Home And Family

There is No Business like the Party Business!

Event Party Planning is all about choosing the right event for you. So, what I am talking about is the first in the steps to having a successful Party Planning Business.

Here is the rub about Party Planning Success; While it is tempting to take whatever the job that is offered initially, (trust me, we have all been there!) you ALWAYS have to look at the big picture. What are your goals for your business and where do you want to be with your business? Essentially, why did you get into business and what were your goals when you decided to get into the business?

Everyone has different reasons for wanting to be a Party Planner and if you want to take beginning Party Planning jobs to “Get your feet wet” then, by all means, do so, but always have in mind your ultimate goal as to what aspect of the Party Planning business you want to develop; Corporate Events? Kids Parties? Family-Themed Parties? High-End Fundraisers? The list is endless.

It is certainly OK to learn the ropes with small Events that help you hone your craft, but you have to make money because that is why you are in business.

Let’s talk the economy a bit, shall we? I am not one to become involved with the whims of a fickle economy and I certainly don’t need anybody telling me how to live my life. As a Party Planner, many in the industry have asked about the overall business outlook for Planners.

In one word…It Is Good! OK, so that is three words. The point is, no matter what the economy, Party Planners thrive. So, back to the initial thought…Pick an Event that is a Money Maker for you.

You see a great Planner will always know how to optimize budgets that is why, even in a more challenging economy, Planners can sell their services on the very notion that they can save a company money because of their expertise.

So the importance of being selective is, in the long run, vitally important. You must define who you are as a business person and choose the area of expertise that will always keep your creative juices flowing. In the end, if you are not excited about getting up each and every day to do your Party Planning Business, then you need to re-evaluate why you do what you do.

Remember, Life is a Party, you just have to know how to Plan it!

Happy face party is thrown to identify the fact that we have so much in our lives that we should be thankful for and be happy about. Happy face party will provide a moment for all your guests to be happy and feel really good inside. I remember about a time when I was being really sad about the different things happening in my life and that was getting me really depressed but then I started to think about the good times that have happened in my life, which are so precious for me and that made me feel really good.

The main purpose of the happy face party is to share the moments of happiness and joy with everyone. For this party, you need to send invitations to your guests whom you are inviting with a background picture of children sitting together, playing and smiling and this will make everyone feel really happy just by looking at the invitation cards. The area that you are going to decorate for the party should have smilies all around. Other things that you need to buy are the paper cups, paper plates, paper dishes etc. which have smilies on them.

Your happy face party is going to be a success with all the different guests sharing the moments of happiness in your lives. Sharing these moments will bring smiles on the faces of all your guests. I would say that arranging such parties must be arranged off and on so that it will provide everyone with a time where they are able to diffuse the stress in their lives and are able to be more close and know that they have a lot in their lives to feel happy about.

Football party is fun whether it be kids or adults. There are different ideas that go for the football party. Some people would like to celebrate a football party with the idea of inviting the kids and their parents. The party can be celebrated with nice decorations and posters of the famous football stars. It is really important that you have the knowledge of all the favorite teams of your guests so that you can decorate accordingly because if any of your guest抯 favorite team is not having a representation in decorations, they might not feel good with that.

Another football party idea that can work is to list your guests and send them invitations to come and watch the football match with you. The major fun in this party lies in the fact that it takes place on the day of a football match. Just place full size posters of different football stars so that their presence is felt. The sitting arrangement is of real importance and it needs to be set according to the number of guests you are inviting. A large screen TV is really important so that all the guests can truly enjoy a large screen match.

While your guests are enjoying the football game, you can provide them with the snacks, which is not going to mess up your living area. So, it is really important that you list down the different snacks that are not going to make a mess. Do place garbage baskets close so that your guests are able to throw the wrappers and do not have to go all the way to your garbage can. Walking around in the match area would definitely cause frustration to your guests as it will block their view. There are many other football party ideas that you can undertake and for that reason you need to see as to what kind of party you are looking forward to.

Party food ideas are plentiful, with as many appetizers and menus as there are party theme. Party foods can be anything that your guests will like. Finger foods seem to be a favorite of guests, because it’s easy to socialize and partake of easy-to-eat treats at the same time. Party appetizers like dried ribs, chicken fingers or wings, assorted vegetable and cheese platters work well, too. Fried pierogies, meatballs, stuffed mushrooms and tiny fishes are also tasty.

