Pippin Party

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Fun Halloween Card

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:33:00 +0000

While we've been off partying, poor Pippin Party has been left here lonely...so sorry party folks! It seems the writers are so busy with stuff, that we have neglected. I find that people have a hard time following through on stuff. We are all gung ho and then boom, the balloon starts to deflate.

So if you are still in need of party tips, more are on the way. I am gathering together some more notes on previous parties and will post them soon.

By the way, if you want to send some fun interactive cards, go check out JibJab. I love that site. It allows you to upload pictures of yourself and integrate them into a fun card. Check out the Halloween one I made.

Is that a talking hoagie?

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Check out this fun little site where you can dress up your own hoagie! And guess what!?! You can make it talk too, you just type in a message and then play "listen" to hear your hoagie talk. It is so fun.

You can send it to your friends to brighten up their day!

Valentine's Day Party for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:40:00 +0000

It's almost here and we have to get ready. Hearts, flowers and candies galore. Who doesn't love Valentine's Day!

There's no doubt that everyone loves Valentine's day, especially kids! So if you are thinking of having a kids party, here's some great new ideas!

Craft Ideas:
All kids love making crafts so pull out your construction paper, tissue paper and beads...

Have kids paste candy hearts on construction paper
Make a flower out of tissue paper
Trace their hands with red construction paper then tape them as a cover on a heart. The hands open and they can write their message inside
Purchase heart beads and make bracelets and necklaces
Grab some pipe cleaners and make flowers; you just make loops and cut, then take a green pipe cleaner as a stem. Twisting everything together into a bouquet
The local craft store likely has heart cut outs; kids love these, they can glue them on cards, a blank frame or even pasted on a cool little album for Grandma

Have a Happy Day Party

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:27:00 +0000

The other day my daughter looked up at me with her sweet little brown eyes and said, "Mommy, I want to have an Ariel party."

Ariel, from The Little Mermaid, is now her absolute favorite character of all time. I'd say, she is a little obsessed. She even occasionally introduces herself to others as Ariel. I just chuckle and see how far she takes it. At two and half, it's still okay to pretend! So I hesitated for a moment thinking, well, it's not a birthday party, maybe we can just do a "happy day" day party and Ariel is the imaginary guest of honor.

So I leaped into the twinge of the excitement longing in her eyes. I pulled out some cake mix, grabbed a few left over balloons and blew them up, gave everybody a party hat and we had a party! The kids made pretend decorations for Ariel and then got to decorate the cake with crazy left over stuff like cool whip, raisins, peanuts, sprinkles...anything I figured that would be fun. They loved it.

It turned an ordinary day into a "Happy Day."

80s Party Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:17:00 +0000

Guess what? Another 80s party is in the making!

Yes, due to lots of fanfare over last years' 80s party...we're doing it again. So, we'll fill you in with tips and info on how to plan the best 80s party.

I know you're thinking, what, plan an 80s party? YES! It's the newest thing...book a hall, grab lots of friends, hire a DJ and Party like it's 1999. I mean 1989.

Ready to hear about how we are going to make Prince's head useful, Madonna's gloves the new new rage again, or how to set up the coolest 80s entertainment, then tune in later fore more 80s party planning!

First off is planning the right music. What is your favorite 80s song that really makes you dance?

My top 5:
Footloose (Kenny Loggins)
Dress Me Up (Madonna)
Let's Go Crazy (Prince)
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
It Takes Two (To make a thing go right) Rob Base

Invitations: Get in with the new!

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Good old fashioned paper invitations are gradually becoming a thing of the past. Nowadays, there are some new ways to invite people to your party!
Just try using these sites!

Evite
Sendomatic
Facebook

If you are not into using an online site consider even creating a PDF of your invitation and emailing it versus sending old-fashioned snail mail. People nowadays are appreciating getting things faster and have it for easy retrieval...versus if you accidentally lose the paper one. You can always go back and print it again!

Drum roll....please

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:06:00 +0000

And the winner to the FavorAffair.com contest is....

Malleycc! Randomizer chose lucky #94. Congrats Malleycc! And she has a little blog called the Guessing Game, go check it out!

Thank you for all those who entered. We hope to have more contest coming and lots more fun posts about parties soon!

Do something to dazzle for any party!

