The Nojito (Mojito’s responsible older brother)

Let’s start this list of the best non-alcoholic summer cocktails on a high note with a Nojito! This is a great drink for sophisticated adults who want to enjoy a cocktail-esque drink as apposed to a large glass of juice.

What you will need:

* One handful of fresh mint leaves
*One lime
*8 oz. of soda water
*4 tsps of brown sugar

 
How to make a mojito:

*Remove one sprig of mint for garnish and tear the remainder with your hands. Never cut mint, always tear it, for some reason it helps enhance the flavor. Mash the mint together with the brown sugar at the bottom of the glass. (For best results, let the mixture sit for two hours)
*Add ice (cubes or crushed). Crushed is the classic way to make a Mojito.
*Cut the lime in half. Squeeze one half into the glass and cut the remaining piece into sections for your garnish.
*Finally, add the soda water, the remaining wedges and decorating with the sprig of mint.

 
Shirley Temple

No list of non-alcoholic cocktails would be complete without the classic original. Here is how to make the most famous of all the mocktails

What you will need:

*1 ½ teaspoons of grenadine
*An orange slice and a maraschino cherry
*6 ounces of ginger ale

 
How to make a Shirley Temple:

*Pour the ginger ale over crushed ice
*Add the grenadine
*Garnish with the orange slice and cherry

Note: Substitute the ginger ale for caffeine-free cola to make a Roy Rogers

The Planter’s Punch

This drink is basically a non-alcoholic version of the Mai Tai. But the ingredients of the Mai Tai are so tantalizing, removing the alcohol takes nothing away from this drink.

What you will need:

*40 oz. of pineapple juice
*60 oz. of orange juice
*3 oz. of grenadine
*5 oz. of lemon juice
*Orange wedges, lime wedges, pineapple chunks and maraschino cherries

 
How to make the Planter’s Punch:

*Mix the fruit juices together in a large punch bowl over ice!
*Get creative with the garnish. Make a skewer of orange, pineapple, lime and cherry. Preparing these skewers before the party is going to save you lots of time preparing each drink individually.

 
Virgin Mary

For those who enjoy a Bloody Mary but are not drinking alcohol, the Virgin Mary is a great substitute. The flavors of this drink are so characteristic, that it is almost impossible to detect the absence of alcohol.

What you will need:

*3 oz. of fresh tomato juice
*Tabasco sauce
*Celery salt
*Worcestershire sauce
*Ground pepper
*½ oz. of lemon juice

 
How to make a Virgin Mary:

The Virgin Mary is a drink that is largely made to taste. If you have not made one before it is worth experimenting with the Tabasco, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce and pepper until you find the perfect balance that pleases your palate. Be careful, too much of any of these ingredients can really pack a punch! Start slowly and add until you find the perfect blend. Take note of how much you add as you go along!

Non-alcoholic Fizz

This is a non-alcoholic cocktail that is prepared with style and perfect for a pregnant woman at a party. The drink is prepared in a shaker and served in a highball glass, so the recipient will feel all the more special as you thoughtfully prepare this fantastic drink.

What you will need:

*3 oz. of orange juice
*3 oz. of cranberry juice
*3 oz. of club soda

 
How to make a non-alcoholic fizz:

*Shake ice cubes with the orange and cranberry juice
*Pour into highball glass using a strainer
*Add fresh ice
*Add the club soda
*Decorate with the garnish of your choice. We recommend fresh orange slices and maraschino cherries

 
There you go! Some fantastically delicious non-alcoholic cocktails that will make your summer party memorable for everyone in attendance. Have a recipe of your own that you want to share? Let us know in the comments and we will gladly add it to our list. See you outside!

Glow in the dark invitations

Set the mood for your party from the start and add something that no one else will think of: glow in the dark invitations. Although visible in the day light, (after all, you want people to attend you party!) with the cunning application of glow in the dark paint and pens, at night your invite will come alive. The secret to this killer invitation is to not alert anybody to the invitational surprise before you distribute the greetings. Those that suddenly see their illuminating invitation are sure to attend! Just like PartyTime Rentals: it’s the details that make all the difference.