For more substantial foods, beef on a bun or an assortment of cold meats so people can make their own sandwiches are always good. Party food ideas can include serving anything off the barbeque, though chili, chicken and vegetable casseroles are other ideas. The main thing is to think of things that are easy for you to serve so that you can enjoy yourself as well.

If you are having a birthday party, you will want some kind of a cake or dessert. Cake is traditional, but brownies or squares layered on a plate with candles in them are also nice. Ice cream cakes can be nice, as can banana splits. You can make small banana splits in pudding cups and place them in layers or tiers, which can look very nice. You can make a large meringue and cover it with whipping cream, and then top it with fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, blueberries and raspberries. A fresh fruit-topped cake always goes over well with guests and is a rarity for someone not to enjoy it.

Tea party games are always fun to plan. If you are looking for the best tea party games, you have come to the right place.

The first game is called Teacup Swap. Any number of people can play Teacup Swap and everyone is a winner! To play, each person needs a teacup and saucer. Let guests know in your invitation that they need to bring a teacup and saucer or you can provide one for each person if your party budget allows it.

When your guests arrive, have them place their teacups at their place setting or have them already arranged there if you are providing them.

Invite all of your guests to admire each teacup and saucer set by walking around the table. When everyone has finished looking, ask the first guest to arrive to be the first to choose a teacup. Continue in the order that the guests arrived in, go alphabetically, or have numbers drawn from a hat. Wherever the cup is, that is where they sit. This is a great game to use when people only sit by others that they know. Each guest will get a chance to pick their favorite, and no matter which teacup others choose, they will each end up with a lovely teacup and saucer to take home!

The second game you are about to learn is called Tea Tasting. This is a great game to play with smaller groups. Make sure that you have several teapots handy, and a little trinket to give away for a prize. Find a few different teas and prepare each in a separate teapot.

Let your guests taste a small bit of each tea, one at a time, without letting them know which is which. After everyone has tasted each flavor and guessed what they might be, award a prize to the best guesser. Don’t forget to write down what tea is in which pot so you don’t get confused! When buying your teas, make sure you purchase contrasting flavors. Familiar flavors are good if your guests are not usually tea drinkers (It will make the game easier for them).

In general, avoid buying mixed teas because the flavors can get confusing.

Try out these great teas for distinct flavors:

Peppermint
Rose Hip
Orange Zest
Green Tea
Lavender
Chai
Chamomile
Ginger
Raspberry

If you are looking for a silly game that is tons of fun, arrange for each guest to make a lovely tea party hat. Look at a craft store or a dollar store for inexpensive hat making materials. Don’t worry too much about finding the perfect craft supplies. Your guests are sure to get creative with whatever you supply. Need some ideas of what to buy? Here are a few ideas:

Silk flowers
Ribbons
Lace
Buttons
Beads
Thread
Bells
Fabric

The fabric can be tulle, which is inexpensive and can easily be cut into 1′x1′ pieces. Hot glue guns are needed for this project, so make sure you have some handy. Make sure you have one for every two people. If you do not have any hot glue guns handy, a few bottles of quick drying craft glue will suffice.

After your guests have finished decorating their hats, award prizes to the biggest hat, the silliest hat, the prettiest hat, etc. This game is lots of fun when everyone wins!

When you’re the host, there are so many things to consider, from invitations and the guest list to the menu and the music. Don’t make etiquette mistakes that will ruin the party for everyone; learn what not to do to have a wonderful party.

Guest List. When you are compiling the guest list, be aware of any guests who might not be compatible, whether they are exes, bosses or simply people who just don’t get along. Make sure you choose guests who will interact well together and who will keep the event lively. Invite a reasonable number of guests; too many or too few can create an atmosphere you weren’t looking for.

Menu. When you are planning the food for a party, it is your responsibility to think about what your guests will like. Avoid serving taboo foods to people with known allergies or religious food restrictions. If your party is serving alcohol, be sure to have some non-alcoholic alternatives for those who choose not to drink. Be aware when you are serving alcohol that you don’t let your guests drink too much, as you can be liable for accidents caused by your guests while intoxicated.

Socialization. As host, it’s up to you to make sure that your guests are comfortable and having fun. Don’t assume that guests are going to open right up and get to know each other. Make introductions and find common ground enough to make guests comfortable, and keep checking throughout the event to make sure nobody is feeling left out.

