Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

I must say, you all are intriguing me with all your fun questions and projects! I just love when you email me your project and party questions! Which is why, when Heather emailed me to say that she had a friend, Ann, whose husband was coming home soon after serving in Iraq for the past year and half, and wanted to throw him a surprise welcome home party but needed some help with the party planning, I was all too eager to help. Enter monogram momma! After all, he’s been rolling in dirt trenches and dodging bullets and fighting for our right to monogram so by God he deserves one heck of a party as far as I’m concerned! Now, let me just say, when I begin my party planning, I always sit down and brainstorm, as if I’m writing an old prep school essay. I just write anything and everything that comes to my mind regarding the party recipient and my theme. So I asked Ann important questions such as What are your husband’s hobbies? Favorite place to vacation? Favorite sport? What American thing has he missed the most while being over there? Etc. etc. you get the idea. So when Ann got back to me she said he loves VA Tech football, but his buddies were already planning a big VA Tech themed tailgating party so that was out. And other than that, all she said was that the soldiers call Iraq the “sandbox” and he loves Hooters Wings. Well, say whatever you will about Hooters, but I say if he has been fighting our war for almost 2 years that man deserves some Hooters Wings if that’s what he’s been missing. So, here’s what I came up with. First of all, I love that they call Iraq the “sandbox” and decided to take my cue from there, so I suggested a huge sign that says “Welcome Home from the Sandbox!” or even "From one sandbox to another! Welcome Home!" And then I suggested laying down a huge plastic tarp and dumping tons and tons of sand over the tarp to make a Sandbox (not that hard, people, really). I also suggested throwing in some beach balls and beach chairs for seating in the sandbox area. If children were going to be present, then she should pick up a few little trinkets and hide them really well in the “sandbox” and when the kids start getting restless, have them look for the hidden treasures in the sand. Next, Ann was concerned with the food so I suggested she keep it simple and just do what he likes. So that led me to a nice big ice cream bar, hooters girls walking around with trays of wings, and a keg. I know what you are thinking and for all my monogramming friends out there, go grab a paper bag and just take deep breaths. I realize this is not usually my style, but it’s funny and fun and just what the soldier ordered so that is what will make it a success! To set up the ice cream bar, I suggested a long table, totally covered in linens (please, for the sake of monogram momma, cover the table legs) and even some patriotic bunting. Then I suggested calling a local ice creamery and purchasing the huge buckets of ice cream that the ice cream shops receive. To keep them cold, I also suggested doing a few custom monogrammed or theme related painted galvanized tin buckets. And how cute would all the toppings look in various sizes of plastic sand pails and shovels that she can easily pick up at the dollar store? I would even suggest putting a few mounds of sand right on the table itself and stick the buckets in there too to give another dimension and different height levels. You see, I am all about adding different levels and dimensions to my food table when entertaining. You will rarely see me just throw the food out on the table with a centerpiece because it looks so much more eye pleasing and interesting if you raise things up off the table a bit. But enough about that. In addition to the ice cream bar, I also suggested other galvanized tins on the bar to house some fun Popsicles like the ever popular red, white, and blue “Bomb Pop.” Remember paying 25 cents to the ice cream man for that delicious summer time treat? Naturally she will be needing loads of ice to keep it all cool and for a really fun effect I suggested dry ice in conjunction with regular ice. Again, something to add interest to the ice cream bar. Now, Ann was also very concerned about what drink and you all know I really believe in one signature alcoholic drink for a party. And in this case, the best bet is beer. So against my better judgment, I suggested getting a keg (due to the large number of people attending) and putting it in a hand painted galvanized trash can to match her other galvanized tins housing the other drinks and on the ice cream bar, because I think it’s the perfect addition to the party theme. But the piece de resistance, is the party favor idea! So I hooked her up with the link to Shindigz where they will do custom imprinting on plastic stadium cup tumblers and suggested printing something fun on the such as “Lars leaves the Sandbox” with the date on it. How fabulous would those look stacked up in a triangle on the drink table (again, adding dimension), and then the guests can use them during the party and also take them home for a party favor. Aren’t you loving that! Oh, I should mention, for any of you wanting custom imprinted plastic stadium cups, that Shindigz does not have a 200 minimum order like most companies so I highly recommend checking them out (ahem, that means you, Ms. Grapefruit and Grosgrain). Now, let’s talk about Hooters Girls. I don’t know exactly if their girls are for hire to serve at a party, but I suggested to Ann that she should call them and tell them her story that her husband loves Hooters and has been in Iraq for almost 2 years yadda yadda yadda, and see if she can get 1 or 2 girls to come serve the wings. If not, then I suggested that she herself dress up as a Hooters girl After all, I’m sure her husband would love that even more! So there you have it. I think with all these elements together, the party will come off super cute and exactly what he would want, but yet, more than he is expecting, without costing an arm and a leg. Just remember, presentation is SO SO important. To me, it really tells my guests that I took the time and cared enough to go just that one step further to make everything look extra appealing. So whether you love this idea or hate it, just remember that if you’re throwing a party for someone else, you have to plan it with that person’s likes and dislikes in mind, not your own. Grab a wing, tap the keg, and have a seat in the sandbox and enjoy the party!