Glowing all the way

The scope for a glow in the dark party is enormous and it’s all down to you how far you want to explore this original party idea’s potential. Let’s thing big for a minute. If you are holding a corporate event in a multi-roomed location, the introduction of some glow in the dark furniture and a neon bar can transform a somewhat standard event into a night to remember.

All of the glow in the dark bar furniture we have rented to events across the Hudson Valley has always been returned with “glowing” reviews. Wherever this rental furniture is placed in a party it is always the life and the soul of the event. Glow in the dark furniture and neon always bring an unexpected intimacy and party atmosphere. It’s part child-like wonderment, part abandonment. Possibly. But one thing we know is that it works.

Hosting a glow in the dark party on a budget

At PartyTime Rentals, we understand that not everybody is in the position to rent our deluxe glow in the dark furniture. But we still want you to experience a glow in the dark party for yourself. Luckily, with some prudent planning and a few inexpensive paints and pens from your local craft store, you can throw a party that is great fun for the children and admittedly a great deal of fun for the adults! Here is how you do it:

If you want some form of light at your party (and this is advised for safety reasons) then LED lighting is the one form of lighting that will not overpower your glow in the dark ambience and still provide ample lighting for everyone to traverse the party.

Interesting fact: the majority of glow in the dark furniture actually use LED lights because of the bulbs high output, adaptability and low energy use!

For a glow in the dark party on a budget, paint is essential. Always purchase water-based glow in the dark paint and paint any decorations outside the house. The last thing you want is to turn off the lights at the end of an evening and see splatters of illumination all over your floor. Water-based paints are forgiving: if a spill does happen, or decorations are somehow stamped into the ground, water-based glow in the dark paints can, with a generous application of elbow grease, be removed from the offending area.

Glow in the dark games for kids.

The glowing hot potato

It’s the same concept as musical chairs only a potato (painted ball) is moving instead of the guests and when the music stops, the guest holding the potato is out of the game. Keep playing until a winner is announced.

Glow bowling

This is a game that can be a lot of fun on a budget as long as you have ample room. Simply paint empty 1 or 2 liter water bottles in glow in the dark paint and use a heavy ball to knock down the illuminated pins.

Party Attire

If your glow in the dark party is for the children, make sure you have surplus glow in the dark shirts, jewelry, beads and glow sticks. The last thing you want is a young guest feeling left out from the festivities simply because they do not glow and beyond that, an invisible child is a potential hazard! Glow in the dark beads and sticks are inexpensive and they can be purchased in bulk from most craft stores.

If you have a group of girls having a sleep over at the end of a party, be sure to supply glow in the dark nail polish to make the sleepover even more special and then bask in the glory of being the best parent ever.

Do you want to know more about our glow in the dark party furniture or are you interested in having PartyTime Rentals bring a difference to your next event? Contact us for a consultation and some party inspiration.

Wondering what to do for Easter in Hudson Valley? Well, look no further! Below is a list of free Easter events happening in Hudson Valley this Easter Weekend. Enjoy!

THE ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT AND PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Saturday. April 7 @ The Millbrook Firehouse and the Tribute Gardens, 3257 Franklin Ave., Millbrook

Join the Millbrook Ladies Auxiliary for a pancake breakfast from 8am-11am at the Firehouse before the big Easter egg hunt begins. The Easter Bunny will be available for photographs from 9am-10am.

Families should arrive at the Tribute Gardens before 11am for the big hunt. Make sure you bring a basket to collect your chocolate eggs that will be hidden around the playground. Children will get to meet the Easter Bunny and other fun characters free of charge.

In the event of poor weather, the event may be rescheduled to April 14th. Call the Recreation Office after 9am on the day to confirm.

DOVER RECREATION DEPARTMENT EASTER EGG HUNT
Saturday, April 7, 1-3pm @ Boyce Park, Route 55, Wingdale.

Bring your baskets to come and collect your bounty of Easter eggs! The event is free and all ages are welcome.

JOHN FLOWERS’ OLD FASHIONED EASTER EGG HUNT
Saturday, April 7, 9-12am @ Waryas Park 35 Main Street Poughkeepsie.

