This cultural status means ‘Melbournites’ are fashionable about their food. They’re picky, demanding, and quickly change preference according to current trends. What’s ‘in’ now might not be so popular next month or year, and everyone who’s throwing a party likes to be sure they are serving up the right food.

So, what’s ‘trending’ in the great city of Melbourne for 2016? Foods as funky and hip as the culture, really. Take a look below, and you’ll see what’s hot.

Mini foods

Mini versions of pies and burgers, as well as mini fish and chip buckets, have always been popular for catering purposes; they can be eaten while standing, don’t require the use of utensils, and don’t call for close proximity to a table (which is just as well, because casual events never have enough tables to go ‘round).

A key trend at the moment is mini comfort foods, or rich, hearty, flavourful food that is easy to eat and enjoy on the run. Dishes such as mini tacos and foie gras burgers look enticing on serving plates, and have good, strong, memorable flavours.

Bacon

The world loves bacon, and people in Melbourne are loving how versatile bacon can be. Really creative bacon dishes such as whiskey/bacon/maple cocktails, or bacon and sea salt chocolate bars, are absolutely delightful and perfect for small portions in mass catering.

However, it’s worth remembering that some religions prohibit the consumption of bacon and, in cities such as Melbourne, it’s important to check for any dietary requirements in event attendees, or at least offer alternatives so certain guests aren’t left hungry.

Greens, no meat

There has been a remarkable upswing in the demand for vegetarian and vegan meals. Even people who are not vegetarians are embracing dishes without meat, for both the health and flavour benefits.

The range of colours available with vegetarian food makes for some stunning, aesthetically-pleasing dishes. Mini vegetarian quiches with mushrooms and sundried tomatoes, and water chestnut and shiitake mushroom puffs filled with crunchy Asian vegetables are a couple of our favourites at Catering on the Move, which will undoubtedly suit Melbourne’s love for tasty, fashionable and instagram-worthy food.

Freshly cooked

Once upon a time, it was acceptable to serve pre-packaged food, especially for large catering jobs. That won’t fly in Melbourne any longer. Guests have come to expect catering prepared at a cooking station during the event. Some events even make a show of it by having the chefs prepare the meal ‘live’ in a corner or booth of the event space. Our ‘pizza on the move’ is a great example – your guests can watch us prepare and bake pizzas right in front of them.

No longer a ‘one size fits all’ approach

Perhaps the most significant trend in Melbourne’s food catering industry is a move away from the traditional pre-packaging of menu options. Where once a customer would be provided with a list of the available menu options and asked to pick their preferences, now caterers are working closely with their customers to develop an individualised menu for specific events.

This means catering companies are starting to provide consultancy services, alongside regular catering. The best caterers are rapidly learning how to develop menus that suit the theme of the event – understanding that a business conference in a hotel is a very different experience to a Christmas party or warehouse event, and that the dishes should be tailored to suit. Additionally, caterers are expected to to listen to the ideas of their customers and develop a menu to reflect those ideas. At Catering on the Move, we offer menu choices to help make our clients decisions easier, but all of our menu choices remain completely flexible.

It’s a fascinating time to be in the catering business in Melbourne. Customers are undeniably more demanding, but being able to meet those demands means a great deal of satisfaction – for both the customer and those in the catering business.

The post What’s on the Menu in 2016? Melbourne’s Catering Trends appeared first on Catering on the Move.

You can usually spot parties organised by the latter group because they’re held in dingy restaurants in the ‘wrong’ part of town or in badly lit rooms at the back of a noisy bars as, sadly, all the most sought after venues tend to get snaffled well in advance.

Don’t be that person. A great location is a must for any occasion, to help create the atmosphere and vibe you are going for.

Here’s our lowdown on some of the most unique function venues in Melbourne.

