In our new series, we'll pick out some of the hottest themes in birthday parties and spotlight the best resources we know for throwing the hippest shindig in town! Note we said hippest- not the most expensive. And most postings will include some type of cool FREEBIE or discount to help you along your merry party-planning way.
First up: PIRATES! We just couldn't wait for Pirates of the Caribbean 3 to hit the big screens. And we're not alone! Have you googled "pirate party" lately? Jolly Roger- it's a hot topic!
Use our tips and tricks to make your Pirate party shiver-me-timbers memorable, Arrrr!
INVITATIONS: Think custom printed Pirate invitations will break your treasure chest? Think again! Here are Paperlicious, we believe in stylish and affordable, maybe because we're moms too. Take a peek at our Pirate Party Invitations and coordinating easy sneezy fill-in Pirate thank you notes. You can get 12 custom printed invitations for just $13.95 and 12 coordinating thank you notes for $7.95. Turnaround time is lickety-split- orders ship usually 2 days after proof approval. Psst- Use code MOM10 at checkout for a 10% discount.
Looking for quick fill-ins? We like these at orientaltrading.com
DECORATIONS: Here's a few cost-effective fun ideas to decorate for your Pirate party...
*Have your older children draw/color pirate themed pictures on a large piece of rolled out paper. You can outline what they need to color in pencil or a black marker to get them started. (HOT TIP: Check out your local newspaper. Some will sell big roll remnants for just a few bucks!) Ideas include a pirates map, the Jolly Roger (skull & crossbones), pirate hat and feather, parrot, Black Pearl/Pirate Ship
*Jolly Roger (skull & crossbones flag)- Get an old white pillow case and undo the seams so you have two separate sides (2 flags). Dye the fabric black with a box of Rit, or color/paint it with a black marker (it doesn't have to be perfect- these are scurvy pirates, mate). Next get a white paint pen, or thin white paint brush and white paint, and draw the skull and crossbones outline in the middle of the flag. Voila. Jolly Roger. Hang one from your mailbox to alert all would-be pirate, and put the other on a stick in the back yard or use it as a table cover
*Get the birthday boy/girl their own pirate hat ($3.95) at www.orientaltrading.com; grab the pirate tattoos ($4.95 for 6 dozen) while you're at it for party favors
*Print out our handy skull and crossbones (FREEBIE ALERT!) on white sticker paper (Avery makes a full sheet) and cut out with scissors. When the kids first get there, let them color a square and put their name on it. Then stick it to their cup.
*Of course you can buy tons of pre-made decorations. We like the selection at PartySuppliesHut.com. Especially their vinyl treasure map place mats and "scene setter" paper rolls.
*If you really want to treat the birthday boy, get him his own "Captain" costume. For little biddies, this snazzy Captain Feathersword (from The Wiggles) costume at celebrateexpress is cute. Of course a hat, eye patch, purple scarf and red vest over blue pants and white shirt would work just as well if you ask us!
FOOD & DRINK:
*We say pirates eat whatever children that age eat. Just put a "Pirate" or "Golden" in front of it Pirate Pizza. Yum. "Gold" (Chicken) Nuggets. Tasty! "Ship Wheel" Pretzel Sandwiches, Goldfish cracker, Hot Dog "Ships"...you get the picture!
*For drinks, you can do a fun non-alcoholic "Rum" punch by mixing together a fruit sorbet, oj, pineapple juice, grenadine, & lime juice; or serve a frosty ale (caffeine free root beer)
CAKE:
*You can make "treasure" filled cupcakes by pressing a piece of candy (something soft and/or chocolate) into the cupcake after it's baked, and icing over it. You can also make this a fun activity by making a whole cake and only using one piece of "treasure." Whomever gets the "treasure" filled piece, gets a larger treasure prize(tattoos, gold coins, their own eye patch).
*We LOVE these Pirates Of The Caribbean cake toppers from celebrateexpress. It's too cool! You get Will Turner, Jack Sparrow, a wheel, and 3 pieces of railing. You add the cake and icing.
ACTIVITIES:
*Design a backyard obstacle course where contestants walk the plank (use a piece of wood on the ground), swab the deck, "run" through the "ocean" (baby swimming pool), and dig up a "buried" treasure (sandbox). Divide into teams and fastest team wins.
*Create a treasure hunt. Make it quick and simple with a central theme- like search for missing (chocolate) gold coins to fill up the treasure chest. Then give them a simple rhyme like "If you are not on time your coin is mine!" the answer to which would be a clock. When they find the coin at the clock, give them the next clue. "If this coin could talk it would say 'shiver-me-timbers mate." (answer: ice chest or refrigerator). You get the picture. Maybe instead of coins they are searching for pieces to a treasure map and when it's put all together it shows where the treasure chest is hidden.
