I am planning a Southwestern surprise party for my Dad's 50 Birthday. What do you suggest?

I need ideas for the menu, decorations and favors. His birthday is October 28, so I thought I would buy some Pumpkin Maraccas, since it is so close to Halloween. They come undecorated, so I thought it would be a fun project for young and old.

I plan to decorate with Mexican blankets and Chili Peppers.

This will be a mid-morning party.

Thanks in advance!

For that time of day, you may be able to find a good price for a Mariachi band to play for a short while. Even those who don't particularly like that kind of entertainment can put up with it for a half hour or so. For the rest, it adds a LOT of Southewestern "flavor" to the party.

Perhaps you can also find some inexpensive Mexican and American flags to string along walls or fences. BTW, near Halloween, Mexicans celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) when they honor their ancestors with parties and picnics. Skeletons and skulls are common decorations and themes for special candies. Fits right in with Halloween.

See if you can find some posters or prints relating to things like the Alamo, cowboys, horses, Native Americans of the region such as Navaho, Hopi, Anasazi (Pueblos). An artist named Georgia Okeefe created many images of Southwestern icons. Fredrick Remingtom created many well know paintings of the old west.

How about some Western related toys, like cowboy paraphrenalia, like hats, pistols, chaps, etc. Consider stage coaches, Gold Rush tools, California missions. Don't forget Texas Ranger's stars, Native American icons like Kokopelli, Phoenix, bisons.

How about a "build your own taco" table, with hard shell and soft tortillas, both corn and flour. Use paper plates printed with, either, Mexican flag colors, (red, white and green) or Southwestern earthy tones of browns, yellows, red clay, even slate and purples.

If you really want to please your daddy, try asking him. Boomers, in general do not like surprises as much as youngsters do.

Since it will be mid morning maybe set up a breakfast burrito station - you can scramble up some eggs with red & green peppers, onions, maybe a little sausage, cheese, buy some tortillas, let everyone make their own breakfast burritos. Or make fajitas (I use my fajita maker - use mexican cheese, peppers & onions, sometimes chicken or refried beans). Maybe you can make some spanish rice as a side. I also like southwestern egg rolls - i've ordered them at restuarants before, but I think i've seen them at the grocery store where they have I think TGIF's food products. That might be an idea too....

*Display cowboy hats, toy six-shooters, a spittoon, Indian headdresses, cowboy boots, toy rifles, horseshoes and ropes attractively around your ranch house or dance hall.
*Use disposable pie pans for your guests to use to pile on their vittles.

There's to many to mention. This is an excellent site:

http://partyplansplus.com/partyplans/wes...


***Have Fun!!!

The key to any party being successful is people talking to each other, which can be hard if people don't know one another. This cooking trick is a way to increase interaction because it is unusual and it's fun, and people usually like to talk about food! Who doesn't?! Since this is mid morning, it sounds like a brunch menu. I suggest making Ziploc Omelets.

You'll need:
quart size ziploc freezer bags (one per person)
eggs (2 per person)
permanent marker
chopped veggies
chopped ham
shredded cheeses
salsa
chile
chopped potatoes
any other fixings for an omelet
large pot
water

Directions:
Each person gets a freezer bag and writes their name on it in permanent marker. Then each person cracks 2 eggs into the bag (no more than 2). Then each person selects their fixings and adds to the bag. Squish the ingredients around to mix well. Before sealing the bag, make sure to release as much air as possible. Drop 6-8 bags into the boling water for 10-13 minutes. Each person gets their own personalized omelet that is delicious, fun, and a great conversation piece.

Always great to serve with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa (virgin or alcoholic), warm tortillas and toast, fruit, coffee and tea, iced tea or lemonade.

The Halloween decorations sound great and I also like the craft project - another way for people to interact. I do not know how big those Maraccas are, but if they are small to medium that can be your favor as well as a decoration.

A coffee cake or crumb cake made into a birthday cake may fit well for the time of day.

And balloons and flowers are always festive.

Have fun and enjoy!

You can get personalized party favors and other favor ideas
at http://www.chocolate-candy-mall.com/choc...