Birthday and Theme Party Blog

TURKEY FACTS

2011-11-01T11:14:00.000-05:00

Turkey Facts

Turkey Fact # 1: Wild turkeys can run 25 miles per hour and fly up to 55 miles per hour.

Turkey Fact # 2: A mature turkey, who has survived Thanksgiving, has approximately 3,500 feathers!

Turkey Fact # 3: Benjamin Franklin was the American statesman who lobbied for the turkey to be the national symbol instead of the eagle!

Turkey Fact # 4: Turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting tests runs and breaking the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead!

Turkey Fact # 5: 90% of all American households eat turkey on Thanksgiving

Floral Centerpieces

2011-10-03T23:10:00.001-05:00

BassPro Summer Camp

2011-06-20T08:45:00.001-05:00

BassPro Summer Camp

The Happy Birthday Song and The Little Loomhouse

2010-03-13T01:00:00.003-06:00

The Happy Birthday Song and The Little Loomhouse

Think Spring Floral Centerpieces

2010-03-08T21:00:00.001-06:00

Think Spring with floral centerpieces in pastel colors like yellow and sage green then accent with floral napkins and floating candles.

Spring Party Cakes

2010-03-08T13:18:00.007-06:00

Star Spangled Banner

2010-03-03T13:08:00.003-06:00

In 1931 the Star Spangled
Banner becomes the national anthem of the United States of America.

Helen Keller

2010-03-03T11:07:00.003-06:00

Today in 1887 Helen Keller met her miracle worker Ann Sullivan.

Happy Birthdbay Dr Seuss...and Mr. Geisel!

2010-03-02T07:54:00.004-06:00

Cat in the Hat

2010-02-27T09:24:00.005-06:00

March 2 is Dr. Seuss's Birthday...how will you celebrate.

"We're having a party! It's plain as can be!

I want you to celebrate with me!

How about a go of Cat in the Hat? A game like pin the tail on the donkey only you stick the objects on Cat in the Hat.

Valentine's Day Party

2010-02-26T14:08:00.010-06:00

Planning Creative Holiday Parties

2006-07-16T00:58:00.002-05:00

Planning Creative Holiday Parties

By Lillian Vernon

(ARA) - You're invited . . .are always
popular and welcome words around the holidays. If
you're like me, you love to host a party. But
if you're a hostess with the leastest
amount of time, a party is a lot of work.
Entertaining requires considerable planning and
preparation because there are so many things to do.

Think about the parties you've attended and
what made them special. Was it the food, guests,
laughs, decorations, ambience? The parties I liked
best were the ones that touched me in a personal
way. A special party creates lasting memories
for you and your guests. No matter who is on the
guest list, the basics of organizing a party are
almost always the same. What's different is how
you customize the details. Here are my tips to
get you started:

* Make a master list of what must be done a
month, week and day in advance and don't forget the
day-after cleanup.

* Decide what kind of menu you want as far ahead
as possible and whether you want a sit-down
dinner or a buffet. Think about every course from
hors d'oeuvres, to appetizers, salads and
dressings, breads, entrees, vegetables, desserts and
beverages. Always include some healthy and
low-calorie selections. Prepare and freeze whatever you
can, so you don't have to do it all in one day.
Home baked cookies and brownies can be stored in
tins; roasts, cooked the day before, can be
served cold. Nibbles like crudits can be chopped
and stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
Order specialty items from the florist, butcher and
bakery, and extra chairs and tables in advance.

* Buffets are usually easier than sit-down
dinners. Avoid anything that can spoil when left out
for hours. Utensils and napkins should be
available everywhere there is food and drink. Tie
silverware and napkins together with festive ribbons
and a candy cane. Buy paper napkins with fun and
witty sayings or personalized with your name or
initials on them. Decorate tabletops with
spray-painted gold pinecones, holiday ornaments and
candles.

* Make or buy plenty of ice cubes and place them
in a large galvanized tin bucket decorated with a
big red ribbon. Using food coloring, make
festive red and green ice cubes. To cut down on
misplaced glasses and wasted beverages, buy holiday
wine charms for every glass. For coffee or tea, use
colored sugars or rock sugar stirrers instead of
regular sugar.

* Before the party starts, place cloves, cinnamon
and orange peels on a baking sheet in the oven.
Set on a low temperature for an hour; the
heavenly aroma will fill your house for hours. Mull
spiced cider in a large pot on your stove for a warm
winter drink with a holiday fragrance.

* Make your guests feel welcome from the instant
they arrive. Line the driveway with luminarias
and decorate the front of your house and lawn to
set a celebratory mood. Place a guest book at the
front door for expressing sentiments.

Family Parties

Ask guests to bring a family photo to make a
personalized ornament for your tree. Childhood
photos make great place cards for a sit-down dinner.
Begin a family album, highlighting favorite
recipes, anecdotes, pictures, and memorabilia.
Include a family tree with small pictures.

Parties For Neighbors

Enlist at least two outgoing guests to help you
make introductions. Instead of gifts, organize a
future neighborhood activity where everyone can
pitch in such as a spring planting, a summer block
party, an Easter egg hunt, or autumn leaf raking.
Give gift certificates of time to each other,
offering to shovel snow in the winter, take care of
pets while someone is vacationing, or baby-sit a
newborn so parents can have a night out.

