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Tween Slumber Parties

Toni Lawrence — 2012-05-19T18:22:00Z

A slumber party is almost a rite of passage for a girl – it shows they are grown up enough to spend the night away from home, and it’s not about sleeping. Tweens love to spend the night with their friends. They play games, talk, listen to music and try to stay awake as long as possible. The party can be to celebrate a birthday, or just because…. and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Allow your daughter to choose whom to invite, but limit the guest list so it’s manageable for you. Plan on not getting much sleep yourself. a slumber party is usually a simple seat-of-the-pants party where no plans are made ahead of time. However, you will find it easier to keep them occupied if you have some suggestions and activities ready in case they get bored, just don’t over-plan.

Allow the girls to make their own plans. Limit activities to your own yard for safety reasons, or one room in the house if possible. Don’t allow them to go off on their own without supervision.

Some ideas to have on hand: music, dress up clothing box, craft box, board games for more than two (twister, pictionary, etc.), Treasure or scavenger hunt, Let’s Make a Deal, (Avoid truth or dare games). You can even supply basic colored t-shirts and have them make their own designs with clothing paint, sparkles, buttons and glue. You can also have a lot of buttons and safety pins on hand for them to make their own bracelets. Kids are creative, so get suggestions from them.

If you have planned this far enough ahead of time you may want some favors for the guests, such as lip gloss in cupcake containers, or nail kits and compacts (tweens love to put on makeup and primp) that they can use that night. Perhaps even get some small nail polish samplers (can be found at dollar stores) so they can experiment with different colors.

Food is always important for a slumber party. Mostly snack food, but you may want to limit the sugar for your own sanity. Kids love to make their own food, so here are a few suggestions:

Pizza they make themselves using their own selection of ingredients. Have available ingredients such as: English muffins for crust, sausage, mushrooms, pepperoni, cheese, tomato sauce, green peppers, onions
Sloppy Joes & Cheese Fries
Root Beer Floats
Seasoned popcorn, pop come popcorn and let them add their own flavorings (cheese, cayenne pepper, chocolate, caramel).
Cupcake decorating – make plain cupcakes ahead of time and let them decorate their own
Smores
Breakfast – waffles with whipped cream an orange juice; bagles and cream cheese; fruit with cream dip.
Snack foods – chips, dip, pretzels

If there are other siblings in the home, either make arrangements for them to sleep over somewhere else, or invite one friend for them to keep them busy – and not bugging the girls.

Tip: Although you want to let the girls come up with ideas on their own, you are still in control. Don't allow them to do things their own parents won't let them do. Pre-teens are always trying to push the envelope, so in choosing movies take into consideration parental limits to avoid conflicts with parents.

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Destination Weddings - Exotic and Romantic

Toni Lawrence — 2012-05-11T15:22:00Z

No matter whether you are looking at a cruise ship or an exotic island to hold your fantasy wedding, a destination wedding requires a lot of planning, a great deal of money, and guests who are willing to travel to participate.

The one main reason to hold a wedding is to include the people you care about in sharing your big day with them. Exotic getaways are romantic, and can be an experience of a lifetime - combining a wedding and honeymoon all in one.

Destination weddings are not usually large affairs. They are small and intimate - unless you choose a destination that is within a short drive from your home and is not an inconvenience to your guests.

The main thing a destination wedding requires is ambiance. That could be seashore or lake setting, with a decorated arch or trellis set in the sand and chairs for the guests. Or an outdoor mountain cabin with a background of mountains. It could also be a tropical cruise, with all sorts of entertainment, food and lodging provided by the shipping line. It's best to consult a trusted travel agent (make sure to get references) to help you put something together that will fit into your budget, and consult your main guests as to what arrangements they can make, or share expenses with you on.

A nice idea to present your guests with are luggage tags as special favors, they are practical and considerate. If you are planning an evening wedding, flower lanterns offer a romantic setting that is amazing! There are so many beach themed favors and decorations to choose from to make a destination wedding absolutely perfect.

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Baby Shower Cocktail Party

Toni Lawrence — 2012-05-10T15:21:00Z

Nothing says that a baby shower has to be party games and a simple cake and ice cream event. Baby showers are the perfect time to get your friends together for cocktails and hor' dourves, and opening of wonderful gifts for the new arrival.

A baby shower doesn't even have to just be women. Since fathers are just as much a part of the new baby's life there is no need to exclude them from the fanfare and pampering a baby showers brings to the parents. And, since he doesn't want to be the only male in the crowd (although some may find this an interesting concept) other male friends should be included as well. There is always the grandfathers-to-be for starters.

