... a Neighborhood Gathering ...

 This weekend  I am working on ideas for styling my Thanksgiving tableandI realized I never properly shared my neighborhood gatheringnor did I share some tips I have learned after doing this party fourteen times over the years.
All of these steps and party preparation can easily translate to so many occasions.
The beginning point for me on this Pre-Trick or treat gathering and every partyis always a fun invite.Nothing sets the mood and anticipation for an event like a festive invite!I like mine to feel like a little present setting the stage for the up coming event.
These were done by printing off the necessary info..cutting them down..layering them onto a brown card stock...and then layering once again onto the black and white card stock.I did eyeletsand tied them with a them with twine.
The darling bunting was from Michaels...I bought several different novelties so each invite could be a little different.
Which made assembling them so much more fun!
When I finished the invitesI was so tickled with the bunting on the invite...I decided to make bunting the visual focus for the gathering
which was to have a fall harvest feel.
I brought the invite with me to the fabric storeand
 pulled  only colors and prints that I LOVEDThis ended up to be a key to finishing the bunting earlybecause
 it was such a Joy to work with the materials!
I have had many a project run out of steam in the middle...
So now I make projects simpler and work only with materials I am excited about...SO
 I can stay excited all the way through to completion.
My favorite bunting I did...
was this one made out of antique doilies from my Grandmother.
I simply folded them in halfand made a quick running stitch to attatch them to the cotton twill tape...so as not to damage these family heirlooms.
I know this bunting will be one I use again and again...so much so I am on the hunt to collect more doilies.After all of these yearsI finally found a perfect and modern use for them.
Because the gathering is just that ...a gathering of neighborsold and newbefore the trick or treating begins...
It  takes place out front on our driveway..keeping things simple for everyone.
I covered the garage door with drop clothsadded the bunting
The table is made up of 2 saw horses topped by a closet doordraped with another drop clothfinished off with a fall throw.
Out came my vintage baskets, wooden boxes and trays....
I used pumpkins and apples for a bountiful harvest feel this year.
I put out store bought fall cakes ...
and breads...The table ends up overflowing with food...as my amazing neighbors always contribute deliciously!
I set up a cart as a drink station...
plastic cups in a basketwith vintage coffee pots  we keep filled with apple ciderand
 plenty of water to be restocked for the thirsty trick or treaters..and
 wine for the4 grown ups.
I keep all the restocking within reachunseen under the table.clothed table.I brought a small table for utensils and such...which provided a perfect place for the necessary trash can.
Lining both sides of the driveway with hay bales  brought home the fall harvest feeling...while also providing informal seating with the use of some fur throws.
This was the first gathering I had thrown since my daughter left for college...My kids grew up with this being a yearly family event that they all participated in.
so... when they began to leave...I thought I was done.
This past year families who had taken over this tradition for the  past few years...moved off the street... and new families moved in.
I realized this year the importance of this tradition continuing...to build a new sense of community here on our street...
and
 celebrate the returning of old neighbors...who will be friends for life...no matter where they live.
My heart is so full of love for this neighborhood...old and new.
This pre trick or treat gathering started 18 years ago ...
as a way to meet the new neighbors ...in a new neighborhood...
I never knew then ...how this would become a traditionI would cherish...all these years and phases later.

As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life