Party Planning

Every year, Matt and I host an Oktoberfest party.  It started the year we moved into our house as a house-warming party.  But since we held it during the traditional Oktoberfest dates, we called it an Oktoberfest party, and we've been doing it ever since.  Except for last year, since we were kind of busy getting married. 

Anyway, I'm already planning away for this year's party.  Now that we're married and grown-up, I'm ready to class it up a bit.  In the past, I've barely decorated, mostly just putting out food and booze and letting our guests take over the house.  This year, I want to make it look pretty.  I want it to scream FALL PARTY. 

So, linking up with Michelle at the Vintage Apple for...




...here are some of my thoughts for this year's Oktoberfest!

I love the thought of these lining the steps into the house, or along our new retaining wall...

Every year, there are a few specific dishes that our guests can count on.  Brats cooked in beer, onion, and pepper.  Soft pretzels (I cheat and buy them from Philly Pretzel Factory).  Corn and olive dip.  Oktoberfest-style beers (which just happen to be my favorite style of all).  Two years ago, I found a recipe for a reuben dip.  I know technically reubens are considered Irish, but since they have saurkraut in them, I consider them part-German.  Like me! 



Reuben dip recipe

It was a huge hit, so I'm definitely adding it to the regular cast of characters.  I usually also make a few desserts, once of which is always Crack(er) Cookies, which are easy, cheap, and addictive.  And somewhere in there, I throw in a pumpkin-themed recipe.  Usually a dessert, like two years ago I made pumpkin brownies.  I wasn't too impressed with them, though, so I'm looking for a new recipe.  I just might put out this dip.

Pumpkin Fluff recipe

So that's it!  Our Oktoberfest party in a nutshell.  I can't wait to host it again this year!

*all images from my Pinterest