Keep it simple, Stupid

Hay is...fun?

So, once in a while I will get it into my head that I am a super creative, crafty person. Those times include my wedding and my son's first birthday party, which is TOMORROW. Hello. Even though I wish I were one of those people who could whip out a garland and a souffle in 20 minutes, I'm more of an agonize over choosing the right one, make a million mistakes along the way, stress for twice as long as it takes me to make something wondering why I didn't just buy it, enjoy the fruits of my labor nonetheless kind of person. For my wedding I went pretty crazy coming up with all these ridiculous details that no one but my mother and my mother-in-law noticed.

Can I just tell you that I printed up pictures of EVERY. SINGLE. GUEST. and put them into table-coordinated picture cubes on the rehearsal dinner tables. Just thinking about that project gives me hives. It took months getting all the pictures of family members we hardly knew, our parents' neighbors, etc. My inspiration was the slideshow that you see at every wedding. I always feel honored when I'm included and a little sad when I'm not (self-centered much?) I thought it would be awesome if all the guests felt special and included. That night, people loved, raved, freaked over the cubes and most guests took photos as a souvenir. Now, if I asked 99% of our invitees about those sweet little picture cubes that gave me insomnia, I guarantee you they wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about. Nor should they, unless they are stalkers like me who remember bizarre minutiae about every wedding ever attended (can I unload that brain power please and refuel).

Yes, yes, the details should be for you not for others because no one ever cares as much as you do about your event. At least I am damn sure that Mr. Monk is not going to remember whatever happens tomorrow. But, I do kind of love trying to be crafty/thematic in a masochistic sort of way. I tend to go a little big whenever I host dinner parties, playgroup, book club, exterminators, though I've been reigning it in since having le bebe. My husband kept pleading with me to "keep it simple" for the party. And, I have, for the most part. A chocolate owl lollipop and an owl pinata filled with cheerios (and other assorted baby crack) never hurt anyone.

Time to party with my little!