Valentines<3

I love Valentines Day. These ideas can be just for your honey or can be used for some kid’s activities too. Start by sending or hiding in lunchboxes etc. handmade cards. Include Valentines candy and notes telling them how much you value your relationship. One year I sent my husband 30 cards – one each day before Valentine’s Day! Then plan out all the meals with a Valentines theme. Breakfast: Heart Shaped French Toast, Lunch: Tomato soup and Heart Shaped Grilled Cheese, Dinner: Heart Shaped Pizza and Cookies. Oh! what fun! A great activity for anyone is a hint search. Create hints for the recipient guiding them to a wonderful Valentines gift. Now when they come to the place with the surprise, decorate with a ceiling full of Helium Balloons or a bed filled with foil balloons with love notes attached to them. Whatever you plan remember it is all about love and share your heart!

Giant Children What?????

In a world where everything is so much bigger than our children at this “Giantland” party your Giant Birthday Child and their Giant guests get to rule! By decorating the house with miniatures, you’ll make the “giant” kids feel big and important. Invitations can be written on wide butcher paper or white gift wrap. Write the invitation copy in HUGE letters. You can roll up and tie (if hand delivered) or fold up to fit in an envelope. This decoration idea can serve as an activity as well. Build small worlds in large cardboard boxes or plastic boxes. For an “Artic World” you can use water beads found at craft stores and broken Styrofoam pieces for icebergs the miniature penguins can sit on. You can add shells, sea lions and whales to this world. Another spin off of this is to create “Sea World” adding sand and all sorts of miniature sea animals. How about a miniature “Jungle World”! Use a piece of astro turf or left-over Easter grass for the floor and add your own house plants. Use stones, pieces of wood, branches and plenty of miniature wild animals. For a miniature “Farm World” use coffee grounds as dirt and green felt or astro turf for grassy areas. Use a blue paper plate for a pond area and fill with miniature ducks/geese. Add little fences to keep your cows, goats and pigs separated. On a larger scale you can create a miniature “City World” using cardboard boxes of all sizes. Paint them and add windows. Use Black poster board for cutting out roads and add miniature cars and trucks to the scene. The miniatures can be found in the party favor section of your local party store or online. Since your kids are Giants the balloons for the party need to be small too. You can use the small foil balloons florists use in arrangements that are on a stick. You can purchase 5” latex balloons and since they will not float because they are too small attach them to a stick that can be found in party stores. Rent children’s chairs and tables for the guests. They are so darling (meant for toddlers) and will make the kids feel Giant!  Purchase small plates, cups and cutlery used for playhouses (tea parties) for serving food. And the food needs to be tiny too. Bake or purchase miniature cupcakes and serve with the small cans or soda, mini sandwiches and mini carrots and dip. A game that can be played is “Giant Leap Frog”. With masking tape, tape two straight lines about 6 feet long and 12 inches apart. Place obstacles between the lines, like stuffed animals, toys, shoes etc. (soft items in case children fall on them). Tell the them that each line is the bank of a river and what these giants have to do is leap over the river without getting wet (because if they get wet, they shrink and become leprechauns). The kids form a long line of giants ready to leapfrog over the river. If they fall in the water they have to start over at the back of the line. Supply magnifying glasses to the guests and head outside to look for bugs and such. This will really let them know they are Giants in the real world to some creatures. Have fun with your “Little Giants”!

It’s Game Time!

What better way to enjoy the camaraderie of friends and family than with a Sports Theme Party? You can have your own tailgate party without the asphalt, bugs and in controlled comfort!   Whether it is a current College Game you want to share or the Super Bowl these ideas will keep everyone grinning from ear to ear.

