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Archive for the ‘Party Planning’ Category

It used to be that birthday parties were simple. Mom would bake a cake and a few kids would gather at the child’s home to ride bikes or play outside. Today’s birthday parties hardly resemble the good old days. Today’s kids expect to have their party at an arcade, a bowling alley, a themed restaurant with play land, or a skating rink. What can you do if an elaborate off-site party is not in the budget for your family? You can host it at home!

A party that you host at home can be even more fun than one where you pay several dollars per head. You get to control the atmosphere, the noise level, the food, the games, the birthday gifts and more. Everyone has a good time and it didn’t cost you a week’s salary.

Depending on how old your child is, she may not even notice a difference between her party’s location (your home) and her friend Brittany’s party (Chuck E. Cheese’s). If you are blessed with small children, you will find that they love a party anytime anywhere. So, hosting at home is not a big issue.

If you have a tween who still wants a birthday party but fears it won’t be cool enough if it’s held at home, have a nice conversation about it. Sit your child down and say that you would like to give him the option of having a birthday party at home or taking one friend out to dinner with you.  He will feel he has had a choice in his own birthday. And either way, it will cost you less than a big party on location somewhere.

Realize that you control the guest list. You don’t have to have the entire fourth grade at your house for the party. Limit the number of guests to an amount you can reasonably handle. If you say it’s six kids and no more, then you will feel comfortable when party day arrives.

Make everything that you can. That includes the cake, cupcakes, dips, homemade pizza, and more. You don’t have to have a Thanksgiving feast. A small number of finger foods and a cake is enough. If you are going light, be sure to write on the invitation “snacks and cake” so moms know to feed their children before they come. Nothing is worse than a hungry toddler who cries through the whole party.

Save on the fancy decorations. If SpongeBob is on your child’s wish list, use yellow napkins, a yellow sheet as a table cover, yellow plastic forks and yellow cups. Then, bring in one or two SpongeBob balloons. Your child will feel like it’s a SpongeBob party if the theme is there somehow.

As far as birthday party favors, think homemade. Give out bags of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Or, raid the dollar store and go with age appropriate small trinkets. If you feel even that’s going to put you over budget, go without favors.

Splurge to make the best cake possible and get some good ice cream to go with it. That’s what everyone will remember anyway. And teach your child that it’s not about how much money you spend, but whether or not you are with friends and family and having fun. Other moms may breathe a sigh of relief that they no longer have to keep up with the Joneses either. Set the standard for the inexpensive, but fun, party and you will see others follow suit.

A few other things you can do is to make decorations out of things you already have in your home. Use candy and sequins as a festive addition to the main table. Children’s toys like stuffed bears can be placed around the room to give a cohesive teddy bear theme. Dolls work well, too.

Instead of feeling like you have to entertain everyone with games and elaborate prizes, let kids be kids. Let them run around or play Pin the Tail on the Donkey or Twister. Skip the prizes or go with small trinkets or stickers or home made lollipops.

More on Kids Parties:

• Cheap Kids Birthday Party Ideas
• 50 Best Games For Kids
• 5 Step Birthday Party Planning for Kids
• Summer Fun Recipes for Kids

Graduation is an exciting time for both the graduate and his or her family. If you are throwing a graduation party and want to announce your child’s accomplishments to your friends and extended family, you’ll want to know how to word your announcements and invitations.

Here are some guidelines to get you started.

First, you’ll want to use as few words as possible. Graduation announcements and other formal invitations are usually short snippets of information written in a lovely font.

They are designed to be printed on attractive paper, usually on one side of a card. So, you want to contain your words to only what is necessary.

Clearly convey the name of the graduate, being sure to use their formal name and that it is spelled correctly. Then tell the degree they’ve earned, the school they graduated from, and the date and time of the party.

If you don't want anyone to bring graduation gifts, be sure to say so. However many graduates appreciate the chance to start off with a few necessities and money gifts. Here is an example of graduation invitation wording you could use:

This wording is short and sweet and to the point. You will now want to select a printer. You can find many wonderful printers online who will turn your cards around and deliver them quickly. Select a site that specializes in invitations so that you know you’re getting quality. Ask for samples in the mail first if you’re at all unsure of the printing quality.

Online printers are now vying for business, so they will have some great deals. You can often get your invitations printed in full color for less than blank invitations, that you’d have to hand write, would cost.

Select a theme for your invitation that suits the party’s style. Going for a formal dinner? Go with a formal paper and font. Having a beach party? Then it’s perfectly fine to send an invitation with umbrellas and flip flops on it. Choose a casual font. And be sure to ask everyone to bring their bathing suits if there will be swimming.

Your invitations should be a breeze to create online. You select the colors, paper and quantity and they arrive in your mailbox days later. Just be sure to order in enough time so that you won’t be fretting about if they will arrive in time to send out for the party. Give guests as much notice as possible, as more than one graduation party is usually going on during this very busy season.