Attitude. The worst thing a host can do at a party is to become overstressed and create an uncomfortable atmosphere. Becoming upset at spills or mistakes that happen will only bring the party down, so treat everything with a sense of humor. Chances are, you are the one most bothered by any particular incident. If you can laugh it off, you and your guests will enjoy the evening more.

Goodbyes. Don’t make the mistake of allowing guests to linger longer than you had planned. While you don’t want to make guests feel as if they are being rushed out the door, your party is not necessarily an all-night event, either. Allow guests to take the hint that it’s time to leave by helping them gather their coats, offering a last cup of coffee or boxing up leftover food for them to take home.

Kids birthday parties have gotten more and more extravagant over the last few years, but perhaps those days are over, and probably that’s for the best. Times are tough now, with gas way over $4 and a trip to the supermarket requiring a trip to the bank before you go. We all need to watch our expenses, and your kids birthday party is no exception. But you can still have a marvelous celebration of this childhood milestone on a tightened budget. Kids at least through the pre-teen years of 11 and 12 aren’t impressed by what you spend; they just want to have a great time.

All of the components of a successful kids birthday party offer opportunities for savings: the invitations, the decorations, the paper goods, the food, the activities, the party favors. But the single most important factor in limiting your party expense without sacrificing the fun is your choice of venue.

Have your party at home, the old fashioned way. Choose games and activities that keep the kids engaged and focused, and they’ll do what you’ve planned rather than ransack your house. Limit the mess they might make to controllable substances- paper, craft supplies that can be easily vacuumed up. Keep the numbers down to a level that you can contain to only one or two rooms that will then need to be cleaned. A little forethought and it becomes quite manageable.

Create your own invitations and thank you notes on your computer. Use one of the many free clip art sources you can find on the web, or your Microsoft Word on-line clip art. Use a kid-friendly font for your text and some bright text colors for visual appeal. Do the same on your invitation envelope to make it different and special. It doesn’t need to be professional job; it needs to get the kids excited about your child’s upcoming birthday party.

Party Decorations need to set the mood for fun, not cost a fortune. They’ll look at your decorations for about 30 seconds, and move on to the fun, so they can easily be limited to your entrance way. Use bunches of colorful balloons – blow them up yourself rather than paying for helium filled and tack them up with paint-friendly tack tape. Hang a happy birthday banner printed out one brightly colored letter per page (or printed on colored construction paper and cut out), and tacked up on the wall. Make tissue paper flowers with your birthday girl for a nice together activity and use those for decorations. Decorate the birthday child’s chair for the cake and ice cream with curly ribbon to make a birthday throne. Put confetti on the table, or use flowers from the garden, colorful fall leaves or sprigs from evergreens.

Character plates and napkins cost about twice as much as plain colored ones. Mix your colors for a festive effect. Make fans out of your brightly colored napkins or roll each napkin and tie with multi colored curly ribbon. Put a big, bright tissue paper flower at each girls’ place. Print out each guests name in a fancy font and bright colors, add some cute clip art or a pretty border, cut them to size and glue to each guests paper cup. Use your own silverware instead of buying throw away plastic.

The kids don’t come to your party to eat. They come to have a good time, and unless you’ve scheduled your party at a mealtime, they don’t need a lot of food. Nor do they need a lot of sugar to increase their excitement level. Keep it simple and inexpensive: a bowl of pretzel sticks, a big bowl of red and green apples, soda or water. And avoid the huge expense of a bakery cake. The best money saver is to make it yourself ahead of time, freeze the un-iced cake and decorate it right before the party. Your next best option is to use a supermarket store-bought cake for about half the price of a bakery cake. If you do-it-yourself, your cake decorations can be as elaborate or simple as your ability and time allows. Using the decorating tubes from the grocery store, anyone can write the birthday child’s name on the cake and add a few flowery icing dabs to create a pretty birthday cake.

Skip the goody bags. Even with just a little candy and a cheap toy, these will cost you at least $2 apiece, which totals $20 for a small party of 10. Create your own party momento for them to take home – a digital picture of each child in a funny hat or with the birthday child will do. Choose one party activity where they make something they can take home.

The obligatory birthday gift can be a real waste of money and can put your guests in a budget bind too. When purse strings are tight, it’s just plain silly to ask guests to spend $10 or $20 on gifts that often end up being meaningless to the child and never used. And that $10 or $20 expense might be a burden for some of your guests, perhaps even cause some “no” RSVP’s in these difficult economic times. Consider setting up a gift pool for everyone to contribute as they see fit and use the gift money to buy one or two really nice gifts for the birthday child, from everyone. A much better use of everyone’s money.

