While most kids aren’t typically involved in their parents’ anniversaries, there are some exceptions. These usually include the bigger anniversaries, such as the 25th and 50th. Everyone’s parents are different, so you should take your parents’ personalities into consideration when planning their party. Many couples, especially those who have been married for longer, enjoy celebrating their anniversaries with a party that involves their friends and family instead of a private celebration for the two of them. Decorations for an anniversary party create the atmosphere for a fun celebration. Remember that their relationship was the catalyst for your very existence. This makes their anniversary a cause to celebrate — not only for them but for you as well. Speak with your parents ahead of time before planning the party. While some parents might appreciate a surprise party, it’s usually a better idea to find out what they like and dislike. There’s still room for surprises, but getting their feedback will help ensure that they enjoy their party. You can collaborate with them on choosing a date so that you can budget your time. If this is the ultimate surprise party that you need an insider to their world. You will need help...Read More

Kids love celebrating New Year’s Eve too, but bedtimes often mean they miss out on the fun! This New Year’s celebration won’t be held at midnight though, but in the afternoon! The kids get to celebrate and you and your adult guests will have time to get home for the babysitter, so you can go out on the town and celebrate New Year’s Eve too! I would call the party for about 5:00, so the kids have time to play before dinner. Dinner could be at 5:45 and then a New Year’s countdown around 6:15. Then everyone would hit the road around 6:30. I’ve found that an hour and half works well for parties with younger kids. You can have a longer or later party depending on the ages of the kids at your party! You should include on your invitation if parents are also invited to the party. If you’re hosting younger kids, then this is probably a great idea. Do you really want to watch a house full of little ones by yourself? Probably not and parents love to see their cute kiddos enjoying a party! It’s a great photo op. Get The Kids Involved: If your child is...Read More

In general New Years Eve party planning is not a difficult process. There are a number of standard elements which are common in any type of party such as invitations, location, food, beverages and entertainment which should be considered but beside from that there aren’t many unique aspects of a New Years Eve party which require special consideration. The late hour of a New Years Eve party is somewhat unusual and results in some unique food option such as offering cocktails and appetizers in the evening and cocktails such as the Bloody Mary and the Mimosa in the morning along with a breakfast buffet. However, New Years Eve party planning does prevent a challenge when it is necessary to complete this planning on a tight budget. The first step in planning a New Years Eve party on a budget is to establish an ultimate budget. Once this is done, you can list all of the individual aspects of the party such as invitations, decorations, location, food, beverages and entertainment and determine the percentage of your total budget you wish to spend on each of these components. When planning a New Years Eve party on a budget, it is important to...Read More

Throwing a holiday work party is not as easy as it used to be. In an era of political correctness and workplace diversity you have to be a little more careful. Don’t worry; the party can still be fun and a good way to celebrate a year of hard work and to share Season’s Greetings with all. Winter is the perfect theme for your office holiday party. People are very busy during the holiday season. Make sure you get on the calendar with an unforgettable invite. Personalized holiday invitations are perfect for a winter themed holiday party. If you are going to have a theme or activity at the party, let your guests know on the invite so that they can be prepared. Here are a few fun suggestions: Gift exchange Ugly Sweater Contest Cookie exchange Potluck/recipe exchange Scavenger hunt Everyone will be excited for this office holiday party! Decorate the party room like a winter wonderland! It’s easy to do so that everyone can enjoy the beauty, but not the cold, of winter. Use winter colors – White, silver and light blue are the perfect colors for this party, so use them for all of your decorations and party supplies. Cover tables...Read More