Write your own invitations like a play from a playbook. An example play is above. Use green construction paper to print them. I copied an image and then used Paint to enter the custom copy. If you are more techie than I am, have at it and get creative with Adobe or other publishing programs! Decorations must be based on the team colors, of course! Balloons are a perfect choice, consider centerpieces or columns, as shown, or bulk balloons in a team color mix to tie around the room. If you have Team Logo tee shirts consider placing them over the backs of chairs. Team Logo throws can be draped over couches. And what about those Team Logo stadium cushions? Throw them on the floor for a comfy spot to sit. For the purist, only kegs will do but Foam Coolers will add to the overall look of your tailgate event. Have plenty on hand and use them creatively. Although they will keep all your beverages cool, smaller ones can be used to hold chips and popcorn too, not to mention veges and cold appetizers on ice! You can find some Sport Theme inflatable coolers that would be perfect for this application!

An idea for a fun party game: at the beginning of halftime, give your guests small paper footballs to stick onto their chests with double-sided tape. Tell everyone they’re not allowed to say the word “football” while in conversation during halftime. If a guest hears someone use the word, they can take the football from the offending party. The person who collects the most footballs is the winner. Maybe this person will win an actual football to take home. Offer prizes for the person who can make up the best Cheer. To make it more challenging place pieces of paper with an assortment of random words written on them in a bowl or hat. Have the guests draw a specified amount of words and create the cheer using their drawn words. “Awesome”!

As far as the food, it is pretty much a no brainer: dips, chips, wings, pizza and the like are standard items for any sports party. You might want to add a dessert highlight ENTER – an “Ice Cream Brownie Sundae Bar”: Serve assorted flavors of ice cream over purchased bakery brownies. Drizzle with flavored ice cream sauces. Sprinkle with chopped candy bars, candy sprinkles and chopped nuts. Top with lots of whipped cream and, of course, a maraschino cherry.

Let’s hope your team pick wins and have FUN!

New Year’s Celebrations!

The party of the year is usually to ring in the New Year! You don’t have to spend a lot of money and can include the kids in a simple celebration at home. First you need to turn your Christmas Tree into a New Year’s Tree by adding party horns, party hats and balloons. Blow up the balloons to be undersized so you can tuck them into the branches. If you have a new year’s banner cut that up and add that too! A great way to entertain the kids while they are waiting for Midnight is to plan activities. The activity can include adults too and the cutest way is to put them into balloons. Write a time on each balloon. Instruct everyone to pop them at that moment and perform the project. Some fun ideas for easy crafts are to make noisemakers out of paper plates and beans or Firework Rings out of Glitter Pipe Cleaners. Other things to do: Watch a Holiday Movie, Play a Board Game or create a New Years Scavenger Hunt. Make an area to take fun photos with the backdrop of large Foil Balloon Numbers for the year. Many people make new year’s resolutions on this day but a more transformative ritual is a “Burning Bowl Ceremony”. To prepare you will need a Fire Pit or large unburnable bowl (metal or glass). Place it in a safe area outside. Give everyone paper and pen and sit peacefully to think about things you want to release and/or cleanse yourself of. Children can do this too, some have fears at school, or social issues they would want to let go of. Hold a positive mindset and write down your wishes. Have a responsible person start by lighting his/her paper and toss into the bowl, everyone else can follow by throwing their paper in. The fire is a symbol of wisdom, passion and purification. May the New Year bring you much happiness!

Holiday Parties want BALLOONS!

Most people don’t associate Christmas/Holiday parties with balloons. That could not be further from the truth; with so many creations that can make the party spectacular! Many of them are air filled so they can be used for display for a couple weeks or more. The small Centerpiece trees or Gift Boxes can be easily picked up at our studio. They can be in any color combination. The Christmas Light Bulb garland can be a great DIY project using plastic cups, 12″ balloons and ribbon. If you use a cool glue gun you can glue the pieces together or use double sided tape. The large Trees, Columns and Arch can be delivered and/or installed at your office, home or venue; again the color combination is unlimited. Helium filled balloons are also available and can be picked up or delivered. We can treat them with a product called Hi-Float and they will last more than one day. Give us a call and I will be happy to discuss decorating ideas with you. Until then Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

“This is your LIFE” Party!

