Daily Party Dish

Healthy Maumee

 

Can you say Healthy?  Well, in Maumee, Ohio they can.  We here at Party411.com have the fortune of planning the second annual Healthy Maumee Health Festival this weekend that is sure to be a big hit for the community!  We have over 40 vendors that will take over the high school with free healthy heart screenings.  Healthy Maumee has already had extensive positive press, and we’re excited for a great day of family fun and health!

 

Healthy Maumee in Ohio
Sunday, February  28, 2010
12-4
Maumee High School
1147 Seco Street
 

This year we’ve added more entertainment this year (airbrush tattoos, carnival games, face painting, strolling entertainment, a family obstacle course), and we’re sure everyone will have a wonderful and healthy time. Last year we had a turnout of over 800 from the community and expect an even better turnout! And we hope to see you there!

Throw an exellent party? Want to show the world?

 

As all of you know we here at Party411.com are in the party planning business. To be honest we love what we do and we love sharing with you and helping you throw an incredible rewarding party.

Now for something a little different. We want to share with you, some of the parties that fans share with us.  Trust us, these parties are very good and were the result of what appears to be very fun parties.  We want to share your photos with everyone.

  Visit our facebook fan page to enjoy all of your photos.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Mardi Gras.... with food!

Today’s Mardi Gras! You know, parades, masks, hurricanes and King Cake.  Our family doesn’t celebrate the day as much anymore. I guess we got too busy. But when I was younger this was a big day. Carnevale! For us it was all about family getting together to eat (we put the Fat into Fat Tuesday), to talk and if the wine flowed a little too freely to sing.

We’re Italian so we didn’t eat the traditional Mardi Gras foods. For us it was polenta. I know, peasant food but hey you can’t deny your roots. Don’t worry though by the time we added sausage, ribs, olive oil, garlic and parmesan cheese we had a meal fit for a king (at least we thought so!). 

When the family all lived on the same street we would have about 30 people around the table. A huge pot of polenta would be spread right on the table, covered with meat (we didn’t use red sauce too much although it was available). Then we would dig in. We usually tried to cut off pieces so that eventually we ended up with the map of Italy, made from polenta, on the table.  Great fun!

As the family moved away from the old neighborhood my Mom and Dad would host Carnevale just for our family. It was good to get there early since it was one of the few meals they made together. Needless to say there was “serious discussion” about the right way to cook, to serve, etc. My poor father tried hard but he was usually wrong and Mom was right.

Unfortunately the tradition seems to be ending. Too bad, because while it lacked the glitter and history of New Orleans it was still a blast. Wait I still have a couple of hours, hmmmmn?

- Jimmy

Birthday Party Themes for 2 year olds

There are things I know that I spend far too much time thinking about and I’m ok with that.  I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will always over think birthday party themes for my kids and spend even more time worrying about the perfect invitation and the perfect favors.  And, in the end, I’m always happy with what I choose and with a special day that I’ve planned for my kids.

I bring this up because my youngest son is turning 2 next month and I have been debating the theme for his party for months.  Months.

Well, Party411.com has partnered with Birthday Express and they have a whole line of paper goods designed just for 2nd birthdays.  There have always been plenty of options for 1st birthdays, so I was thrilled to see 2nd birthday party supplies.  Cowboys, cupcakes, trains, cowboys and more!  And my dilemma?  How do I pick?! 

I narrowed my choices down pretty quickly to “Rock Star” and “Robots” - two themes I thought my son would enjoy.  Back and forth for months … robots or rock stars… rock stars or robots.  My son loved them both when I show him the pictures.  And, that was my answer!  We’re using Rock Star 2nd Birthday for his birthday party with his friends and I’ll get an assortment of 2nd birthday robot paper goods for dinner on the night of his birthday.

You’re right… I didn’t really choose this time.  How can I when the themes are both so adorable?  And, I’m sure my son will have a fabulous birthday!

Next step…invitations!

2010 Winter Olympics Kids Activity

 

4 years ago when the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies began, most of the world watched from their homes.  I watched from a hospital … in labor with my first child.  I will always think of the Olympics when I look back on such a special time in my life.  So, I’m very excited to introduce the Olympics to my 2 sons when the games begin today.   

As a party planner and a Mom, I can’t let an opportunity pass without a fun mini-party at home.  We’ll do some crafts, play some games and then watch the Opening Ceremonies…at least til bedtime!

My kids love to decorate for special events and holidays, so I’ll start with kid friendly Olympics theme decorations.  I love the Torch Decorations and Olympic Party Rings.  These, along with some Patriotic Confetti and Patriotic Flags Garland are perfect.

As for crafts, I’m going to help the kids create torches with their handprints.  I’m going to start with this unlit torch artwork.  We’ll use red, yellow and orange finger paints and do hand stamps crossing over each other to create the look of flames.  (You can download the art and try this with your kids too!)
   
I think for the games, I’m going to try some relay races.  Simple things for little kids, like jumping from one hoola hoop to the next, or that game where you spin around a baseball bat and then run across the room.  Basically, enough running and jumping to get them excited, wound up and sleeping well that night! 

We’ll be sure to watch plenty of the games at our home and we’ll DVR the opening games so they can watch it the next morning.  (Knowing my kids, they’ll want to watch it over and over!) 

I’m sure there will be Olympics Fever in my house!  I’ve already got it!

Single in the City

Need something to do prior to Valentine’s Day? Want to help a good cause? Live in the greater Cleveland area?  I’m talking about the Easter Seals “Single in the City” Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction.

We at Party411 were involved in this event last year and it was a success.  This year should be just as successful, and we wanted to let you all know about it.