All ages are welcome for this free old fashioned Easter egg hunt extravaganza. The schedule will run as follows:
9:00am: 1-2 yr olds
9:30am: 3-5 yr olds
10:00am: 6-8 yr olds
10:30am: 9-12 yr olds
11:00am: Wheel Chair Hunt
11:30am: 13-79 yr olds

KESSMAN FARMS EASTER EGG HUNT & PETTING ZOO
Saturday, April 7, 1-2pm @ 83 Route 22, Pawling

Visit Kessman Farms for an afternoon with the Easter bunny as well as sheep, ducks, goats and a kangaroo! Just remember to bring your own basket for this afternoon egg hunt with a difference!

THE TWILIGHT EGG HUNT
Friday, April 6, 7:30pm @ Town Park, 3744 Route 44, Mabbetsville

Remember your flashlights and head down to the Town Park for a twilight Easter egg hunt and the chance to win prizes! This event is free and all hunters should meet at the Park before 8pm. In the event of poor weather, check with the Recreation Office before you head out. If the event is cancelled, there will be a cancellation message on the answering machine.

HAHN FARM’S 2ND ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
Saturday, April 7, 10-12am @ 1697 Salt Point Turnpike Salt Point

Bring your baskets to collect eggs for the hunt that will begin at 10.30am sharp! There will be prizes and candy hidden all around Hahn Farm. Patches the pony will also be there to join in the fun and give rides for the children. Eggs are limited to 12 per child and the event is free!

If you have children, birthday party planning can be a delicate and sometimes complicated affair. Innumerable complications, budget constraints and not to mention tantrums, can all put your parenting skills to the test. Well, here at PartyTime Rentals we have the considered the major birthday party planning problems and come up with the solutions. This is essential reading for any parent. So without further delay, let’s see how you can become a super-parent and overcome any birthday party planning problem that is thrown your way.

The problem: Your child has their heart set on a giant party, but you are on a tight budget. How do you cut costs without compromising on the fun?

The solution: Go messy. Raid your kitchen cupboards and draws and gather together anything you can find, cotton balls, mustard, food coloring, and challenge the kids to make the most disgusting cake imaginable. Kids love to make bizarre combinations and concoctions. Just make sure no one tries to eat them!

Beyond that, there are hundreds of tried and tested party games you can play at home that require very little equipment. Musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, a scavenger hunt, all of these games cost practically nothing and with a little imagination, they will keep the children constantly entertained. Just be sure to have plenty of party games in your arsenal. The last thing you want is to run out of ideas and still have a few hours of hosting left to go.

The problem: Out of control guests

The solution: Take preemptive action. Set up clear boundaries before the party starts. This does not need to be as strict as it sounds and with some imagination, it can actually make the party all the more interesting for the children. Have your child design and put up fun signs like, “Keep Out: Monster on the Loose.” Place signs like this on rooms you do not want the children to go in. Beyond this, be sure to lock all the doors that are off limits and block off the stairs with party streamers.

Enlist one adult for every four children. If you attempt to police the entire party yourself, you may find yourself overwhelmed and unable to focus on the entertaining. The length of the party is vital as well. Limit the party to 90 minutes, and plan at least three activities for that time. If you do this, the children will be less likely to be become bored and as we know, a bored kid has the potential to cause mayhem.

The problem: The goody bag

The solution: Most parents do not appreciate their child coming home with a goody bag full of candy, cake and other unhealthy treats. But with some smart birthday party planning, you can conjure a goody bag that is inexpensive, practical and entertaining.

The key to a successful goody bag is having a clear concept of your party’s theme. For example, say your child is fanatical about science and you hold a Mad Scientist style party. Load your goody bags with colorful journals that the children can use to log future experiments. This can be something as inexpensive as a cheap coloring book. If you have a Lego party, there are plenty of inexpensive Lego building brick sets that will keep your guests entertained when they go back home and may even become a catalyst for a new hobby. With all successful birthday party planning–the theme is key.

The problem: Guest allergies

The solution: Be sure to avoid all of the major allergens at your child’s party, such as nuts. While you do not need to necessarily prepare special meals for allergic children, avoiding the major sensitive food groups is always a smart idea. If you are concerned about food allergies with your guests, contact the parents prior to the party and ask them if their children as sensitive to a particular food. Also, consider offering food-free goody bags. Not only are these are healthier option; they will also mean that no child is unable to enjoy their parting gift at home.