Although this party seems only for older adults I have seen this for 13^th, 16^th and 21^st Birthday Parties. It can also be used for honoring achievements (lifetime or not) of people both young and old. Invitations must include a couple pictures of the honored guest along with details. The highlighted area of the party will be a table with photos and mementos through the years. Make a timeline on butcher paper for the wall behind the Memorabilia table. Include world events, personal events, popular music and movies, discoveries, and photos for different years on the line. Set up a photo backdrop area for guests to get their picture taken with the honoree. To model your party after the famous 1950s television show, you will need to set up a stage area with a special seat for your guest of honor and a large curtain to hide your mystery guests. Hide your guests behind the curtain, and, if possible, have a microphone or karaoke machine set up so that everyone can hear what they will say. Then, one at a time, ask them to relate a funny story or experience that they shared with your guest of honor and let your honoree guess who is behind the curtain! As an extra touch, you might choose to softly play music while each mystery guests speak to further enhance the mood. A guaranteed tear jerker! Prepare a video montage of photos and/or video clips of your party honoree and have it playing throughout your event — If you have guests who were unable to make it to the party, you might ask them to videotape themselves giving a greeting or sharing a story or remembrance about your guest of honor to play as a “virtual visit”. At some time during your party, pass around glasses of champagne (or sparkling cider) and propose a toast to your guest of honor. The best menu choices for a This Is Your Life Party are your guest of honor’s favorite foods. Finger foods are also a good choice for a celebration because they allow your guests to mingle while grabbing a bite here and there.

Winter Graduation Party Ideas

Winter graduations tend to be overlooked because most retailers only carry decorations and supplies during the peak season of April, May and June. These ideas can be created with everyday materials and still make your Graduate feel special! We always carry our Graduation balloons all year long so don’t hesitate to call us for this portion of your event! We will be happy to eamil you a flyer with lots of ideas.

Last week’s tip showed you how to make your own tissue pom poms. Using this method, you can customize a Memory Table or cake table to match their favorite colors or school colors. Fold Poster board in three to make a collage of the persons photographs through the years. Hang the pom poms on a ribbon or rope over the table. Add any important mementos to your display. Since this party will probably be indoors (there may even be snow on the ground) a wonderful place to decorate is a staircase. Glue pictures onto wide colored ribbon and fasten to the staircase. You can attach balloons to the railing as well. A great idea for a Card box is to decorate a suitcase as shown. You can cut out letters from poster board and paint or glitter them. Serving a delicious soup (kept warm in a crockpot) is a perfect choice for a Winter Graduation party as well as the Pirouette Cookies made to look like diplomas. You can find the Pepperidge Farm brand in most large grocery stores or check a local bakery. Make sure you have plenty of seating for your guest. You can order linens in the school colors or if your budget doesn’t allow for linens you can purchase plastic table covers. For round tables buy a round table cover in one of the school colors and then cut a banquet table cover in half for the other school color. Place on top as an overlay. Inexpensive and impressive! We carry many colors of plastic table covers, just give us a call. Dress the tables with simple 3 balloon centerpieces to make the entire room festive and fun.

 

Do it Yourself Tissue Pom Poms

Tissue Pom Poms are a great decoration for many types of events, however, the color choice is sometimes limited. Making your own is easy and you can blend colors and/or designs. By using napkins; your selections are almost unlimited!