Cocktail parties don't have to be prim and proper either. Vie for beer on tap as well as mixed drinks served from a pitcher - like marguaritas mojitos or sangria cocktails. Of course it goes without saying that at least one of the guests of honor will not be drinking alcoholic beverages, but there are "virgin" cocktails available so she won't be left out of the celebratory drinks.

Decorate the room with tiny bundle lantern garland complete with baby danglers, or you can string both pink and blue hanging lanterns. If you know the sex of the baby, you will probably opt for the standard blue for boys and pink for girls.

Hand out adorable favors like "A Star Is Born" bottle stoppers, and "Baby Announce-mints" to your guests as thank you favors for their attendance. Have the pictured shower umbrella at the gift table and have each of the guests sing their name on the ribbons.

There's no need to stick with tradition all the time. Sometimes a departure from the norm makes things a little more exciting. (Note: for baby shower favors, or gifts for the newborn, don't miss checking out our home site - Celebrate Milestones).

Here are a couple great recipes to get you started:

No Guilt Pina Coladas
(Calories reduced from 300 to 150 calories!)

Ingredients

1 1/2 Oz of coconut rum
3 Oz pineapple juice
2 Oz light coconut milk
Dash of club soda
A pineapple slice for garnish

Directions
In a shaker combine the rum, pineapple juice and coconut milk, and shake with ice.

Pour into a high ball glass and top with the club soda. Garnish with the pineapple slice.

Traditional Marguarita with a Twist
(Recipe based on a version by Vilis Ozlos)
Everyone loves a classic, but here's a new take on the traditional Marguarita that will kick it up a notch. The secret ingredient - beer!

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups quality tequila (try Jose Cuervo 1800, Patron or Agave Anejo)
1/2 cup of Grand Marnier
1/3 bottle of beer - makes the Marguarita taste smoother and ads a hint of carbonation
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate (without pulp)
Juice from 1 lime
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup of agave nector
Ice

Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and mix it up
Pour Into a Marguarita glass and enjoy!

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Traditional Summer Holiday Picnics

Toni Lawrence — 2012-05-08T15:20:00Z

The weather is finally getting warmer and it's almost time for summer holidays and picnics. Here in America the beginning of the season is Memorial Day on May 30th, and extends through the summer - all the way to our final summer holiday fling on Labor Day, this year on September 5th.

The holiday picnics usually include the red, white and blue color theme - with fresh strawberries, cherries and blueberries used as toppings for cakes (with a flag theme) and colorful tablecloths and napkins. Small flags are used to decorate for the affair, and traditionally the 4th of July has the sparklers and fireworks, but it's not limited to just that one day.

The picnics (whether for holidays, family reunions, or simply a small romantic get-away) include baskets laden with a red/white checkered tablecloth, silverware and dishes (plastic dishes for larger parties and real china for the smaller intimate ones) and condiments. For the adult parties a bottle of wine is included in the package. For everyone a cooler filled with all sorts of drinks is necessary.

Most American picnic food includes baked beans as well as potato and a variety of other salads, hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, and potato chips and other munchables for the kids. For some, ribs and chicken are served instead of (or in addition to) the hot dogs and hamburgers. There are always lots of desserts, and plenty to eat for everyone.

For the more adventurous, a game of touch football, croquet and sack races keep the entertainment going. Use your imagination to keep the kids occupied, but include the adults (who are still kids at heart) to participate in the activities as well. The kids will love it, and it gives everyone a good afternoon laugh. Here is one game everyone can play:

Find the Bacon

Divide everyone into teams (depending on how many participate, and the size of the yard you are using you can have more than two teams)
Each team gets a strip of fabric (the bacon).
Teams get five minutes to hide the bacon in their section of the yard.

Spies and lookouts, to spot and capture the spies, are established for each team. The object of the game is to get the other team’s bacon (flag) without being captured by the other team. If tagged, the person caught is imprisoned but can be freed by a teammate.

Playing this game at night adds a whole new dimension! You can also vary the game by having Team 1 use the front yard and Team 2 uses the back yard.

Time For Dad's To Shine!

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-23T00:34:00Z

Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for retailers - besides Christmas, but Father's seem to get the short end of the stick. Statistics show that a good father figure in a child's life is extremely important in a good emotional development. Even father's who may not be there every day can make a difference, as long as the time they spend with their children is quality time.

All too often the father's role in our lives gets diminished.

Father's Day is Dad's day to shine. He may not want flowers and candy, but he deserves special attention for all he has done to help. For the Dad's in the world - whether they be part of a loving couple, single fathers, adopted, divorced, or grandfathers who take on the father's role - let's celebrate the role they play in our children's life.

