Party Brainstorm Thread

June 29, 2009 2:06 PM

This is the thread where people can discuss things they'll be bringing to the meetup (This is NOT the drink discusison thread, which will be posted in the next day or two, so save your booze talk). Food, treats, toys, etc.

I will be bringing name-tags for those who want to wear them. And chips, because I love chips.

Anyone have a good idea for a sign-in sheet? I want something that will look cool when we show off our roster in post-meetup pics!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero to New York, NY at 2:06 PM (31 comments total)

Any sign-in sheet should involve silver sharpies. I love those things.
posted by smackfu at 4:00 PM on June 29, 2009

There have been calls for fancy dress. I will second them, because I went to my parents' basement the other week and unearthed a Metafilter Blue tuxedo. This is pretty much the only excuse I have to wear it.
posted by Jon_Evil at 11:59 PM on June 29, 2009

I'll bake some cookies--a few hundred I have the time. (I'm an experienced large quantity baker.) Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin or salty oat cookies, snickerdoodles and maybe some others.
posted by erin_trying at 1:20 PM on June 30, 2009

I like the Dress to Impress idea! Mainly because I want to see a Metafilter Blue tuxedo.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:19 PM on June 30, 2009

Dress to impress is fine, but I'd hate to think anyone skipped it because they felt they didn't have the threads.

My plus one said she would make red velvet cupcakes maybe.
posted by vrakatar at 5:53 PM on June 30, 2009

StickyCarpet wanted me to bring my typewriter for some reason, if I recall correctly...

Again, volunteering to help with food preparation if anybody is making a concerted effort. If not, I think a couple million apple cake-pies are in order :)
posted by lolichka at 3:09 AM on July 1, 2009

I don't suppose someone has access to a photobooth. That'd be a neat sign up sheet.
posted by spec80 at 10:22 AM on July 1, 2009

I would love if we had a photobooth! Renting them generally costs $$$; I don't suppose anyone happens to work for a photobooth rental company?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:25 PM on July 1, 2009

I LOVE to dress to impress, I will totally be wearing some ridiculous costume/getup.

In terms of photobooth, I could volunteer to bring my digital SLR, and we could set up a makeshift one? The one problem is, I don't have a decent flash at the moment and/or lights that could be set up. Are there any other photographers coming who would we willing to get on board with that, help in terms of setup and then maybe we could do shifts manning it to make it easier? If not, I'd still be willing to see what I can come up with (I am already seeing myself running out to get a backdrop that will match the blue)
posted by wretched_rhapsody at 8:09 PM on July 1, 2009

I am already seeing myself running out to get a backdrop that will match the blue

With the logo in the top left? Squeeee!
posted by dammitjim at 10:16 AM on July 2, 2009

It's such a fine line between faux photo-booth photos and faux prom photos.
posted by smackfu at 11:19 AM on July 2, 2009

My plus one said she would make red velvet cupcakes maybe.

I think that makes you her plus one.
posted by JaredSeth at 11:29 AM on July 2, 2009

Any sign-in sheet should involve silver sharpies.

The ones that bleed flourescent green on the edges? That would be ace. We'll need a sign in sheet, because the building owner said, "you don't have to pay me, but I do ask that you not create some kind of legal nightmare where I lose my building in a lawsuit." So there will be a liability waiver, upon entering.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:34 PM on July 2, 2009

I'd hate to think anyone skipped it because they felt they didn't have the threads.

We'll have plenty of tulle and gaffers tape, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:36 PM on July 2, 2009

I think that makes you her plus one.

Ah! But she is not a member, so she would be crying in the street with 4 dozen cupcakes, like a puppy in the rain.
posted by vrakatar at 7:22 PM on July 2, 2009

Hey, will anybody be able to help by providing transportation to move my loudspeakers and mixing board sometime before the party? That way bands and such can plug in and be loud. It's fairly large, but a minivan would work.
posted by fuq at 8:20 PM on July 2, 2009

I am bringing a surprise.
posted by The Whelk at 10:00 PM on July 4, 2009

I can whip up various dips/spreads (things like tapenade and this amazing sun-dried tomato dip that I've brought to parties before and always had someone ask for the recipe). I may also do something involving zucchini (because I have signed up for a CSA which is currently overloading me with the stuff), or make some kind of fruit tart-type-thing.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:54 AM on July 6, 2009

