Merrie Prairie Presents: Golden Girls Party

'Stay Golden' and theme your next party after our fav group of Miami single gals! We have some tips (+ tricks) for throwing your next event in a unique and sustainable way!

CHOOSE YOUR PARTY COLOURS

Using a mix of glitter paper, cardstock, and copy paper, we found colours that worked for our theme from materials we had on hand. Non-recyclable papers (such as the glitter) were only used to make banners or garlands that would be stored and used for future decorating. These colours also helped narrow down other decorations to keep everything on theme.

Banners + Garlands + Décor Oh My!

'STAY GOLDEN' & 'WELCOME TO SHADY PINES' banners

One banner was displayed on our photo booth, more on that later. I've invested in studio lighting and a backdrop that is simple to set up and I can then rent out for event use. My favourite element though was using the client's beautiful backyard gazebo as our 'retirement home'; this is where our other banner was displayed. Wherever you can, work with the environment you're in to create a unique decoration experience.

As a small business creating unique items, I have a cutting machine to create these letters and shapes. We chose a font that reflected the era we wanted to emulate. Of course though, you can always trace and cut out the letters you want, this is the method I used before I had a machine.

Simple method for creating your own letter banner (no cricut needed!)

■ Pick your font and the size needed for the letters

■ Print out on on cardstock (remember, if there are letter duplicates, you only need to print out one copy!)

■ Cut out letters then trace around them on paper being used for the banner (use pencil or to avoid any markings, place down letters backwards so that any marks will be on the back of the banner)

Tip: Choose a font you truly enjoy and could see yourself using for other projects, then keep those letters in a folder for future use, all that's needed later is to cut out whatever letters you're missing! *can you tell I hate to waste printer ink!?!?

Monstera leaf shape

You don't need a ton of graphics for multiple décor elements. The only shape we used was this monstera leaf I designed and then utilized for garlands, confetti, and food table accents. Part of my crafting journey has taken me to a place where I feel confident in my ability to create my own graphics but there are plenty of free-use options out there, especially if it's for personal use. There is also the option of paying graphic artists on platforms, such as Etsy, for the use of custom-made graphics (such as svg files), this also supports small artists.

We cut the leaves out on different papers + strung up with different strings which then added variety and cut down on cost (such as using copy paper that can then be recycled after, guilt-free!).

Scrap paper garlands that look great and can be recycled after

Other décor elements were created for simple but impactful pieces. Origami Diamonds (an internet search will give folding instructions) were made using 12 by 12 pieces of cardstock paper with gold accents for the theme.

Large origami diamond decorations made with gold patterned paper

Each diamond used 2 pieces of 12x12 cardstock

We also used décor already in the client's house, including on-theme games and toys!

Decorating with on-theme toys and games, a bonus for party people who want an activity to do

Create or purchase décor that you would be happy to display even after the party!

Part of Merrie Prairie event services includes party tear-down. I was able to assist the host with a stress-free Sunday, placing items around the house as nice keepsakes and recycling others, instead of letting party decorations decay slowly around the home for months.

Fun With Dress Up + Props

Popular sayings from The Golden Girls show and wig shapes to dress up like Blanche, Sophia, Rose, Dorothy, or even Stan (see the purple toupée!)

I was paid to design graphics like the speech bubbles and wigs so these specific shapes are not available but I saw plenty of examples online of other prop bundles available to purchase or draw, cut out, and glue your own shapes to a wooden skewer, I have faith in you!

Golden Girls Sayings Roundup:

'THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND!'

'EVERY YEAR WITHOUT A HEADSTONE IS A MILESTONE'

'PICTURE IT, SICILY. . .'

'EAT DIRT + DIE TRASH'

'I'LL GET THE CHEESECAKE'

'SHADY PINES MA!'

'BACK IN ST. OLAF. . .'

Photo booths are a great way to create an impactful and useful decoration. As mentioned before, we used our studio backdrop for simple set up and tear down. The monstera leaves are again on display but this time they are larger, strung vertically, and the string used was a lovely light green ribbon (still using the cost effective and expendable copy paper).

Close up picture of the photo booth, below, in all its glory (note: maybe should have ironed the white backdrop)

A super fun job to prep for this party was thrifting for old jewelry

Hit up garage sales and second-hand sellers for inexpensive pieces that party goers could then take with them. I tried to make some 'candy necklaces' with Mentos candies (to make it look like they were a pearl necklace), it didn't work as well as I'd hoped, next time I'll try with a different candy, like gum balls or even marshmallows!

Having a polaroid camera has come in handy so many times. I decided to purchase the Instax Wide Camera long ago to be able to give people a larger photo but the narrower version works great too. It's nice to have a memento from the celebration, especially since a lot of peoples' photos stay on their phones or computers these days!

Food + Drink

Handmade drink umbrellas using some glue, wooden skewers, and scrap paper! Our food signs were also made from recycled paper.

I always try to use recyclable paper for tablescaping

The host came up with some excellent (and simple!) food and bevy choices, including: microwave mini pizzas, Swedish meat balls, tortilla chips with a southern spicy dip, cheesecake shots, and individual bags of Ms. Vickie's Kettle Cooked chips.

Old-fashioned candy (whatever your definition of that is!) was the perfect

treat and decorative element to add throughout the party spaces

Candy suggestions:

Thrills Gum

Peppermints

Swedish Berries or Fish

Mini Chocolate Bars

Salt Water Taffy

Werther's Original

Thank you for checking out this post. . . and being a friend!

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