Dad's are just as pleased as Mom's when their young child gives them a handmade card or drawing. It doesn't take away from the machisimo to let a tear well up in their eyes from such a heartfelt gesture.

A party isn't a party without food, and Dad's love food! If he likes to grill, let him do the honors over the fires while Mom can get the kids to help make the salads and other food. Give him a chef's apron with a mitt and his initials so he can feel like "King of the Grill."

If he's a sports fan, a personalized print or mug of his favorite team, event or stadium would make him happy, and of course there is always cufflinks, money clips and dresser boxes that are sure to please as gifts.

No matter if you are young or old, and your father is active or retired, they enjoy the special attention lavished on them on Father's Day every bit as much as Mom did on her day. And, just like mom, they don't need gifts to make them feel special - a hug, a Thank You, or just spending time with them is the greatest gift of all!

Happy Father's Day to all the men who share in the lives of their children - you are valuable, and appreciated.

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Feed the Birds - Nature Lover's Gift

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-20T13:02:00Z

I never was much of a bird watcher. I never had a birdhouse or bird feeder, and only occasionally watched a bird fly. My husband, on the other hand, participated in the annual bird count. Whenever we went out he would point to a bird and name the species, and tell me if it was indigenous to our area. At first it was a yawn for me, and I was thinking “What a geek”, but soon I started to pay attention because some of those birds are really spectacular and amusing to watch. It wasn't too much later that we started amassing bird houses and bird feeders around our doors and windows, and in the trees.

I knew that some birds fly south for the winter, but what is more interesting are the ones who stay, and how they survived in our cold, Michigan winter climate.

I particularly liked to watch the cardinals and the finches. With the distinctive bright colors of the male birds, and the evolution that takes place before they reach maturity, it's an interesting metamorphosis. When they started coming to our feeders and birdhouses I learned to distinguish between the male and females, and sometimes could tell them apart. There even were interesting and distinctive dynamics within their families, some had tempers, and some were just as curious about us as we were about them.

We have followed one cardinal family through generations in our back yard. The original pair were the most memorable, and I believe the female was actually more beautiful than the male - with her reddish brown feathers and bright orange beak. The second year they started to bring their young to feed at our feeders, and soon we lost sight of the older ones as the next generation began bringing their young. I often wonder whatever happened to the first pair we took to heart.

The finches here are mostly yellow. They are bright yellow during the summer, and turn a dull brown when it gets colder. The females (as in most bird families) are not so brilliantly colored and do not stand out as much. I was extremely excited to see a female red finch come to the feeder outside my window. I had never seen a red finch before. This one must have been lost. I had never seen another red finch around, and soon she disappeared as well.

I wonder if birds discriminate? I never saw a yellow finch feed at the same time as the red finch – although I have seen finches and cardinals, wrens and other birds feed from the same feeder.

If you really want to enjoy nature, put up a birdfeeder, birdhouse or birdbath and place it outside the windows where you normally sit. You will then understand that bird watching is not a “geek” hobby, but actually a study in society of other species. What an education!

A birdhouse, birdfeeder or birdbath are wonderful gifts for people who are confined to their homes, and especially to bed. You can place the habitats outside their window and move their bed so they can see the activity all day long. They also make excellent gift ideas for nature lovers, so don't be afraid to become the neighborhood "geek". You will be delighted that you did.

“This Is Your Life” Party

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-17T13:57:00Z

Years ago there was a weekly show titled “This Is Your Life.” A celebrity was surprised with an hour of testimonials and revisited highlights, and sometimes lowlights, of their entire life – from birth to date. It was done in good taste, and was a lovely way to honor a person and their accomplishments.

A “This Is Your Life” party would be especially fun as a birthday celebration for older adults who don’t really want gifts, but like to see and hear from people in their past. Younger people, although not having as long a history to revisit, could enjoy this type of event in the form of a roast (as long as done in good natured taste and not to reveal scandalous secrets that could do some damage).

Decorate with large photos of this person through different times in their life (check with Kinkos or a local printer as to prices and ideas). Have friends who can not attend send audio or video recordings of memories they have of the guest of honor, and play music from the different types of music they grew up with. Put together a scrapbook with written testimonials and present it to the guest of honor.

Select a personable character to serve as the guest of honor, and ask any guest present to stand up and recall memories they have of their experience with the guest of honor.

You can hold this event as a simple cake and ice cream event – or part of a sit-down supper with champagne toasts. It is a lovely or afternoon of fun that can be added to the guestbook or scrapbook later as well. Best of all - keep it a secret from the guest of honor!

