecooking #foodie #forkyeahfoodies #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #dinner #enchiladas #recipes #reels
Summer Sunday’s are for soaking up the sun, pool Summer Sunday’s are for soaking up the sun, pool time and sipping a blueberry mojito. 

What are your Sunday plans?

Mojito:
Muddle 5-6 mint leaves, 10 blueberries and 3 lime wedges in a 1-2 teaspoon (depending on sweetness) of mint simple syrup. 
2 oz white rum
Add ice
Top off with coconut sparkling water
Enjoy! 🍹☀️

And yes, I do like to chew my drinks!! 
.
.
.
#summer #summertime #sunday #sundayfunday #drinks #beverage #mojito #coconut #foodie #forkyeah #forkyeahfoodies #foodie #globaleats
Happy July! ❤️🤍💙 Better late than never Happy July! ❤️🤍💙

Better late than never! I finally got around to finishing up my July calendar. Whatcha think?
.
.
.
#bulletjournal #journal #bujo #scrapjournal #write #moderncalligraphy #starsandstripes #july #summer
Seafood Boil! 🦀 🦞 🦐 🥔 🌽 All you n Seafood Boil! 🦀 🦞 🦐 🥔 🌽 

All you need is an afternoon, a gigantic pot of water, outdoor stove and an insane amount of seafood! Oh, and a wonderful friend named Hami!! And… maybe a few other key ingredients. 

This was amazing! Shared with some great people, telling fond memories of an old friend gone too soon. 
RIP JR ❤️

Who’s cooked a seafood boil? 
.
.
.
#seafoodboil #seafood #crab #lobster #shrimp #scallops #crawfish #clams #zatarains #neworleans #california #socal
Where are my candle lovers at?? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Where are my candle lovers at?? 🙋🏼‍♀️

Curious, do you burn candles in the summer time? Or just fall and winter? 

I burn year around. And right now tropical scents and citronella is my go to scent! 
.
.
.
#candles #candlemaking #maker #shopsmall #smallbusiness #soycandles #crafty #giftideas #gift #handpoured #pourwithpurpose
Caprese Salad with Burrata 🍅 🌿 🥖 One of Caprese Salad with Burrata 🍅 🌿 🥖 

One of my favorite appetizers, but today it was a mid day snack. 

Have you had burrata? It’s light, creamy and super delicious. 

Ingredients:
Burrata
Tomatoes
Basil
Balsamic Glaze
Bread or toast crackers 
.
.
.
#appetizers #snacks #tomatoes #caprese #foodie #foodiesinternationalchat #globaleats #forkyeahfoodies #easyrecipes #cheese
Chicken Salad! My new favorite! You’re gonna wan Chicken Salad! My new favorite! You’re gonna wanna save this! 

Not only is this quick and easy. It has super simple ingredients. And a plus is my home grown lettuce. (toot-toot, beep-beep) 🥬 

Ingredients:
Lettuce
Top Ramen noodles
Bragg’s Ginger Sesame Dressing
Toasted Slivered Almonds

Let me know if you make it!
.
.
.
#dinner #lunch #easyrecipes #chicken #foodie #forkyeahfoodies #foodiesinternationalchat #globaleats #salad #summertime #bragg
These two photos capture the reality of my life ri These two photos capture the reality of my life right now. 

I started off my week with absolutely nothing on my calendar. No day, dates, nothing. As if it’s summertime and I don’t have anything to do! 

When the reality is, I’ve been so busy with life. 18th birthday celebrations, engagement celebrations, graduation celebrations, end of school year celebrations, a memorial for the loss of a friend, and holidays. With all that going on, who has time to update their life?! 😅 It’s been a long 2 months. 

Whelp, I’ve updated my life, put some stuff on the calendar (for this week), and wouldn’t you know it… I have more celebrations to tend to!! 

Pshh..Responsibility shmonsibility! 

And yes, I still love bullet journaling!
.
.
.
#bulletjournal #bujo #write #calendar #scrapjournal #memories #chaoscoordinator #journaling #journal #celebration #celebrate
My small town has been celebrating July 3rd for as My small town has been celebrating July 3rd for as long as I can remember! 

Happy 3rd of July to all of my Moorparkians!! 
❤️
🤍
💙
#moorparkians #3rdofjuly #4thofjuly #july4th #america #merica #beverage #drinks #foodie #forkyeahfoodies
How cute are these Citronella Mason Jar candles?! How cute are these Citronella Mason Jar candles?! I loved how they turn out! I’m obsessed!! 

Heading to The Craft House this weekend. 
.
.
.
#soycandles #citronella #candles #supportsmallbusiness #maker #shopsmall #thecrafthouse #succulents
When your mother-in-law gives you limoncello, you When your mother-in-law gives you limoncello, you make a spritz. 

Well, somehow or some reason, hers and our, homemade limoncello, froze!? So we opened our @redsoleswinery limoncello to save my evening. 

I know what I will be drinking this summer, by the pool or on hot days! This is super refreshing. 🍋 🌿 

1.5 oz Limoncello 
2.5 oz. Coconut Sparkling Water
2.5 oz. Bubbles of choice

Shout out to Kaitlyn from @likeablecocktails for the recipe!! It’s a keeper! 
.
.
.
#limoncello #bubbles #champagne #spritzer #summernights #foodie #beverage #drinks #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #forkyeahfoodies #summer
Quinoa Summer Salad! I’ve gotten so many people Quinoa Summer Salad! I’ve gotten so many people tell me how much they love this salad. So, save this post, you won’t regret it. 

If you’re looking for something light that you add to your summer dinners, this is it. Or any meal really. I make a big batch and we eat it throughout the week. 

Basic ingredients- measure to your liking
Quinoa 
Garbanzo beans 
Feta
Parsley 
Mint
Cucumber
Red onion
Lemon juice
Olive oil 
Salt 
Pepper
.
.
.
#summer #salad #easyrecipes  #summertime #foodie #forkyeahfoodies #globaleats #foodies #foodieinternationalchat
Nutella Iced Coffee 🤎 Yum! Dessert and energy Nutella Iced Coffee 🤎 Yum! 

Dessert and energy in a glass. 

1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp Nutella 
2 shots of espresso 
Almond milk 
Ice
.
.
.
#coffee #java #coffeetime #icedcoffee #nutella #chocolate #drinks #humpday #summer #foodie #forkyeahfoodies #foodiesinternationalchat #globaleats #bloglife
Poached Egg, Whirlpool Style! 🌪 This is my fav Poached Egg, Whirlpool Style! 🌪

This is my favorite way to make eggs! My perfect egg is cooked at 3 minutes. You can go more or less depending on how you like your yolk. 

Have you tried this way? 
.
.
.
#eggs #poachedegg #forkyeahfoodies #foodie #globaleats #foodiesinternationalchat #food #breakfast #brunch
  • Follow Passion u0026 Poppies on Instagram
  • Follow Passion u0026 Poppies on Facebook
  • Follow Passion u0026 Poppies on Twitter
  • Follow Passion u0026 Poppies on Pinterest

Copyright 2018-© 2023 · Passion and Poppies · All Rights Reserved