Check with your graduate, of course, to see what type of party they’d like. Often, you can mesh two different styles together to create a party that the graduates, as well as the parents can enjoy. You might consider serving catered food, but make it a fun buffet where kids can come and go as they please. Have music that suits everyone’s tastes by hiring a DJ or plugging your graduate’s mp3 player into speakers. You can download songs you all like so that everyone has a great time.

Send out your invitations with the perfect wording and watch the RSVP's start coming in. It couldn’t be easier.

More on Graduation Parties:

• Congratulations Card Message Ideas
• Great Graduation Gift Ideas
• Planning an Awesome Graduation Party
• Graduation Party Favors

1. Set A Budget - Before you get started, set a budget and stick to it!  Throwing a birthday party can get really expensive, so don't rule out the idea of asking family or friends to bring a dish to share.  Often the food becomes the most expensive part.
2. Set A Date & Time - Surprise parties are a great milestone birthday option, if you can pull it off.  Pick a date within a week or two of their actual birthday.
3. Pick A Theme - Last week's blog post listed a bunch of fun birthday party themes.  Theme parties also add a little extra fun to the event, and can help people in buying their gift for the birthday boy or girl.
4. Choose A Location - Having the party at someone's home is the lest expensive and also works well no matter the weather.  Other ideas are a restaurant, country club, bowling alley, local park or neighborhood pool.
5. Guest List - How many people to invite depends on the location of the party and your budget. Typically the guest list includes close friends and extended family. If you're able to invite a lot of people you may want to include people they work with and old friends too.
6. Invitations - Mail party invitations at least 2 weeks prior to the party date. Give guests any special instructions regarding gifts or the party theme and ask them to RSVP by a specific date. Giving them a phone number AND e-mail address to RSVP to seems to decrease the number of people who don't respond. This way you can plan how much food and drink you'll need.  Include directions for those who may need it.
7. Menu - Consider food choices that also tie in well with the party theme. If it is a humorous party, you could make a special section of food for 'old people' such as a bowl of prunes (as a gag).  A pig roast may be a good choice for your Luau themed party. You can really get create with the birthday cake. A humorous cake such as a tombstone, or a photo cake with a photo when the birthday boy or girl was young are 2 ideas.  Check online or with your local bakery for more great ideas.
8. Decor - Decorations really help set the tone of the party. Numerous online supply shops carry over the hill birthday tableware, invitations, balloons, centerpieces and more.  Blow up pictures of the guest of honor throughout their life and tape them to walls for some fun memories.
9. Party Games - Not every chooses to have party games - it depends on the type of party you are hosting, the guests that are attending that the personality of the birthday boy or girl.  Look online for some fun and funny games that will have everyone laughing.
10. Party Favors - Give your guests a little something to take home with them to remember this special day. Some great birthday party favor ideas are lemonade or cocktail mix favors, personalized birthday chocolate bars, and birthday candles.

I s someone you know celebrating a milestone birthday soon?  Throw them a party! There are two different ways you can celebrate - either an over the hill humorous birthday bash or a sentimental party that celebrates the life of the birthday boy or girl. When deciding what type of party to throw, consider the personality of the person because you want them to feel special on their big day!

Birthday Theme Ideas:

Memory Lane:  A sentimental birthday celebration may be your theme of choice. Feature poster boards or a slide show with photos of the birthday boy or girl throughout their lives (from birth through the present). A great idea is to send guests a blank 'scrapbook' page where they can add their own thoughts or photos of their dear friend or relative. Mention in the invitation that you would like the guest to bring photos or mementos to contribute to this one-of-a-kind memory book.

Over The Hill: If your birthday boy or girl has a great sense of humor, an over the hill themed party is entirely appropriate. Use over the hill themed invitations, decoration and tableware available at many local party supply stores or online. Decorations are usually black - black balloons, black streamers, etc. When you send out the invitations, be sure to tell guests that gag gifts are entirely appropriate. You'll be amazed at the funny ideas that people come up!  Some gag gifts include canes,  laxatives, adult sized diapers and more!  Make sure you have your camera ready for the gift opening portion of the party!

Hawaii 5-0 Party: For a 50th birthday, a Hawaii 5-0 party is a fun theme because so many party stores sell luau themed supplies which make this type of party an easy one to plan and throw. Just ask guests to dress in tropical themed attire. Be sure to have the guest of honor wear a grass skirt and lei! Decorate with blow up palm trees and colorful lanterns. Serve drinks in coconut or pineapple glasses and have tropical themed food such as pineapple-chicken kabobs, fresh fruit and blue Hawaiian drinks. And don't forget a game of Limbo!

Fabulous 50's! (or 40's or 60's !): Celebrate The Decade that the birthday boy or girl is entering! For instance if it is a 50th birthday party, have a fabulous fifties (1950's) themed party and for a 60th birthday, have a psychedelic sixties party. Ask guests to dress in decade appropriate clothing (e.g. tie dye, leisure suits, etc). Decorate with movie posters, vintage home appliances and colors associated with the particular decade. You could even play games like Hula Hoop. The most important aspect of a decade party is the music. You should have mix CD's with songs just from that decade playing. You could even consider having a Karaoke machine with songs from a particular period.