Parties For Co-workers

Organize a "Secret Santa" giveaway or ask
your guests to bring funny gifts for a grab bag.
Holidays are a good opportunity to meet the
families of co-workers. Plan activities that allow
everyone to mingle and learn more about each other.
Ask guests with special talents to entertain. An
aspiring magician can perform magic, someone who
has a great voice can read "A Christmas
Carol", and someone who likes to sing can lead the
caroling.

The goal of a holiday party is to put everyone in
a festive mood and set the tone for the coming
year. With advance planning and preparation, the
host will be relaxed and everyone will have a good
time!

For more festive party ideas, visit
www.lillianvernonproducts.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

EDITOR'S NOTE: Lillian Vernon is the founder of
the Lillian Vernon catalogs and
www.lillianvernonproducts.com.

Mailing Party Invitations

2005-11-25T21:34:00.001-06:00

Mailing Your Invitations:

1. Mail all invitations at the same time, six to eight weeks before the birthday, using first class postage.

2. If you are enclosing response cards in your invitations, remember to include stamps on the return envelopes.

2. To avoid postage delays and returned invitations, take invitation to your post office to determine proper postage.

3. Be sure to include a return address on each outer envelope. Any invitations returned by the post office will allow you to invite those individuals personally.

For more information on invitations visit Carlson Craft

Mardi Gras Masquerade Party Activities

2004-09-19T03:46:00.002-05:00

Create an atmosphere of folderol and fanfare by incorporating beads and masks into games or activities throughout the party. Beads can be awarded for winning games, answering trivia questions or just being in the right spot at the right time. The winner of the evening is the guest who has amassed the most Mardi Gras items by the end of the night!

To get the party started, present each guest with an unadorned Mask as they enter the party. Provide a table full of goodies and let each guest create a masterpiece. Place feathers (one "pulled apart" Feather Boa will go a long way!), Curling Ribbon, pieces of purple, green, and gold paper, Beads (these can also be cut into pieces), sequins, etc. in bowls on the table. Also, have glue, tape, or a lo-temp glue gun available for the guests to attach items. Award prizes for the "biggest", "most creative", "most outrageous", "most racy", "most likely to frighten a small child", etc...it's all about winning more Beads!

You can energize your crowd and have big fun by crowning a king and queen each hour during the evening! The royal pair can be selected by popular vote, ability to eat crawfish in the most flamboyant fashion, best or most original costume or mask, by total dollars contributed to each candidate (later donated to charity) or by the luck of the draw. Crown your queen and king with traditional tiaras and crowns, or opt for a fun Mardi Gras Headbopper. The main purpose of Mardi Gras is to participate in one partying parade after another, with each having a king and queen of its own. Why not have royalty at your party to complete the tradition?
Hang a giant Mask on one wall. Using Sharpie markers, let the guests sign, doodle or express their inner most thoughts on the mask thoughout the night. By the end of the night your decoration will be a priceless momento...a grown up "yearbook" of sorts! Some things we just never outgrow!
Music, music, and more music! There can never be enough and it can never be too loud! Select CDs before the evening begins and include some jazz favorites, a little Zydeco, a Neville Brothers CD or two and, of course, Mambo Number 5. Encourage guests to dance like no one is watching! Create a "dance floor" area with a perimeter of Balloons and our Mardi Gras Mask Kit.
Capture the entire Mardi Gras bash you are hosting on film. Take plenty of photos and provide guests with disposable cameras to catch the fun and excitement of the celebration. Provide a photo backdrop for this opportunity using either .
Regardless of the ages of your guests, we've yet to meet a party-goer who didn't want to take a swing at a Pinata! Fill the pinata with Coins and Beads, and some sweet treats too.
Click on the Shindigz Party link.

Masquerade Party

2004-09-19T03:45:00.002-05:00

This theme is perfect for any celebration that calls for extravagance, elegance and opulence! Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, milestone birthdays, weddings, and black tie fund-raising events all lend themselves perfectly to choosing this theme.

PARTY SLOGAN:
After selecting this theme for your party, choose a slogan to use in your invitations, and to use in tying in decorations, favors and more to your theme. Try one of the following, or come up with a slogan that fits your personality and the tone you wish to set for your party:

Masquerade Magic
Midnight Masquerade
Masked Ball
Millennial Masquerade
Venetian Masquerade
Midsummer Masquerade
Midwinter Masquerade
Masked Magic

INVITATIONS:
This fancy dress theme party provides an opportunity to pull out all the stops! Our imprinted "Masquerade" invite will set just the right tone for your party. This is available in our "All Occasion" store under "Invitations".

As an alternative, mail out our inexpensive metallic or colored masks with a hand written or computer generated tag attached with all the details of the party as your invitation. Request that each guest customize their mask to match their party attire, and wear the mask to the party. Suggest that they can embellish them with feathers, tulle, rhinestones, paint, sequins, etc. Award prizes for different categories … "biggest", "most creative", "best match with attire", etc. The masks can be found in our "Halloween" store under "Masks".

