Simply gather the following items and complete the following action items to dazzle your guests with your hosting and decorating skills.
- Wait until Fall 2019
- ground cover - I used this giant area rug I got for free on Craigslist (free)
- table - I made a low table out of four stacked pallets with a piece of plywood on top - the pallets were free from work and the plywood came from the hardware store (free + $20)
- seating - I used these pillows from inside my house (free)
- candles - I used empty beer bottles from my recycling bin - get a sister and a brother in law who like to drink beer and invite them over - you will have enough bottles in just one weekend visit - add candles from the dollar store ($4)
- plates - any will do, or you could cut a log into discs for extra points (free)
- table décor - forage for little pine cones, rocks, etc. - spray paint them a trendy color (free + $8 if you don't already have spray paint) - also use the fruit you bought for work lunches and place them around the table - then put them back in your lunch box (free) - don't be afraid to throw leaves on the table in a "random" pattern (free)
- silverware - I hope you already have this (free)
- dinner - you'll need to cook dinner for your guests! I made a pot roast in a crock pot and some baked apples - guests brought other dessert items ($30-$60-$90, I don't know your tastes)
- other lighting - its the fall, so it's going to get dark earlyish - don't forget to add lights above your spread - I used my xmas lights (free) and made these handy light holders to string them up - they are made from long 1.5x1.5 Alexandria molding, aka treated wood beams ($48 😬) with screw hooks at the top ($8) - they need be pretty far into the ground to hold the tension in the string lights - make it work
- don't forget to invite lots of friendly people! (usually free)
- only invite people who will come with cute babies - this is the most important part (free for you, expensive for the parents long-term)
- time to eat! - watch adorable moments unfold (free)
- smile at how cute your friends are (free)
- try not to get baby fever - just try (free, but potentially expensive)
- watch everybody roll around (free)
- enjoy as your setup becomes even more magical in the dark (free)
- don't forget a lighter to light the candles! ($1)
- clean up tomorrow ♥ (free)