Let Them Eat Cake or Cupcakes?

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-15T13:57:00Z

Have you decided whether to use a traditional cake, or cupcakes for your next event or party?

Cupcakes used to b e reserved for class parties or children's birthday parties - No More! Big parties and small are using cupcakes.Now brides are opting to serve a variety of cupcake flavors and display them on a multi-tiered stand, and decorate with flowers and ribbons.

There are hundreds of different cupcake stands - from the unusual and decorative to the standard platforms. In addition, small individual pedestals are also a fun idea. The cupcakes can be decorated in so many different colors and accessories, and the stands can also be adorned with jewels and crystals, ribbons and flowers.

For those who prefer the traditional cake, they are still popular, and getting more unusual all the time! There are some beautiful crystal and crazy novelty cake tops and cake jewelry to appeal to almost anyone. If you catch an episode of "The Cake Boss" you will see some fabulous cakes that depart from the traditional cakes.

Designer cupcake wrappers, also known as cupcake sleeves or wraps, are also becoming very popular. They come a large selection of colors and designs, such as classic damask, graduation, sports themes, polka dots and more - and are best-sellers worldwide! They provide a finished, refined look to your cupcakes by hiding wrinkly cupcake liners, and can be found at all types of special events, including wedding, bridal showers, baby showers, bar mitzvahs, Hollywood galas and more! These fashionable cupcake wrappers are the perfect final touch for your cupcakes, birthday cupcake cake or even your wedding cupcake cake!

For those who are on a budget, or want to decorate their own cake, special cake pans are available to go with your theme. Novelty cake pans are coming in a variety of shapes and sizes.

No matter which way you decide to go, have fun with it and...let them eat cake!

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Spa Bath - Take Mom Away

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-13T14:03:00Z

There was a time where Mother's were proclaimed goddesses and worshiped - Imagine that! Now we take advantage of this “Hallmark” holiday to honor the special mother or mother-figure in your life.

Mother’s Day is a time for children helping dad make breakfast in bed for mom, and hand-made crayon cards. It’s a time for mom to kick back and let other’s wait on her, for a change and give back a little of what she gives to them all week.

This is the busiest day for flowers and restaurants, and phone systems are jammed with children remembering their mothers. This year, May 8^th is Mother’s Day.

This year you can try something a little different, but you may want to get a move on – it’s only two weeks away. What about indulging your mom with a Hot Air Balloon ride, or take her on a sailboat ride that includes a Sunday brunch.

If mom still has young ones at home how about giving her a day away from the kids. If she is like most mothers she will not know what to do with herself. Give her a spa getaway or a weekend retreat and furnish her with a couple books she has been dying to read but never had enough time.

If you can’t afford a get-away, take the kids away and give her a nice spa gift basket so she can let bath bubbles take her away.

If you want to help the kids come up with ideas for Mother’s Day gifts, check out Mother’s Day Central for craft ideas.

No matter what you do for her, she will undoubtedly feel loved – and just remember, if you forget Father’s Day is next month, and what goes around comes around!

Celebrate Mother's On Their Special Day!

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-07T14:15:00Z

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest florist days of the year. It’s the one day a year we set aside to celebrate our mothers, and when we remember to thank them for all they have done for us. Many of us use this day as a sort of family reunion and celebrate with grandmothers, all the siblings, and their children.

Don’t think of putting a party together for Mother’s Day as a chore. Make it a loving gesture filled with fun for everyone. Include the kids in the process. Sing songs with them, make preparation a game. Since usually it’s a mom who is putting a Mother’s Day party together for her mom, mother-in-law or mother figure it should be more fun than work.

Decide whether you want a more casual affair, or just an intimate dinner. Consider what Mom would prefer.

Put together a brunch buffet, where everyone can serve themselves – scrambled eggs with sausage, hash brown potatoes, fruit, coffee cakes, muffins and mimosas. For more intimate affairs use the good china.

For more casual parties consider a pot luck, where everyone brings something and you don’t have to do all the work yourself – after all it’s your day too. You can combine the potluck with the grill (some great recipes can be found at www.grilling.com).

No matter what you are planning - place flowers around the room for that added touch. You can purchase a planter and decorate it nicely for the table, then send it home with her to hang or plant in her garden.