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

111 Sturt Street, Southbank, VIC

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art’s distinctive building is the perfect place to hold a unique event. Located just minutes from Melbourne’s CBD in the arts precinct of Southbank, the ACCA is available for a range of events, from sit-down dinners and cocktail parties to corporate breakfasts and weddings. You can host a boutique event in the mirrored foyer, accommodate up to 1,000 people in the grand gallery, or even host an outdoor event in the large north-facing forecourt. For a really special touch to your event, arrange an exclusive, after-hours private viewing of an exhibition.

524 Flinders

524 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

This contemporary location is in the heart of Melbourne’s Central Business District. 524 Flinders features white walls and a gritty, industrial style feel with over 330 square metres of space set off by fashionable polished-concrete floors.

As an additional bonus, it all has a large outdoor covered smoking area overlooking Flinders street. It’s perfect for drinks parties, corporate events and product launches.

The Fly Factory

26 Cottage Street, Blackburn VIC 3130, Australia

Don’t worry; this venue has absolutely nothing to do with insects. The ‘Fly’ refers to trapeze acrobatics – because the Factory is a trapeze school, run by a team of circus professionals, where total beginners can learn to whizz through the air with the greatest of ease (eventually!).

The Fly Factory also hosts amazing, unique functions that are targeted at hen nights, office parties and team building events. There’s also a separate upstairs space where partygoers can eat and drink while being entertained by the lessons and performances happening below.

Tonic House Cellar

386 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

Hidden within one of Melbourne’s last- standing Victorian buildings, Tonic House Cellar is an immaculately styled venue. With décor and charm reminiscent of the Victorian era, the Cellar features black cocktail furniture and black and white tiled floors. The exposed brick walls are decorated with a painting inspired by Alfred Hitchcock, created by a BAFTA award-winning artist. This is the perfect venue if you want to host an event with a real wow factor.

The wide variety of great function venues throughout Melbourne should make event planning a treat rather than a chore. When you’ve found somewhere you love, it’s a good idea to lock in your caterers as soon as possible so you don’t miss out. Get a free quote from Catering on the Move today.

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As with most successful endeavours in life, organisation is key for your child’s birthday party. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist for hosting the perfect child’s party.

One month out

Budget

First things first, work out how much funding you have available for the event, and make a detailed budget outlining where those funds are going.

Date and time

Lock in a date that will suit everyone and get those invitations out with plenty of notice.

Work out what time to invite people – remember to plan around other common commitments, like if there are school activities going on that may require the attention of parents.

Theme

Work out a theme – kids love to get dressed up, and a well thought out theme can bring that sense of wonder to the event. Talk with your child about the kind of theme they’d be most excited about.

Venue

Do you have it at home or do you look for somewhere to hire out?

Guest list

While ideally you’d just send out invitations to everyone in your child’s class, it’s really a better idea to go through the guest list with them to make sure you’re not creating any potential traumas for the birthday girl or boy. Also make sure you’re not creating any traumas for other children in their class by leaving them out.

Invitations

Whether you’re going for the homemade approach or commissioning specially made ones, it’s important to get the invitations sorted early to get them to guests as soon as possible.

Entertainment

It’s tempting to just let your child’s friends gather and let them do their thing, but really it’s best to have something to entertain your guests to give them some unified experience they can take away at the end of the day.

Food

This is an important one, and requires attention. You’ve got to get food that your child loves, food that her friends are going to love, as well as stuff that the adults can eat. Don’t forget to make sure you have any special dietary restrictions covered.

2 weeks to go

Contingencies

Work out what’s going to happen if you need to account for wet weather, and be sure to let other parents know of the potential venue change. Make sure the guests’ parents all have your contact information so that they can keep up to date. You could even make a Facebook event for their parents to follow to keep them in the know.

Confirmations

Make sure your bookings are all set to go so that there are no last minute surprises.

Personnel

Do you need a photographer? A DJ? A caterer to prepare and serve food? While it’s tempting to save on costs and do it all yourself, hiring a professional for something like catering can really make or break the success of the day. Be the accomplished party organiser and delegate these important roles to people who do it for a living. You’ll thank yourself on the day.