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Need a new way to dazzle your guests at your party Make up your own mixed drink! Yep, who says you can't have a fancy mixed drink made up totally by you. Grab some juice and different liquors and try out something new. Then name it anything you want. How cool would it be if they came to your party and the next day said, "Wow, I was at Gene's party and he made this cool drink he called 'Blastin' Orange Coke-A-Lina!"

This is great to do for New Years Eve parties, Tiki Parties, Pool Parties, Halloween Parties, or just an anytime party!

Announcing the Favor Affair Contest!

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:19:00 +0000

We are pleased to announce a new contest here at Pippin Party!

The prize is a $25 gift certificate to FavorAffair.com. This site has the neatest favors; everything for elegant weddings to birthdays to girls' night out parties! Finding cool favors for your party is going to be so easy; they have a huge selection! Most importantly, these favors will really wow your guests.

These favors are not only unique and classy but most of all, affordable! If you don't believe me, just go check out their Girls Night favors. You will find some of the neatest things for your party.

So if you are getting ready to host an event and want the to impress with some fabulous favors, come on and enter!

Here's the deal:
1. Visit http://www.favoraffair.com/girls-night-out-favors.html and comment back on 2 items you found most interesting OR if you have a blog or website, post a link back to this contest.

2. The contest will run from today to January 8th. The winner will be chosen at random and announced Friday, January 9th.

3. Contest only open to U.S. residents and those over 18 years old. No anonymous comments please.

Out of the box homemade gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:55:00 +0000

It's that time of year again! Are you ready? Well, if you are on a budget and need to think up some good last minute presents that won't cost you much but will make an impression, you are in the right spot. Here's a quick list of great gift ideas that will please just about anybody!

1. A car kit: I know you are asking, what do you mean a car kit? Doesn't sound that glamorous eh? Well, wait! Many people own their own cars and they often need things in their car that they often run out of...well, why not put them together a little car kit. Take a little basket, or perhaps a small storage bin and add some car goodies such as; tissue packets, flashlight, tire pressure gauge, pens, small notebook, bag of quarters, air fresheners, wet wipes, maybe even a couple packs of gum! Be creative. Think about things you use most in your car. Put it all together and pop a big bow on it. They will be eternally grateful and it is such a unique idea!

2. A DVD: This is an idea I thought of for my son's teacher. It does take some technical skills and equipment; video camera and video editing software. I decided to put together a few clips of video of my son "teaching" his teacher something. The video started with an "Introduction" where I had him list a few things he learned from her and now as a gift in return, he would teach her a few things that he is good at. He's only 5 so I stuck with things he could really enjoy talking about and made it entirely silly. I made a clip of him teaching "how to be goofy" for stress relief. He taught her how he stands in front of the mirror and makes silly faces. He taught her about laughing yoga and that she should do it every day. I also made a clip of him singing a song to his teacher. Then I used his own personal artwork as the DVD cover and inserted in to a plastic cover and titled it. Below the title, I noted "Bonus Feature: Comic Relief." Hopefully his teacher will get a kick out if it and enjoy something very personal right to her.

The truth is you can make a video about anyone to share with someone. It is such a nice thing to do to share some knowledge you may have; such as cooking skills or knitting skills. Whatever...or even make a video just to make someone laugh. Make a video telling jokes or singing a goofy song. If I had a video of someone doing something funny, I'd pop it in all the time. Its like a comedy you watch over and over.

3. A game: This is another creative one for ya. Yes, make up your own game and put it together in a little box for someone. Make it personal. Take cues from games already on the market but change it up a bit. Write up your own rules! Making a game is really simple. You just have to think "out of the box" and then figure out how to put it in a box. If you are not crafty, go simple. Get index cards and draw pictures on them to make a memory game. Of course you need to remember to draw identical pictures on 2 cards and make at least 10 sets of 2. Or how about making personalized playing cards. You can use a computer or by hand, design cool looking kings and queens then paste them on playing cards. Remember, it is the thought here that matters. People love personalized things!

4. Old parts thinga-majig: We all have them laying around, tons of buttons, screws, paperclips, just plain old thingies. Well, make something cool! Take a plain frame or mirror and decorate around that baby. One of the neatest thing I have seen is when someone took nuts and bolts and hot glued them around a simple wooden frame. You can use anything...old crayons, beads, caps to things...another neat thing was a mirror that was totally framed with bottle caps.