Although mother's usually prefer to be remembered throughout the year, they still appreciate the effort to please her. They don't really want gifts, but still like to receive them. The most precious gift you can give her is to have all of her family around. A nice photo of the entire family, in a personalized frame, would be a special touch, or something for her garden – like a birdfeeder or fountain. No matter what you get her, she will love it! (For more Mother's Day gift ideas, click here)

Brunch Casserole

"Chicken combines with hash browns, sour cream, ham and cheese for a filling, one-stop morning feast." (from Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream

of chicken soup

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

1 (2 pound) package frozen hash brown

potatoes, thawed

1 cup cubed, cooked chicken meat

1 cup diced ham

1 onion, chopped

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup crushed potato chips

1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

1.	Combine undiluted soup, sour cream, hash browns, cubed chicken and ham, onions, and cheese. Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
2.	Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Top with crumbs, and drizzle with melted butter or margarine. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Crazy Cakes For Your Next Party

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-05T14:00:00Z

What's a party without a cake? No matter what you are celebrating there is a cake for the occasion, and it goes almost as fast as any other of your great food.

There are so many wonderful cake pans available to make unusual and them cakes for birthdays and other celebrations.

I couldn't resist passing along this website from Parenting Magazine (http://www.parenting.com/node/122102) with some great cake decorating ideas for kids theme birthday parties.

With Easter this weekend I thought you may want to serve this adorable bunny cake. It's so easy to make anyone can do it, and the kids will want to help.

Pink Easter Bunny Cake (Parents Magazine)

Serves 16

Ingredients:

3 marshmallows
Pink construction paper
2 black licorice laces
2 pink Jelly Belly Mint Cremes
1 black jelly bean
2 blue M&M's
4 spearmint leaves
2 orange slices
2 pieces hard-shelled Orbit gum
2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
Red food coloring
1 can (16 oz) vanilla frosting
1 cake baked in a (1-quart) Pyrex bowl
1 (12 oz) cake baked in ovenproof glass bowl
1 Ring Ding
2 Yodels

What you'll need:

A serving platter
A bread knife
A large resealable plastic bag

Trimming the cake:

Trim the tops of the two bowl cakes to make level.
Cut one of the Yodels in half on a slight diagonal to make the arms.
Cut the pink paper into 2 bunny ears, about 3 by 7 inches.
Arrange the cakes and snack cakes on a serving platter as pictured in template.

Frosting the cake:

Tint the vanilla frosting light pink with the food coloring.
Spread the pink frosting all over the cake to cover.
Place the coconut into a resealable bag and add a few drops of red food coloring. Massage the coconut and food coloring until evenly tinted.
Press the coconut into the frosting to cover cake completely.

To complete the decoration:

Insert the paper ears at the top of the cake.
Arrange the M&M's, black jelly bean, pink Mint Cremes and Orbit chewing gum as pictured to make the face and teeth.
Arrange the marshmallows as pictured for the bunny's tail.
Outline the bunny's leg with a long piece of black licorice lace.
Arrange the orange slices and spearmint leaves as pictured for the carrots.

Of course you can make the bunny any color you want, just change the color of the food coloring used to color the coconut and substitute pink items in the ingredients.

This cake will be a hit at your Easter or Spring party.

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Toni Lawrence — 2012-04-03T14:10:42Z

Having organized and hosted several community Easter Egg Hunts, I have quite a bit of experience in this area. It's a great deal of fun for an event that actually lasts less than 10 minutes, but seeing the faces of the children it is worth all the planning. Although it may be too late for a community Easter Egg Hunt this year it's never too early to start planning for next year, starting a fund or getting commitments for contributions.

In the meantime, it's not too late to put together a neighborhood hunt, or plan one for your extended family.

For the smaller scale, simply ask each participating family contribute eggs (Or, for the really die-hard hunters, get together with families and dye eggs as a group - don't make one person do it all!). Plastic eggs are easier, and not as messy, but dying eggs is a fun activity for young and old.

If using plastic eggs, fill them up with either small toys you can get at a dollar store, or candy. Make sure the smaller children to not have choking hazard toys in the eggs in their area.

In the larger hunts we offered prizes, so we put a number in an egg that would correspond to a prize. Having a prize for different age levels - like a large toy or gift basket (we had them donated by businesses in the community).

It always works better if you have a different area for different age groups, making the search harder for the older kids. Block off areas for different age groups, like 2-4; 5-6; 7-9. Have an age cut off point.

Make sure each child has a container to put their eggs. If they did not bring their own baskets, and you are not giving each child a basket, have plastic bags handy just in case.

One lesson I learned the hard way - both as a parent and an organizer - parent involvement always causes problems. Instruct parents this is a kids activity and NOT A COMPETITION! Every child should have the opportunity to get as many eggs as they can, ON THEIR OWN. Unfortunately there are some parents who may feel their child should get them all.