The week of the party

Shopping

Make sure you’re ahead of the game when it comes to stocking up for the party. This includes food and drinks for the kids as well as for the adults. Decorations will need to be sorted out, as well as any costume gear you might need for the special day.

Cake

If you’re making your own, make sure you have all the ingredients, and have planned out when and how you need to create it. If you’re ordering, of course, work out when you’ll need to pick it up, and make some space in the fridge before you do.

Goody bags

Organise what you need to get to send your guests home with something to remember the day. Besides lollies you might want to include a few nick-nacks that suit your theme. Remember to plan for extras in case there’s a few siblings that come along.

The night before

Preparations

Put up your decorations, make sure the cake is good to go, and set up the areas that are to house the guests.

Emergency contacts

if kids are being dropped off at your party, it’s important to make sure you’ve got immediate contact numbers for their guardians just in case anything out of the ordinary should occur.

Rest

Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep so that they’re ready to have fun!

One last thing

Thank you cards

After the big day, you might want to send out thank you cards to the guests (and their parents). A good idea is to include pictures of any presents that might have been passed along to the special boy or girl to show your appreciation, as well as any pictures you may have gotten of the kids as they enjoyed the party. You can easily hand-make these (even just writing on the back of some photos like a post-card can be effective) but there are plenty of options for buying them ready-made if that’s a better option for you.

And that’s a wrap! If everything has gone to plan (more or less), your child will have a memorable experience that will resonate throughout their lifetime. Now all you need to do is start planning again for next year!

The post Throwing a Kids Party? Use this Checklist appeared first on Catering on the Move.

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We all know the feeling. Those fresh fruits and veggies that we spent the weekly budget on are starting to emit a strange smell. More money wasted without the benefit of ingesting those wholesome ingredients. What if there were some easy tips that you could follow to ensure you could keep your food fresh for longer? This would not only save you money spent on buying more food, but you’d enjoy the satisfaction of eating the fresh and healthy goodness that you spent so much money on in the first place!

These are some of our favourite tips for keeping your fresh food fresh. Some are seriously expert tricks, and some are just plain common sense!

Plan your shopping

Try not to purchase too many perishable items at one time. Finding your supermarket groove will eventually ensure your shopping schedule is fine tuned and you can maximise the freshness of your ingredients (and prevent excessive wastage).

Use your fridge properly

The fridge isn’t just an icebox. It’s specially designed to have appropriate cooling areas for certain types of food. The top shelf is designed for things like cheese, yoghurt, and pre-prepared foods. The bottom shelf is the coldest, so reserve this one for raw meats, poultry, and fish (sealed in bags to prevent contamination).

The salad drawer is for fresh fruits and vegetables, as it’s often equipped with a humidity regulator that can keep your fresh items fresh for longer. Door racks are perfect for things like condiments and covered butter. Remember, the door is the least consistent temperature as it is overexposed to the warm elements of a fridge.

Keep expensive ingredients at the front

Sometimes we’re tempted to keep those lean lamb cutlets a little longer as they were so expensive that they should properly be enjoyed. However, don’t be that person who waits so long that the food goes off because you’ve been waiting for that special time. Do yourself a favour and cook those suckers as soon as possible.

Wrap banana stems in plastic wrap

This will prevent the bananas from releasing the gases that help them ripen. For extra longevity, wrap the stems individually. Store them at room temperature until they ripen, and then put them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process.

Store potatoes with an apple

If you put an apple in your potato sack, it will prevent them from sprouting too quickly and they will be good for weeks to come.

Restore wilted greens with iced water

Are your lettuce leaves looking dehydrated? Treat them like an athlete and give them a good ice bath. The water will refresh the membranes and they’ll perk up and be good enough to serve again.