PARTY FAVORS:
*Economy Candy is one of my favorite candy places in NYC. Thank goodness they now have a website where you can order online. Check out these cool gold coins. Perfect for party favors. This Gold Mine Bubble Gum is another good choice.
*Also the pirate tattoos as mentioned above at orientaltrading.com
*Paperlicious has Pirate Gift Favor Tags!
Whew! We think that's a fast, fun, cost-effective Pirate party to wow your little swashbuckler.
PS Looking for something for a girl? (not that girls can't be pirates. Of course they can! Arrrr.) Mix in a little Mermaid fun too! Paperlicious has a combo invite too for boy girl twins that's a Pirate & Mermaid!
Have a Pirate party idea we missed?! Post a comment and let us know your best Pirate party idea too.
Ahoy mateys!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Top Party Tips For A-List Gathering
Top 5 Party Tips for an A-List Gathering
So you are throwing a little (or big) soiree? You know you are going to stress over every detail- decorations, food, guest list…But have you thought about how you will promote your party?
“Promotion? For my little ‘ol neighborhood party? That sounds a little over the top.”
After all of the time, energy, and expense you are going to for your party, why not focus on a few inexpensive steps to throw the kind of party folks will have so much fun at, they'll be talking about it all year!?
As the former publicity maven and artist relations wrestler for a record label, ms. paperlicious has learned that there are a few main “promotion” staples to a great party, no matter what the occasion or who’s on the guest list.
So here’s my Top 5 Party Tips* for an A-List Gathering:
5- Start with a creative fun invitation that suits the mood of your party. Sure you can dash off an email or do one of those online invites, but the paper invitation means serious party business! (Oh of course I'm biased- we're a custom printing stationery company!) Be witty with the wording. Go for memorable yet simple. And send it out 3-4 weeks before a large event, 2.5-3 weeks for a friendly gathering. The longer people have it on their calendar, the more likely it is that they will attend.
4- Reach for the stars. In the music industry, we used to wrangle the stars by enticing them with talk of fellow elite attending, and of course lots of great press via “the red carpet.” So decide who your “stars” are and make it a point to get them there. “Coworker Bob, I’m counting on you to wow my guests with your hilarious reparte!” And don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and invite a few new people you don’t know so well. You never know who is going to be the life of your next party!
3- Talk, talk, talk it up! A little old-fashioned party-promotion will create excitement. And excitement is contagious. So thrill would-be guests with your fantastic details. Tell the ladies you invited in your yoga class about the exquisite menu you just nailed down, tell the Bunco group about your amazing bar set-up, tell your single friends about all of the other cute single people attending…
2- It’s all in the details. Any party with a “signature drink” is always a crowd pleaser. Having a New York themed party? Serve a Big Apple Martini. Winter welcoming? A Muddy Snowflake at dessert (Godiva liqueur or chocolate syrup & cream). Another quick tip--Set up a “bar” anywhere but the kitchen (get out of the kitchen!), created from a simple card table with a table cloth draped over it. For some reason, ordering from a waist high table, um, “bar,” makes people feel really fancy. Even better if you can staff it with a "bartender" aka friend, babysitter, neighbor, etc. Divide up the time between buddies- entice them by telling them it's the best way to meet all the people at the party. Better yet, give the job to a shy friend so they meet lots of new people!
1- Send ‘em packin…with something good! It doesn’t have to be an expensive party favor, just something thoughtful and memorable. Intimate dinner party? Take a group photo and print it out on that new photo printer while everyone is having dessert. High-brow event? Vosges chocolates are gourmet and out of this world creative. Ever have a cumin truffle? People will be talking. Baby shower? Homemade tulle-wrapped drawer sachets/sea salt baths or a tiny bundle of fresh herbs from your garden are darling. Kids party? Let them scoop different colored M&Ms or Jelly Belly’s from the “candy bar” you set up. You can go to each company’s website and purchase separate colors/flavors.
There you have it! Put these tips together with your fun decorations, great food, and lots of friends and you have the makings for one happening shindig!
ms. paperlicious
*these are just suggestions, tips, ideas, etc. We take no responsibility for their execution or outcome.
copyright 2007 paperlicious llc
So you are throwing a little (or big) soiree? You know you are going to stress over every detail- decorations, food, guest list…But have you thought about how you will promote your party?
“Promotion? For my little ‘ol neighborhood party? That sounds a little over the top.”