There are usually some smaller children who are shy and afraid to get out there and search, so make sure you keep some eggs back to put in their baskets after the hunt is over, so they don't feel left out.

An Easter Egg Hunt is a fun experience, but there will always be greedy people who can make it unpleasant, so lay down rules ahead of time as to age designated areas, no parents, no pushing and no taking eggs out of someone else's basket.

You can extend the event by having other outdoor parties to entertain everyone, including a sack race or relays.

Another aid for Easter comes from Avery Labels - click HERE for Free Easter templates to make great Easter placecards or Easter Cards from your own printer!

Happy Hunting!

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Stag Party Without the Stagger

Toni Lawrence — 2012-03-31T11:02:00Z

Most people believe a Bachelor Party, or Stag Party, has to be about strippers and night clubs. Although that seems to be tradition, especially for the younger men, there are hundreds of other things men can do to celebrate the last days of bachelorhood before they become a married man.

Depending on the area you live in, and the interests of the groom-to-be and his friends, a night out, or weekend away, before the wedding does not have to end with a hangover during the ceremony.

Many larger cities have places to go for activities like indoor skydiving, go-karting or paintball. What about test flight simulators, where you can pretend to fly a plane or do visual stunts? Someone can even set up a Scavenger Hunt, if the groom is interested in mystery. Some men would enjoy a wine tasting or trip to the spa (it’s not a woman thing).

Outdoorsmen may enjoy a relaxing fishing trip, going to a Nascar race, boating, white water rafting, ATV riding, scuba diving, baseball game or rock climbing. You should gear the party toward the individual.

The best man throws the party, and friends and relatives of the groom are invited – usually men only. If money is tight you plan something close to home or as inexpensive as possible. If you can afford it, a get away is great – planning travel and expenses.

The night before the wedding is NOT the best time for a stag party. You may think it will help the groom to de-stress, but it probably will cause problems with the bride-to-be and more stress on the nervous groom. Plan it for at least a week ahead. If you want to include people from out of town, take into consideration their travel time and expenses so they can make plans for the party and the wedding.

Make arrangements ahead for someone to take people home if their drinking gets out of hand. Hire a limo, or a car service for the night to take people home safely.

Don’t allow anyone to get carried away. Humiliating the groom by doing something stupid that can be regretted later is not funny (Don’t shave his head, or get him so drunk you can take incriminating photos for him to use later on.). The best man’s duty is to protect the groom. If the groom says “NO,” stop! This is his day, and his wishes should be held up.

Costs can be split between everyone attending the party (except the groom), but make sure they are aware of that before they attend.

Enjoy the night, surprise the groom with all kinds of creative things, keep it under control and have fun. You want to make it a night to remember – for all the right reasons.

Start Clucking At Your Hen Party

Toni Lawrence — 2012-03-29T11:00:00Z

A Hen Party if the English equivalent of a "Bachelorette Party" in the United States, and the female version of a Bachelor Party. It allows the bride-to-be to spread her wings one last time before she becomes an “old married lady.”

Since Hen Parties are all about fun, the maid and/or matron of honor has the responsibility of planning this event. Taking the bride’s taste and wishes into consideration it can be a sizzling night at a male strip bar, or a weekend getaway spa event that allows the bride to relax after all the hectic preparations for her wedding.

Women, being a bit more sensible then men on this account, hold their traditional night of revelry at least a week before the wedding - not the night before. This allows them time to calm down (and maybe get their sea legs back) before making that trip down the aisle.

Most hen parties include clubbing of some sort, crazy costumes, and lots of fun and games (A good example is the movie “The Wedding Date” with Deborah Messing and that hot Dermot Mulroney).

Choose a venue that everyone invited can attend (under age guests will not be allowed into a bar), so plan your activities accordingly. Start out with a meal together before you take to the road for drinking and such, and make sure you have a designated driver selected to make traveling to your destinations and home safe.

Favors for the Hen Party could include light up faux engagement rings, manicure sets, or special shot glasses. For entertainment, hold a treasure hunt to find all things diamond shaped. If you choose a specific theme – make the costumes and favors match the theme.

Overall, it should be a fun evening or weekend of relaxation after a hectic and frazzling time of putting a wedding together.

Turn Your Yard Into A Tropical Paradise

Toni Lawrence — 2012-03-27T11:03:00Z

Summer will be here before you know it. Now is the perfect time to start getting plans together for a Tiki Party or Hawaiian Luau.