The problem: The guest list

The solution: Before you begin talking to your child about who they would like to invite to their party, think about how much room you have, your budget and how many children you would feel comfortable entertaining. A good rule of thumb is to invite as many children as your child’s age plus one. One way to cut down on the size of the guest list with discretion is to limit the party to only boys or girls. If a special friend is unable to attend, make amends by setting up a separate playdate instead.

There you go! The party planning solutions that are sure to remedy any birthday party dilemma you may encounter. Be sure to visit back soon for more party planning advice.

The New Year is here and that means one thing: Spring is on its way. That’s right, winter has been handed its eviction papers and has 90 days to vacate the property. Spring is ready to move in, redecorate a little and provide the perfect backdrop to weddings all around the world.

If you are planning a wedding this spring, it is time to inspire yourself with some spring wedding ideas.

Here at Party Time Rentals, we have been honored to have our tent rental services and furnishings help make spring weddings a success and well, we know what works. This is why we are constantly providing our rental service to wedding across the Hudson Valley and Connecticut areas during the spring. So prepare for inspiration as we pass on our knowledge and lavish you with spring wedding ideas.

Spring wedding ideas: Wedding invitations

Your wedding invitations set the mood for your spring wedding. Ideas include adding a spring motif, such as a butterfly or tulip to your stationary. Consider the color of your wedding before you send out your wedding invitations, as you want them to match and set the tone for the event. For more on spring wedding color palettes, read on to the color section.

If you want to add something extra special to your invitations, consider inserting a sprinkling of silk flowers into each invitation envelope. This will really set that spring mood.

Spring wedding ideas: Location

Take advantage of the budding leaves and blooming flowers and set your wedding outside. There are many botanical gardens and other such venues that have amazing gardens and courtyards in the Hudson Valley.

If an outdoor wedding in the fragrant spring air is something you simply must have, it is always wise to have a tent set up for guests to relax and gather underneath. A tent will protect from the bright sunshine as well as any potential rain. We all know that spring weather is unpredictable, and using our tent rental service for a Hudson Valley spring wedding is always a wise decision! Contact us to find out more.

If an outdoor wedding is not possible, try to find an indoor location that has wide, open panoramic windows to let in lots of sunshine and the spring air.

Spring wedding ideas: Colors

Colors form the foundation of all spring wedding ideas and the season has some beautiful colors to play with. We have created a range of color combinations for you to look at and be inspired by.

Some great two-color spring wedding ideas included the classic green and white- elegant for any spring outdoor wedding. Ivory and sage are also a natural and fresh collaboration.

All spring colors are soft, so it is quite difficult to find a color combination that does not work! If you are unsure about a color combination or adding a third color, consult a wedding planner, a family member or contact us at Party Time.

Spring wedding ideas: Flowers

It is much cheaper to use seasonal flowers and luckily in spring, there is a pleasing and vibrant array of flowers to choose from. Such seasonal blooms include:

Daffodils
Tulips
Apple or cherry blossom
Magnolias
Gardenias
Easter lilies
Calla lilies
Gerbera daisies
And more!

It is often the case that the flowers will dictate the colors of a spring wedding, so visit your local florist and ask to view some of the spring flowers to find your perfect color combination and start transforming your spring wedding ideas into reality.

Get creative with your containers

Put your arrangements in simple homemade containers such as wicker baskets, urns, teapots or watering cans for a natural, organic look. Potted plants placed delicately around the venue will also enhance this look. Best of all, they can be taken home or given to the guests as a timeless reminder of the event!

Spring wedding ideas: Menu

Your menu should mirror the season, so keep it light and keep it fresh. Consider serving a selection of fresh young vegetables such as baby carrots, asparagus and sugar snap peas.

For a main dish, feature either lamb or ham.

For a wedding cake with a seasonal flavor, serve up carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Fresh fruits can also be very festive. In addition to your carrot cake, consider serving pomegranates, apricots, mangos and strawberries.