A Christmas party at work is a wonderful way to show you appreciate your employees/coworkers. Even though you are at work you can still have a festive celebration with these Christmas office party ideas and suggestions for activities! Start your party off on the right foot by sending a fun invitation. You can always send group email, but it will build anticipation in the office if you do something fun. If you are going to have a theme or activity at the party, let your guests know on the invite so that they can be prepared. Here are a few fun suggestions: Gift exchange (white elephant or secret Santa) Ugly Sweater Contest Cookie exchange Potluck/recipe exchange Scavenger hunt Ornament exchange Everyone will be excited for this Christmas party! Easy and FUN is the way to go for decorations for the office. Here are the Christmas office party ideas we recommend: Wrapping paper – buy some inexpensive wrapping paper and bows. You can wrap the artwork on the wall to look like presents, or wrap empty boxes and use them around the room as decorations. Lights – What would Christmas be without lights? Hang a few strings around the party room and watch everyone’s...Read More

Do you want your party to be fun, exciting and full of great people? Where are you going to have a party? Will it be a big event or a little get together? Will it be for an occasion? Decide on a theme. This will help you decide. If it is a birthday party, most people try to have the party on that date. Also, make sure to pick a date where most of your guests are free. Are you able to spend a lot of money? You’re the host so you ought to mingle with everyone that you invited, if you can. Take into consideration who you want to invite to your party. Not everyone wants to dance, not everyone wants to listen to the music, some people want to talk and relax. Accommodate for different interests and levels of social comfort with space planning if it is possible, and if applicable, different age groups. Only invite guests that you want. Only invite people who respect you. Invite people you would like to get to know better, and if you want your party to be big, tell them to bring their friends. Get as accurate a count as you can before the party so...Read More

Sharing your space, putting in effort and honoring your people with food are not only fun, but important. Breaking bread with friends, family and neighbors is the quintessential way to reconnect. But we also realize it can be a lot of work, and for some of us, a little intimidating. Make it easy on yourself and pick a day and date that gives you enough time to prepare without being rushed. Choose a cause for celebration, it will set the tone and anchor all the elements of your party. Is this an informal gathering with a few friends, a backyard picnic, and a low-key cocktail party? The reason for the party and its style provides the structure for all other components to hang on. From food to music to decor, your theme sets the stage. Write down your ideas ahead of time and make sure that you order invitations early. It is best to be formal for any event and they will set the tone of you gathering. Wine and Cheese Invitations A full wine glass adorns these invitations which set the tone for your occasion. Classic Placesetting Invitations Set the tone for your occasion with this invitation. A placesetting...Read More

Once your guests begin arriving be sure to great them warmly, and place their cookies in their “star” position. When everyone has arrived you can proceed with introductions and whatever type of entertainment you desire. It is usually a good ice breaker to play a game, to start the laughter and chatter flowing. One suggestion of a game that works well with the holidays is to simply have one guest ask the person next to them a personal question about the holidays….when they answer they can in turn ask the person next to them a question. Questions, for example, could be what was your best Christmas, or what is the best Christmas present you ever received, etc. This type of game involves everyone and also shares heartfelt personal memories. Once your have broken the ice and spent some time with one another you should also begin serving your refreshments….any finger food and light appetizers would be appropriate. During the last forty five minutes or so, you should start the actual cookie exchange. Provide everyone with boxes, baskets or something to fill with cookies…have wax paper and plenty of plastic wrap on hand…Then instruct them to move from station to station...Read More

Do you love offering and sampling homemade cookies, but find your schedule doesn’t allow the time you need to bake a large variety? If so, you are probably surrounded by friends and relatives with the same problem. Why not have some fun and initiate a Cookie Exchange Party? What could be more fun to host, or attend, then something that allows you to visit, and walk away with a freshly baked large variety of favorite cookies? A Cookie Exchange Party is normally held close to the holidays so that you will be able to enjoy your take home stash with family and loved ones. Once you have decided on a day that will best fit your schedule, and who you would like to attend, you can begin shopping for your party invitations. American Stationery has a large number of invitations that can be personalized in a variety of styles and ink colors. They even have photo invitations…an inviting platter of cookies could be your intro. Whatever you choose be sure you include the date, time and what each guest should provide. Typically each guest is asked to bring a dozen cookies for all attendees. So, if you have eight cookie...Read More