Whoa-a-a, let me tell you about a real different black and white idea from back when we were "all together".
We had a "wreath" on the front door made of white rope and black ribbons, tied with a black/white bandana and silver chrome twisted wire!
We played all the classier Country Western pre-recorded music we could find, encouraging black or white clothing to be worn, if the guests had them, complete with any Western hats, boots, belts, jewelry or shirts anyone had.
We hung white/clear lights from the trees, patio umbrellas, adding black/white streamers/balloons inside over the main food table.
The first thing we handed guests upon arrival was their own personal name tag and tagged items in a black/white paisley bandana wrapped bundle with a small cowbell/whistle, notepad, black/white pencils for quiz games, licorice and white mint candy clear cans, and a Scavenger Hunt list and number to use for their "partner" in the hunt around the neighborhood, with a 45 min. limit, regardless, with the stipulation that they also had to wear their "disguises", (which helps with the often embarrassment).
I found black/white "fur" fabric, cut out placemats for the black/white striped fabric "tablecloth" stretched across the lawn over 1/2 sheets of plywood tables, at waist height, added black/white dotted napkins, plastic eyeglasses with "mustaches", black and white kerchiefs, bandannas for souvenirs with black whistles attached, and the bandanas also for using for blind-fold games like: Blindfold Limbo (to good rhythm music for hopping backwards under the black water hose between two helpers lowering it at the end of the line of players each time the line completes that level set to music and toss the black horseshoes at the short white stick in the distance, all after the Scavenger Hunt, before eating!
We had barbecued beef on Big Grands biscuits, grilled blackened catfish pieces for the side, black olive/pickles/green onions/mayo potato salad, hot black beans with mini cocktail onions, tall white cups of Iced Sweet Tea and short black wine glasses for non-alcoholic Cold Duck one time toast to the Guest of honor.
We offered chocolate covered frozen bananas for dessert along with a touch of red from the large strawberries pre-dipped in Chocolate! This was on a large silver tray but paper baking sheet doily covered.
I had a "Guess the number of black/white marbles in the Jar", for a black/white prize from a few prize choices, (to be done anytime by mingling guests), their guess logged by their own hand with a black dry erase marker on a white dry erase bulletin board), predesigned in advance with large animal print patterned background as a border.
We played Black/White Bingo, using black/white ping-pong balls to call out numbers on handmade FANCY cards. (after eating)
Just before leaving each one was given a black or white dart to toss at the people-cleared room of balloons to find money ($2-5.00) in a balloon of their choice (some black ones were empty and full of a handful of black/white homemade shredded confetti.
Now, this may all seem "easy for Texans", but like buying potatoes in Idaho, it's not so easy, believe it or not. It's just enough to keep folks busy and mixing, full and happy, and makes great memories because it's so different!
By Lynda from TX
By Cheryl from Missouri (Guest Post)
10/06/2006
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