Start planning your spring wedding using these inspiring spring wedding ideas! Remember, the only limitation is imagination so get creative and conjure up a concept that will dazzle and be different from all the rest. Don’t forget to contact Party Time for more spring wedding ideas and to rent everything you could possibly need for your big day!

How to throw a baby shower: Etiquette

Traditionally, someone outside the family of the expectant mother would host the baby shower. But this has changed. Today it is perfectly fine for a member of the family to arrange the shower and send out invitations. It is however, not considered good etiquette for the expectant mother to arrange her own shower. She can of course have a say in the arrangements and the guest list, but the party should be thrown for her and not given by her.

How to throw a baby shower: Should a baby shower be given for the second or third baby?

Absolutely! Every new addition to a family should be celebrated. This gives the expectant mother the opportunity to not only register for items she didn’t receive with her first child, but to also receive unique items she will need for her second or third child. Consider giving the expectant mother baby wipes, diapers in different sizes and other essentials. It is also a smart idea to give frozen meals for her older children as well, because she will be rushed off her feet trying to care for the newborn and feed her other children as well.

How to throw a baby shower: Gift etiquette and thank you notes

All gifts should be opened during the baby shower so that the guests can see the appreciation of the mother and other guests can see what is given. There is an exception to this rule. If money is given, it can be sent directly to the mother prior to the baby shower. Gift cards can be opened during the proceedings but the amount should not be disclosed to the other guests.

Thank you notes are always the right thing to do. Thank you notes should be sent out to the guests within a month of the baby shower. The hostess can make things easier for the expectant mother by handing over envelopes with all the guests addresses already written on them.

A wishing well is a fun focus for gift giving. A wishing well will be filled with small gifts for the mom-to-be and usually accompanied with a note. A wishing well can be the centerpiece of the event and make the mom-to-be feel even more special when receiving her gifts.

How to throw a baby shower: The budget

As with any occasion, it is important that the host create a budget. This can be a difficult thing to create, because the budget determines the whole event. But with a little creative thinking, you can plan a memorable baby shower, even on the most modest of budgets. Want to know how to throw a baby shower on a budget? Here are some tips.

1. Arrange your baby shower to be held early afternoon. This way you will not have to serve full meals and appetizers will do just fine.
2. Renting out a restaurant or hotel room can be expensive. Hold that party at your home, a friend’s home or at a family members.
3. Consider co-hosting your baby shower with a friend or family member.

Co-hosting is becoming an increasingly popular option. Co-hosting means that generally, you will all share the costs. To keep things simple, it is wise to pool everyone’s money together and use it to create the event. This puts fewer burdens on hosts being allocated expensive duties.

How to throw a baby shower: The GIGGLE checklist

Want to know how to throw a baby shower and feel confident that you have taken care of everything? Just follow the GIGGLE checklist!

G. Guest List. Invite all of the expectant mother’s family, friends and co-workers. To make sure you don’t leave anyone out or invite someone that the mom-to-be would prefer was not there, ask her to provide you with a full list of names.

I. Invitations. It is important that you know your theme before you send out the invitations. There are hundreds of potential themes you could use, but know what it is prior to sending the invitations, so you can co-ordinate your invitations, tableware and banners around the theme.

G. Games. Just as there are hundreds of themes there are also hundreds of games! Consider how long the baby shower is going to be, the location and how many guests are expected to attend before you organize your games.

Try to base all of your games around interaction. One fun game is called the “ice breaker”. The guests will be presented with little plastic babies that are frozen in ice cubes. The idea of the game is to put your guest’s imaginations to the test trying to melt their ice cube and get the baby out. The guest whose baby is “born” first is the winner!

G. Great food. Don’t spend too much of your time contemplating what to serve your guests. Keep it simple. Serve simple finger food such as trays of fruits and vegetables, mini pizzas or mini sandwiches.

L. Location. Save money by hosting the shower in a home instead of a rented location. But make sure that this space is large enough to accommodate all of the guests. You may need to hire some chairs to make sure everybody is seated during the party. Party Time Rentals would be honored to provide YOUR shower with the chairs you need and anything else for that matter!

E. Expectant Mom. Remember that this is a celebration of the mother and her new baby. Keep her as comfortable as possible throughout the event. Make sure she has a comfortable chair to sit on and feels relaxed. Remember to talk to the mom-to-be and ask her what she feels like doing with regard to the games and the food.