Wash berries in vinegar water

Give berries a quick bath in diluted vinegar and dry them before putting them away. The vinegar is nature’s disinfectant and will prevent bacteria and mould from forming too quickly.

Skewer lemons

Need lemon juice, but not a whole lemon’s worth? Skewer a lemon and squeeze out the juice you need. This is much better than cutting it in half, which will only allow it to dry out too quickly.

Store leftovers in jars

Storing leftovers in glass jars will keep them airtight, with the added bonus of easily letting you see what is inside them. This is great as it reminds you of what leftovers you have each time you open the fridge, so you don’t neglect that yummy dish you were saving. We’ve all done it.

Wrap cheese

Remove cheeses from their packaging and wrap them in cling wrap before sealing in a plastic bag. This will keep them from going mouldy too quickly.

Follow these tips and work them into your routine, and you’ll find yourself wasting less food and enjoying fresher food for longer. It’s a win-win situation, really. Share the tips with your friends and family for extra karma!

The post How to Keep Your Fresh Food Fresh for Longer appeared first on Catering on the Move.

Timing

Give yourself plenty of time to plan by setting a date with at least 5 weeks lead time. Parties are meant to be fun, so stressing out at the last minute about whether or not you’ve got enough food isn’t something you want to put yourself through. Take your time to organise, so you can think everything out beforehand.

Style and theme of your event

Once you know when you’re having your party, it’s time to decide on the style and theme of party you are having. Style refers to whether or not it’s going to be informal or formal, a sit down dinner or cocktail event, for example.

You may want to keep it simple – for a kids birthday party you could use hot pink decorations, invitations and balloons and perhaps ask everyone to wear a piece of pink in honor of the birthday girl. Or you could have a fancy dress theme, a black and white party, even a location themed party (Paris, anyone?). There are so many themes, you just need to do your research and use your own imagination to come up with something that suits the guest of honour and the occasion.

Guest List

Consider your guest list and double and triple check it to make sure no one important is left out. Ensure that the theme and style of event is suitable for your guests and will be something they’ll enjoy too.

Create a budget

You need to set a clear budget for how much you are willing to spend on your party. Take into account party invitations, decorations, food, drinks and other expenses such as entertainment if you are planning on going all out. It’s easy to spend more than you can afford when it comes to hosting a party so outlining what you have to spend is the best way to steer clear of using that credit card for additional purchases.

Food and beverages

You can start planning the food and beverages you’ll be providing before you receive all of your RSVP’s. Once again, consider the theme and style of the party. For a sit down event you’ll need to plan out a full menu and you may want to get the event catered to save you the additional stress.

For a cocktail event or casual party, finger food is your best option. A mixture of hot and cold canapes is always a good idea. You could even serve pizza later in the evening to ensure that anyone who is still hungry goes home satisfied.

Make sure that you find out if any of your guests have dietary requirements prior to your party so you know that there won’t be anyone left out.

Don’t forget to buy the extras like paper plates, plastic cups of different sizes, napkins and plastic knives and forks.

Create a purchase plan and have a storage solution in mind

Consider where you will store items that need to be kept cold and how these will be kept cold on the day/night of the party. Filling the bathtub or laundry tub with ice to keep drinks cool is a simple, easy way to ensure your drinks remain chilled.

Cleaning and party-proofing your home

If you are hosting a party at home, make sure you give it a good clean the day before and store away anything that might break. Vases and anything glass that could easily be knocked over as your house or apartment reaches capacity should be stored away just until the party is over to avoid any accidents.

