Party Talk

High Times on the Holidays

Is it me or were holiday decorations out in August?  Everywhere I went—from my favorite Target to Nordstrom at the mall, there was a mix of pumpkins wearing Santa hats.  Ok, so I’m exaggerating, but almost not.  The leaves hadn’t even turned yet, and I’m studying which cornucopia to use on my table at Thanksgiving. 

   
That said, I couldn’t help but feel the party urge.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa…those four holidays spell “it’s time to get out the coasters and the chafing dishes!” After all, when better to see friends and exclude foes than the holiday season.  Party411 has a lot of themes to choose from, of course—you wouldn’t expect any less from the Party Girl, would you?--but my personal favorite, of course, is the Thanksgiving leftovers party because, well, I like the food and the quantity thereof.  Don’t tell Dr. Oz.

But don’t let me influence you…choose a party and do it with gusto.  Make your list and check it twice.  Party list that is.  It’s time to reciprocate for all those dinners and parties throughout the year.  But stand warned--forget the co-workers you just tolerate.  Leave off the fair-weather friends who might only acknowledge you if you win the lottery.  Delete those family members that are irritating or who aren’t blood relatives.  And it will be a happy holiday for all!

• Day After Thanksgiving Potluck
• Progressive Caroling Party
• Have a Gift Exchange
• Host a Cookie Exchange

Winter Wonderland Theme Party

Winter Wonderland is one of the most popular themes on Party411.com, which is no surprise, since everyone loves the beauty and sparkle of winter. Throwing your own Winter Wonderland party is easy to do with these great ideas.

For a fantastic invitation cut out snowflakes (ask a young friend if you forget how), and use a glue stick to attach it to a piece of light blue cardstock. Add some glitter to the snowflake and write the invitation information on the back. No two will be alike!

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!

Decorate the rest of the room with these tried and true ideas -

• White Twinkle Lights - string them all around the room for a breathtaking effect
  
• Paper Snowflakes - cut out a few (hundred) and hang them from the ceiling with clear line
• White Votive Candles - buy them in bulk and use them to decorate the side tables, mantle, windowsills and buffet
  

Your menu can also match your decorations. Go with a white theme for a fabulous effect; oysters, chicken fettuccini alfredo, clam chowder, pork tenderloin, caramelized pearl onions, white chocolate fondue, white frosted sugar cookies, crème brule, brie cheese, ect. Check out the grocery store for more options.

Continue the white theme with your drinks. You don't have to have an open bar, having a few selections for people to choose from is fine. Here are some "white" options:

• Signature Cocktail - A few good ones come to mind; White Russian, Eggnog Martini, White Cosmopolitan, Mojitos, and White Sangria. Pick your favorite and serve it with a fun garnish.
• Non-Alcoholic - Make sure you have a variety for those choosing not to imbibe. Go with clear sodas, carbonated grape juice and some nice bottled water. You can also do virgin versions of your cocktails!
• Something Warm - Nothing is better than a hot drink on a winter night. White hot chocolate, white green tea, and warm eggnog will hit the spot.

End the night with a great favor. Hand out small bottles of milk with a bag of sugar cookies. Add a tag that reads "Thanks for coming to frolic and play in my Winter Wonderland!"

For more great Winter Wonderland Theme Party Ideas check out these party themes -

• Winter Wonderland Holiday Party
• Winter Wonderland Sweet 16
• White New Year's Eve (a winter theme New Year's Eve party)"

Black Friday Shopping Party Tips

Every Black Friday I get a bunch of friends together for a progressive shopping party. It's pretty easy to put together, and we have a blast  getting up early and hitting the sales. Here are the basics so that  you can plan a holiday shopping party that no one will forget!

Convince your friends that this may actually be fun by sending out a great invitation.

Black Friday is almost here,
And deals make me want to cheer!
Let's have a shopping soiree
and at the end of the day
we'll thank heavens we're not a cashier!

Follow with the pertinent details such as when and where.

Leave the spouse and kids behind.

