Apple Themed Party Ideas For Fall

A fall theme party has so many possibilities when it comes to food, decor, and color scheme. It’s harvest season for many fruits, vegetables, and gourds, and the colors are rich and sumptuous. I decided to use apples as a theme, and a color palette of red, gold, and brown.

It’s a classic combination that works so well for the season, and can be titled “apple of my eye” for wedding parties, or baby showers. In fact, this bash has apple themed party food, apple themed favors, and apple themed signs that are great for any celebration.

Tablescape

Most of the decorative details are hand made and provide a balance of masculine and feminine. A burlap table cover offers a rustic, fall vibe and is very apropos for an apple theme.

Start with a centerpiece of wild flowers and sunflowers tucked into various jars, bottles, and vases. Here, I used a small crate as a riser to make it more prominent; this can work as long as you can still see the person across the table from you.

DIY place cards are easy to create with layers of tags, and lace cut to size. Another option is to make 3-piece layered cards that incorporate the menu, name cards, and a fun fact or conversation starter.

Each place setting gets a caramel dipped apple, which you could use as diy caramel apple place cards too.

Add a cute felt leaf from the craft store, on top of glasses for an unexpected touch of fall, and incorporate a small themed sign into the center of the table.

The place settings really got the DIY treatment with a photo frame used as a placemat or charger. Simply wrap fabric around the back (where you would typically put the photo) and attach the frame. Clear dinner plates allow this creative idea to show through.

Scatter some acorns on the table to add fall texture and interest.

Party Décor

Create a focal point with a snacks and drinks table. Use my DIY pipe and drape system to hang a burlap backdrop. Attach a manzanita branch with twine (the loose weave of burlap easily allows for this) and then tie on a few lightweight faux apples to mimic an apple tree.

Drape swags of lace, and banners made of twine and felt leaves, around the space.

Use bales of hay as part of the fall décor. Use them to set other decorations on like I did here, or use them as seating for guests. Just make sure to drape a piece of fabric over top for comfort.

Overflowing baskets invite guests to “take your Pick” of apples to carry home. Provide small paper bags for guests to fill.

Add more fall decorations with rustic balls, pinecones, wildflowers, and a vintage soda crate to hold bottles.

Printable signs are a key piece of this party theme as it helps convey the concept with special puns.

• For an engagement or bridal shower, frame signs that read, “he Picked her,” and “she Picked him.” The design was inspired by the idea of connecting “picking” apples, and “picking” a mate.
• Table cards read, “you’re the Apple of my eye” and can be used for birthdays or a baby shower.

Use the focal point of the snack table to serve appetizers and drinks, or a decorative dessert like I did here.

Stack small jars of apple butter that can be sent home with guests as favors.

Serve a small plate of cheese and crackers that pair well with apples. Here I had blue cheese and Gouda under a glass cloche with crackers.

For a non-alcohol drink, serve apple cider, of course! It’s usually sold in plastic jugs so I suggest you pour it into some flip top bottles or carafes for a prettier presentation.

Party Favors

Favor jars filled with apple butter have a label that says, “we Picked this just for you.” You can fill small jars with purchased apple butter and set them in a tub of ice to display. Guests should refrigerate them when they get home, or within about two hours.

Apple Recipes

Match your food and menu to the theme with some easy apple appetizers, drinks, and desserts. The main dish doesn’t have to follow the apple them; in fact I would opt for fall dishes like casseroles or chicken skewers. I served butternut squash soup as a starter.

Appetizers

I favor two appetizers for this menu. These brie cups with apple butter are so delicious and incorporate the apple butter used in the favors idea.

The apple chutney and goat cheese crostini is a recipe given to me by Sister Schubert herself, and has so much flavor. It’s perfect for fall and the apple theme.

Desserts

Set out themed mini pies with apple pie filling and apple shaped cutouts in the crust. You can display them on the snack table so guests know what to expect for dessert, or place them at each place setting.

Alternatives include a rustic apple galette or mixed berry and apple galette served with ice cream.

What To Drink

Serve sparkling cider or apple cider from bottles or in individual jars, for folks who want a non-alcohol option.

Prepare a signature drink with a pitcher full of apple flavored cocktails and beverages. My fall apple sangria is an obvious choice and a party favorite. But this pitcher of apple pie cocktails combines apple cider with the warming flavors of spice rum and cinnamon schnapps – definitely a taste of fall.

Have a selection of hard cider on hand and serve them from an ice-filled drink tub, or set them in vintage crates like I did above, and pour them over ice-filled jars.

I hope you’re inspired by these apple themed fall party ideas, and consider incorporating one or more into your entertaining schedule.

Thanks to James Linkowitz Photography and Little Bean Boutique, for their contributions with photography and paper goods.