Music, decorations and lighting

• To create the right party atmosphere one of the key elements is music. Create a playlist beforehand that ties in with the theme of your party for your guests to enjoy. Important: This is not the time to unleash your favourite metal song on unsuspecting friends at a casual cocktail afternoon party. Keep the music appropriate for the party. No matter what the theme is, it’s a good idea to include some party favourites for the end of the evening to get everyone dancing.
• Decorations don’t need to consist of streamers and balloons. If the traditional party decorative items aren’t really for you, paper lanterns, tassel garlands, and a couple of colourful bouquets of flowers might be just what you’re after. Paper pom poms are also a great option and they are easy and light to hang.
• Tealights and fairy lights create the perfect ambient lighting for night time events. Soft lighting like this always creates a party atmosphere. Don’t use overhead lighting, but look for Christmas lights, string lights and candles to light up your party after dark.

On the day of the party, remember:

• Start decorating early so you have some time to relax later on.
• Ask someone to purchase the ice for you on their way to your party. You don’t want to be buying this too early, and you don’t want to be rushing out just before guests arrive.
• Start the music before the guests arrive – there’s nothing like an awkward silence when the first person turns up.
• Find a place for guests to leave their coats or bags, and direct them to it when they arrive.
• Once the food is out and the music is on, take some time to enjoy yourself, chat to your guests, and don’t worry too much – everything will fall into place when all the guests arrive.

The post Essential Tips For Planning A Party At Home appeared first on Catering on the Move.

When you’re organising the catering for a business or social event, everything depends on planning. No one wants guests to leave feeling hungry, and oversupply of food and beverages can be a costly and preventable mistake. What to do? Let’s get started!

Five musts of successful catering

• Count your RSVPs and always allow for unexpected guests. Notify your catering company as soon as you are aware of extra guests.
• Take note of any special guest dietary requirements and supply these to your caterer.
• Decide on the style and duration of your event. An all day conference will demand more food and beverages than, say, an evening cocktail party.
• Choose your menu and pinpoint menu options that will be quick movers, like shellfish hor d’oeuvres, and increase the amount of these dishes.
• Beverage selection is just as important as menu selection, so ensure you have the correct beverages for your occasion, in the right quantities.

Calculating the right food portions for any event can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. A catering expert will communicate with you and advise on menu and quantity options while taking your budget into consideration.

A quick guideline for food quantities

You never want to be caught with not enough food or beverages. Whenever you are uncertain, err on the side of more food rather than less. If you run out of food or beverages, the negative reaction or your personal embarrassment will far outweigh the extra cost of catering a little more food.

It is important to have some idea about correctly estimating food portions and quantities to satisfy your guests and make for a memorable occasion. Here is a guide to how many pieces to provide:

A quick guideline for beverage quantities

Allow for at least one beverage per person per hour for a 4 hour event. Remember to supply water and soft drink as not everyone will drink alcohol, and there are those who may want to switch to water or soft drink at some point. Here is a guide to some popular drinks and appropriate serving amounts for a group of 50 people.

Don’t forget breakfast

It is not unusual for business events and seminars to be scheduled at breakfast time,

and attendees may be hungry. Plan ahead and keep it simple with this guide:

• Beverages – Plan on two beverages per person (coffee, juice, tea)
• Mains – Allow for a single serve of about 120 grams
• Side dishes – Allow for a choice of two sides per person
• Pastries – Allow for two pastries per person if not serving a full breakfast

There is no question that planning any catered event can be daunting, but knowing the right portions for food and beverages is simple if you plan ahead and follow the easy guidelines listed above.

It is good to be reminded as you embark on your next catered venture that your guests, clients, or staff always remember an event where they have eaten and drunk well and walked away satisfied and enriched by the experience. Bon Appetite!

The post A Guide to Food and Drink Quantities When Catering appeared first on Catering on the Move.

Decide on your theme

There are so many options to choose from. First decide on the mood you would like to create. Are you going for a formal, smart or relaxed affair? Guests will feel this as soon as they walk in the dining room. Do you want elegant sophistication or the natural look? How about colour?

Planning ahead will help ensure that you start your Christmas party with the right tone, no matter how it ends!

Casual

Image via Country Living 

The use of mason jars filled with salt or sand with berries and pine needles brighten up this table. Hazelnuts or pistachios can also be used for a natural look.