Shopping and family rarely mix, why add more stress to the madhouse that is Black Friday? Invite some fun and like minded friends along on this consumption binge. You don't need anyone there to temper your spending activities.

If you are going to bring along your better half, make sure they bring back up credit cards to replace the ones you melted from all that swiping.

But really, don't bring the kids.

Carpool in style.

Depending on how many people you're inviting, use a van or even rent a mini-bus with a driver who will handle all those packages. Imagine not having to walk to a parking space carrying all that stuff (it's worth  it right there!); the driver can wait at the door. Split the cost  among you, it won't be much. And it will be SO much fun. Don't forget  to tell everyone how much it will cost for the bus rental (if you're  splitting the cost).

Make a plan. Hope is not a plan.

No plan and you risk running around like a group of deal seeking zombies, hands  clenched around your wallets while foaming at the mouth. Not pretty.

Which stores are only having the good deals until 9pm? Hit those first. There may be a craft festival or two in your area you also want  to attend. Check it out when making your plans. You should consult with your guests as to their favorite stores. 

Remember snacks and water! If you pass out from dehydration you will be left behind.

Bottled water and a large thermos of hot coco or coffee will come in handy. You can pack any variety of snacks, but make it special by going with holiday themed treats. Don't forget to stop for breakfast, lunch (and dinner if you have limitless energy) so you can recharge your batteries and ooh and ahh over the good finds of your friends!

So there you have it, the important stuff. You can check out our Progressive Shopping Party for more ideas. Have fun!

Ski Theme Party

A beautiful lodge was the perfect setting for this ski theme Bar Mitzvah!

As guests walked up the steps to the lodge, they were greeted by an extra large welcome sign, a lifesize cutout of the Bar Mitzvah boy dressed in ski gear and a cutout of a St. Bernard.  The cutouts were surrounded by cutouts of pine trees.

Inside the cocktail area, we had white tree cutouts and white balloon arches with snowflakes hanging down.  Here the guests got their lift ticket seating card, that directed them to their mountain (table).

Guests walked into the ballroom to find snow falling on their heads (from a rented indoor snow machine) and a beautiful fireplace.  On either side of the fireplace was a moose and a bear cutout!  Over the top, were crossed skis with the Bar Mitzvah boy's name added.

Centerpieces were custom 3-sided caricature bases with snowflake balloons coming out of the top.  We wrapped personalized lip balm around each napkin!

Party411 can plan your skiing theme party! Let us know if you would like more information on any of the products seen in the photos or if you have skiing theme party questions!

Unique Corporate Christmas Card

Every year you send out a Christmas card to your best customers, employees and business associates. Why not make this year's card memorable and fun with a Semi Custom Caricature from Party411.com. Add your own holiday greeting and even your logo to the artwork for an unforgettable business holiday card!

Check out our wide selection of Personalized Holiday Cards to see this design as well as more wonderful options for your business.

November is ...

National Novel Writing Month - While you and your friends are probably not writing novels, maybe you can have a book exchange!

November 17^th is Homemade Bread Day  -  Mmmm…nothing says lovin' like fresh-baked bread in the oven! Invite your friends and family to make, bake, and enjoy the wonders of bread, right in your own kitchen. Have a Bread Tasting Party, inviting guests to bring their favorite homemade breads (with recipes to share). Beside its nutritional value, bread dough can also be used to make decorative holiday ornaments, wreaths, and baskets. Just bake, cool, varnish, and voila! You can be the Martha Stewart of Homemade Bread!

November 18^th is Mickey Mouse's Birthday - "The comical activities of squeaky-voiced Mickey Mouse first appeared in 1928, on the screen of the Colony Theater at New York City. The film, Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie," was the first animated cartoon talking picture." Grab your mouse ears, rent some Mickey Mouse cartoons, and invite everyone you know to a Mickey Mouse Theme Party! Lots of Mickey Mouse partyware products are available to add to the fun and festivities.

November 26^th is Thanksgiving - Happy Thanksgiving! Check out our Thanksgiving Day Planning Guide for great holiday ideas!

See more Stuff to Celebrate for November, or take a sneak peek at December!