Moroccan Party for kids, adults, ladies.....

The blog 'By Little Hands' (http://bylittlehands.typepad.com/by_little_hands/2010/08/moroccan-party.html)  has a grand Moroccan party that was for little girls but could work for any age group of people!
Setting the stage was most important. I hung strips of fabric all around our porch to create the feeling of a Bedouin tent. Then I removed all of the seating and replaced it with chaise lounge cushions wrapped in silky table clothes. A few throw pillows, Persian rugs, and some Moroccan lanterns and we were all set. The kids started out the evening by applying henna tattoos to each other.

This design on glasses could be created by using rub-ons from scrapbook stores or stencils. 

For a dinner of Moroccan fare I served chicken kebabs, Moroccan meatballs (kefta), eggplant dip, humus, carrot dip, yogurt and flat bread. And don't forget the tea glasses for drinks.

Moroccan Scroll Invitation templates

You can find the template to make this invitation at the following website:
www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/wedding/scroll-invitationinstructions.asp#ingredients
To see all the instructions go to that website, but here is a supply list:
3 pks-Postal Tubes - choose a color
2 pks-Parchment Paper - choose a style & color
1-Ink Pad - choose a color
1-Rubber Stamp - choose a design
17 meters -Ribbon - choose your own from a local store (55cms per invitation)
2 bags -Heart Confetti - for the finishing touches (you could use the freeze dried rose petals if your budget allows)
You will also need: Access to a computer and printer, a pair of scissors, a tape measure or ruler and a volunteer to help tie the ribbon!

Instructions:
i) Print your invitation onto an A4 (single) sheet of paper (you can use the free Word templates downloadable from the top of this page).
ii) Print your reply so that 2 fit onto 1 sheet of A4 paper (free Word templates downloadable from the top of this page are set up like this already).
iii) Cut the replies in half so each one is A5 in size (a guillotine provides the best finish - but scissors are fine if you're careful!)
iv) Cut your ribbon into the following lengths: For the invitation scroll 20 x 30cms For the reply scroll 20 x 25cms
v) Tie the invitation ribbon lengths around something like a broom handle - or something with a diameter of about 25mm. Trim the ends at an angle.
vi) Stamp the rubber stamp motif onto the top centre of your invitation and reply scrolls - practice first to make sure you know where the middle is - how much ink to use, and how hard to press.Leave these to dry for about an hour.vii) Roll each invitation scroll (start rolling from the bottom of the invitation with it face up) so that it's small enough to slide into your ties - it will expand to fit the tie as you let go.
viii) Now roll up the replies as above - but as tight as you can. You'll need a friend here - so get someone to hold each reply scroll as you tie the ribbon around it. Try one first - when you've done it - it should slide inside the invitation scroll. If it didn't - do it again - but roll tighter!
ix) Place each scroll set into a postal tube. If you have printed or written your guests names, make sure you have stuck the address labels onto the postal tubes so you don't forget who each invitation is for! Add a pinch of rose petals or confetti inside each tube for the finishing touch.

Moroccan Dinner Party- Maggie style!

Creating a table like this does not have to cost you a fortune... if you have the basics around your home. Which you most likely already do....
Notice the jewel colored linens..the tablecloths, napkins... and even some ceramic vases

**photos are from the Hostess with the Mostess.com website as well as most of these ideas!

To throw a Moroccan dinner party you really don't have to spend a fortune. Before you even send out the invites go around your home and see what decor your already have. Think about using rich colors that are reminiscent of a spice market. Some great color combinations could be burgundy/gold/purple, magenta/purple/gold, orange/red/yellow, and magenta/red/gold. If you don't like warm colors, you can opt to use cool shade combinations like blue/yellow/silver, navy/tan/blue, or teal/blue/tan. The great thing about a Moroccan theme is that you can make just about any color combination work. If you select one color you really want and pair it with a similar shade and an accent color, you'll find it hard to go wrong. For the purpose of planning one party I am going with "Jewel colors"... fuchsias, turquoises, aqua... and GOLD! Walk around your house and see what you have... do you have any curtains, bedspreads, sheets, pillows (also pillows that are silky, brocade,different shapes) and interesting pieces of furniture? Can you go into your backyard and find any rounded stones, and twigs. Head out to your husbands tool shed or look in the garage for any interesting gadgets to spray paint. If you have any good finds and you like the color then make that the main color and coordinate everything else around it. If you are like me... you aren't too shy to send out an email to friends and family nearby asking to borrow any bright shiny tablecloths or dinnerware. Take it to the floor: For an intimate party, it’s fun to celebrate at low tables with floor pillows instead of the standard table and chairs. If you don’t own a low table, you can create one from a large piece of plywood propped up with cinder blocks, milk crates, book stacks, or small coffee tables. And if you are really ambitious consider making walls of fabric and a fabric ceiling to feel like a tent. Once your Moroccan-themed table coverings are in place, no one will know the difference!
Use fabric that has geometric patterns to recreate the look of Moroccan rugs.
For the seating, gather any large pillows that you already own

Invitation Ideas
Give your guests an idea of what will be in store for them at the reception by sending out Moroccan theme invitations. You'll want to find something that corresponds to your wedding colors. Invites with intricate knot designs or tile motifs will work well. You could also opt for scroll invitations. A beautiful gold scroll invitation would be sure to pique your guests' interest. If you can't find the perfect invitation in your local area, search online. There are several companies that offer unique designs perfect for a Moroccan theme. Scrolls look great! The scroll below was ordered from http://www.majesticinvites.com/. They come in hundreds of colors and are of amazing quality.