Image via Country Living 

Simply making a timber box and painting it white sets the boundary for the masterpiece of this decoration. Fill with fern and a few juniper berries. Use candles as a centrepiece for added atmosphere. The timber box can be recycled and used as a table decoration throughout the year.

Simple

Image via Decoholic 

Only a small amount of handiwork is required to create these silver pine cones. Simply collect some pine cones, and spray with silver spray paint (you may want to protect your surface with newspaper). Name tags add a personal touch to each setting.

Image via Decoholic 

White theming with a sparkle of fun. A peppermint cane and small basket of lollies help add colour and gifts as well as placing who sits where. Add some greenery and berries and you have a simple and cost effective setting for your table.

Rustic

Image via Country Living 

Green and red are the universal Christmas colours, but you don’t have to use tacky green and red tinsel to incorporate them into your table decorations. Living greens growing in pots bring the elements of nature indoors, and red fruits and candles add the rustic finishing touches.

Image via Make Haus 

A power drill and some branches is all it takes for rustic candle holders. Place the branches in a vice and measure the depth of candle holder before drilling into each one.

Gold

Image via Country Living 

Glitter and gold highlight the table settings and bring elegance to the fore. Choose small decorations in glassware as the centrepiece. A gold napkin ring on white napkin highlights the individual settings.

White

Image via Decoholic 

White with hints of beige keep this setting light. A sprinkle of white baubles on the table with a decoration on each plate represents Christmas here. Orchids look great as the centrepiece and you can use a miniature picture frame with everyone’s name in it for place holders – which then becomes a gift for them!

Silver

Image via Decoholic 

With runners over the table and chair, silver takes over the setting and brings the festive spirit into the room. The theme is matched on the dinner plates themselves, with their silver rim.

Image via Decoholic 

Silver painted pine cones are the feature of this simple yet creative Christmas table decoration. The hanging wreath above the table creates a beautiful centrepiece which leaves more room for dinner on the table.

Modern

Image via Decoholic 

Sea grasses rather than pine bring nature inside with a spattering of baubles on the table co-ordinating colour throughout.

Image via Decoholic 

The simplicity of neutral tones with a timber setting and candles in glasses are all that is required for this modern setting. Use a few pinecones and a sprig of pine through the napkin ring to add colour to the individual setting.

Homemade centrepieces

Image via WebNeel 

Christmas Trees – Making your own Christmas tree centrepieces is a great way to involve the children. Simply cut out from felt and glue or stitch together. Or, use paper cupcake holders and cut the edges.

Image via F1 

Ornament Centrepieces – Use a tin or glass jar and wrap string or ribbon around it. Glue in place. Place some foam inside the jar. Take the Christmas balls and push one end of florist wire into the decoration and the other into the foam so they stand like flowers. Include some greenery from the garden and berries to keep the colours of Christmas.

The post Deck the Table With These Festive Christmas Decorations appeared first on Catering on the Move.

Image via CraftsUnleashed

Planning a party can be a lot of fun, but if you’re not careful, the costs can quickly build up. By the time you’ve paid for a venue, drinks, decorations, and entertainment, your “fun” party can suddenly seem like it’s not all it was cracked up to be.

One way to save on your party costs is to incorporate DIY decorations, which are not only much cheaper than store bought ones, but are also unique, look fantastic, and show off your creative side.

The ideas for DIY outdoor decorations are endless, but here are a few to get you started:

Large sign

Find a word or image that sums up your party and print it on a piece of paper that’s no bigger than 3.5 x 3.5 inches. Placing it on a sturdy surface, position a projector on top of the image to project it against a wall. Tape a large poster board where the image lies, and trace the outline with a pencil. Cut around the pencil lines, and then tape to the wall for your party guests to see and admire.

