Party Talk

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? Not I. The upcoming holidays are the one time you can entertain and hardly lift a finger! And save money, too.  "Pshaw," you say. Well, listen up. It's time to take advantage of all those leftovers your friends have sitting in the fridge by hosting a leftovers pot luck. Not only will your friends enjoy gorging on what their friends toiled over the day prior, but they also get to unload that green bean veggie adventure from Aunt Janice before it goes south.

And talk about a feast! The more people you invite, the more leftovers there are (and the more Tupperware finds a new home--yours!). The house is probably already duded up for the holidays; I bet you have a stereo and some holiday CDs; and I know you'll have so much food, you'll be lucky if anyone stops chewing long enough to have a conversation. All you have to do is provide drinks, a place to eat, something to eat on and something to eat with. And a good time will be had by all.

As easy as (sweet potato) pie!

Happy Holidays from

The Party Girl

Tips for your Holiday Office Party

Planning your office holiday party or are you just getting ready to go as a guest?  Here are some things to keep in mind for everyone attending an Office holiday party.

If you’re attending the party:

• We’ve all seen the movies with holiday parties.  So, you should know better than to do anything that involves a lampshade or a copy machine.
• Don’t drink too much.  (See the previous point)  You’ll have to see these people the next day and you might want them to still respect you!
• Say thank you.  Of course your company is throwing you a party to say thank you for all your hard work, but I’m sure your boss would appreciate a thank you as well.

If you’re throwing the party:

• Include spouses at your party.  Your guests will be much happier attending a party if they can bring a spouse.  Have a lot of families?  Try a day-time family friendly event.  And, if you can’t include families or spouses, then have your party during work hours.
• If you’re having a special dress code at the party, include the information on the invitation.  It will be appreciated.
• You don’t have to get too elaborate.  Some nice food and drinks and a chance to relax with coworkers is always appreciated!

Happy Holidays from Party411.com

New Holiday Party Party Supplies!

We are excited to announce 2 new styles in our holiday paper goods selection!

Cozy Santa

 

We loved these paper goods because they evoke a warm and homespun feeling. With the cute matching invites and goodie bags (as well as the plates, napkins, cups and more) they are sure to be a favorite.

New Year’s Countdown

 

This is a new staff favorite here at Party411.com. The bright colors on black are a great contrast, and there are round and square plates available (so mix it up!).

Even if you just go with the fun cocktail napkins and dessert plates you will be bring in lots of color and fun with these patterns!

Host a Turkey Bowl

Every year it's the same old thing. Gather your entire family together; reveal everything for which you are thankful, eat until you explode, watch football until your eyes are googly, and then pull your stomach up to the table for a second and third helping of food. Rather than spending Thanksgiving Day alternating between the table and the sofa, start a new tradition for which everyone will be thankful.

Whether you pit family members or neighborhood families against one another, a Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl tradition is one that cannot be beat!

The first thing you need to do is decide who will be playing in the first annual Turkey Bowl. This is very important because once the teams are decided they are pretty much written in stone (unless there are extenuating circumstances like birth, death, marriage, etc.). Some families believe that Thanksgiving is a day for family only and that allowing others to participate will only interfere in "family time". Others feel that inviting neighbors to join in the fun allows each family to work together, therefore strengthening each family's bond. It is really up to each individual family.

Now that you have decided on and divided up the teams (fairly evenly, I'm sure) you have to decide on when is the best time to play the Annual Turkey Bowl. It is my recommendation that you play ball in the early afternoon before the meal is served. Very few people want to exercise once they are stuffed and playing before the meal will help everyone to work up a good appetite. Also, since it turns dark earlier now, playing before the meal will ensure that it will still be daylight for the game.

With the teams and game time finalized, the only item on the agenda left to discuss is the rules. Since rules vary by family I am going to give you the rules that my family follows every Thanksgiving and you can modify them to fit your specific needs. My family follows basic "touch football" rules.

1. Since our yard is not the size of a regulation football field, each team is given only four chances to carry the ball into the endzone.
   
2. For each of these "chances" (called "downs"), the quarterback of the offensive team (the team trying to score a touchdown) has to either pass or hand the ball to a teammate.
   
3. As the person with the ball runs toward the endzone the only way to stop him/her is to touch him/her with two hands.
   
4. Remember this is a day that you are giving thanks for family and not trying to tackle members of the opposite team to the ground in a show of team spirit (this is not the NFL you know!).
   
