By Chris Nease

Pie Party Theme

No matter the kind of pies or number of people, keep these tips in mind as you bring the theme to life:

• Variety: Bake and serve an array of pies, or treat it like a cookie exchange and have each guest bring their favorite homemade pie and copies of the recipe to share with everyone.
• Flavor: Offer a variety of flavors, from seasonal favorites like apple, pumpkin and pecan pie to classics like chocolate, peanut butter, coconut and chess pie. If guests are bringing pies, coordinate so no one brings the same flavor.
• Presentation: Pies aren’t just for pie tins! Give this classic dessert a new look by baking pies on sticks, hand pies or pies in jars.

Pie Party Details

• Invitations: Cut paper into rounds or slices and decorate them like pies with construction paper before writing down the party info; for example, add a crust around the edge or weave a lattice top from strips of tan construction paper. You can also print or write invitations on recipe cards.
• Decorations: Part of the fun of a pie party is setting up all the pies for display. Create a rustic bakery feel by putting pies on wooden crates, cake stands or a baker’s rack and labeling each. For labels you can use again and again, paint the backs of small frames with chalkboard paint.

Tip: Pre-slice whole pies for easy serving.

Pie Party Activities & Favors

• Pie Decorating: Have guests create their own pies to take home and bake. Pre-make an assortment of filling options, then use our pie crust techniques to decorate them with crimped edges, lattice tops or leaf cutouts.
• Pie Challenge: Have guests bring their signature homemade pies, then number them and have everyone vote for their favorite. Reveal the winner at the end of the party, and maybe she’ll share her pie-making secrets!
• Take-Home Pies: Send guests home with tasty pie party favors, like pies on sticks wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon. Or hand out small jars filled with pie weights or pie spice blends. For a homespun touch, add a scrap of burlap before you screw on each lid.

Chris Nease is a home entertaining expert and creative party stylist who has spent 15 years specializing in small celebrations. As the Editor & Creative Director of Celebrations At Home blog, Chris shares ideas and tips for celebrating all occasions with unique and accessible style. She’s a freelance writer and editorial stylist for the web and print, and has been published in Woman’s World, Yum Food & Fun for Kids and Cottages & Bungalows. Chris also works with a variety of brands to connect readers with products in an entertaining setting.