Oktober-ish-fest

So not quite a real Oktoberfest, but I think this would make for a great fall get together with friends.  A pumpkin carving – fall beer tasting – sausage eating party.

And to keep it easy, don’t be afraid to ask friends to bring a little something – either a pumpkin to carve or a good fall beer.  Have some sausages grilled up with bunch of accompaniments and keep everyone’s hands free for knives and steins!

For a get together this casual, mailed invitations are not necessary, feel free to jazz up an e-mail version.  But steer clear of evites and don’t forget to bcc: not everyone wants their info out there!

What you’ll need:

FRIENDS – the best part of any party!

PUMPKIN STUFF

A few pumpkins to carve – people may bring there own, but you want some back-up and you’ll want one too.

Tools – I never have much luck with those kits at the grocery store for $4.99 – they often break on me.  I think kitchen knives for simple designs or hit up an art supply store for some cheap, but sturdy tools.

Templates – most people will just wing it, but it is fun to have a few on hand.  Martha Stewart usually has cool, but super detailed templates.  My vote for fun and easy – print out some letters in your favorite font and a few sizes (and bold – for a bit more thickness) and people can do a monogram or a fun little phrase.

Newspaper – you don’t want to spend too much time cleaning up pumpkin guts!

DRINKS

This is second only to friends.  Fall always has some really fun beers, and why not check a bunch out?  The Oktoberfest lagers, pumkin ales, and nice dark stout – swoon.  Have a few open for samples, (with some small juice glasses nearby) so people can try the different options without being committed.  And then plenty cold ones stocked up for the rest of the evening.

Also, as it is quite chilly already, maybe something warm too.  A natural spiced apple cider simmering on the stove would be perfect and make the house smell like fall.  And a bottle of Maker’s Mark by the mugs – none of my friends take it plain!

FOOD

Keep it simple – if you spend the whole day cooking, chances are you won’t want to dive back into a pumpkin.  Let the store help you!

There are all kinds of sausages out – either from the butcher or refridgerated case… either can be great.  I ususally go the chicken sausage route, so for this, I would maybe do a spicy garlic for one and apple for the other.  Have enough for multiple rounds (I would plan 2-3 sausages be person).  Next to sausages, set out a few mustards and maybe some buns (I would halve them so its not too much at once), and any other accompaniments you like.  Sauerkraut would be great here.  If you want to do some cooking, grilled onions would be the perfect compliment.

A cutting board filled to the brim with sliced apples and cheese and you are set.  Just make sure you get some lemon juice on those apples as soon as they are cut so they stay looking as good as they taste.

*Save the pumpkin seeds for a snack later – you don’t want to be spending all your time washing them up as they come out of the pumpkin and then roasting them(and not burning) when there are beers to be sampled!

If you or your friends have much of a sweet tooth, it maybe wouldn’t hurt to have a few brownie bites or chocolate chip cookies on hand – simple and homey.

MUSIC & DECOR

I’m guessing you have your own playlists, and lord knows I can’t help on that front – but keep the good tunes rolling.

As for decor – you don’t need much.  A quick arrangemnt of some fall florals if you are so inclinded, but otherwise – the colors of the carvings will be all you need.  I would have a few candles lit though – everyone looks better in candlelight!

INVITES

If you are going to have a proper party (or casual get together) invite your friends in a proper way – this means no mass texts and no evites!  It doesn’t have to mean formal or even written, but something.  Here are the templates for the two shown above if you want, just add your own message – but really, you can do anything.  Click here for the orange pumpkins or here for the neon.

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Mostly – just have fun.  Happy Beer & Pumpkining!