The Square Life

At Square we’ve pooled together all of our best creative resources to bring you four fabulous party ideas that will have the kids raving for months after they happen. So, whether you’re the type of person who has completely exhausted your costume box resources, or whether you’re the type of person who laughs out loud at the mere thought of owning a costume box, here are four themed soirees that will motivate your inner party planner.

1. MOCKTAIL PARTY

Don’t let the fact that you’re in the Valley stop you from enjoying a round of drinks with your friends! Throw a Mocktail party bubbling with virgin cocktails and black-tie attire. Use coasters to make the invitations and hand deliver them to your guests. People are more likely to show up on time and dressed for the part if they are personally invited. Have a particularly gregarious friend act as the bartender to ensure that the drinks are flowing freely all night. Dress up your dweling cheaply and neatly with a plate wall. Just pick
up some paper plates at a dollar store and tape them up to quickly add
color and class to your room. Hand delivered coaster invites help
guests get in the mood for a swingin’ night.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE SPRITZER
1 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup club soda
Frozen cranberries
Ice
Fill the bottom of the glass with ice. Pour in juices, then club soda and stir. Top with frozen cranberries.

MOSSTROOPER
1 glass root beer
1 squirt 7-Up® soda
Ice
Almost fill a glass half-filled with ice with root beer. Add a little 7-Up, and stir with a straw.

MOUNTAIN DANG
3 parts Mountain Dew®
1 part Tang® powdered soft drink
Fill a glass (ice optional) three-quarters full with Mountain Dew. Add Tang to taste.

SHIRLEY TEMPLE
1/4 cup ginger ale
1 1/2 tablespoons grenadine syrup
Maraschino Cherries
Pour all ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice and top with a maraschino cherry.

SERVE UP THESE ALBUMS ON THE TURNTABLE
Robbie Williams - Swing When You’re Winning
Ultra Lounge - Wild, Cool, and Swingin’
BitterSweet - The Mating Game

2. CHEESE PARTY

Have a few close friends you’ve been meaning to spend some quality time with? Then throwing a Cheese Party is the perfect option. First make the space cozy and inviting by nixing all your furniture and putting out as many fuzzy blankies and overstuffed pillows as possible. Don’t break the bank, just borrow bedding from friends. Next prepare the lighting. Obviously a fireplace is ideal, but let’s get real, we’re not in Aspen. So dozens of tiny tea-lights are your next best option. Good lighting is key for setting the right tone. Let the cheese fondue be the star of the party and the main activity that gets the conversation rolling. Serve white grape juice and huddle together while dipping bread, veggies, and whatever else you can find in the fondue. Encourage guests to wear cable knit sweaters and sheepskin boots with leggings. Remember Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber? Exactly. For another great serving suggestion visit thesquarelife.com.

CHEESE FONDUE
4 tbs. Butter
4 tbs. Flour
½ tsp. salt
2 cup Milk
16 oz. American Cheese
½ tsp. garlic powder
French bread, cut into cubes

Mix butter, flour, salt and milk in a saucepan over low heat. Add cheese and garlic powder, stirring until melted. Transfer to fondue pot for serving.

WARM UP WITH THESE TUNES
Iron and Wine - The Shepherd’s Dog
Josh Rouse - Country Mouse, City House
Feist - Let It Die

3. POLITICAL PARTY

Nothing like a healthy political debate to bring out the best in people! But instead of throwing a party for a cause that will start fistfights, throw one for a cause that’s completely moot. It could be the liberation of Kidney Beans, or the more ethical treatment of Skip-Its. Whatever the cause, invite people to get involved and “campaign” for one of two sides. Have half of the invitations invite people to be “pro” your ridiculous cause, and the other half to be “anti” your ridiculous cause. Explain to them their campaign objectives, and have them come prepared to step up to the soapbox if necessary. Halfway through the party you can have someone call in the “winner." Be sure to decorate in only the most patriotic colors. Guests can
dress as their favorite politicial figure, use excessive amounts of
hair gel, and practice their politician waves and smiles.

MINI ROOTBEER FLOATS

Root beer
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream

Fill shot glasses with 2 tablespoons of root beer. Using a melon ball scoop, add one scoop of vanilla ice cream to the shot glasses and top with whipped cream.

4. AFTER PARTY

You want to wear those gold pants, they make your butt look fantastic! But you fear the ridicule that would accompany their debut in normal society. That’s why you throw the After Party Party! So everyone can dress up as the most absurd “celebrity” version of themselves. Throw down some red butcher paper as a red carpet, and have a barrage of paprizzi waiting at the front door when your guests arrive. Serve chilled bottles of sparkling water—don’t forget the limes—and then all sit around and talk about how much money you make and who you ran into last week on Rodeo Drive. Send your guests home like stars with some “swag” made up of items from a one dollar store. Create your own “photo-op” wall by putting up white butcher paper and printing your after party “sponsors” logos onto stickers.

PITA CHIPOS AND WHITE BEAN PUREE

For the pita chips
Makes 32
4 pitas
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano (opt)
Salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 375ºF. cut pita in half to make two flat disks. Cut each disk into 4 quarters. Arrange pita quarters on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. sprinkle oregano and salt and pepper on each pita quarter. Bake for about 10 min, or until golden brown.
For the white bean purée
Makes a little over 1 cup
1- 19 oz can cannellini/white kidney beans, drained not rinsed
1 small garlic clove
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon olive oil
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. If you don’t have a food processor, mash ingredients with a wooden spoon.

SPIN THESE DISCS
INTO THE MIX
Jamiroquai - A Funk Odyssey
Teddy Bears - Soft Machine
Metro Station - Metro Station