It feels like just yesterday you were planning a summer solstice soiree. And while you might be sad to see it go, there are so many things to look forward to with the change of seasons — like hosting a fall equinox party! When you’re all about that apple-picking, flannel-wearing #PSL life, an equinox party is the perfect fix for you and your besties. To help get you revved up for this changing of seasons, check out these 25 essentials for hosting the ultimate fall equinox party below. You’ll soon be out of your gourd with excitement.
1. DIY Decoupage Pumpkins: Fancy up your dining table with a DIY decoupage pumpkin centerpiece that won’t be nearly as messy as pumpkin carving. Before adding your florals, paint the pumpkin: Go with white for a feminine look or black for an edgier feel. (via Brit + Co)
2. Roses in Pumpkins: Add pink roses to mini pumpkins for an effortlessly pretty tabletop display. If you want to step it up from its natural state, cover them in glitter and line them up for a chic centerpiece that your guests will be thrilled to take home at the end of the night. (via Tulipina)
3. DIY Pumpkin Balloon Backdrop: Create the most Insta-worthy backdrop ever with tons of orange balloons and a cardboard stem painted green. For added dimension, change up the sizes and shades of your orange balloons. (via The House That Lars Built)
4. DIY Gold and Neon Pumpkins: Once you’ve painted your pumpkins a bright pop of neon, lightly mist them with gold spray paint to give them a stylish modern touch. Pro tip: Use faux pumpkins so you can bring these decorative gourds back around for your super chic Halloween decor. (via For the Makers)
5. Neon Pine Cone Place Card Holder: No doubt your place cards will *pop* thanks to these neon place card holders. With these pine cones painted this bright, there’s no mistaking these table decorations as rustic. They’re as contemporary chic as contemporary gets. (via Camille Styles)
6. Cranberry Drink Stirrers: Spruce up whatever cocktail you’ll be serving with a fall-themed drink stirrer. Give your cranberries a similar frosted look by dusting them with sugar. (via Blue Barn Photography / Style Me Pretty)
7. Paper Pumpkin Pie: Apart from how adorable this paper pumpkin pie looks, it’s deceivingly functional. The triangular-shaped container can be filled with an array of fall-themed party favors, from a slice of pumpkin pie to pine cone fire starters. (via Love. Kisses & Cake)
8. DIY Gilded Leaves: Add a touch of glam to your party decor with these DIY gilded leaves. All you need is a bag of artificial leaves, some glue or Mod Podge and glitter. (via House of Jade)
9. DIY Gold-Leaf Agate Bottle Stoppers: This beautiful DIY project makes for a great hostess gift, party activity and party favor. Whatever you decide for your fall equinox fiesta, make sure you find a way to *rock* these natural beauties. (via Brit + Co)
10. Agate Place Card: Venture outside the traditional orange and red autumnal colors and decorate your party space with jewel tones and agate hues. Use custom agate place cards that are unique from each other. Their differences, however subtle, will make each of your friends feel just as special. (via Wedding Chicks)
11. Caramel Apple Bar: It’s almost a sin not to include a caramel apple bar at your fall party. Make sure your setup includes the whole shebang including: apples on sticks, caramel and chocolate sauces, cookie crumbles, sprinkles, granola, M&M’S and any other tasty toppings you dig. (via Bridal Guide / Walter Wilson Studios)
12. Chalkboard Pumpkin Menu: Once you finish painting your pumpkin with chalkboard paint, scrawl on a menu for your guests to choose from. You can even use this idea on mini pumpkins to turn them into food labels, if you’re planning on serving your food buffet style. (via Better Recipes)
13. DIY Personalized Enamel Mugs: Set aside some time for a DIY activity your guests are sure to enjoy. They’ll love getting to create their own personalized enamel mugs they can use year-round. (via Envato Tuts+)
14. Fall Leaves Escort Cards: If you’re expecting a large number of guests, these leaves-inspired escort cards are definite must-haves. Display them on a mesh board like the one pictured above or hang them from low-hanging tree branches for a playful touch. (via Mod Wedding / Taylor Lord)
15. Paper Pumpkin DIY: These paper pumpkins will undoubtably spruce up any surface area that’s lacking *pizzazz.* Better yet, you can turn them into favor containers and fill with mulled wine spices or hand warmers. (via Lia Griffith)
16. DIY Pumpkin Table Centerpiece: Festive and cute, this vase makes for a charming centerpiece display. The best part is you can bring the idea back around as a hostess gift for any Halloween or Thanksgiving get-together you’re attending! (via Wine and Glue)
17. Gilded Leaf Decor: Say goodbye to conventional paper streamers! Take your party decor up a notch with these absolutely stunning gold leaf garlands you can hang from light fixtures, around table edges or on a wall as an elegant backdrop. (via brklyn view photography / Michelle Edgemont)
18. Hot Chocolate Bar: Treat your guests to a tasty mug of hot chocolate from an impressively stocked hot cocoa bar. Make sure your bar indulges your guests’ sweet tooth fantasies and includes tasty toppings like marshmallows, chocolate chips, pirouette wafers and caramel sauce. (via Hawthorne and Main)
19. Instant Mocha Mix: Your guests will love these conveniently packaged mocha mix favors. They’re super simple to make, which is good news for you too! Just add sprinkles, marshmallows and mocha powder mix into a glass vial with a stopper. (via Something Turquoise)
20. Photo Booth Backdrop: Create this photo booth backdrop that practically screams “autumn!” Get the look by adding hay bales, bunting garlands and scattering plenty of pumpkins around your set. (via Urban Life)
21. Fruits & Flowers Table Runner: Instead of a runner, decorate the table with olive branches, mini white pumpkins, pomegranates, persimmons and roses from your garden. Elevate the natural look with a touch of glam with gold flatware. (via Yummy Mummy Kitchen)
22. Sangria: Skip the mulled cider and go with a sweet sangria that’s a nod to the end of an era, AKA *summer.* This Spanish cocktail features triple sec, brandy and a large splash of ginger ale — which is all you need to kick off your fall equinox festivities. (via Brit + Co)
23. Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe DIY: Make do with the washi tape you have laying around your house to construct an easy tic tac toe board. Tape up a side table with washi and add mini pumpkins for a fall-themed 3D version of the classic game. (via It’s Overflowing)
24. Welcome Sign Pumpkin: Upgrade the standard welcome sign with a beautiful pumpkin vase. Aside from getting to show off your calligraphy skills, you’ll be sprucing up your front porch quite nicely. (via Better Homes and Gardens)
25. Antler Centerpiece: What’s the quickest way to instant sophistication without spending a fortune? An all-white ensemble will do wonders for your centerpiece display. Surround white antlers with inexpensive items like leaves, branches and flowers painted white and you’re all set for a party that looks far more luxe than it actually is. (via The Perfect Palette)