Cocktail parties are regaining in popularity!  It's a great way to host a group of people from business associates to neighbors.  A typical cocktail party lasts about 2 hours and is more casual and possibly less intimidating than a dinner party for both guests and host.

Invitations:

You can get the word out about your cocktail party in a number of ways.  E-mail invites work well so the person you are inviting can just reply back to RSVP.  Formal invitations can be sent too.  Make sure to mention the date, time (beginning and end), location (with directions if needed), call back number and/or e-mail, dress code & if you would like them to bring anything.

Stock your Bar:

Plan ahead the type of drinks you will be serving.  If you are serving wine and/or champagne only, then have 1 bottle per 2 guests for a 2 hour party.  Other popular cocktails to serve are Manhattans (Bourbon), Martini (Gin), Vodka & Tonic, Whiskey Sours, and Screwdrivers (Vodka).  It's also good to have beer on hand for those who do not like hard alcohol.  Bottled water is also a nice option to have for your guests.

Garnishes: Olives, Bitters, Lemons and Limes, Tabasco,  Horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce and Grenadine.

Mixers:  Orange Juice, Soda, Tonic, Ginger Ale, Cola and Tomato Juice.  Don't forget LOTS of ice!

Glasses: Wine Glasses, Straight-Sided Glasses for tall drinks, Tumblers for spirits and juices; and Martini Glasses.  Wine Charms to identify glasses are a great thing to have on hand if you will have several people drinking wine.

Tools: Ice Bucket, Ice Scoop, Strainer, Long Handled Bar Spoon, Cutting Board, Paring Knife, Jigger, Corkscrew, Bottle Opener, Cocktail Shaker and Lemon Zester.

The Menu:

It's a good idea to serve finger foods at a cocktail party.  It's up to you to decide how fancy you want the foods.  Hors d'oeuvre ideas could be crackers with a spread, meatballs and cocktail wienies, tarts, cheese ball, bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, etc.  There are great resources online for appetizer recipes.  For bite-sized foods, plan about 6 bites per person.  It's always better to have too much food than not enough.

Are you interested in having a cocktail party, but all the preparation and planning too much for you?  Check with your local caterers.  There are some who specialize in bartending and will stock and serve drinks so you can spend more time mingling. If you are attending a cocktail party and looking for a hostess gift, consider a wine gift basket as a perfect complement to the party theme.

Grandparent’s Day is approaching quickly, and you might want to take some time to consider possible activities to fill the day with fun for all generations.  There are a number of activities and outings that might make for the perfect way to honor those who have had a big impact on your life and the lives of your children.  Armed with a good understanding of the activities that would appeal to the grandparents being honored, you can make a wise decision on how to best treat them to a day of fun.

Dining Out

There are few occasions that aren’t made more special by enjoying a meal together in a favorite restaurant or diner.  Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, dining out can provide everyone a good meal, wonderful company, the perfect grandparent gift and an opportunity to say “we love you” and “thanks for all that you do.”

Arts and Crafts

For grandparents and kids that enjoy a little bit of creative activity, arts and crafts can be an excellent way for all to have some fun together doing something that is not overly physically demanding, but does provide for an excellent shared memory.  Consider a project like paint your own pottery, outdoor paintings, or even choose to take in a live play, so you can enjoy other people’s creative abilities.  Be creative in thought and be creative in action, so you can make the grandparents feel honored and special on their day this year.

Fall Fun

Grandparent’s Day was made an official national holiday by President Jimmy Carter in 1979.  The date to choose was obviously a consideration.  Because grandparents are considered to be in the “autumn” years of life, it was decided that Grandparent’s Day would take place in the fall.  So, each first Sunday after Labor Day, we honor the elder generation of our families.  Because, this date hits during autumn, there are many fall-friendly activities that might be chosen to spend some time with grandparents.

Some ideas might include visiting a pumpkin farm to pick your own pumpkins, taste some delicious fall treats, and maybe even get a picture with a giant pumpkin-headed scarecrow.  Carving Jack O’Lanterns can also be an excellent group activity that will lead to wonderful memories and photo-taking possibilities.  Finally, if none of that sounds appealing, you might instead consider a fall walk to take in the colors, smells, and feel of autumn.

Moving Outdoors

With a date early enough in fall to still be enjoying some nice weather, so perhaps the very best way to enjoy Grandparent’s Day is with a day outdoors.  Light the grill, pound out the patties, mix up the greens and prepare for a barbecue in the backyard.  Set up at a picnic table or spread out on a large blanket, a picnic can be a great way to share some delicious grandparent's day treats, fun stories, and to make some new memories.

Follow up the delicious meal with some fun outdoor games that could make use of the backyard.  Some of those games might be bocce ball, ring toss, ladder ball, kickball, or croquet.  Try to choose activities that all members of the family are able to participate, to ensure that this Grandparent’s Day is extra special for all involved.