1. Purchase paper napkins 2ply is easier to work with than 3ply- any color, any design – whatever will work for your party theme and color scheme. Luncheon size napkins will make a ball approximately 12″ in diameter. Beverage size napkins will make a ball approximately 5” in diameter.
2. Open each napkin up and stack them all together. I used about 15 napkins per pom pom. I suggest at least 10-15. Remember the more sheets you use the fuller your pom pom will be.
3. Fold them back and forth-accordion style-like you would for a fan.
4. Use a pipe cleaner or florist wire to cinch the middle. Leave enough wire to create a small loop that you can use to thread your ribbon through to hang them.
5. Fan each side to cut the ends to make them have a rounded or pointed finish. I chose to make them pointed for this project.
6. Attach the ribbon you will be using for hanging.
7. Carefully start pulling apart each layer of one half to begin fluffing that side. You will want to try and make your shape as round as possible so vary the direction you pull and fluff.
8. Flip it over and repeat the Step 7 on the remaining folded half.
9. Continue fluffing until you get your desired shape and look. And WHALA!  You are done!

A time saving Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been so stressful for me because I am usually the master cook – and trying to get everything on the table at the right time and making sure snacks and drinks are all out, I just go crazy! So, I have vowed to do less on the day and enjoy the people more! Here are a few tips that I am planning and maybe they will help you too! My plan is to only have to cook the Turkey and the Dinner Rolls (because we have to have Crescent rolls) on Thursday. I always Brine the turkey overnight and cook it by Spatchcocking it.  I tried this a few years ago and the difference in the juiciness is so tremendous I will never cook a Turkey any other way again. You can learn how to do this here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Lie172c3Y&t=3s . Because there are many ingredients for adding to the broth and roasting pan, I will precut all the vegetables and have them ready for the day. Simplifying the rest of the menu will help too. I know what my family likes and will make mashed potatoes and green beans with onions ahead of time. These can be microwaved just before dinner. I will get two dishes ready for the oven (they can go in with the Turkey) – Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes. The snacks can be simplified too and plated ahead of time so they are ready to put out. Purchased Cheese Ball and a Shrimp Ring are easy fixes. Dip with Chips and Veges are always a hit too and can be pre-made. Unfortunately, I am spoiled with homemade Cranberry Sauce but I make this early in the month and gift it to the mailperson and other service people before the holiday, so my jar is done too! A similar recipe to what I use is here (except I use Apple Juice not water)  https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/spiced-cranberry-sauce/ try it and you will never use canned again! Pies are a no brainer, with the magnificent bakeries locally I have that one wrapped up! We love Mulled Cider during the holidays so I prepare everything and throw in a Crockpot in the morning. Set it on low and guests can serve themselves when they want. Happy Thanksgiving!

Karaoke/Music Awards Party

These party ideas can be used for a fun Karaoke party or for one on the many Music Awards Watching Parties throughout the year. This week the Country Music Awards is being held on the 14^th.  This party screams glitz. If using it for a Karaoke party use the same style for a “Rock Star” theme. Gold, Black, Silver and White are good colors to decorate with. Use sequin table runners on your tables, you can find many online for as low as $10.00. Layer Plastic plates in different colors (like chargers) and make sure everyone gets a microphone favor (you can find at Windycitynovelties.com). Adorn the chairs with Vinyl Records you can find at a thrift store. Tie off with metallic ribbon to keep the glitz going. Make an impact with 3ft Helium filled balloons in the colors you have chosen. You can attach long metallic tails hanging off of them with metallic garland or make your own using Shimmer Curtains found at your local party store. You can view this video to see how to do it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGoDpXfRebQ . Add some fun party lighting you can buy or rent. Especially if it is a Karaoke party using the lights while singing makes you feel like a star! Another great addition would be a Photo Booth or Photo Area. Dig out your Halloween stash – sunglasses, feather boas and/or photos props you can find online or at your local party store. Make sure some of the lights shine in this area for amazing pics! Designate one person to take video of each guests while singing (if it is a karaoke party) and take digital photos. You can send these to the guests at a later date. Make cookies or cupcakes to match the theme, Cowboy Boots if watching the Country Music Awards. Use Guitars, Music Notes, Records and Microphones depending on the twist you have on the event. If your budget allows send your guests home with swag bags filled with a Music CD, Microphone Shaped Bottles of Bubbles and Rock Star Lollipops.