Rain on your wedding day is not the only time you may want to rent a tent. Even on a sun-filled day, a tent will be a welcome addition to the proceedings offering shade and a cool place to congregate and enjoy a meal.

Before you book a rental tent, it is important to know how many guests you expecting and calculate, if the guests are going to be seated at your reception, how many tables and chairs you will require.

We will be happy to help you arrange your reception and find the perfect sized tent for your event. We can even help you with the layout, seating arrangements and calculate the width of the aisle, the spacing between the food and beverage tables, the spacing between the rows of chairs, every detail. Simply contact us and we will be happy to be of service!

Rain on your wedding day: Good Or Bad Luck?

If it were to rain on your wedding day, consider that not every culture sees this as a bad thing. In agricultural societies, rain on your wedding day is a symbol of fertility because it represents healthy crops. In the Hindu religion, rain is also considered good luck and symbolizes a strong union. The idea of “tying the knot” comes from the Hindu religion and because a wet knot is harder to untie than a dry one, if it rains on your wedding day, you will be inseparable. If nothing else, these facts can make for good conversation if it did rain on your wedding day!

Party Time Rentals is proud to offer a stunning array of rental tents that will see you and your guests comfortable during the reception no matter what the weather. We not only provide world-class tent rental to the Hudson Valley and Connecticut areas, we also provide everything you could possibly need to rent for your wedding reception. Renting on your big day is the financially wise decision. After all, it is highly unlikely you will have a need for 20 vases and countless strands of lights when your wedding reception is over!

Trends for wedding rentals

As we begin to take bookings for next year’s wedding rentals, we are seeing a definite trend in ceiling drapes, arches and bistro-style tables. Bistro tables are great for those less formal weddings that will be serving appetizers and tapas, instead of the more traditional sit-down fare and want to encourage their guests to interact and mingle.

If you are having the traditional sit-down wedding reception, we advise using chiavari chairs to add some elegance to the room instead of the standard folding or banquet chairs.

Whether sunshine or rain on your wedding day, party time rentals has everything you could possibly need to make your wedding reception a success, no matter what the weather.

Planning the perfect wedding seating arrangement can be one of the trickiest parts of your wedding planning. You have to carefully consider inter-family relationships, feuds, friends who are no longer in relationships. Planning the perfect wedding seating arrangement is a delicate walk through a thorny path; one misplaced step, and it can all go terribly wrong. We have seen it happen! But relax, party time rentals is here to help you plan the perfect wedding seating arrangement that is going to make almost everyone happy.

Wedding Seating Arrangement: The Formal Seating Plan

The thought of creating a formal seating plan may feel a little overwhelming, but it really is worthwhile. If you have ever been to a reception without a seating plan, you will know that having one is a great idea. It takes the anxiety out of couples hurrying to be seated together (and reduces the risk of a mass stampede!)

But if you are having a smaller wedding with fewer than 50 people, a formal detailed plan may not be as vital. You could opt to only plan the bridal table and let all the other guests seat themselves. Some couples in this situation choose to have a buffet party to encourage the guests to alternate their seating and make new friends at the buffet.

Wedding Seating Arrangement: Who Sits Where??

The Bridal Table: Traditionally, the bride and groom will sit at a long rectangular head table and be the focal point of the room. Others prefer to have a “sweetheart” table for just two. Some couples choose to not have a bridal table at all, and instead have a few vacant wedding chairs on every table for the couple to mingle throughout the reception.

The traditional seating arrangement at the bridal table is the groom to the bride’s right, the best man to the bride’s left and the bridesmaid to the groom’s right. It used to be tradition that the significant others of the best man and bridesmaid would not be seated at the bridal table, but this tradition is generally ignored. If there is room, you should seat their partners at the bridal table as well.

The Family Table: It is often the case that the family wedding seating arrangement will consist of the parents of the bride and the groom sitting opposite each other at a large table surrounded by other members of their close family. Some prefer to have the bride’s parents and the groom’s parents host their individual tables for relatives and friends. In the cases where parents are separated, each parent may have their own table to defuse any tension that may exist in the room. Just make sure each table has an even number of guests.

