Everyone loves a hayride in the fall! It is the perfect way to bring people of all ages together for some fun. Getting outside on a beautiful fall day can lift everyone's spirits and the best part is you won't have a mess in your house. I found several stables and ranches in the yellow pages of the phone book that offered hayrides. The one I chose was close to my home and had a lake nearby where I could have a bonfire. I chose to start the party with the hayride because the children were excited about it, and it really got the party going. Whether you have a fall birthday to celebrate or you're just looking for a great way to get people together, this will be a big hit.

To greet people as they arrived I set out pumpkins with birthday greetings written on them. They made a unique birthday banner and directed people to our party. In addition I brought out lots of hearty wool blankets in fall colors. I draped them over big spools that we used as tables, over tailgates as tablecloths, and of course over people for warmth! I also set out pumpkins, hay bails, and bunches of flowers from the supermarket. I didn't even put them in water, I just put out the cellophane wrapped bunches. They were perfect for our casual,outdoor theme. 

A bonfire is a must at a fall party. In addition to being a wonderful heat source and being beautiful, a bonfire provides a central gathering place for your group. I had everyone back their cars in and encircle the fire. It helped to block the wind and provided us with trunk and tailgate space for serving our food and beverages from. 

For simple snacks I put out chips with dips, candy corn with peanuts, and hot dogs with buns. That way the kids could get busy right away roasting their hot dogs over the fire and didn't get cranky waiting for dinner. I made cute skewers from old coat hangars and then used them again for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores after dinner. I placed the s'mores ingredients into large, clear containers. It looked cute, kept things organized, and made everything easily accessible. The rest of the menu consisted of crispy parmesan chicken strips, dill potato salad, and baked beans. Of course no fall party would be complete without a large container of hot cocoa. In addition to being an old time favorite it kept everyone's hands warm. 

A great fall party game the kids can play is much like a traditional Easter egg hunt. Simply find a large area where the ground is covered with lots of fall leaves. Scatter wrapped candy all around and the children will have a ball collecting it. Cowboy hats make great containers in which the children can place their candy in as they collect it and afterward they can take the cowboy hat home as a party favor. They are great because they're easy to find and inexpensive. After all of the fun, the hayride, and the games, we ended our party with a birthday song and cake. I chose a Frankenstein cake from Byerly's. It was perfect for a 12-year-old boy and fit right into our fall theme. You can't go wrong with a combination of outdoor fun and a simple menu on a great fall day. A hayride birthday party is sure to entice the young and old alike to get outside and celebrate!

By Teri Bennett