Send out handmade invitations in the shape of hibiscus flowers or leis, and ask your guests to wear their favorite Hawaiian or flower shirts, grass shirts, sarongs, or any dress to put them in the Hawaiian mood.

Provide leis when they arrive and maybe even have silk flowers attached to clips for the ladies.

Decorate your yard with tiki torches. If you have a fire pit you can have that lit and provides eating around it with chairs or straw beach mats.

If you have a pool, place flower lanterns or floating candles in the water. You could place several small children's pools with water or sand, or some with sand and some with water, and add seashells or sea animal shaped candles , or mini tiki candles.

Paper lanterns, hanging leis and silk flowers attached to a pergola or strung around the yard also add to the effect.

Tropical drinks and punches served in coconut shell cups, kabobs and lots of fruit (especially pineapple and coconut) will feed your guests. If you can find a way to put a pig on a spit over the fire pit,even better!

Have plenty of tropical music, a limbo stick, a Tiki pinata, and activities that will correspond with the theme for the total Hawaiian experience – no matter where you are located. Aloha!

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Give Your Royal Princess A Party To Remember

Toni Lawrence — 2012-03-25T22:30:43Z

As children girls had dreams about princesses, and fairytale lives, Prince Charming and royal weddings. Last year we got a glimpse of what royalty and royal weddings look like and many of us were able to recreate in our minds ourselves walking down the aisle to our Prince.

You can help your daughter, or a beloved little girl, to have her fairytale moments by putting together a "royal" event that is worthy of a princess. Little girls will enjoy "Kissing a Frog" in a game similar to "Pin The Tail On The Donkey," or hitting the pinata shaped like a tiara or castle.

There are so many favors available for the princess theme - Cinderella slipper, Cinderella dreamland slipper sidewalk chalk, and even a gift pack with tiaras, bubbles, wands and more. You can place a cupcake decorated with pink heart shaped candles, or bake a cake from a fairytale carriage pan, or a circular cake that has a princess doll inside.

Serve pink lemonade or fruit punch with 7-up. Everything can be served in matching princess theme dinnerware. Depending on the time of day, you can serve just cake and ice cream, or go all out with a "royal" table of items like "frog legs" (chicken wings) and royal ambrosia (fruit salad blended with cool whip).

If the party is for one special princess, decorate a chair like a throne - so her royal highness can be the princess for the day. If it's for a group of girls, be creative about decorating each child's chair with a princess-type banner or crown.

All little princesses like a tea, so turn your party into a tea party for all the royalty in the room.

For teens celebrating their 15th or 16th birthday there are party favors that go along the fairytale theme, as well as adding a tiara and sceptor to make their dreams a reality.

The fun thing about a princess party is that it is not limited, and it gives you a chance to be creative - and something the girls will remember for a lifetime.

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Creating a Fantasy Setting

Toni Lawrence — 2012-03-03T13:00:00Z

From the time they could play dress up little girls played Cinderella, and dreamed of Prince Charming and a fairtytale life – enchanted castles, carriages, beautiful slippers and living happily ever after. That is why the fantasy theme is so popular for weddings, quinceaneras, birthdays and proms.

With the royal wedding in England only a month away, more women will be daydreaming about their own Prince – along with their own fantasy wedding with all the glitz and glamor of a regal affair.

A fantasy theme is not difficult to put together, from elaborate staircases leading up to ivory towers (such as in the photo), or wall murals of castles and standees of a carriage being pulled by a white stallion.

There are numerous fairytale favors that fit into the fantasy theme – frog prince or carriage or crown trinket boxes, crystal carriages, sand castles and so many more.

Light in all important! With light columns, strings of lights dotting a staircase or entrance way, and candles in the background and on the tables you are creating an ambiance of a dream. Add ground fog for an added effect.

If you are using the fairytale theme for your wedding a number of accessory sets are available that includes ring bearer pillows, pen sets, guest book and flower girl baskets.

Create the dream atmosphere for your special event, and start the night with the idea of living happily ever after.

The content of this site is intellectual material and copying of content for articles and blogs is not allowed without linking back to this site and credit given to Toni Lawrence as author. You are free to use the information in putting together a party,

Celebrate the Milestone of a First Communion

Toni Lawrence — 2012-02-28T13:10:00Z

After Baptism, a First Communion is the next major step in a child’s religious life (Christian – especially Catholic). This is the first time they get to dress up in a beautiful dress (usually white) with white gloves , or fancy suit , and all eyes are on them and their peers.

After the ceremony many families hold a party or open house to honor the communicant for this big step. Some people offer a toast, but since this is a religious celebration alcohol is not usually part of the activity. Depending on the weather, families hold BBQ’s or a party where everyone brings a dish. This definitely is a family event.