ATTIRE:
For the most dramatic effect, ask guests to dress in black-tie formal wear. If you expect that some people will be reluctant, make the party "Black-tie Optional". That way, most people will come dressed up, and those who are reluctant won't avoid the party.

MUSIC:
A string quartet or harpist would be the perfect musical accompaniment for this party, especially during the cocktail hour and dinner.

DECORATIONS:
Before you select your decorations, choose a color theme to work with. Generally, working with at least two colors, but no more than three works best. For a masquerade theme, choose one solid color, and complement it with either silver or gold. Visit our "Mardi Gras" store for additional decorations, as the harlequin pattern lends itself perfectly to a masquerade theme.

Check out our perfect "Masquerade" and "Masks Extraordinaire" centerpieces. These are located in our "Mardi Gras" store.
We offer hundreds of decorations in silver and gold. Glittery curtains, huge inexpensive "chandeliers", draped gold and silver gossamer, and zillions of silver and gold balloons just to start with! To add some extra flare to your party…purchase several cans of silver and gold spray paint, and cover anything and everything (not living) in your theme colors. A few suggestions? Cover disposable cameras, serving dishes (even inexpensive plastic can be sprayed), old chairs…the possibilities are endless.
Never underestimate the power of decorating with balloons, as they can transform any room into a cozy and festive space in minutes at a very low cost. Check our All Occasion Store to select from a wide variety of high quality latex and Mylar balloons in all shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors. In our "All Occasion" Party Tip section, we offer advise on how to build balloon arches, strands/swags, columns, clouds, centerpieces, and bouquets, how to use giant balloons, and even a "how to" on hanging balloons without helium. -Balloon arches are ideal for entryways, photo backdrops, or to hi-light different areas around a party room. Balloon strands and swags are the perfect accessory to hang across the ceiling of a large ballroom, tent or gymnasium. For a very dramatic look, outline a dance floor or the perimeter of a room with balloon strands. Balloon columns work much the same way that balloon arches do, in that they are ideal when placed at entryways, for use as a photo backdrop, or as a terrific splash of color placed at intervalsaround a party room.
If you have not had the pleasure of decorating with gossamer in the past, you are in for a delightful surprise. You'll find it in our "All Occasion" store in the "Gossamer" section. It is a wonderful, lightweight "fabric" that creates fabulous decorating touches at a very reasonable price. It drapes, hangs and holds its shape beautifully. In our "All Occasion" Party Tip section, we have an entire tip devoted to "Decorating With Gossamer" containing professional advise and "how to's". The effect is stunning and dreamlike! The gossamer comes in a multitude of colors, patterns, and widths to fit any party decoration need. If you are decorating a large area, or want to make any area look more intimate and festive, use gossamer to drape, swag, or cover just about anything. Ceilings, walls, doorframes, edges of table skirting, or tabletops all look terrific when accented with gossamer. Create a tent-like appearance by gathering the gossamer at a central point in the ceiling and draping it to the walls. Many unsightly gymnasiums and banquet halls have been transformed into fantasy locations using our gossamer. Twist or braid two colors together for a stunning look. Wrap gossamer around columns, stair rails, or balloon arches in your theme colors.
One of the hottest trends today is to cover banquet or reception chairs with chair bows…and it is quite costly! With our metallic silver or gold gossamer (at a budget price), you can drape a piece of 19" gossamer across the top of each chair back, and then tie a gossamer streamer bow around the back of the chair. The bows can be cut to any length, and even look lovely with tails trailing on the floor.
Columns provide an elegant decorating touch. We have several ready-made columns that can be accented with gossamer, streamers, or garland. They also look sleek and sophisticated standing alone or grouped together. Columns provide a grand entry-way or a great photo backdrop, and also work well to section off a large room (dance area, food area, etc.)
Add twinkle lights to balloon arches, strands, columns or clouds, to gossamer swags and ceiling tents, table edges, or around the perimeter of a room.
Think romance and mood lighting…candles, candles, and more candles in a shade to match your color theme. Use tapers, balls, and votives to pull together a sophisticated color theme. Fill all the tables with various sized candles and keep them lit throughout the evening. Prior to the party, put your candles in the refrigerator or freezer. Cooler candles will burn for a much longer period of time.
Floating candles look absolutely lovely and elegant. Color the water with food coloring to match your color theme. (Just like painting in elementary school, the food coloring can be mixed to achieve just about any color you need!) Place a glass bowl, or several different sized wineglasses filled with water on a mirror. Add candles, and colored or clear gemstones (found in our All Occasion Store) and enjoy the dreamy look you have created!
TABLEWARE:

For tables, use our super-shine table covers and skirting in silver or gold. This will add to the formal elegant tone of the evening.
Gone are the days when guests expected to be served on good china. While formal dishes certainly still have their place today, more and more hosts and hostesses are using paper goods. Plastic and paper goods are now acceptable even at fun themed formal events. Our metallic silver or gold paper goods appear to be quite formal. Many country clubs and reception halls are using these products as a method of serving a large group with matching tableware, at a fraction of the cost of renting china. Cleanup is also much less costly.
If you are entertaining a larger group, and are not using good silver or stainless cutlery, try this tip to make plastic cutlery look more festive. For an original touch on your party table, use a paint pen in a color to complement your theme colors to draw random dots or squiggles on the handles of plastic cutlery. Tie the plastic flatware together with floral or satin ribbon…big impact at a little price!
Order napkins imprinted with your special theme slogan, and wording to recognize the individual or event you are celebrating. Choose from a wide range of napkin and ink colors. Select a metallic foil, holographic foil, prismatic foil, or traditional ink imprint. The napkins will serve several purposes…great decorating in disguise, and a delightful memento of a magical evening.
Check out our huge selection of custom imprinted glassware. We carry flutes, goblets, mugs, and snifters in a multitude of sizes, shapes, style and color options. Guests can drink water, wine, soft drinks, etc. from a special glass, then take the glass home and fondly recall the party every time they see the glass. All will add a lovely, elegant touch to your tables. Tie a small piece of satin ribbon, curling ribbon, or gossamer streamer to each stem for a festive look. The glassware can also hold a gathered cloth or paper napkin to create a tall dramatic look at each place setting. Glassware filled with candy, mints, or chocolate treats or with metallic shred to match your theme colors also creates a terrific table accent.
FOOD:

Serve a formal sit down meal, complete with placecards. A Venetian "flavored" meal works perfectly with this theme. Garnish food with edible loose-leaf gold, and cover dessert in tiny edible silver and gold balls. Serve dry snacks and appetizers in metallic top hats turned upside down. Sheer glitz and glamour, this party will shine and sparkle in the memories of your guests.
At the entry to the area where guests will be dining, place a large ornate, gilded mirror on a standing easel. On the mirror, in a removable paint marker, write the menu for the evening in a calligraphic hand.

FAVORS:
Under our "All Occasion" party tip section, we have a section labeled "Decorating with Party Favors". Even the most limited of budgets will find a suitable favor! Attendees of a black-tie Masquerade affair are most deserving of a favor to remember the evening by!

One element that is essential to a Masquerade Party is to have a photographer available to take plenty of pictures to capture the magic of the evening. Fancy clothing, highly adorned masks and a festive atmosphere…all deserve to be documented and preserved. Create a photo backdrop, and encourage all the guests to stop by to have a "formal" picture taken. The photographs can then be used as a party favor, along with a frame imprinted with your event slogan to commemorate the evening.
We believe that life should be more fun! If you need any additional assistance in planning your Masquerade Party, please feel free to ask the party planners at www.birthdayzbyshindigz.com. We're here to make all your parties successful and fun!
Click on the Shindigz Party link.

Nautical Cruise Party

2004-09-19T03:43:00.002-05:00

Party Slogan:

After selecting this theme for your party, choose a slogan to use in your invitations, and to use in tying in decorations and personalized favors for your sea-faring Nautical theme. Find the perfect slogan for your party by trying one of the following, or by thinking of one that suits you.

"Anchors Away...for a boat rockin' party!
"Ahoy Maties...It's time to party!"
"Ship's Ahoy Sailmates...We'll be cruising on the S.S. Party!"
"Join us for some Nautical Nonsense to celebrate Jon's 40th birthday!"
Invitations:

Choose one of the following invitations to let your guests know what a seaworthy time they will have at the party:

Our Titanic Invitation is perfect for this theme. Invite your guests to come dressed for some "wind-in-your-hair" fun!
As an alternative, send a message in a bottle from the sea! Our unique Design Invitation can be imprinted with your personalized slogan and details of the party…you name it, and we’ll print it for you! Roll the invitation up, and tie it with a small piece of green (seaweed) curling ribbon or raffia. Add the invite to an empty water bottle (label removed). Add about 4 tablespoons of sand to each bottle, and a few small seashells. One Shell Necklace can be cut apart, and will provide enough shells for about 10-12 invites.

For your convenience, if you don't have a design that you would like to use, we have several designs that would be perfect to use in our Design Invitation along with your choice of wording.
Click on the Shindigz Party link.

Spectacular Summer Themes

2004-09-19T03:41:00.002-05:00

Host a fun-filled party for those you care about most just because you can! Choose one of the following SIZZLING HOT SUMMER themes:

Tropical Luau
Backyard Beach Bar-B-Q
Limousine Scavenger Hunt
Western: Horsin' Around or Wild, Wild West
Backward Party
Tacky Times
Amateur Night – Karaoke Party
Retro Mania
Rockin' those Summer Nights Away – 50's style
Midsummer Masquerade Ball
Pajama Jam
Night of a Thousand Stars
Mexican Fiesta
A Night on the Orient Express
Toga Party
Splish-Splash Pool Bash
Asian Fantasy – Celebrate the Year of the Dragon
Millennial Magic
Millennial Madness – (for those with leftover stockpiled goods!)
Star Light, Star Bright
Titanic Times
It's a Jungle Out There!
Rainforest Revue
Walk Like an Egyptian
Movie Mania
Hollywood Nights
Pamper Party
Slammin' Sun Jam
Green Thumb Gathering
Garden Party
Shipwrecked
Casino Night
Summer Sky Stargazing Party
Gone Fishin'
Camp In
Teddy Bears Picnic or Bear Bash
Silly Summer Circus
Calypso Caper
Glow in the Dark Gathering
Pig Out Party
Should you decide to go for it, and host the first summer blowout of the New Millennium, the party planners at

Ring or Bean Bag Toss
Face Painting
Duck Pond
Gum Ball Guess
Photo Booth
Moon Bounce
Snow Cones, cotton candy, popcorn, fresh squeezed lemonade
Balloon Animals made by a Clown
This summer day will certainly end with mile-wide smiles and good feelings…fun for everyone involved and a terrific deed performed on behalf of someone in need!