Origami box lights

Upcycle your Christmas lights and create strings of colourful lanterns by slipping blowup origami boxes over each individual bulb. The boxes slide on easy and stay firm, but can easily be removed ready for when Christmas rolls around again. You can learn how to make a blow-up origami box here.

Mason jar vases or lanterns

Mason jars are commonly used at parties as decor, but why not put a twist to them by spray painting them to match your colour scheme? Silver and gold painted jars look fantastic and can be used to hold some fresh flowers. You could also use mason jars as lanterns. All you need is some mason jars in varying sizes and some tealights and voila – one of the easiest yet most effective DIY decorations.

Tissue paper pom poms

Tissue paper pom poms are some of the most common DIY decorations seen at parties, and when you consider the versatility and colour they provide, it’s easy to see why. Watch this YouTube video to learn how to make them.

Perforated can lanterns

Image via GrowCreative

Raid the recycling bin for soup, tomato, and bean cans and using something sharp, poke a pattern into the sides. (To prevent denting, fill the cans with water and freeze them first.) Create a handle using bailing wire, spray paint if required, and then fill each can with a tealight come party night.

Decorated glassware

Add some glamour to ordinary, plain glasses and decorate using spray paint, sticky dots, and glitter. If using glitter, be sure to seal it with a couple of coats of gloss, and the glasses can be used time and time again.

Hay bale seats

Image via StyleMePretty

Hay bales are inexpensive, give off a great rustic feel, and also provide extra seating for your guests. Planning on throwing an outdoor lunch party? Why not skip the table and chairs altogether and opt for country-style dining?

Clear balloons with confetti

Any child would love confetti filled balloons at their birthday party, and any parent would love how easy they are to make. Simply take a selection of clear or white balloons, stuff them with confetti, and then fill with helium. Tie a ribbon on the end and you’re done!

Hanging light bulb vases

Quirky yet beautifully delicate, old light bulbs make for great vases once the filaments have been removed. Simply poke two holes through the metal part to attach a wire hanger and then fill with some water and flowers.

Instagram clothesline

Image via AuOutdoors

Hang a makeshift clothes line and provide enough pegs for every person. Using a Polaroid camera, ask your guests to take a snap and hang it for the party to see. Not only does it make a great decoration, you’re also awarded a wonderful keepsake.

Crayon utensil holders

Upcycle an old soup can and glue crayons around the side for quirky utensil holders at your child’s birthday. Alternatively, you could fill them with flowers or use them to hide the weights on your helium balloons.

LED party balloons

Create your own glow in the dark balloons and illuminate your party with a bunch of balloons and some LED lights. Simply turn your lights on the day of your party, pop them inside a range of balloons, and then fill with helium.

Tie dye parasols

Image via ILovetoCreate

Tie dye works well on paper, and the rice paper texture of these parasols give a great effect. Colours are vibrant yet subtle, and whether set up to provide shade or hung from the trees, they’re a decoration that will get your guests talking.

Paper cup lanterns

Paper cups can be relatively inexpensive, and you can usually find some to match your theme. Simply punch a hole in the bottom of them and place over a string of lights, and you’ve got some personalised lights.

Wheelbarrow coolers

For a rustic theme, you can’t go past a rusty wheelbarrow that’s loaded with ice and refreshments. You could even spray paint your wheelbarrow to match your colour theme or fill it with little gifts for your guests to take home.

Wine bottle vases

For a pop of colour in the centre of your tables, turn to spray painting old wine bottles and filling them with gerberas and baby’s breath flowers. Wine bottles can also be filled with fairy lights, or make great candle holders as part of a DIY candelabra.

The post 16 DIY Decorations for Your Outdoor Party appeared first on Catering on the Move.

Once again we received fabulous feedback about the quality of you food.

Thanks again for your help and the for making it all so easy.

We Highly recommend your services.

Kind Regards,

Maria-Louise

Maria-Louise Culcasi

B.Ed (Sci), Certificate IV Workplace Trainer & Certificate IV OHS

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