Backyard Prom – Covid Edition

Obviously, the world kinda went to hell in a handbasket in 2020. Being that I live with a guy that’s considered high-risk, our social life came to a screeching halt. We stayed in as much as possible with all the precautions like bleaching groceries, masks while walking the dog, and hand sanitizer everywhere. We aren’t special, a lot of people did the same. But we did wait a little longer before we resumed our normal social activities. That being said, I have ALWAYS wanted to host a “Prom” just for fun. Considering I was turning 45, I decided 2022 was the year. Why not? Also perfect timing, as we live in an area with a pretty huge student population and they return back September 1, so all bars and restaurants are swarmed by the excited college kids and their exhausted parents after moving day, so I avoid going out Labor Day weekend every year.

Here’s the Official Invite Text:

avoid amateur hour at the bars with the college kids returning to the ville this saturday night and come party with us at a backyard prom, covid edition. here’s your chance to break out that fancy frock rotting in back of your closet or wear the snuggie you’ve been living in for 2 years. who cares?!? there will be music, food and hopefully some good weather to round out the summer and ring in the fall. please bring whatever you are drinking and some fancy finger foods to share!

if you are so inclined, send me your high school prom photo and your prom song to add to the playlist. it’s stupid, it’s cheesy but it’s my 45th and i want to get fancy! hope to see you saturday!

(we will be in the yard, so heels might not be your friend… also thinking there may be flip cup or whatever stupid sh#t we used to do, so bring your best ideas!)

– Jackie, Greg & Brian

I decided to make some cheesy decorations and had the brilliant idea to make a Covid-themed Piñata. I bought the biggest round balloon I could find and did the whole Papier-mâché thing using leftover moving materials. I did so many freaking layers because I wanted it sturdy enough to hold what I wanted. (I haven’t done Papier-mâché in years and I totally forgot how fun it is.)

I was definitely trying to make it look like a close-up of the evil virus using whatever I could find around the house. I painted it a silver color, which worked, but how to make those weird spindle things that are all over it… Enter mini red Solo shot glasses! I just made cuts into the top of the the shot glasses to mimic the spindles, curled them by wrapping them around a pencil and started hot glueing them on… I wasn’t going for elegance at this event, just fun.

Thinking back to 2 years ago, I filled that thing with all the necessities of 2020, including nips (plastic only!), masks, hand sanitizer, and tiny skeletons (that was Greg’s idea). Of course, I added some candy but the funniest addition had to be rolls of toilet paper, which were quite the challenge to fit into the Piñata!

I grabbed a deck of cards and everyone got one. Then just went highest card to get a turn at breaking the virus. Luckily, there’s an adjustable baskball hoop in our driveway, so it was perfect to hang this monsterous thing from, which was a whole other project! It was so funny to watch everyone try to hit this thing and even better that no one broke any of the windows of my car! Jimmy was the eventual winner (like I said, it was pretty thick!), which was also hilarious. He’s a retired firefighter who is always up for joining whatever stupid event I am throwing, but always with an eye roll ;). He definitely didn’t think people would be as into this as they were. From the dresses to the fancy foods, it was quite the evening and honestly, the best party I have ever hosted! We were dancing in the yard until the sun came up!