It’s my favorite time of the year here in Westchester, NY! As the air gets crisp and the leaves begin to turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, it’s the perfect time to gather friends and family for a fall get together. I recently hosted a fall gathering and compiled a list of ideas for planning an event, including food, drinks, entertainment, flowers, and fall decor!
Festive Food
Fall is a season of comfort foods and hearty, delicious dishes. We love 25 North in Mamaroneck and have been using them to cater all of our events this year. I asked Chef Will for guidance in curating the perfect fall menu and everything was so delicious! Here is the menu he came up with:
Broccoli Di Rabe Egg Rolls (Rolled with ground veal & a spicy chimichurri sauce)
Risotto Balls (Served with sauce & fresh ricotta)
Tracy’s Greens (Mesclun greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, sliced granny smith apples, & panko-crusted baked goat cheese with a reduced balsamic reduction dressing on the side)
Tossed Caesar (With homemade croutons & creamy house whipped caesar dressing on the side)
Chicken Martini (Parmesan crusted & topped in a light white wine & butter sauce served over spinach)
Pesto Gnocchi
Sautéed String Beans
Sliced chicken cutlet & fries
Visit their website to view their catering options which are perfect for family gatherings, corporate events, and everything in between!
Fall Decor
I picked up all of my fall decor essentials from Mangone’s Garden Center. They are family owned and just celebrated their 75th Anniversary! Visit them at 1427 E Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck, NY and check out their pumpkins, flowers, gardening essentials, farmers market and more! They will also be having a Haunted House every weekend through Halloween- find out more on our events calendar.
Here are some ideas to create an inviting fall atmosphere:
- Decorate with a variety of pumpkins and gourds.
- Place potted mums or marigolds by the entrance to welcome your guests.
- Consider using hay bales or cornstalks for outdoor decor.
- Illuminate your space with candles.
- Hang string lights or lanterns to create a cozy ambiance.
Floral Arrangements
Enhance the autumn ambiance with beautiful floral arrangements! Nancy, the owner of The Flower Bar in Larchmont, is our go to florist here at Sound Shore Moms. For our party, I wanted to feature both of her stunning seasonal “Boo-quets”:
- Pumpkin Surprise: Light and bright tipped pumpkin top reveals a bouquet of roses, pincushions and dried materials bursting forth.
- Spooky: A sophisticated white pumpkin holds a rich array of deep red roses, banksia, and tillandsia.
The Flower Bar also just started having monthly “Blooms and Booze” events which you can read more about here.
Entertainment for the Kids
Keeping the little ones entertained is crucial to ensure that both children and parents have a great time. We rented the most adorable bounce house from Day Dream Party Rentals- a modern bounce house company that recently launched by local mom, Laura Anderson. Bounce houses are not only a blast but also a safe way for children to burn off energy. I love that Day Dream Party Rentals has aesthetically pleasing options to match with your party decor! Follow along on Instagram for more bounce house options and soft play. I set up an apple cider and donut station next to the bounce house to incorporate the fall theme and decorated it with the boo-quet from The Flower Bar and pumpkins from Mangone’s Garden Center.
Drinks
I love setting up a festive bar with seasonal options! Here are some of the brands I’m loving lately:
Lifevine Wine: Their products are made with zero sugar and are free of harmful toxins and pesticides, while still tasting amazing! I love that many of their varieties are also made with organic grapes. They are carried in several local stores in Westchester and you can search to find the location closest to you here
Mixly: Making fresh and delicious mocktails and cocktails was easy with Mixly! With fresh-squeezed juice, zesty citrus, and a touch of honey, their mixers make refreshing and flavorful drinks. I love that the recipes for the perfect combinations are right there on the bottle and simple to follow. You just add soda or your favorite spirit! You can read more on their website and follow along on Instagram.
SipMARGS: In addition to the traditional fall drinks, I wanted to serve something for all of my margarita loving guests! They come in the convenience of a can and everyone raved about this bold, great-tasting sparkling margarita. They are all natural, low in sugar and made with real tequila. Follow along on Instagram and use the store locator to see where they’re carried! (If you have a favorite store you always go to that isn’t carrying them yet- just ask! SipMARGS can ship to them!)
Hosting a fall gathering is an excellent way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories with friends and family. My vision was to sit outside at a long table to eat and then enjoy drinks and s’mores by the fire. Unfortunately, it ended up raining so we had to bring everything inside- it’s important to note that a back up plan is always a must! Cheers to fall and here’s to hoping we get some non-rainy weekends over the next few months!
Want more fall content and resources? Check out the links below!
By Kelly Postiglione. This post contains sponsored content.