5. Inspiration book: Everyone could use one of these. Purchase a cheap notebook, decorate the cover; using either fabric or some kind of designed writing or scrapbook paper. Then inside, fill the book with inspirational quotes, one per page. Hand write them. Then, scattered in between add some photos for that person, either of them with family or friends, or scenic images that would be pleasing and relaxing. Add in some nice memories of that person, like "I remember when you took me swimming at the lake and we splashed and laughed for hours..." It is so nice to have something so personal that you can have at your bedside table or somewhere when you can look through it every so often to cheer you up!

7. Reusable market bags: Skip the supermarket labeled bags and go to the craft store. Scoop up a few plain canvas bags and go home and decorate. Again, make it personal. Decorate with paints or writings. Draw something neat on it that that person is really into. Is it Grandma who loves sailboats? Draw and paint some beautiful sailboats on there! Make it special. She will never forget those bags when she goes to the market.

Holiday Parties: Decorations Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:14:00 +0000

Planning holiday parties are all about two key things: decorations and food! Today I am going to tackle decorations because to me that is the most fun part.

First, you might start out what you want your theme to be.

Here are some ideas:

Traditional, Christmas Santa, Reindeer theme
Snowflake, Snowman, Winter theme
Red and green classy theme
Candy cane, Gingerbread theme, or Christmas tree theme

Then get shopping. Try discount stores first of course. You can find tons of great decorations at the Dollar Store, Marshalls, even Target. If you get a few things you really like but then can't find stuff for the details. Go online. If it seems to pricey, don't be afraid try to make you own version.

If cost is an issue and you really want to save, go for simple. I went to a lovely party that was simply green and red with lots of silver candles about. That's it. They had red and green plates, napkins, forks and table clothes and on each table silver candles. That way there is no mix and matching to worry about. You can throw up a few pieces of mistletoe above the doorways and perhaps even pull together some nice sized sticks, tied with twine and place up against a corner wall. It gives a nice woodsy look. I have some evergreen bushes out front that with a few snippings can make a great centerpiece. Simply take grab an old small basket, place the greens in and then stick a tall candle in the middle. You can even use a variety of greens from different bushes and trees in your yard.

A great idea for a beautiful centerpiece is something like this; a dessert display all dolled up even with small presents. Using food to help decorate is a great idea. You can make candy wreaths taking a Styrofoam base wreath and gluing on all kind of mints! You can use red and green mints or other candies. Another idea is to take a bunch of candy canes, line them up around a small vase or other empty jar, place a bow around them to hold them tight around the jar. Fill the jar up with some water and pop in some red carnations.

Homemade Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe with a secret ingredient

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:00:00 +0000

For Thanksgiving I made candied sweet potatoes from scratch. Well I must say they were incredible. You might want to try this for Christmas.

To serve 8-10 people

8 Sweet potatoes, peel them, cut them in 1 inch chunks, boil them for about 5-7 minutes. You only want them about 1/2 cooked.

In saucepan, 1 stick of butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup Orange Juice, pinch of nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of flour. Cook it until it starts to become thick, add 1/2 cup milk and 1/3 cup amaretto. Yes amaretto, who would have guessed it makes it so yummy. When its all warm and gooey, mix with potatoes and put in casserole dish.

Bake in oven until potatoes are completely soft. Optional, add mini marshmallows-- turn oven to broil and brown the marshmallows on top. This should only take about 90 seconds, so do not walk away from the oven.

Halloween Party 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:31:00 +0000

It was kick a$$ as usual. Yummy food, lots to drink, Phillies winning Game 3. Even I as "Mother Nature" could not stop the pouring rain, but it didn't seem to stop anyone from coming out!

Best Halloween Party Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Best Halloween Party Songs of all Time-- That will make you dance!

Monster Mash (Bobby Pickett)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Ghostbusters (Ray Parker)
The Time Warp (Rocky Horror Picture show)
SuperFreak (Rick James)
Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Adam's Family Theme
The Munsters Theme (Frank Petruccilli)
Purple People Eater (Sheb Wooley)
Somebody's Watching Me (Michael Jackson/Rockwell)
Day-O/Jump in the Line (Harry Belofante)
Abracadabra (Steve Miller Band)
Wherewolves of London (Warren Zevon)
Dead Man's Party (Oingo Boingo)
She Blinded me with Science (Thomas Dolby)
Somebody's Watching Me, (DJ Brian Howe)
Hungry like a wolf (Duran Duran)
Rock the Casbah (The Clash)
People are Strange (Echo and the Bunnymen)
Devil Inside (INXS)
Love Potion #9 (The Searchers)

Online Halloween Games

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:08:00 +0000

Want to play some fun online Halloween games?