Have a big "Welcome Home" Party for a child or good friend who has been away at summer camp. Let them know just how much they were missed with larger-than-life banners and balloons posted in front of their home. Celebrate all things tennis, swimming, nature, golf or football if that matches the camp they are returning from!

Plan a "This is your life" or "Spotlight" party for your family. This one would have to be a surprise, and involves a little bit of secret work, but is well worth the effort. Gather old family videos, photo albums, school pictures, report cards, artwork, trophies, etc., and take the time to "chronicle" the life of each person in your family. The only thing that you may want to share with family members is that they will need to be prepared to share a talent. Decorate a special chair for the guest of honor. Start with the youngest, and work your way up…ending with yourself. Share parts of your own childhood with your children, and let them know that as a teen you also felt awkward, tell them about your first crush, favorite toys, etc., then share your dreams with them. After your presentation, ask the "spotlighted" person to perform his/her talent. (Remember that this doesn't have to be a "traditional" talent. If Rachel can cross one eye, or scratch her ears with her toes-that works!) Lots of clapping, cheering and praise should follow. Why go to the trouble this summer? More and more studies show that low self-esteem is a leading cause of problems among children and adults. Start the New Millennium off with a huge boost of confidence building for your family!

Spend a day with your family lying in the grass sipping lemonade. Gaze up at the clouds and see a fantasy parade of all things wonderful float by.

Plan time to do absolutely nothing but savor the simple joys of a lazy summer day!

Progressive Party

2004-09-19T03:40:00.002-05:00

This party can be hosted to spread the joy of having a party around. Several couples or families can host this event. Anniversary parties, retirement parties, Going Away parties, Milestone Birthdays…this format works great for any occasion. A Progressive Party is one in which guests travel from home to home, eating one course at each stop. The joint hosts/hostesses get together to plan the affair and that can be half the fun! Design the invitation to look like a tri-fold restaurant menu or a treasure map, and even include pictures of each host family (easy with access to a color copier). Let guests know which course they will enjoy at each stop, and include a map if necessary. A unique twist would be to rent either a few stretch limousines, or a trolley. Check the options in your city, so that everyone can travel together. Combine the Progressive Party with another theme, and then have each home decorated in colors matching the theme. Check out our "Color Theme-Based" party tips under the "All Occasion Decorating"

section for some terrific and inexpensive decorating ideas that can be carried from home-to-home. The progressive dinner is easiest if five host couples share the responsibility, but can be combined to reduce the number of stops. Ideally, the dinner would work in the following manner:

1st home – appetizers and cocktails
2nd home – soup and salad
3rd home – the main course
4th home – dessert and coffee. This stop is also ideal for photographs, as guests are usually quite relaxed by this time.
5th home – fruit, cheese and liqueurs (easiest preparation), and party favors.
Using paper and plastic goods is a must for this type of party…no-one wants to take the time to do dishes before they leave for the next stop, or face the dishes when they arrive home! Clean up should be a snap, and all the party stops will match!

The last home would also be the ideal stop to play a few games, have fun music to dance to, or a Karaoke sing-along.

Retro Party Activities

2004-09-19T03:39:00.002-05:00

Here are some totally groovy games and activities that will work for many different age groups. Relax, get funky, and enjoy a few of these at your next Retro party!

Borrowing from the concept of the tried and true game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, we suggest a fun game of "Pin the Smile on the Smiley Face." Use our big Inflatable Smiley, and cut smiles out of black construction paper. Blindfold each participate as his/her turn arrives, spin, point in the right direction, and watch your smiley get really happy! For older kids, try a game of "Pin the Peace Sign on the Hippie." Same concept…a little more grown up.
From Creativity for Kids, we offer a fun and hassle free Tie Dye Craft Kit. Your guests can create their own groovy apparel which will then double as a favor for them to take home.
If you weren't around to do the Hustle, the Bump and the Bus Stop the first time around, find a friend or neighbor who was and recruit him or her. Teach these popular and simple steps to your party guests and enjoy the fun!
Divide the guests into two equal teams. Create two starting lines with masking tape, and secure two inflatable Smileys in place about 10-15 yards away. Line the teams up with the disco wardrobe at the starting line. At the signal to begin, the first player on each team quickly dresses up, runs the course, and then returns the wardrobe to the next player. The first team to complete the course wins. An Afro wig, love beads, fringe vest, and hippie glasses will lead to some "hustling" to the finish line.
Young girls will love to create "wreathes" for their hair using fresh daisies. Put a smile on their glowing faces, as you remember how much you enjoyed this as a child.
Play volley ball, dodge ball or keep-away with our inflatable Smiley!
Re-runs of the best shows from the 60's and 70's are plentiful. Set your VCR to tape a few episodes of the Brady Bunch, Partridge Family, Gilligan's Island, and I Dream of Jeannie. Adults will love the opportunity to re-visit some of their favorites. Make a game of it with the adults. Tape 15-25 episodes of one show, and then see who can remember the outcome the fastest. Fast forward as soon as someone guesses, and keep track of points. The prize . . . the tape of course!
Our Flower Piñata can do double duty-he'll hang as a decoration until you are ready to use him. A universal favorite!
Take some time creating memories to last forever with a great photo opportunity in our Retro Car Standee!

