How to Have the Best. Party. Ever.

As I mentioned yesterday, I went to an awesome family reunion party with my husband’s family this weekend.  I have been to a lot of parties in my life.  This one was definitely one of the very best.  All of the best parties I have been to, including my wedding reception, have had several things in common (most likely because they are all parties involving my husband’s family and/or the Farm).  My in-laws seriously know how to party.  So here’s what I’ve learned from them in the past 10 years about throwing a good party.

1. Have it in a barn (Morton building).

Nothing really screams “party hard!” like a big, cleared out building, ripe for dancing and all sorts of other antics.

2. Involve camping of some sort.  When people come from far away and are able to stay in close proximity by camping out, the fun is bound to multiply.  This was our home away from home for the weekend.

Along these lines, include a campfire.  And throw in some swine (or other farm animals) whenever possible.  Just because.  This was the view from the front door of our RV (one of these guys is going to provide some yummy bacon for our freezer come November):

3. Get a band.

Better yet, be the band.

And play awesome music, like “Fight for Your Right (To Party)”

If you have no awesome musical talent available, get a karaoke machine.  Seriously.

4. Make it about family and include all generations.

My father-in-law and his brothers routinely get up and sing with the band at these family parties.  My 13-year-old nephew played the fiddle during “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and the trumpet during “Sweet Caroline.”  My five-year-old nephew played cowbell during another song while his dad played the guitar next to him.  It was awesome.

And have a good way to keep on partying once the tiny ones go to bed (notice the monitor clipped to my waist so I could keep an eye on the girls in the RV after they went to bed).

5. Get people moving.  Encourage crowd participation.

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^This link goes to a video of part of the “Sweet Caroline” performance.  You might have to click on it twice.  I haven’t quite figured out uploading videos with this new platform yet, I guess.

6. Don’t take yourself too seriously.  If your idea of a good party involves breakable dishes and pinkies out, these tips probably aren’t for you.  But if you like a sweaty, exhausting, dance-til-you-nearly-pee-your-pants kind of crazy good time, try it.

In all seriousness, I don’t think a party like this can be easily replicated.  It’s impossible to truly describe the fun and family togetherness that is The Labor Day Party.  It’s a big group of people dancing and singing and hugging and laughing, and all of them are related.  The band is made up of my husband, his brother, three cousins, and a family friend.  The dance floor is packed with more cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews of all ages.  We used to have these parties annually at the Farm every Labor Day weekend.  We had a similar party for our wedding reception at the Farm.  For the past three years there hasn’t been a party, and I’ve missed it.  But I didn’t even realize how much until getting back to it this year.  This year the party was hosted by my husband’s amazing cousin and his wife.  Different venue, same crazy fun family, same awesome party.

The best thing this year was being able to see Miss enjoy the party (Lass and Sis were in bed before it started).  She loved dancing and I think I could have just watched her do it all night.  She totally got into the Hokey Pokey.  The first time I got up on the stage to sing, she looked up at me with a quizzical and slightly awed expression.  Then I pointed to her while I was singing, and the beaming smile that broke across her face was priceless.

What a way to wrap up summer.

Miss starts school tomorrow.  When we were talking about what she wanted to wear for her first day she said, “School tights, a skirt, and a topping,” and then she picked out a lovely outfit.  Photos of her first day to come.