Check this out...Halloween Hangman! You will be playing for hours!

Here's a few more:
Transylmania
ScaryFlibrinks (kind of like a matching tetris)- so addictive!
Frankenbrain

More Cheap Halloween Party Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:16:00 +0000

I am still decorating for my kick as* Halloween Party. I wanted to add a few more ideas I use every year.

The craft store sells magnet by the sheet - usually comes in a roll. I always get double copies of my Halloween pictures. Then cut them, glue them to magnet and cut around the body of the person in picture and post them all over my refrigerator.

They are a great conversation piece for your friends during a party. Plus they are cheap, cheap, cheap.

Every year my pile gets bigger and they make me laugh every time I walk by them.

Another great idea is this "spooky mirror" I bought this Antique looking plastic framed mirror from the dollar store. You can do this with any mirror in your house. Then I rubbed a film of ketchup over the whole mirror. Sprinkled flour over the whole thing, then with my finger wrote "BOO" in the flour to make it look like it was a fogged mirror that a ghost wrote on.

My last cheap idea for this post is "My Monster Family" I printed pictures of witches, goblins, the Munsters, Frankenstein and put them in frames and placed them around my house. You want to look for "real" people so they look like real photos, not cartoon characters.

Halloween Treats: Caramel Apples

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:41:00 +0000

This is my favorite time of year not only because Fall is so beautiful, the weather is so nice and Halloween is on it's way but because it is apple season. We live near several great orchards and this weekend's trip to pick apples is already planned. I am so ready for my Caramel apples.

Here are some tips to make the best Caramel apples:
1. Pick nice, unbruised apples, medium in size. Any kind will do, red, Granny Smith, Yellow Delicious.

2. Remove any stems and wash thoroughly and leave to dry on paper towel.

3. Heat caramel on low in pot on stove or even better, in a fondue or crockpot. Make sure it is on low!

4. Insert wooden sticks where stem of apples was. You can either use dowels or Popsicle type of sticks. The dowels seem to work better as they are rounded and thicker. You can find these at your local craft store.

5. Have prepared anything you are going to dip your caramel apples in; some ideas:
Chopped up peanuts
Mini M & Ms
Mini marshmallows
Chocolate chips
Chopped pecans
Peanut butter chocolate chips
Chopped Reeses peanut butter cups
Chopped heath bar
Melted chocolate for drizzling
Granola
Raisins

6. Dip the apples in the caramel, try to cover all sides. Let excess drip off a bit just so there is an even layer on the apple.

7. If you are coating with one of the scrumptious yummies listed above, you can gently roll the apple or drizzle the candy right on top. Be sure to have down foil or a towel for easy cleanup.

8. Place apple on wax paper or tin foil to harden.

9. Placing in the refrigerator will speed this up.

10. Enjoy!

Bobblehead cake toppers and gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:33:00 +0000

Looking for a unique cake topper for your wedding?

How about a wedding gift that will wow the lucky couple?

Check out these custom bobbleheads! Yes, if you have a picture of the bride and groom you can have made these adorable little bobblehead dolls. It is certainly something they will have forever.

Check them out over at webobble.com.

Pumpkin Push-Ins

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:14:00 +0000

How cute are these?

Pumpkin push ins. I love this because I am such a bad pumpkin carver...plus, as many of my family members know, I am not to be trusted with knife. I have two very bad scars on my hand to prove it. Me, knives and kitchen work do not go well together!

You can find these adorable Potato Head Push-Ins here. I have also seen them at Target too with these cool pumpkin stands. They have ones that are witches or vampires!

Happy Pumpkin Decorating!

Happy Birthday to Theresa

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:58:00 +0000

Today is contributor, Theresa's birthday!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday to Theresa!

Wishing you a wonderful day!

Halloween Party - Part II Cheap Decorations

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:41:00 +0000

I I told you I would get motivated again. Well my daughter and I pulled out all the Halloween decorations to prepare for my October Bash. Tonight we gathered up some glass jars and started filling them. Remember I said you can make homemade labels, well I found these awesome labels at the dollar store. They were 8 for 1 buck so be on the look out for them.

