Unlike the Washington balls and galas that are charging upwards of $400 to attend, you may want to have your friends over for free. Or, if you are a generous and giving person, host the ball, charge a ticket price and give the proceeds to charity!

The "party" that sounds the most interesting is the Texas Black Tie & Boots Bash (which, by the way, costs $950 to attend). You could easily pull this off in your living room—and launch W.’s term with a bang! I don’t know that you need it to be black tie, but the title is great. Just tell your friends that a black tie is mandatory (that takes care of that!)…

If you want to stick to tradition, use a patriotic theme. Red, white and blue says it all and there is a ton of stuff available that’s inexpensive.

Invitation

I would use a "formal" looking invitation. You can make it on your computer easily enough and print it on card stock. Use a formal print style so it looks almost like a wedding invitation. And if you are so inclined, put the presidential seal at the top so it looks official. Make sure to list dress and RSVP information on the bottom.
If all that’s too much work, we have a cowboy boot invitation, if you’re interested, that you could easily adapt for this event.

Decorations

‘Twere me, I would start with a welcome sign at the door that has the event title with a picture of George attached welcoming everyone to the "Texas Black Tie & Boots Bash!" For centerpieces on tables, bars and buffets, I would do half as cowboy boot piñatas with balloons coming out and the other half as cowboy hats turned upside down with balloons coming out (or flowers work, too).

Decorate the buffets with snakes, mini bales of hay and some vinyl horses; then, get a big basket and wrap your plasticware in bandanas for a nice touch. Finally, the "Boot Scootin’" themed paper goods, cups, napkins, etc., is all you need to pull through your theme so it’s just perfect.

Menu

Well, it seems Texas food is in order. Turn cowboy hats upside down to hold chips, pretzels and other snacks before dinner. Then serve up some TexMex burgers, ribs, smoked chicken, BBQ beef, rib sandwiches, pinto beans, corn-on-the-cob, watermelon—so on and so forth. For more ideas, go to www.texascooking.com and www.texas-on-line.com.

Activities

Well, at the real inaugural there is dancing, dancing and more dancing. So do the line dances, the Texas Two-Step and maybe a slow dance or two and you’ll fit right in. You may also want to have some contests based on trivia about W. around his governorship of Texas since this party is Texas themed. Did you know that he is the 46th Governor of the State of Texas? You do now!

Favors

As people enter, you may want to pass out personalized metal sheriff badges so everyone has a nametag (always helpful). For even more fun and for true Bush fans, we found Bush t-shirts, golf caps, coffee mugs, etc., with "W. is for winner!" on them available from www.georgewbushstore.com.

See our:

• Stars and Stripes Inaugural Ball
• Listing of Bush Inaugural Balls and Galas/Washington D.C.
• Bid Farewell to President Clinton

Have Fun.
The Party Girl

   
MakesParties

• inflatable saxophones
• inflatable and foam hands
• Simply the Best Party Kit (say good-bye in style)
• patriotic papergoods
• black papergoods (for mourning)
• patriotic wrist streamers

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• stars and stripes papergoods
• party mascots—donkeys (very cute)
• red and blue stars
• flag banners
• flag glitter confetti
• flag-striped tophats
• balloons
• 3’ jointed Uncle Sam
• flag window shades
• miniature American flags