Reunited and it feels so good! As restrictions lift, and we gather outside of our household bubbles again, let's say "so long quarantine". It is time to celebrate "reuniting" after being apart for so long and make up for holidays that we have missed celebrating together. Please only gather in groups if it's safe to do so in the state where you live.
One of my favorite quotes during quarantine was, "When this is all over, we are throwing the biggest St.Patrick's Easter de Mayo of July party anyone's ever seen". Challenge accepted! Let's get friends and family together and celebrate them all with color and joy.
CATCHING UP
Puzzles were so popular while everyone was sheltering in place. I used these same puzzle pieces to bring together the holidays that we missed while at home! Reuniting with those we care about and putting together the pieces of time spent away from them seemed to be the perfect foundation for this party.
First, I updated a Fiesta Directional Yard Sign to show the different holidays being celebrated at the party and where to go in my house to celebrate them. I placed the sign in a Galvanized Metal Rectangular Box filled with shred and Easter Eggs, with more outside for the kids to hunt together this time. Find the full DIY HERE.
CELEBRATE PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER
Set the scene for a joyful reunion with a 6ft.-wide toilet paper party backdrop that doubles as a photo booth. If you live in a state where the 6ft. rule can be broken, it's time to say "So long social distancing and hello real pants!" Get the step-by-step tutorial to make this backdrop here.
Have fun creating photo booth props with messages that reflect what you missed the most over quarantine or what you're glad to have back.
Many of us, myself included, improved our cocktail making skills during isolation. Share your favorite concoctions at a Quarantini Bar! Set up a bar or bar cart and serve your favorite cocktails or drinks that represent the holidays you might've missed out on while in quarantine like green beer on St. Patrick's Day to Kentucky Derby mint juleps and margaritas on Cinco de Mayo.
Decorate the bar area to represent the Summer Olympic Games that were postponed due to coronavirus. Use International Games Mini Flying Rings to create the 5 interlocking Olympic rings. The kids can use the left over rings outside to play their own version of the Olympic games.
To incorporate the competitive spirit of the Olympics, add a few games to the party. The International Games Disc Toss Game and the International Games Disc Drop Game are both family favorites and suitable for young and old alike.
Download the FREE bar sign HERE. Print, cut and adhere to a Clear Acrylic Sign to stand it up. Alternatively hang it on the wall below the Olympic rings.
Add a dash of Cinco De Mayo to the bar with Fiesta Fringe Garland and a Fiesta Plastic Fishbowl!
Don't forget about St. Paddy's Day! Place beer on a large green shamrock and add a little food coloring to make it green.
Serve more margaritas in fun Margarita Plastic Yard Glasses and use Mint Julep Plastic Cups to serve up the Kentucky Derby favorite.
Place Horse Finger Puppets on top of straws to create unique Derby Day drink stirrers! The kids will love using the puppets for finger horse races so go on and place your bets!
TIME TO DINE TOGETHER
At this dinner table it's time to squeeze in together again. I used my cutting machine and removable vinyl to add this message to my tabletop.
I used Ruler Tape as a 6ft. table runner and rolls of toilet paper as "vases". I then captured missed Mardi Gras with strings of Metallic Neon Beaded Necklaces.
I spray painted puzzle pieces to match this color palette and sprinkled them down the table with a selection of I Was Caught Being Good Coins and Tokens of Appreciation. There is a lot of kindness to celebrate as we reunite. I thought it was a lovely way to show the children that their good deeds and thoughtfulness was seen and appreciated during quarantine. Perhaps kids can even cash in coins for candy or prizes!
The table is set for celebration and raising a toast to being together again. I started with festive & fun Cocktail Party Paper Plates and layered these with metallic hexagon plates in alternating gold, green, pink and copper. These colors pair perfectly with the Cocktail Party Plastic Martini Glasses. I love these glasses and used them for quarantinis. Each has a message that says, "Sip, Sip, Hooray!"
On top of each setting I added Cocktail Party Dinner Napkins and a Yay Silly Plastic Straws.
One of the key themes I've brought into this party is that the focus is on reuniting to celebrate missed occasions with friends. For some, that might be have been a tropical spring break. So, as a final touch to each setting, I added Tropical Plastic Hurricane Glasses and a Cocktail Party Stir Stick in a matching color.
2020 QUARANTINE AWARDS
For a super fun way to catch up and find out how everyone made it through quarantine, why not give out a series of awards? Similar to a "most likely to" while in quarantine if you will!
From a series of "I Survived" awards to acts of kindness, new skills and unexpected quarantine activities like "Best Bread" or "Best Home Haircut" it's sure to get the conversation going and help guests laugh a bit.
Download the free sign HERE and stack trophies on rolls of toilet paper. Decorate additional toilet roll stacks with Kid's Blue Graduation Mortarboard Hats and consider a small ceremony for the graduates who missed out on their larger celebrations.
Find the full award DIY and printable certificates HERE.
BE THANKFUL & TO CELEBRATE
One thing that became clear to everyone during this period of quarantine was the number of everyday heroes we're surrounded with. From medical professionals and first responders to delivery, cleaning and supermarket staff, we have so many people to thank during our daily lives!
As a gesture of thanks and remembrance I added small touches that referenced these individuals and provided a vase of Kentucky Derby red roses to be given out to the heroes amongst us.
I think it's "about time" to party! Fly the party flag high!