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    Gr8 Spa Dinner Party

    May 22, 2021 by Anna 2 Comments

    Surprise your friends with a Spa Dinner Party. It's a fun and different theme for a get together with Gr8 Friends!

    Ahhhh, Spa.... Just saying the word brings a sense of calm and relaxation. Spas have a particular smell; and that music, what is that music?

    One of my best memories is our Gr8 Dinner that was spa themed. Our dinner was scheduled for August, a favorite month of mine because of the warm, balmy evenings which beg us to eat outside, al fresco as they say in Italy!

    Another benefit of summer evenings is that the heat makes us want to eat healthy and light. So what better theme than...

    A Gr8 Spa Dinner!

    Decorative photo rocks and candles.
    Photo: miamiandbeaches.com

    Debbie and Phil, Joel and Kyle, and Jurga and Tim arrived at our home in comfortable, loose clothing as instructed on the invitation.

    We began the evening with a half hour of gentle yoga stretches, to get us in the mood for our "Spa" evening. They were all a little surprised that this dinner party included "exercise"!

    I wish I could say we looked like this:

    Three yoga poses.
    Photo: vijaypoweryoga.com

    But in reality, we looked more like this:

    A cartoon of yoga for beginners.

    After yoga (or what we called yoga 😂) everyone took turns in the spare bedroom, changing into bathing suits and putting on the white terry robes provided.

    Seven people posing for the camera.
    Photo by Vince...he's just outside of the pic!

    (I searched and searched for those robes until I found a clearance deal! That's why it's a good idea to have your theme chosen well in advance; you can then take your time collecting the accoutrements and not have to spend a fortune.)

    Two blue pop-ups in a backyard.

    Everyone was surprised when we escorted them to the backyard because there was a "cabana" all set up for sunset massages! (We borrowed the pop-ups from friends.)

    A woman getting a massage outside under a blue canopy.

    A dear friend of mine is a massage therapist and she was able to arrange for a couple of her peers to do "mini-massages" for each of us.

    We took turns getting massages and munching on light appetizers and then proceeded to dinner, in our robes! (Please forgive the photos. These photos were taken on an old camera, at the very beginning of digital. This is as large as they get so you can see anything.)

    A table set with green plates and a fountain centerpiece.

    The centerpiece was a small water fountain and the place cards were miniature zen gardens that each guest was able to take home.

    How to Make a Mini Zen Garden

    A mini zen garden with the name Vince written in the sand.

    This is such an easy and fun place card! Find some small plates or trays in whatever shape you prefer, fill them with the fine sand and add some small pebbles.

    The finishing touch is the miniature bamboo rake. Then just use a toothpick to write each guest's name, and you have a creative place card!

    Our kids always look forward to hearing about our dining adventures and so it's fun when we can bring home a little something that they enjoy; and they loved playing with these zen gardens!

    Light Dinner Menu

    For a spa dinner party, keep your options light and fairly healthy. But the food can still be delicious!

    Gazpacho
    Light and refreshing, this is literally a salad you can sip! The combined flavors are absolutely delicious...and the leftovers, perfecto!
    Gr8 Recipe Here!
    Gazpacho Soup
    Veggie Spring Rolls
    Below are the vegetables I included. Use whatever vegetables you like. These spring rolls are also a Gr8 meal when cooked shrimp, chicken or pork is included with the vegetables; or keep it vegetarian by adding tofu. 
    Sauces may not be gluten free.
    Gr8 Recipe Here!
    Veggie Spring Rolls
    Glazed Salmon
    Salmon roasted slowly in the oven will be your new favorite way to make this fish.
    Inspired by Food 52.
    Gr8 Recipe Here!
    Glazed Salmon Fork
    Zesty Lemon Rice
    The fresh lemon and herbs in this Zesty Lemon Rice makes this simple recipe the perfect side dish for your fish, chicken or beef.
    Gr8 Recipe Here!
    The fresh lemon and herbs in this Zesty Lemon Rice makes this simple recipe the perfect side dish for your fish, chicken or beef.
    Asparagus Carrot Bouquet
    Simple to prepare and festive to serve this asparagus bouquet would be a creative addition to any meal especially a buffet.
    Gr8 Recipe Here!
    Asparagus Carrot bouquet
    Lemon Sorbet
    Recipe adapted from Cuisine Magazine.
    Gr8 Recipe Here!
    Lemon Sorbet in Lemon Cups

    If you want to keep it even more simple, serve grilled fish and fresh grilled veggies!

    Enjoy your Gr8 Spa Dinner Party and please let us know in the comments what activities you chose to include!

    « Easy Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
    Slow Roasted Glazed Salmon Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Anna

      June 23, 2016 at 9:32 pm

      I would say you are a bit biased my love! Thank you for your Gr8 Support!

    2. Vince

      June 23, 2016 at 7:25 am

      Wow! Great article!! One of our very best!

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