Party Themes
Celebrate with Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October. It is one of the most famous events in the city and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year. Other cities across the world also hold fairs, modeled after the Munich event, and they call their event Oktoberfest too. Arrange your trip to Munich here!
 This festival usually takes place during the 16 days up to and including the first Sunday in October, but if this day is the 1st or 2nd then the festival will go on until the October 3rd (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is 17 days when the 1st Sunday is October 2nd and 18 days when it is October 1st. The festival is held on an area named the Theresienwiese, often called "d' Wiesn" for short. Beer plays a central role in the fair, with every festival beginning with a keg of beer tapped by the Mayor of Munich who declares "O'zapft is!" (Bavarian for "It's tapped!").
A special Oktoberfest beer is brewed for the occasion, which is slightly darker and stronger, in both taste and alcohol. It is served in a one-liter-tankard called Maß. The first "mass" is served to the Bavarian Minister-President. Only local Munich breweries are allowed to serve this beer in a Bierzelt (beer tent) which is large enough for thousands.
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Decorations & Flowers
Whether you have a German background or not, you can still throw your own Oktoberfest. For decorations, use vibrant Fall colors of yellow, green, orange, and burgundy. Or, consider Germany's flag colors of black, red and gold. Use pumpkins, gourds and dried flowers on the tables. Bright red, gold and green apples in tall dishes would make nice (and healthy) centerpieces. Fill some pails with small stones to hold cornstalks as decorations. At dark, turn on twinkle lights or have candles ready on the tables for festive lighting!!
 What Is edelweiss? Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is one of the best known European mountain flowers. The name comes from German edel (meaning noble) and weiß (meaning white). Edelweiss is the national flower of Switzerland and Austria, and it also appears in the logos of both the German and Austrian alpine societies. In Austria, Edelweiss is also a brand of beer named after the flower.
Many Americans know Edelweiss as a theme and song ("Edelweiss") in the musical and movie The Sound of Music, which takes place in Austria. This could be a very unique flower to have on your table - sure to spark the conversation.
Traditional German Menu
The Weißwürste ('white sausages'), traditionally eaten only in the morning, often served with sweet mustard and freshly baked pretzels are a speciality from Munich as well as Leberkäs, Bavarian grilled Sausage Loaf often served with Potato Salad.
We found some tasty recipes from The German Food Guide. Their Black Forest Chicken Cordon Bleu features German Limburger cheese and Black Forest ham. They also have recipes for German-Style Potato Salad and Kohlrabi salad with cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes.
The most famous soup might be the Leberknödel Soup. Leberknödel is a bread dumpling seasoned with liver and onions. Schweinebraten (pot roasted pork) with Knödel (dumplings made from potatoes or white bread) and Kraut (cabbage) and Schweinshaxn (knuckle of pork) are served as lunch or dinner.
 
Popular as dessert, the traditional Bavarian Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce or Auszogene, a fried pastry shaped like a large donut. My favorite is Black Forest Cake, easy to assemble with chocolate cake layers, canned cherries and whip cream. Yumm!
Ask others on your guest list to bring a side dish like their famous potato dish or homemade bread so you have a few favorites to sample from. You won't have to cook so much, and it's always fun to sample other home cooking! Keep track of who is bringing what so you know how much of each you will have on hand.
Oktoberfest Beverages 
To beer or not to beer - with apologies to Shakespeare! This is the perfect time to have several varieties of beer on hand, from pale ales to hearty stout. If your local grocery doesn't have what you are looking for, search for a micro-brew near you. (Sounds like a road trip!) You could even have your guests each bring an unknown brew for comparison. A pitcher or two of ice water with paper cups nearby is a nice touch.
Fall is the time for the apple harvest also, so what more perfect beverage than apple cider to accompany your meal. Actually, there are many types of cider and it might be worth a trip to the farmer's market to scout out a few unique flavors.
As always, be safe, enjoy your company, and have fun!
Party Ideas
Chinese New Year
Children's Parachute Party
Mardi Gras Celebration
Saint Patrick's Day Party
Hawaiian Celebrations
Mexican Fiesta
Spring Garden Tea Party
Fourth of July Party
Teddy Bear Picnic
Beach Bum Party
Hotdog Day
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Kids Halloween Glow Party
Christmas Cookie Baking Party
Christmas in the Country
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