The centerpiece of any kids birthday party is the activities- the birthday party games. You can find on overwhelming number of game ideas on the web, many of which can be tweaked to follow on your party’s theme. This is the place to spend your time and brainpower since this is the fun that will determine the success of your birthday celebration. As this is the party component that gives many parents the willies, use the money you saved on food, invitations, goody bags and decorations to purchase your activities on line, which is still far cheaper than hiring anyone to come to your house to entertain. You’ll still come out ahead in the savings department.

Spend less money, have more fun. It’s the kids having fun as a group, the birthday child’s day in the sun, that make your child’s birthday party special. It’s not the paper plates or the goody bags. So it’s easy to control your party expenses when you keep this in mind.

So you got an all-important event coming! So what do you do-call and hire the services of a special events coordinator, that’s what. You can always heave a sigh of relief whenever you got those trusted professionals to rely on for your memorable occasions. And much better if the hired event coordinator has catering experiences to help you back up your plan especially when it comes to culinary details. While we’re at it, why don’t we discuss some of the things to expect from your event coordinator? 1. First and foremost, is the professional consultation from your events coordinator. The organizer has to understand and come to terms with the client’s vision for the party.

He has to spend time to plan and map out in detail all those things necessary to throw a successful and unforgettable fete. 2. Setting up the whole party arrangement. Your events coordinator must make sure that everything, I mean everything (especially the food) would be suitable and squeeze in within your selected location. So they should make an area illustration to scale, and making you visualize and picture out what your chosen room will look like prior to the final event. 3. Any events coordinator must be able to direct you all the way to each and every step of the planning process.

Take note that you as a client, should not be passed on from one individual to another but rather, you would appreciate the complete attention you receive from a partner. These events coordinator must be present with you from the initial planning and preparatory stages up to the day of the affair, working and coordinating with you all throughout, hence the name, events coordinator. 4. Let’s face it, some, if not most of us are not really familiar when it comes to local vendors or the best and ideal caterers in town. And this is where your events organizer comes in handy.

Given their experience with the reputable caterers, dealing with recommending and finding the most suitable caterer for the event must be no sweat for the special events coordinator. 5. Not to forget is the ease and familiarization with your chosen spot. Professional event organizers are also there to offer helpful tips and advice on what really works for the best whilst also recommending other options that could help you save on cash and other related costs. They also provide you with all the happenings of the coolest venues in your nearby locales, and that’s how they get accustomed with all the food preparation activities.

6. All in all, seasoned events coordinators most often would make use of catalogues and some catering pictures in order to aid you in envisioning a scene of the event. In the course of this step, the events organizer together with the client can now walk through the venue of the party and then run over the ultimate concerns and details. Consequently, real professionals such as events organizers are there to assist you in preparing and arranging your party dilemmas. They can be of great help to lessen the stress off your chest and instead of worrying to and fro, you can just be sitting pretty and be at your social best when entertaining your guests.

These two Justice League party games will help keep the guests interested at the party whether it抯 a birthday party or a fun sleepover.

This first Justice League party game is called, 慴alloon battle? You抣l need a lot of space for the kids and adults to run around in for this game. Give every player a blown up balloon tied to a piece of string and a rolled up newspaper. You can divide the group into two teams if you like, one being the villains and one the Justice League. Go ahead and use two different color balloons so players can discern the different teams. Each player ties a string around the balloon and the other end of the string around your ankle.

When the game starts each player tries to pop the other抯 balloon and keep others from popping theirs. Set a time limit of ten minutes for the balloon battle and at the end of the time the team with the most surviving balloons wins the battle.

The second Justice League game is called 慻oodies and baddies?is another balloon battle game. This time each team gets one balloon. Better make them each two different colors so the team doesn抰 accidentally pop their own balloon. At your go each team has to keep their balloon in the air and they have to try and pop the enemy team抯 own balloon.

Before you start this game its important to set some ground rules. Nobody can grab their balloon and hold it out of the other team抯 sight. Teams can抰 roughhouse with each other and everyone should try and play fair because the Justice league always plays fair.

The point of the game is to try and keep your balloon from being popped longer than the other team. If the game ends rather quickly you can always start right back up again with another couple of balloons. This game can go for as many rounds as you want.