Scavenger Hunt

2004-09-19T03:38:00.002-05:00

Hosting a Scavenger Hunt is a lot of fun, but also a lot of work! Careful preparation, however, will ensure a successful event. The following tips should help with your Scavenger Hunt planning. You can modify the items your guests are hunting for to fit your theme.

The first thing you will want to do is let your guests know in advance of the party that they will be involved in a Scavenger Hunt. They will probably want to dress in comfortable clothes.

Next, assign teams. You will probably want to have about three to four people per team. Gather supplies and a list of rules for each team member. The supplies you will want to include are a disposable camera, a map, a local phone book and a list of the items they are to find.

When your guests arrive, let them know what teams they are on and give them a while to get to know each other. You could serve appetizers and drinks during this time. Let players know that you will take points off if they return late, and that they will be disqualified if they attempt to prevent other teams from completing the event.

You will need to set up three different categories for the Scavenger Hunt.

PHOTOS

The first is photos. Compile a list of photos that each team must take. Make sure that there is at least one team member in each photo, and require that each team member be photographed at least once. Assign points from one to five for each photo (obviously you will give more points to the more difficult photos). Choose items in your community as well as generic items for your guests to take photos of.

Here are some suggestions:

Police officer
Local monument
Person walking a dog
Volkswagen New Beetle
Fire truck
Phone booth
Teddy bear
The list of photos should be about 20-22 items. Make sure the disposable cameras you give each group has at least 24 exposures!

THINGS TO COLLECT

The next category is things the teams have to collect. This list can be about 20 items. Again, assign points from one to five depending on the difficulty of the item. Include things that are both easy and difficult to find. Some ideas might be:

French fries container
Xerox of a hand
Chinese restaurant menu
Pine cone
Bank deposit envelope
Movie ticket stub
Be sure to give each team a bag to collect all of their items in!

QUESTIONS

The final category is a list of questions that the team members have to answer. Again, assign points from one to five, based on difficulty. These can be about eight questions long.

Some examples might be:

What movie is playing at XYZ movie theatre?
What are the current ice cream flavors at XYZ ice cream shop?
What is the current exhibit at XYZ museum?
Obviously, you will have to verify all of these answers before you send the teams out. Be sure to be as specific in this category as you can.

Set a time-limit of about two and a half hours. Tell teams that they must drop off their disposable cameras at a One-Hour photo shop before they return. (Give them directions to the one closest to you for ease.) When the teams arrive back, start reviewing the items they have collected and the questions they have answered. In the mean time, send one team member from each group to collect the photos. Once they return, complete the tally of points to determine your winner.

Have prizes on hand like gift certificates to local restaurants, and other fun items. To make the hunt more competitive, you could ask each team member to put a small amount of money towards the prize at the beginning of the game. The winner will receive the largest portion of this, and the second place team could receive a smaller amount.

Springtime in Paris

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When planning your decorations for a Springtime in Paris theme, envision a beautiful
outdoor café surrounded by fresh flowers and charming tables. Keep this setting in mind as you coordinate all of your details, and your atmosphere will develop into just the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon or evening!

Indoor Decorations:

We offer a number of complete decorating kits that have a Parisian theme. Choose the entire kit, or select components from it, and your guests will be wondering how they were transported directly to the heart of this romantic city!

First, we offer a kit called Springtime in Paris. This kit includes a 16' 3-D Eiffel Tower, topiary trees, a Paris skyline, and a whole lot more!

Another kit we have is called Parisian Rendezvous and it too features an Eiffel Tower Silhouette and hedges, along with a café style canopy.

We have a unique kit entitled Parisian Mardi Gras. This bold and beautiful kit incorporates the look and feel of Mardi Gras into a Parisian theme.

Besides these kit, we also offer a number of large decorations that will add a touch of Paris to your event. Check out our Lighted Paris City Screen, our 12' Eiffel Tower, and our Parisian Fir Trees.

Besides these products, you will want to focus on red, white, and blue as your primary decorating colors. Use balloons, streamers and some of our Gossamer (a wonderful, lightweight fabric that is perfect for swags and chair bows) to decorate your party.

Table Decorations:

For the most realistic touch, rent bistro tables and wrought iron chairs and place them on your patio or throughout the entire yard.

Try to find a large French flag to place at your entryway, and then find smaller, paper flags to hang around the room. You could also use the flag for placemats - simply make a colored photocopy of the flag and affix it to some heavy cardstock. Unfortunately, we do not carry these, but a travel agent could direct you to someone who does.

