FEATHERED FANTASY MASKS
These incredible masks by Danusia Brandstetter are truly breathtaking. The feminine white one is made from parrot, ostrich, rooster, and goose feathers, with a white peacock quill and Czech crystal and other beads as accents. The masculine mask is made from golden pheasant, Reeve's pheasant, ringneck pheasant, rooster, and peacock feathers. The small deer antlers give it an otherworldly feel.
While you may not be able to re-create these masks (Danusia is an expert), don't be intimidated. Use a pre-made mask form as a base and add feathers (you can get them at craft stores or on-line) starting with the largest ones on the edge of the mask, working inward toward the eye holes with smaller feathers.
ACTIVITIES
Elaborate ball gowns and immovable hairdos may leave your guests reluctant to undertake any activities that involve dexterity or even movement. Try some genteel amusements appropriate to the nature of the evening.
Try parlor games, such as Charades. Celebrity is an easy and amusing game you might try. Everyone writes the name of five (or more) celebrities on a slip of paper and drops the paper into a bowl. One person at a time, each player draws a name, then describes the celebrity to a partner without saying the celebrity name. the partner tries to guess the name based on the information provided. As the partner guesses correctly, the player continues to draw as many names as possible in a two-minute time period. The game continues until all the names have been selected. The team that guesses the most celebrity names wins.
PARTY FAVOR
As your satisfied guests start to drift toward the door at the end of the evening, remind them to take a party favor from a tiered tray on your table or sideboard.
Fill little white organdy gift bags (the kind used for wedding favors) with an assortment of the finer things in life (at least those that are tiny enough to fit in the bags). Let your guests pick which bag they like.
We stuffed these bags with luxurious chocolate coins, peppermint eggs, Italian hard candies, nostalgic rock candy, and pastel-colored bath beads. Stuff some bags with lavender or other fragrant herbs for an instant sachet that guests can slide into a drawer for a long-lasting reminder of your elegant Halloween affair.