The other guests: Now that you have an idea of what you can do with family members and the bridal table, it is time for the rest of the guests. Should you put all friends together to make the situation comfortable or should you mix and match to make sure that everyone mingles? Well, you should ideally try to do both.

If you have guests that don’t know anybody, try your upmost to seat them next to people with a shared interest. If you have one group of friends that takes up more than a single table, split them in half and fill the remainder with other guests.

Should you have no idea what to do with your parent’s friends, pass on that part of the wedding seating arrangements to your parents. They will be more than happy to help and will be thrilled to be part of the organization.

The singles: Many people see their wedding as a great opportunity to hook their friends up with other single people. Try to resist this urge. Do not create a singles table! This could cause the guests seated there some embarrassment. But on the other hand, do not sit your single friend on a table full of newlyweds. Use some common sense here and you will be fine!

Children: If you are expecting a large number of children at your wedding, seat them all at one big separate table. If you are only having a few children present who were involved in the ceremony, seat them with their parents.

Before you begin creating your perfect wedding seating arrangement, obtain a copy of the floor plan and make several duplicates. This will give you plenty of room to experiment and find the perfect layout.

Call in the Party Planning Experts!

Don’t forget to give Party Time a call. You can contact us for all of your seating arrangement questions and requirements.  We are experts at arrangement and we will be able to tell you the exact dimensions of our wedding tables and how many guests you could comfortably fit. We can also help you arrange your space so that everyone will be comfortable, happy and relaxed during your special day.

The first major tip you need to know is to not invite your guests over too early. It is all about the stroke of midnight and if you plan a dinner party for the traditional time of 8pm, you run the risk of your guests getting sleepy or even worse, bored before the countdown to the new year!

Invite your guests over for dinner at 9pm. That way, you are finishing up the meal somewhere between 11-11:30pm. This gives everyone just enough time to fill up their glasses, put on their party hats and make a wish for the New Year. Perfect timing for a perfect night!

New Years Eve Ideas: Throwing a New Years Eve party at home without spending a fortune.

Many people are put off throwing a New Years Eve Party at home because they think it will end up costing hundreds. But it doesn’t have to!

A great New Years Eve idea is to invite a selection of guests over and make it a potluck evening. These always go down well and you can be sure that on New Years Eve, everyone is going to bring out their best dishes. Assign your guests champagne, appetizers, desert, main course, the wine and so on. Before you know it you will have a fantastic feast, without just one person covering all of the costs.

Now you know how to feed your guests, it is time to move on to the décor and atmosphere. We suggest going with gold and black this year. Invite your guests to wear their most glamorous outfits and you are in for a night reminiscent of old Hollywood.

When it comes to table decoration, try to hold back on the flowers. The price of flowers around New Years Eve is almost as much as Valentines Day, because of the rose parade two days later, so to keep costs at a minimum hold back on the flowers and try to think outside of the box.

Try a centerpiece of gold leaf trays filled with water and gold floating candles. Add birch branches to your table that you can paint gold yourself.

You can also recycle your Christmas decorations and change their color to suit your décor. Think copper, cognac, gold and bronze. Theses are all very warm winter colors that work great together and when combined with the floating candles, add real warmth to your room. Hanging your xmas decorations will also dimension to your décor and is a great way to recycle!

Stay tuned to this blog for more New Years Eve ideas or come visit us at our Wappinger Falls party store to speak to the team in person. Happy holidays everyone and a Happy New Year!

The Thanksgiving turkey may still be in our belly, but there is no time to rest because Christmas is right around the corner. Christmas is a magical time of the year but it can also be very stressful. Long queues, rushing around to organize everything, making sure the family has everything they need, it is no wonder Christmas is classified as the most stressful time of the year!

But it does not need to be. With some smart planning you can learn to cope with holiday stress and turn Christmas back into the enjoyable celebration it should be. We are going to be adding tips and tricks to help you cope with the holiday season over the coming weeks, but here is our first installment: stress-free gift buying and decoration!

