Dinner Party for 75

This weekend I was fortunate to spend lots of time with my Granny (and of course Benjamin and Matt), which kept me away from blogging but got me thinking that I never did post about the wonderful night we had celebrating my Granny's 80th last November. 

In honour of the big birthday, my parents hosted a cozy sit down dinner for 75. This was just keeping it to immediate family and 3 or 4 close friends. Yes, my family is HUGE. Fortunately, they have a large basement space that - with a lot of creative arranging - we were able to comfortably seat everyone in. The food was delicious, the decor was simple but special, and it was a super fun celebration. Let me tell you a little about it...

Let's start with the table setting and decor...

 We rented basic ivory linens, platinum rimmed plates, silver water pitches and flatware, folding tables and chiavari chairs. We found, however, that buying candles at Dollarama, along with these little candle holders, was cheaper than renting (plus, with my sister's wedding around the corner, we knew we could always find more uses for them). We also had simple flower arrangements lining the centre of the (very long) table. 

Another shot of the table:

Here's my spot. The place cards were printed using a kit from Office Depot (as well as the leftovers from my own wedding). 

Notice how the table next to me (at the end of the long table in the first photo) is higher than the rest of the tables? That is because my parents have a very large, very heavy pool table. Initially, this seemed like it made the space not usable for the party as it could not be moved and takes up a lot of space. But, we decided that, with plywood, we could turn it into a "table." This is also why we rented extra-wide folding tables for the long centre strip of the arrangement- to help the pool table blend in and pass as a dinner table. Below, it is at the far end.

Here is the kiddie table

There is also a bar in the room that we decorated by laying two mirrors that we already had flat, and setting crystal and glass candlesticks of all sorts (some we had, some from Dollarama, Home Sense and thrift shops) on top. Versions of this make for easy centrepieces at any dinner party. It also reminds me of this centrepiece...

Lastly, here is a peek at the kitchen as dinner was being prepped. 

 You might also notice that my mother has created her ultimate gallery wall. More on that in a future post...

And lastly, the gift for Granny was a book of photos of all 8 of her children, sons- and daughters-in laws, 33 grandchildren and 1st great grandchild (now, including Ben, there are 3!). Quite the legacy for my Granny, an only child. I hope that, when I'm 80, I'm half the woman she is!

See you soon,

Jenny xo


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