Place a pair of our Parisian Lamp Posts on either side of your back door leading onto the patio for a quaint touch of France!

Cover your tables with either white linens or white lace to enhance the bistro look! You may want to scatter some brightly colored confetti across the tables for some shine. A single stemmed red rose in a crystal vase is the perfect centerpiece for a Parisian theme, but a full bouquet of fresh spring flowers would be lovely as well.

Add a Parisian touch to your centerpiece with our Eiffel Tower Confetti. This adorable confetti looks great around a vase filled with fresh flowers.

If you will be hosting your party at dusk, add some candlelight for even more ambiance and romance!

Show your guests just how much you care by offering Personalized Napkins that complement your theme. We offer a large selection of dinner, luncheon and beverage napkins in an impressive palette of 20 colors. We also offer a wide range of ink colors, as well as a metallic foil, holographic foil, prismatic foil or a traditional ink imprint.

Our napkins can be imprinted with your special wording and the design of your choice. They are soft and elegant, yet reasonably inexpensive. They are 3-ply to offer you a sturdy but extravagant feel. The napkins will serve several purposes - great decorating in disguise and a delightful memento of the party that can be saved in scrapbooks for years to come!

Napkins can be laid out on a buffet table, or can be displayed at each place setting. Place napkins in the center of each place setting at an angle, or unfold them and place them in glasses for a tall dramatic look. The napkins can also be tied (and bundled with plastic cutlery) with a multitude of items to match your theme. Try Curling Ribbon, Gossamer Streamers, ric-rac or ribbon.

You can imprint your napkins with a special design from our selection or for an additional charge, you can send us your own special design.

Tailgating Party Tips

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Gear up the gang for some good-time football fun this fall. Whether you're planning a tailgate at the stadium parking lot or a "virtual" tailgate party at home, the following tips will help you score!

Invitations

Create invitations that look like game tickets, include party kick off time, fake seat number, car location, etc.
Attach a real game ticket to your printed card invitation. Print our Prom Tickets for a football tailgate party.
Use our "Design Invitation" with a football imprint. Personalize it with your special wording inside.
Include football funtoos in your invitation envelope.
Imprint plastic footballs with "Touchdown Tailgate Party" September 17th 2:00pm. Include a piece of paper with additional details.
Cut a football shape out of construction paper and use fancy markers and make laces with string or yarn.
Bring your megaphone to try to get pre-game cheers going.
Favors

Use green tote bags filled with white shred and glue football nametags on each bag and write the guest's name.
Fill gift bag with: Funtoos, Football Spirit Pins, Footballs, Football Key tags, Football stress balls, Football Spirit Badges and Football Stadium Cups.
Imprint napkins with birthday person's name and football imprint.
Give guests tickets to a football game, football trading cards, a football Trivia book, favorite football team paraphernalia, helmets painted with guest's name, jerseys with guest's name, rooter rattles, pom pons, # 1 foam hands, seat cushions and sports towels.
Imprint custom car flags for everyone to attach to their car
Use our football topped squeeze bottle with your imprinted theme.

Ideas

Use tableware, skirts and table covers in your team colors.
Roll napkins around your cutlery and tie it with a ribbon in your team colors. Place cutlery bundles in a wicker basket.
Set up a goal post in your parking lot to look like football field.
Have a guest appearance by your favorite team's mascot.
Create football goal posts out of corrugated paper for the party area.
Divide guests into teams with different colors. Ask your guests to dress in team colors.
Buy inexpensive footballs, cut them in half and serve dry food in them.
Make centerpieces out of pipe cleaners, shape them into goal posts and place them on fake grass surrounded with mini footballs.
Create a mini football field in the back of your car or truck or on a table. Use fake grass, lines, goal posts, toy footballs, etc.
Assign each guest a player number.
Use cheer phones for game time snacks, etc.
Have personalized banners made for your party.
Spell out the party host's name or favorite team with giant letter balloons.
Inflate 3' balloons in your team's colors with helium to mark the party spot in the parking lot.
Have a Luau theme tailgate party – or other appropriate theme – change your theme with each tailgate. Don't be afraid to choose a seasonal theme, e.g. a Thanksgiving theme tailgate.
Set up a canopy with school colors.
Label foods with football nametags.
Encourage guests to come back to the tailgate after the game for different foods or dessert!
Use imprinted mugs to offer up hot drinks.
Activities

Play touch football. Have a tournament and play other sports games.
Football Trivia
Have penny game pools – who will get the first touch down, what lame song will the cheerleaders do a dance to, etc.
Do the pick a square game/pool
Use cheer phones to catch the football in the cheer phone game, etc.
Have a tailgating king and queen – sash, tiara, crown, etc. – make them wear it into the game.
Tongue fumble
Get face paint –Team Spirit Markers -to let guests imitate pro football players or just color faces in team colors
Split the group into two teams and see who can come up with the best cheer.