Holiday Stress Solutions Part 1: Gift Buying

1.  Make a list – Follow Santa’s example! Write down a list of everyone you want to get presents for. Check it twice and stick to this list. This way, you will not have to be running around on Christmas Eve trying to find presents. This will crush your holiday stress. It’s all about preparation and planning.

2.  Shop early – Set aside a day in early December (or even before) to go out and do the majority of your Christmas shopping. But be sure to stick to your list and don’t over shop. This could potentially put you into debt and see you heading way over budget. Shop early, but shop smart.

3.  Take advantage of the Internet – Want to find a way to avoid those long lines, angry people and reduce your holiday stress? Shop online. You can find all of your Christmas list items online and have them delivered to your home, without having to do battle with the seasonal shoppers.

4.  Buy it. Wrap it. – Don’t wait until the last minute to wrap all of your presents. Place your wrapping paper, tape and scissors somewhere safe and secure and when you get home, wrap your presents straight away. You can pick up some reasonably priced wrapping paper and other supplies at your local dollar store. Buy them early, save money and watch your holiday stress disappear.

5.  Stay away from the sales! – The holiday season has more sales than any other time of the year. Of course finding a bargain in the sales can only be a good thing, but spending the night camped out in your car for the 4am opening and having a tug-of-war over a toy is no way to enjoy the season and will drive your holiday stress levels through the roof.

6.  If you have to mail gifts, mail them early – As Christmas gets closer, the price to ship something increases. This means more money, longer lines and more holiday stress. Be sure to mail your gifts early or try shopping online instead. You can have the present mailed directly to the recipient and most major online stores offer a wrapping service as well. Problem solved.

7.  Pay for your gifts with a credit card or PayPal - Paying for gifts with a credit card or with PayPal offers you some protection if the gift does not arrive on time or arrives broken. If you pay with a debit card, you will not have this assurance. Using PayPal or a credit card takes some of the holiday stress out of gift buying. Just remember, stick to your budget and stick to your list!

8.  Load up on batteries – Never, ever forget the batteries. Many of the gifts you buy, especially the ones for the kids, will require batteries and driving down to the store on Christmas day is never a fun thing to do. So be sure to stock up.

Holiday Stress Solutions Part 2: Decorations

Decorating your house for the holidays should be a fun occasion, but unfortunately too many people end up reenacting scenes from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and get caught up in the stress of decoration instead of the joy. Here is how to put the fun back into decorating your home.

1.  Surrender to imperfection – Of course you want your home to look its best through the holidays but remember that not everything is going to look perfect. Try not to overwhelm yourself trying to get every light just right. Instead, relax, have fun and don’t worry about perfect symmetry!

2.  Get the whole family involved – set aside one hour for your whole family to get together and decorate your house. Working together will not only get the job done faster, it will also be much more fun and put everyone in the holiday spirit.

3.  Check the lights before you put them on the tree – Your holiday stress is going to go through the roof if you spend all that time winding lights around the tree only to find that they do not work. One light not working is acceptable, but having half of them dead is not going to be a good look. Test first and everything should go great.

4.  Buy some plastic boxes – Lights and decorations can get messy and unraveling them can be a major cause of holiday stress. If you do not already have your decorations in plastic boxes, it is worth investing in some and clearly labeling the boxes. This is going to keep everything in great condition and make hanging your decorations so much easier.

5.  Buy some hooks – These are lifesavers for hanging up decorations. If something does not have a hook or the hook is broken, replacing and attaching a new hook is going to be a breeze. Think how much easier this will be, rather than running around trying to fashion a hook from ribbon or whatever else you can find. One packet of hooks is going to last you years.

6.  Buy an artificial, pre-lit tree – Spending the whole day driving out into the freezing wilderness and chopping down a tree by hand is tradition for some, but it can also add to the holiday stress. Only do this if you are sure that the WHOLE family is into the idea, or you will hear complaints of the cold, the needles and how they want to get home into the warm and watch TV. If you want a real tree, buy it from a lot. But be sure to water it every day, or it will dry out before Christmas. Why not take the stress out of looking after a real tree and instead, buy an artificial, pre-lit Christmas tree you can use again and again. It will save money, reduce waste and most importantly, holiday stress.

Come back next week for more tips and tricks on how to overcome holiday stress!