In the first bottle "Truth Serum" we mixed water with strawberry jam from the dollar store. In the second jar "Zombie Virus" we used bright green hand soap. The third bottle "Embalming Juice" we used flat pepsi. Here's a good one -the one labeled "Rat Poison" was Cat Food that my cat does not like mixed with water and blue food color - let me tell you - it looks gross, cause the cat food is getting mushy! The last jar we did tonight labeled " Red Blood" was just red food color and water. My daughter loved doing this - and it is super cheap decor to put out on your kitchen counter or I was thinking of doing a creepy lab set up.

The "Toe Jam" was made last year. It was a maple syrup jar and I made the label on the computer. It says 99% toe nail free under the title. We used outdated sun burn gel mixed with dryer lint. You don't have to fill the bottles, it actually looks better with them filled all different levels.

Another fun inexpensive decoration is to find an old leather bound book. I got this one at a flea market for 50 cents then I had some old craft paint. I painted the book, then with a thick sharpie wrote " Handbook for the recently deceased" I left it on my coffee table with a black rose.

More to come, check back tomorrow for more ideas and pictures.

Halloween Costume Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Need some interesting couple costumes to really show off your style? Being part of a couple is great for Halloween because there are so many good combinations!

Here's some ideas!

For the political folks

McCain and Palin of course...make sure your Palin costume includes an American flag bikini and a rifle
Bill and Hill or Hillbilly!
Bush and Chainy

For the nature-lovers

Bird and worm
Bee and Jar of Honey
Flower and Watering Can
Pig (Cow, etc) and Farmer
Mother Nature and Father Time
Hurricane and Tornado
Adam and Eve
Cave Man and Woman

For the cutsie-couple

Tom and Jerry
Mr. and Mrs. PotatoHead or Tiny Tator couple
Raggedy Ann and Andy
Barbie and Ken
Kermit and Miss Piggy

For the athletic couple

Michael Phelps (don't forget the 8 GOLD medals) and Nastia Liukin (gymnast who won 5)
SNL Spartan Cheerleaders
Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali from American Gladiators
Wolf and Venom from American Gladiators

For the business minded couple

MAC and PC
Money grubbing lawyer and accident victim
Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam
Beauty and the Geek
Ipod and Blackberry

For the sexy couple

Construction worker and business woman (looking a little disheveled if ya know what I mean)...
Robert Palmer and Palmer girl
Bottle of beer and German Beer Girl
Wet T-shirt winner and sloppy drunk guy
Saloon Girl and Cowboy or Bartender
Butler and French Maid
Hugh Heffner and Playboy Bunny

For the fairytale couple

For the creative couple

For the celebrity lovers

Brangelina - complete the couple toting along a few kids...um dolls of different ethnicities...don't forget those new twins!
Kid Rock and Pam Anderson
Regis and Kelly

For the entertainment lovers

Austin Powers and Foxy Cleopatra
Princess Leia and Hans Solo
Danny and Sandy from Grease
Al and Peg Bundy
Spongebob and Patrick
Johnny and Baby (Dirty Dancing)
Oompa Loompas
Neo and Trinity (from The Matrix)

For the risky couple

Biker couple - tattoos are a must!
Pregnant Nun & Horny Priest
Trailer park man and woman
Condom and Sponge
Penis and Vagina

For the nostalgic couple

Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe
Rainbow Bright and Transformer
Popeye and Olive Oyl
Whoopee Cushion and Twister
Gilligan and Maryanne

For the humorous couple

And if you are looking for some quick and easy costume ideas, check these out!

Spooky Halloween Contest Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:10:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS Tidbits of Tammy for being chosen as our Spooky Halloween Contest. She will win a cool Halloween Recipe ebook from Groovy Kids Parties! It has 50 awesome recipes! Plus, she get 3 bonus books (a total value package over $200!) including Halloween Crafts ebook, Halloween Printable Games ebook and Halloween Drawings Ebook.

Yay Tammy, hope you are planning an excellent Halloween party this year!

My Mommy Time is having a contest too!

noreply@blogger.com (Pippin Party) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:32:00 +0000

Check out My Mommy Time Online for a great contest! She is giving away awesome charms from MrsCharming! I so want to win this!