5. If the offensive team member carrying the ball finds his/her way into the endzone then that is a touchdown and is worth 6 points.
   
6. Our family does not own goal posts so the extra point is null and void. If the offensive team is stopped short of the endzone within four downs then the opposing team gets the ball (and thus becomes the offensive team trying for a touchdown).

So now that you have the basic rules and regulations of a Turkey Bowl, I have a few last minute pieces of advice that I think are necessary to ensure a fabulous game:

1. Name your teams. Think of the most ridiculously funny or tough name that will embody your team for years to come.
2. Establish in and out of bounds for the "field." It will prevent disruptions and debates later.
3. Do not verbally or physically abuse members of either your own team or the opposing team. No one likes a bad sport.
4. Make up your own wacky traditions. Instead of playing the game with a football, use a Nerf basketball or volleyball. I can assure you that this will make your Turkey Bowl unique.
5. Have fun! You will be making memories and traditions that you and the rest of your family (those playing as well as those on the sidelines watching) will always treasure.
6. Consider establishing the Annual Turkey Bowl trophy for the winning team. It can really be anything unique and fun. I once witnessed a "trophy" that was actually a lamp made of a deer leg. It was stuffed and someone had painted the hoof with nail polish and adorned the ankle with bracelets. All kinds of ribbons and do-dads were tied to the thing, too. On top of it all, a special brass plate was made bearing the name of the family's Turkey Bowl and the year it was started. Very Clever.

Now that you have the rule for the game, check out our Turkey Bowl Theme party for great decoration and even more Turkey Bowl Thanksgiving Ideas.

A Snow Ball

A party held in the winter screams for a winter theme!  Use white, silver and blues for a perfect color scheme.  Here are some pictures from a Winter Wonderland theme party was planned.

White foamcore trees lined the entry of the party and stood next to a personalized welcome sign.  Surrounding the trees were lifesize cutouts of snowmen.  They were placed around the room and each held a bouquet of balloons.

Seating cards for the party were placed in photo snowglobes.  They made a great party favor!

Linens on the tables were blue with silver napkins.  For the kids centerpieces we had stuffed polar bears with snowflake balloons tied to their backs.  The stuffed bears were then donated to charity.  Adult tables had flower pots wrapped in silver tissue, with more balloons coming out.

The dancefloor was great fun at this party!  We hung a sign over the DJ with a snow background and the guest of honor's name.  Then we hung as assortment of snowflake cutouts from the ceiling.  (We were not allowed to hang where the party was held, so we floated them with latex balloons!)

It was a perfect Winter Wonderland!

Party411 can plan your snow theme party!  Let us know if you would like more information on any of the products seen in the photos or if you have college theme party questions!  (Here are some great Winter Wonderland Party Supplies!)

November is...

Peanut Butter Lovers' Month - Mmmmm….Peanut Butter cookies… sandwiches… candy… cakes… You'd have to be nutty to resist that stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth sensation! Need to raise money for some worthy cause? Have a Peanut Butter Bake-off, accepting only original recipes using peanut butter as the main ingredient, to celebrate America's favorite food and #1 sandwich!

November 4^th is Mischief Night - Traditionally a British holiday celebrated in England, Australia, and New Zealand, I don't see any reason not to bring it over for us Yanks to take a shot at! After all, mischief is a birthright of ALL children! Have a Mischievous Memories Party and share stories of the most memorable mischief you've ever gotten into, with prizes for the funniest, stupidest, and naughtiest pranks.

November 10^th is Anniversary of the Premiere of "Sesame Street" - Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street? … 1969. Education and fun, all rolled into one. This feature brought to you by the letter "P" for "Party." Through singing, puppetry, and film clips, children have been learning their numbers and letters for 39 years! For kids and adults everywhere, today's the perfect day to have a "Sesame Street Party." (After all, if you can read this, you probably have Bert & Ernie, Big Bird, Grover, The Count, Kermit the Frog, and Oscar to thank!) Pick up some Sesame Street paper goods and celebrate!

November 28^th is Black Friday - The busiest shopping day of the year. If you ask me, it should be Green Friday, with all the cash that changes hands. Organize a Holiday Shopping Party for you and all of your friends. And when you're all done, get together with your friends for a drink. You'll need it. Happy Shopping!

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