Gifts are given to the communicant. Usually the gift is related to a religious symbol , like a personalized cross, a rosary, bible or jewelry with a religious symbol.

Some churches hold a reception for the honorees, and families and parishioners are invited to wish these young people well. Place card holders, at least for the recipients, can be the church’s way of giving the children an offering. It could be a picture frame they can put their photo in as a memory, a bookmark with a cross or angel, or some other religion-related favor.

However you choose to celebrate this milestone in your child's life, you can utilized the day to show your pride to them for how far they have come in their spiritual training, and how proud you are on their efforts.

Fun Kids Parties

Toni Lawrence — 2012-02-26T18:10:23Z

Kids love color, balloons, food and activities. Putting together a kid’s party isn’t al that hard to do, and you will be the “go to” place that they will want to come back to.

Don’t spend a lot of time cooking. Kids are usually easy to please. Just have a lot of finger foods. Don’t plan on too many sweets unless you have a lot of help rounding up all the hyperactive ones after a sugar rush. Have hot dogs and/or hamburgers and let them put their own condiments on them (don’t forget the pickles!). Chips and dip, cut fruit, mini muffins, cheese are good. You may as well forget the vegetables unless you can disguise them, since kids will leave them alone if they get the chance.

Colorful cupcakes in reusable wrappers are great finger food desserts instead of a big cake. You could also have picture cookies, with the image of the guest of honor.

Have colorful plates, plastic cutlery and cups/drinkware, and straws. Don’t bother with personalized things, kids just ignore them. They usually run to the seat they want, so place settings are also unnecessary. Tie a balloon to the back of their chair and after they have chosen their own seats, use a magic marker and personalize the balloon at their chair.

Start with a game at the table while the food is being served. Keep it calm and simple, but it keeps them in their seats. Ask each child to tell the others what their favorite toy or foot, or their favorite place to go on vacation. It will get the other kids talking and keep the conversation going.

Games should be interactive and age appropriate. A pinata is always fun, and Mystery Gift Pass and Gift Grab are also fun ideas. You can make the gift inside fit to the age group of the party.

Mystery Gift Pass

This game is like musical chairs, but instead of needing lots of chairs you have to have a gift for the winner inside the box, and wrap the box in several layers of gift wrap. Play music and when the music stops the child holding the package unwraps one layer. Then start the music again and repeat until the box is unwrapped. The last child to unwrap the box gets the gift inside.

Gift Grab

This allows everyone at the party to pick their own gift out of the a big box, and everyone gets a gift to take home. Let them pick a number to decide who goes first (the numbers correspond to the number of children at the party). The first child takes a wrapped gift out of the box, and this is repeated until all the gifts are taken out. (Don’t let anyone open theirs until everyone has picked). You can get small gifts at the dollar stores.

For older children the game show “Minute to Win It” has some great ideas you can modify to fit your yard or home, and the ages of the children (Note: These are great ideas for adult parties as well).

Edible or party favors in a bag for each attendee are also fun ideas. Other party gift ideas: Bubble Gum Machines, Personalized Water Bottles with their school name, Compacts and lipgloss for little girl parties,

Create An Oriental Theme To Your Spring Wedding

Toni Lawrence — 2012-02-26T13:02:00Z

There is nothing more lovely for a Spring wedding than a Asian-inspired theme accented with Cherry Blossoms. It is not only delicate, but serene in nature – the perfect Zen atmosphere for a new beginning.

Said to be a sign of good fortune, an emblem of love and affection, and a treasured harbinger of spring, the unique cherry blossom design makes these a perfect choice as a wedding theme design.

Colors of pale pink and white with brown accents allow for a simple, yet elegant, decorating scheme. Coordinating Cherry Blossom themed items are easy to find, since this theme is very popular for all cultures.

This is not an overpowering decorating theme, it needs to be incorporated in subtle ways – in cakes decorated with the blossoms and topped with a double happiness topper, in favors, and bridal ensembles. They are basic white, with accents that don’t overwhelm.

Place paper lanterns or parasols hanging on light strings around your reception room. Perch origami cranes (traditionally made by the bride and groom) as a symbol of a happy marriage, on centerpieces made of bamboo stems and orchids.

Fortune cookie-shaped place card holders assign seats to your guests, and add ceremonial chopsticks at each place setting to complete the Oriental theme.

An Oriental wedding is full of symbolism for happiness, love and a successful marriage, and is a perfectly lovely way to start off your new journey.