Easter Seals Northern Ohio Presents:
“Single in the City”
Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction
Thursday, February 11, 2010
6 PM – 10 PM
Bar Room @ Cadillac Ranch
Downtown Cleveland
200 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. You get 2 drink tickets and 1 raffle ticket.  There will be Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Interested? You know you are. Contact Melissa Kocher at mkocher@noh.easterseals.com for tickets.

Can’t make it but still need ideas for Valentine’s Day? Check out our Valentine's Day Planning Guide for help! Enjoy!

Throwing a 2010 Olympics Opening Ceremony Watch Party

This year we are having a small party to celebrate the 2010 winter Olympic and I wanted to share a few of my Olympic theme party ideas with everyone We are getting together to watch the opening ceremony on February 12th, but you can have your party on any day through the 28th! There are a a few my "can't miss events" that would be fun to watch with a group -

• Day 2  - Short Track - Men's 1500m - Watch Apolo Ohno take on the same event he crashed out of in Salt Lake City. Ohno needs two medals in Vancouver to become the most decorated Winter athlete in United States history.
• Days 5 and 7 - Figure skating - Men's short program and free skate - Reigning champion Yevgeny Plushenko and 2006 silver medalist Stephane Lambiel are sure to put on quite a show.
• Day 6 - Snowboarding, Men's Halfpipe and Alpine Skiing, Women's Downhill  - Watch American favorites Shaun White and Lindsey Vonn go for the gold!

I am sure there are plenty more, just check out the schedule and pick your favorites. And while not as exciting, you can always DVR an event and play it at the party appropriate time.

As far a decorations go we are keeping it pretty simple. I bought paper goods in the Olympic colors. I am going to decorate the buffet with "Olympic Torches", which are just cones of paper (for the torch) filled with tissue in red, yellow and orange for the "flames". Here are a few more decorating ideas -

• Crepe paper and balloons in the Olympic colors are your best bet for an inexpensive and easy way to fill a big party room.
• Party411.com has some great Olympics decorations and party supplies, I especially like these two -

Torch Decoration
Olympic Party Rings

• Some of my holiday decorations are more of a "winter" theme, so I leave them out and incorporate them into my party decorations. And since we all want the USA to win the Gold, don't forget the patriotic decorations too! Pull out the Memorial Day and 4th of July decorations and display the flag!
• Keep going with the winter theme; create decorative snowballs that won't melt inside. Purchase Styrofoam balls and white glitter from the craft store. Brush the Styrofoam with a liberal amount of clear or white glue, and roll the ball in the glitter. Let it dry overnight. Pile the snowballs in glass bowls or plastic pails for a fun and inexpensive decoration!

Since the focus is on television, create a comfortable viewing zone with as much seating as possible. We use floor pillows and folding chairs to add seats in front of the TV.

I decided to have a buffet of foods from "Around the World", representing several countries in the Games -

• Pizza - Italy - Can't go wrong with pizza at a party, right?
• Hot dogs and Hamburgers - We are making half hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls and mini burgers since there will be so much food, but you can't leave out classic American food!
• Bierocks - Germany/Russia - I made these for Oktoberfest last year and they were great. Here is the recipe.
• Pierogies -  Slovakia (or Poland/Ukraine/ Hungary but I am Slovak so that's what we go with)
• Egg Rolls - China - we are ordering out from a local place to make it easier on me :)
• Olives, Grapes and Cheese Platter  - Greece - This appetizer is a nod to the Olympic Games' origins
• Labatt and Molson Beer - Canada - a toast to the host
• Crepes - France - These crepes (recipe from AllRecipes.com) will be a yummy end to the night served with ice cream and chocolate syrup
  

You can also print flags to set by the dishes. For free printable flags check out PDFPad.com.

You can also organize this as a potluck meal by giving each guest a country and then letting bring their own dish.

I am going to try and keep it simple and fun. Want more? We have even more ideas in our 2010 Winter Olympics Theme Party! Go USA!

- Kathleen

Valentine's Day - What not to do

 

About eight years ago I was dating a man who had the perfect Valentine’s Day date all planned out. Or so he thought…He had arranged for a limo to pick us up where we were to meet up with some friends of ours who were joining us for the evening.  We all went downtown to see a play that I really wanted to see.  Afterwards we went to Morton’s, great steak place, for dinner and drinks.  Sounds great or it did before I arrived at his place.

I arrived early at his place early so we could exchange gifts.  All was good until I opened his card to me.  I could not believe what I was reading.  It was obvious that he hadn’t read the card.  I asked him, nicely, if he had read it.  He told me in no uncertain terms that he had read it three times and picked the best one.  I knew that he had not read the card even though he kept insisting that he had.  I was starting to get frustrated.  Finally, I threw the card at him and demanded he tell me exactly when did we get married? and better yet, when did I have a sex change? The card read, To My Husband On Valentine’s Day.  Needless to say the evening was ruined.  So men, remember to really read the Valentine’s Day card if you want to have a great Valentine’s Day.

I forgot to mention the play we went to see was, “The Male Intellect, An Oxymoron.”  How appropriate was that?

One Million Acts of Kindness

We here at Party411.com often get many questions regarding invitation etiquette. Many times the questions regard people not wanting gifts at their party. 

The Party411.com office had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Bob Votruba recently to explain his mission of One Million Acts of Kindness and how he is visiting many college campuses's to send his message of how we as a country are long overdue for genuine acts of kindness.  One Million Acts of Kindness Week February 8 - 14, 2010 http://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/

If you are having a party and don’t want gifts consider putting "In lieu of a gift you can donate to:  onemillionactsofkindness” This will give your guests an opportunity to give a gift and support a good cause.