Microsoft was ridiculed last fall for encouraging consumers to host their own Windows 7 parties, mainly because of the incredibly cheesy (and hilarious) marketing video used to tout the concept. But is a Tupperware-style party for consumer tech products really that stupid?

The folks at Picnik -- the fast-growing online photo editing service -- don't think so. The Seattle company plans to encourage its customers throughout the country this winter to host "Picnik Parties" where expert users can show off the service in a comfortable setting along with drinks and snacks.

"We have a loyal and vocal fan base, and we wanted to provide them with a megaphone to share their Picnik love," says Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Conquergood. "Picnik is a fun friendly experience and we know our fans are too. So we thought something social would make sense as a way to extend that fun into the off-line world."

In the initial roll out, Conquergood said they are hoping to sponsor 50 Picnik Parties. (The company plans to provide cash to party hosts for supplies, with hosts also receiving a free six month premium subscription).

Picnik does have a product -- photos -- which lends itself to social interaction. So, in that regard, an actual party could make a little more sense than showing off a new operating system.

Conquergood admits that online marketing is an "efficient medium for spreading messages," but she also noted the importance of touting a service in the physical world where people actually gather.

"As web services continue to mature there is something interesting in how we can tie it to the off-line world," she said. "This type of face-to-face marketing makes the product seem more tangible and allows for a tailored message for that direct audience."

And what about the Windows 7 parties? Was that the inspiration for the Picnik parties? Conquergood said it was not.

Employees at the company actually were brainstorming ideas to take the energy from the company's live product demos to a larger audience, when one of the company's customers relayed an experience about a fun Picnik Party that she had hosted on her own.

"We were like: 'That's it!'" said Conquergood. "So I can't say it was Windows 7 but rather one of our great users who gave us the inspiration."

John Cook is co-founder of TechFlash. Follow on Twitter @johnhcook.