Check out the wording of this next Moroccan inspired invitation! This invite is available at http://www.myexpression.com/prodDetail.cfm?ProductID=6525
Now the shopping trip. Go to a craft store and buy a can of Gold spray paint. If you want to make the centerpiece below and as shown in the top photo either buy the following or scrounge around the house for what you can find.
Easy Moroccan Centerpiece
You’ll need:

Large colored glass or ceramic vase

Costume jewelry (or strands of craft beads)

Tropical Leaves (real or faux)

Gold curly willow or other branches

Drape the necklaces around the vase at different angles for a fun, eclectic look. Use necklaces you already own, borrow from friends, or check the clearance rack at your local discount stores for fabulous prices on costume jewelry. (All of the necklaces pictured here were purchased on clearance at Target for $2 to $4 each.)

Personalize it: For a birthday party or bridal shower, use glittery chipboard numbers to add the guest of honor’s age or initials to the vase.
Once the vase is decorated, insert a few large tropical leaves and/or metallic gold branches... and you're done!
Display the centerpiece on a pretty gold or brass charger plate.

Spray paint faux tropical leaves gold

Additional Table Decor

I LOVE this centerpiece. All you need is a gold charger, some candles. a beaded necklace(optional), a couple matching 12x12 scrapbook papers that are jeweled toned or gold and one of your #10 cans (like what the church cannery uses for food storage). Cut the paper to fit all the way around the can. Cover and glue/tape. The arrange as shown! So easy!

Spray paint rounded stones and around table top. You could add some gold coins from a party store and scatter as well.

Decorate pillar candles with strips of Moroccan-inspired papers and costume jewelry. I can't stress enough.... candles... votives.... romantic light....

Place Settings

Use gold leaf charger plates and translucent colored dishes & glassware. I bought my gold leaf chargers at Ross in Las Vegas this summer (4 chargers for $4.99) and I bought 4 boxes of them so that I'd have enough for most of my dinner parties. I have used them for our Asian parties, Italian, and Chinese New Year. I promise you will get a lot of use out of them if you through a few parties a year. Check discount stores like Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Ross, or Marshalls for great deals on these types of items.

A spray painted rope adds a nice touch to the stem of a goblet.... it will really class up a glass of water.

Mix things up by using assorted colors of table linens & napkins. Embellish napkins with rich details like sheer ribbon, beads, and gold craft jewelry chains for a glitzy, eclectic look.
To make napkin holders you can get small chain inexpensively at the hardware store... or buy some in the jewelry section of the craft store. Cut and spray paint. Allow to dry a few days then wrap around the napkin. You can make table runners from a silky plain or patterned sheet cut into equal widths and sewed to make a few runners. If you keep your eyes open for sales or get those 40% off coupons you can buy fabric to make your own placemats and napkins.

Favors

Include a small gift/party favor for guests at each place setting. Fill colored glass votives with iridescent, jewel-toned candies to match the tableware. Or get some Embellish the favors with gold ribbon and beads or a metallic jewelry charm, then set them on top of small gold foil doilies, in the upper left of each setting.

If you can afford it hire a belly dancer for entertainment. Many smaller communities have belly dancing classes at the rec centers. Maybe you could have a teacher come and give guests a quick lesson and do a small performance for a smaller fee than hiring a professional.

How to start your own Supper club a.k.a. Dinner Group

I had heard about supper clubs, but I wasn't sure what it was. To read more on this subject see my other posts (http://maggiesdinnerdates.blogspot.com/search/label/Dinner%20Groups) Cooking Light Central.com had a great article explaining how to start one, tips for hostesses, and for the themes listed below you can get printable invitations, menu, recipe cards, and place cards. Check it out!!!
A supper club is, in many ways, a glorified potluck dinner. The food is often excellent, the company is entertaining and the work is split evenly between the friends in the club. Although we often consider quickness of food service to be more important than taste or quality, a supper club turns this concept on its head. Time is the least important consideration, while the quality of the food and the friendship is paramount.

Tip Sheet (this is a great resource open it up and check it out!) - Plan an organizational meeting to plan: How many and Who will be in the group? How often will you meet? What day of the week will you meet? Will the club cook together on site? Will it be potluck by couple? Who will host party? Will menus be themed? and many other questions you will need to answer.

Here are basic guidelines to think about....
Step 1 Invite your friends. You may want to include old friends or new friends in your entertaining. It doesn't matter, as long as they enjoy cooking and are passionate about their food. You can select a small group or a big group, depending on the space you have available.
Step 2 Choose a menu. Your supper club may want to concentrate on a specific type of food: Thai food, Italian food, vegetarian food or comfort food. You may choose to vary the menu from time to time.
Step 3 Divide up the cooking. The host of the supper club will usually prepare the main course with the guests bringing side dishes, salads and desserts. More accomplished cooks may choose more complicated dishes, while beginning chefs may choose simpler fare.
Step 4 Set a schedule. Some supper clubs meet every other month, some meet quarterly. You can do whatever works for the members of your group.
Step 5 Take turns visiting each other's homes. Supper clubs usually rotate between the homes of the various members. This way no one is committed to always making the main dish or preparing their home for entertaining guests.
Step 6 Cook, eat and enjoy. The entire purpose of a supper club is to eat good food while spending time with people you like. Take the time to enjoy this delightful style of entertaining.

Themed Parties (you have to check these out!!!)

The Other Side of the Mediterranean (gorgeous invites and placecards)
Southern BBQ (leather looking invites and placecards)
Pan Asian (fun! the menu sheet will be fun to fill)
Homestyle Italian (not my style, but still cute)
The Exotic Flavors of India (beautiful invite and recipe cards)
The World of Japanese Cuisine