Toga Party Activities

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If you want your party to have a formal elegant tone, hire a harpist to play during the mingling and dining portion of your party. Tyres and panpipes are other instruments that would provide appropriate entertainment. For dancing, go with fun dance music provided by a DJ or your own stereo!
Here are more activity ideas for your Greek party:

A costume contest is a terrific idea for a Toga Party. Award prizes for "best costume", "most authentic", "best accessories", "most likely to become a Roman goddess", etc.

Prepare a trivia quiz filled with information about Greek mythology and Roman customs and traditions - a great way to entertain and educate your guests!

Play a fun game of "bobbing for olives" (or grapes)! Use individual wide-mouth glasses or bowls - one per player - filled with either martinis or sparkling water. Let each player bob for the olive using only his or her mouth. Use a stopwatch and time players one at a time. Good for lots of laughs!

Create a backdrop for "official" Toga Party photos. Whether your backdrop is as simple as a stunning metallic curtain or a column decorated with hanging vines, reserve a place where everyone can have a special souvenir photo taken. This is a night they will want to remember forever!

Under the Sea Party Activities

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Engage the kids in some landlubber fun with the activities that follow:

A Bubble Machine will entertain kids for hours as they race around popping underwater bubbles!
Our Giant Octopus Standee or Giant Shark Standee are the ultimate Under the Sea party props. Take the time to have each child pose alone, and with the birthday child for pictures inside the standee. The priceless photos can then be mailed to each guest with a thank you note at a later date.
The Octopus or Shark can also be used for two other party activities:
-Gather a couple of beanbags, or fill some uninflated balloons with rice. Use the Standee for a beanbag toss game.
-Prior to the party, fill 4-5 water bubble balloons for each child. Have mom, dad, or another good sport peek out of the opening, and then let the water fly!
Listen to squeals of delight when the kids are running old-fashioned three-tentacle (or legged) races, and crab races. For the crab races, have the kids raise themselves up from a sitting position on their hands and knees, so that their backs are facing the ground. The kids can also play Crab “Soccer” using an inflated balloon as a soccer ball. If you really want to make a big splash, give all the little winners a real goldfish in a Plastic Fish Bowl!
The kids will have a whale of a time with the Whale piñata and we’ve yet to find a child who doesn’t want to grab some goodies from one at a party!
“Buried Treasure” – Blindfold the children one at a time, then let them dig deep into a Giant Treasure Chest filled with goodies.
“Clam dig” – Use a sand box, large tub or you can even fill our Giant Treasure Chest with sand, and bury small toy treasures for the kids to dig up. Fill and bury some Sea Shell Nut Cups with wrapped candy. Add some Mini Sea Creatures for an authentic Under the Sea surprise!
Create a deep sea fishing pond, using lots of toy treats for the catch of the day.
Get caught up in a wave of fun as the kids make a craft that they can display with pride. Our Tropical Fish Sun-Catcher Set, Fish Favor Bags, or Starfish Pin Craft kits are all sea-worthy!
Run a Deep Sea Relay, using two sets of over-sized flippers, goggles and filled-to-the-brim (with water) Beach Pails. Divide the kids into two teams, and have the first in line put on the flippers and goggles. Each person must run to a designated line…with the water filled bucket. Each team member then runs the same course after being tagged. Offer two prizes for this game. One for the winning team, and one for the team with the most water left in the bucket!
Wrap a box of individually packaged Goldfish snacks (one for each child) with newspaper or butcher paper. Continue wrapping layer upon layer around the package, so that the kids can unwrap it one sheet at a time. After you have added approximately 12-15 layers, wrap the final layer with real birthday paper and a fancy bow. Gather the kids in a circle, play some music, and tell the kids that when the music stops, whoever is holding the package gets to unwrap the package (be specific that they may only open one layer.) Continue playing the game until the final layer is removed. The winner gets to give each person a package of Goldfishtm…so everyone wins!
If you are holding your party at a time when the weather is beautiful and balmy, request in the invitation that guests wear a bathing suit, and let the water fly! Have a water balloon fight, play water-hose limbo, or just let the kids have free time to play in the sprinkler.

Western Party Activities

2004-09-19T03:16:00.002-05:00

Nothing beats an old-fashion campfire when you are doing a Western theme party. Try to find someone who knows a few tunes and can play the guitar for a fun sing-along. Here are some suggestions:

Home on the Range
My Darling Clementine
Get Along Little Doggies
She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain
Happy Trails
Pony Boy
Streets of Laredo
Turkey in the Straw
Deep in the Heart of Texas
You could also have the guests list as many songs as then can and give a prize to the one with the longest list!

If something a bit more active sounds like the way to go, try some of these suggestions:

Hire a caller to teach everyone how to square dance or do the two-step. It’s a great time to kick up your heels and give out a little "Yee-haw"!
Create a favorite photo opportunity with our adorable Jail Standee. For some fun crowd interaction, have your guests take turn staging a small Western film. Pull out your video camera and play back the short films. Have your guests vote for their favorites in different catagories – i.e. funniest, most realistic, John Wayne stand ins, etc.
Rent a mechanical bull for some real bucking good times.
Try your luck at a "lassoing" contest.
Sack Races/Hay Fights/Horseshoes – some things you just never outgrow!
http://www.partymerchant.com/western.htm