When I decided to throw a going away party for all of my friends that were deploying for six months, I didn’t realize that I would soon be going on my own deployment of sorts with Carnival. My original idea was to have a good old fashioned costume party because Halloween is my favorite, and it’s always fun to dress up. When I took a trip to Hot Springs, my girls and I were throwing around a few different themes, and the idea of celebrating all of the holidays that they’ll miss on their deployment came up. I took it and ran with it, and it was a blast. Each of the rooms in the house were decorated to represent a different holiday.
HALLOWEEN
Everyone was encouraged to come to the party in a Halloween costume. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so knowing that I was going to miss out on being able to create an epic costume to celebrate this year made me want to go a little crazy.
Back story: When I was in college, someone made a demotivational poster of me. I had gotten a haircut, and I posted a before and after picture, both of which were taken in my apartment bathroom. Someone found the picture on Twitter, and made this:
I found out after several friends randomly texted and Facebook messaged me asking me to confirm that it was me. If I was a different person, I probably would’ve been embarrassed, but me being me, I thought it was hilarious and still share the meme with friends today, hence me dressing up as my own college meme for the party.
I also decorated the front door to look like Jack Skellington. I forgot to take a photo of it though, sadly.
THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving was celebrated in the dining room, naturally, because it was the theme for the food! Attendees were asked to bring a side dish to share, so no one left hungry!
CHRISTMAS
We celebrated Christmas in the living room. We put a Christmas tree and hung stockings, tinsel and Christmas lights. We also set up a photobooth with lots of props because it’s not a Tiffany party without a photobooth. My friend, Kyle, also made his famous eggnog at my request because a few months ago, we had a Winter Wonderland-themed party for our friend’s going away party, and I didn’t get any of the eggnog before it was all gone. It was worth the wait because it was delicious, and it was my first time actually having eggnog.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
NYE was set up at the bar in the den area. It was decorated with silver 2017 balloons. There was also fortune cookies with a sign that said “Hope the new year brings you good fortune.” On the wall, we put up a sign that said “2016 was awesome because…” and everyone was encouraged to write down a memory from the year so far. I also bought some sweet champagne and some plastic champagne glasses (Dollar Store, ayyyye!). We had a countdown to midnight, and we popped champagne and put on party hats.
VALENTINE’S DAY
On the other side of the den, we celebrated all the love. We hung a red tablecloth and hung a bunted banner I made that said “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Also taped to the cloth were hearts that said three different things:
“I like __________ because…”
“I love __________ because…”
“I think __________ is just okay because…”
There was also a “kissing booth” where we set out a variety of Hershey Kisses.
MARDI GRAS
Because we’re in Louisiana, Mardi Gras was definitely a priority to celebrate. I’m probably most bummed about missing missing Mardi Gras. Well, actually, I don’t know. I’m bummed about missing everything honestly.
Mardi Gras was in the kitchen because all of the drinks were themed for the holiday. Just like the Mardi Gras party I had back in January, I made three different mixed drinks – one green, one purple and one gold. All of the Jell-o shots were also purple, green or gold (ahem, yellow). I got a king cake from a local bakery called Julie Anne’s. Plus, there were beads everywhere.
I had so much fun celebrating all of these holidays with my friends since they and I won’t be here to do it together, but it also made me sad knowing this was our last big shebang, and for some of them, I had no idea when or if I would get to see them again. Sigh. Military life. And I guess cruise life for me now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely excited to get out of Shreveport and go on this adventure, but I’m also already feeling some serious MOFO.
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to?
