Italian Outdoor Movie Party

Partygoers 10-15

Invitation Go to Evite or a similar website, and send an invitation with a movie or Italian food theme. Ask everyone to bring a bottle of their favorite Italian wine. Make sure to tell guests to bring pillows and blankets to sit on while they watch the film.

Décor Whether you've chosen a spaghetti western or a Fellini film, go with the classic red and white check tablecloth and Chianti bottle candles for your buffet. Or make it a picnic, with the check cloths on the ground, and put the candles on side tables around the party.

Food You can't go wrong with a pasta bar, where guests can chose from a red or white sauce to mix in with penne or rigatoni. Round it all out with a big Caesar salad and garlic bread. For dessert, serve gelato or tiramisu. Of course, you could make it real easy and order from your favorite Italian restaurant!

Drinks Red wine is the only way to go! Ask guests to bring a bottle when you invite them and serve espresso or a robust Italian coffee with dessert.

Other elements Rent a DVD projector and portable screen and set up an outdoor movie theater. Or if you have a large white wall in your yard, show the movie there. When the weather isn't optimal, set up the screen in your home. There's always the TV, but a projected movie on the big screen is really cool. For the ultimate move atmosphere, rent a popcorn machine!

More information For the last 3 years, we've had a Backyard Movie Party for my (now 9-year-old) son's birthday party. A fantastic movie match for this idea was our Willy Wonka party. The birthday cake was loaded with candy, and we gave out film cans with candy inside as party favors.