After all of the time, energy, and expense you are going to for your party, why not focus on a few inexpensive steps to throw the kind of party folks will have so much fun at, they'll be talking about it all year!?
As the former publicity maven and artist relations wrestler for a record label, ms. paperlicious has learned that there are a few main “promotion” staples to a great party, no matter what the occasion or who’s on the guest list.
So here’s my Top 5 Party Tips* for an A-List Gathering:
5- Start with a creative fun invitation that suits the mood of your party. Sure you can dash off an email or do one of those online invites, but the paper invitation means serious party business! (Oh of course I'm biased- we're a custom printing stationery company!) Be witty with the wording. Go for memorable yet simple. And send it out 3-4 weeks before a large event, 2.5-3 weeks for a friendly gathering. The longer people have it on their calendar, the more likely it is that they will attend.
4- Reach for the stars. In the music industry, we used to wrangle the stars by enticing them with talk of fellow elite attending, and of course lots of great press via “the red carpet.” So decide who your “stars” are and make it a point to get them there. “Coworker Bob, I’m counting on you to wow my guests with your hilarious reparte!” And don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and invite a few new people you don’t know so well. You never know who is going to be the life of your next party!
3- Talk, talk, talk it up! A little old-fashioned party-promotion will create excitement. And excitement is contagious. So thrill would-be guests with your fantastic details. Tell the ladies you invited in your yoga class about the exquisite menu you just nailed down, tell the Bunco group about your amazing bar set-up, tell your single friends about all of the other cute single people attending…
2- It’s all in the details. Any party with a “signature drink” is always a crowd pleaser. Having a New York themed party? Serve a Big Apple Martini. Winter welcoming? A Muddy Snowflake at dessert (Godiva liqueur or chocolate syrup & cream). Another quick tip--Set up a “bar” anywhere but the kitchen (get out of the kitchen!), created from a simple card table with a table cloth draped over it. For some reason, ordering from a waist high table, um, “bar,” makes people feel really fancy. Even better if you can staff it with a "bartender" aka friend, babysitter, neighbor, etc. Divide up the time between buddies- entice them by telling them it's the best way to meet all the people at the party. Better yet, give the job to a shy friend so they meet lots of new people!
1- Send ‘em packin…with something good! It doesn’t have to be an expensive party favor, just something thoughtful and memorable. Intimate dinner party? Take a group photo and print it out on that new photo printer while everyone is having dessert. High-brow event? Vosges chocolates are gourmet and out of this world creative. Ever have a cumin truffle? People will be talking. Baby shower? Homemade tulle-wrapped drawer sachets/sea salt baths or a tiny bundle of fresh herbs from your garden are darling. Kids party? Let them scoop different colored M&Ms or Jelly Belly’s from the “candy bar” you set up. You can go to each company’s website and purchase separate colors/flavors.
There you have it! Put these tips together with your fun decorations, great food, and lots of friends and you have the makings for one happening shindig!
ms. paperlicious
*these are just suggestions, tips, ideas, etc. We take no responsibility for their execution or outcome.
copyright 2007 paperlicious llc
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Party Planning Tips To Go...
Welcome to Party Planning Style by Paperlicious!
We created this blog for the same reason we created our custom-printing invitation and stationery company, Paperlicious. For our love of parties and anything social!
We here at Paperlicious believe stylish invitations and social stationery are an integral part of the party planning process, but they don't have to be more expensive than the whole darn party! Our Paperlicious products are stylish and affordable. And also- fun!
Then we got to thinking- maybe our music industry event planning and publicity backgrounds would be a good springboard for quick easy tips to throwing the perfect party. Party news you can use! We'd love for this to be a fun community for sharing great party planning ideas
So bookmark this site and check back when you need a little party planning inspiration.
And when you are ready- check out our mothership website- www.paperlicious.com for exclusive custom printed party invitations for bride, baby, child, and mom.
We created this blog for the same reason we created our custom-printing invitation and stationery company, Paperlicious. For our love of parties and anything social!
We here at Paperlicious believe stylish invitations and social stationery are an integral part of the party planning process, but they don't have to be more expensive than the whole darn party! Our Paperlicious products are stylish and affordable. And also- fun!
Then we got to thinking- maybe our music industry event planning and publicity backgrounds would be a good springboard for quick easy tips to throwing the perfect party. Party news you can use! We'd love for this to be a fun community for sharing great party planning ideas
So bookmark this site and check back when you need a little party planning inspiration.
And when you are ready- check out our mothership website- www.paperlicious.com for exclusive custom printed party invitations for bride, baby, child, and mom.
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