I will be sharply dressed.
Hint: there is a shiny gold bowtie involved.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:16 PM on July 13, 2009

Man, I'm just showing up wearing whatever's in my closet. But I do think it'd be pretty hilarious if the sign up sheet was like a slightly blown up (11X17 or bigger?) replica of like a Metafilter page (background colors and headers, unless that's like copyrighted by Matt or something), and have people use their silver pens to write replies/comments with. Have a couple of pages worth or something. Though a custom printing like that will cost money I suppose.
posted by kkokkodalk at 1:40 PM on July 13, 2009

Right: I'm planning on tapenade, some zucchini/cheese/biscuity things, and a chocolate cake with homemade apricot/amaretto jam spread between the layers. And the sun-dried tomato dip if you're lucky and I don't run out of time.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:57 PM on July 13, 2009

Before I start baking this week, I'd like some clarification on the quantity of food desired. From other people's comments it appears everyone who is bringing food is bringing dishes that serve, maybe, 20 people max per dish--certainly not enough to feed everyone. Whereas I was intending to bake a large quantity of cookies (c. 500+). So is the goal to bring enough for yourself and a few other people or to try and feed the party?
posted by erin_trying at 1:56 PM on July 14, 2009

My impression was that it was pot-lock style? People bring something plus a little more. I can't cook for shit but I could pick up a variety of faaaaaaaaaaancy chips, just to have around.

500 cookies does sound pretty good tho. For me, I mean. The rest of you can eat something else.
posted by The Whelk at 2:19 PM on July 14, 2009

Also I assume the practical side of plates, cups, napkins, and the like has been dealt with?
posted by The Whelk at 2:23 PM on July 14, 2009

I don't think anyone is expecting anyone else to bring enough of whatever it is they are bringing to feed 200 people. Bring what you can, and we'll all share, and everyone should get a good nosh, so yeah, think of it as a kind of potluck. If anyone has the time and resources to go big, sure, especially if they are focusing on one thing, like the cookies mentioned above. Use your judgement and don't kill yourselves. Many hands make light work and many snacks make a feast.

As far as plates, etc. I was adding those and napkins and plastic forks to the end of my list. I'll be getting enough cups for the whole night, I think, but if anyone wants to step up and secure, say, 300 paper plates, 500 cocktail napkins, and plastic forks, etc, shoot me or TPS a mefimail so we can cross it off our lists. Bear in mind if you are that person, you'll need to get to the party at least a bit early.

And if you are coming late, bring ice. I am obsessed with not running out of ice.
posted by vrakatar at 2:34 PM on July 14, 2009

Oh, wait, I just cleaned out the kitchen after my roommate moved out and somehow I found that I had a bunch of assorted random plastic cups and paper plates that have been in this apartment a while and which I never use. I don't even know how many, but I'll bring 'em, and I'm sure they'll be good for backups.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:41 PM on July 14, 2009

vrakatar says, "perfect" Empress.
posted by Busithoth at 9:03 PM on July 14, 2009

If there is a central body purchasing alcohol/other beverages for the party (I assume from a distributor), wouldn't it make the best sense to get the ice from them? 5 sleeves of 50 lbs is way cheaper from a distributor than everyone bringing a bag on their own from a random bodega.
posted by erin_trying at 8:03 AM on July 15, 2009

That is happening, erin. But it will be pretty melty by 10 pm, so if you plan to arrive then or later snaging a bag (there's a 24 hour place at Chambers and Church that sells ice) will help get us through to 2 am with frosty drinks.
posted by vrakatar at 11:49 AM on July 15, 2009

Are we going to need pitchers or platters or anything like that? I had a party about a month ago and I have a bunch of those, plastic, available for use. They'd need to be returned at some point, but that point could be anytime in the next few... months?

Would it be dorky to bring a couple of antipasto platters?
posted by houseofdanie at 4:10 PM on July 15, 2009

Pitchers I do not think we will need. Nor platters, maybe a big bowl or two for chips. Antipasto platters sound great, easy to share and easy clean-up.
posted by vrakatar at 1:28 AM on July 16, 2009