Party Talk

It will be some kind of Mardi Gras when the Saints Come Marching In!

Imagine what Mardi Gras will be like this year in New Orleans if the Saints win the Super Bowl.  I’m sure it will be a celebration to match none and no group of fans deserve it more. 

That said, if you are planning a Mardi Gras and the Saints do win, you may want to add a touch of Saints décor and celebrate right along with those crazy people on Bourbon Street.  And why not?

Mardi Gras is about a lot more than beads.  Seriously?  Oh yeah.  Having just been in New Orleans for our industry tradeshow, The Special Event, hotels, restaurants, businesses and more were hauling out the décor and decorating anything and everything standing in their path.  Some of it was unrecognizable to me, but all of it was green, gold and purple.  That was a huge hint.  Now, all they will have to do is add a Saints logo—and voila—Mardi Gras and Super Bowl come together just like in that Beatles’ tune.

I wish them the best.  As I’m sure everyone does except maybe those Colts fans.  But after all, they won Super Bowl V and the Saints have only won a playoff game in 2000.

No offense Indianapolis, but may the best team nearest the Gulf of Mexico win!   

The Party Girl

Mardi Gras House Party

One of our favorite party themes this time of year is Mardi Gras. There are two great things about planning a Mardi Gras celebration. First there are plenty of great party supplies to choose from that are fun, different and capture the Mardi Gras spirit. Second, even though Fat Tuesday is February 16th this year, you can throw yourself a fantastic house party the Saturday before (if you are so inclined).

The following is an excerpt of our Mardi Gras Madness theme party, which makes a great Mardi Gras house party!

First invite some revelers. I love the idea of attaching your invitations to a mask. Everyone will be delighted to get such a special invitation!  Let them know they need their masks in order to enter the party.

Make sure that your guests know that they need to dress the part. Offer some suggestions that fit the New Orleans theme such as a fortune teller, a jazz band player, a jester, or even a swamp creature. The sky's the limit when it comes to Bourbon Streeters dressing up for Mardi Gras. Prizes should be given out for the most original costume.

If you have ever been on Bourbon Street during the celebration (or any time for that matter) you know that half the fun is dressing up for the occasion. Make sure you have at least two things for your guests -

• Beads
• Masks

Once inside the house it’s easy to turn your home into Bourbon Street. I like big statements on the wall like scene setters that look like the French Quarter during Mardi Gras.  These scene setters are large, inexpensive and easy to use.  What could be better?

Other than that, stick to the traditional Mardi Gras green, purple and gold for your decorations (crepe paper, balloons and such). If you are looking for more ideas, check out all of the Mardi Gras Decorations and Party Supplies available!

No Mardi Gras Party is complete without second line and Dixieland jazz band music to get your guests into the carnival spirit. Make sure you don't forget to play "The Mardi Gras Mambo."

New Orleans food is infamous throughout the world, so let's get down to the menu (and drink) details.

• One pot meals are a great way to go for Fat Tuesday; serve gumbo or do a crawfish boil!
• Provide everyone with a tasty hurricanes. And serve it up in a light up hurricane glass. It is sure to be a hit!
• And last but not least a King Cake for dessert!

Another fun idea is to play a Mardi Gras Party game. Here is one of my favorties -

Gold Coin Treasure Hunt

The goal of the game is for the players to collect as many gold coins as possible.
What you need

• Gold Coins
• Gift Bags

To Play

1. Scatter around the yard and party space gold coins.
2. Hand out to all of the players a gift bag.
3. Each player has to hunt for the treasures scattered throughout the party.
4. The player with the most coins wins a prize and is crowned the Mardi Gras King or Queen.

Every one will have such a great time! You can see all of our ideas in the full Mardi Gras Madness theme!

Party411.com's Birthday Section Gets a New Look

I’m soooo excited! We have just rolled out the redesign of our Birthday section. It is the first step in the redesign of Party411.com. After 13 years (13 years!) it’s time to freshen up the site and add some new features.

Don’t worry! You will still get:

• Hundreds of party themes with thousands of party planning ideas.
• Great party decorating ideas and links to fun, unique party supplies.
• Fabulous suggestions for party games and party activities.
• Access to party forums and our Facebook where you can exchange ideas and ask for help.
• The Party Girls who are ready to offer you the best customer service of any party planning site.

And we have added:

• A shopping cart where you can order our personalized products quickly and easily
• Improved navigation
• Improved product pictures and product detail pages
• And there is much more to come

I would love to know what you think. Please share your thoughts, comments and suggestions at feedback@party411.com.

Check our the new and improved Birthday Party411.com!

A Fashion Theme Party

Can you say high fashion?  That is just what Kirby wanted.  We altered the Juicy Couture logo and made the event Kirby Couture.   When the guests entered the party they consulted the seating chart to find there seats.  Then they walked the runway with the paparazzi to get into the ballroom. 

We used a few different centerpieces throughout the room including florals and feathers.

The favors for the event were these great canvas bags filled with goodies including a t-shirt!

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

St. Patrick's Day Tips for Restaurant and Bar Owners

Every year Party411.com helps thousands of restaurant and bar owners get their establishments ready for St Patrick's Day.  St Patrick's Day will bring a host of people new to your establishment so show them what great food, cold beer, and fantastic service you have. This is an opportunity to bring them back some of the other 364 days of the year.

Over the years we have come up with a few tried and true ideas that will give you the best bang for your buck. Here are our 4 tips for Restaurant and Bar Owners on St. Patrick's Day -

Advertise, advertise, advertise. The sooner the better. Let everyone know why YOUR place is THE place to be on March 17th (no cover, live music, beer pong tournament, half price drafts until 3pm etc). Flyers are OK, but get creative and you can really get the word out. We love these ticket invitations (get them in green obviously). Or even better are these new photo ticket invitations; you can include your logo! Hand them out anywhere you can! You should also consider getting a few banners to hang around inside and out with details on what you are offering for St. Pat's.

They have come to celebrate at your place, now give them something.  Give them a coupon then can redeem on their next visit, a ticket to your patio opening in May, or a fun St. Patrick's day wearable. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are a few of our favorite St. Pat's handouts -

• Shamrock Beads
• Green Plastic Leis
• Green Glow Necklaces

Entertain everyone while they drink. Beer pong and flip cup tournaments, Irish costumes contests, karaoke and Irish trivia is always fun. Make sure to hand our fun prizes. T-shirts, gift cards, free drinks and St Patrick's Day wearables will all be appreciated. Irish entertainment is also a great choice too- Irish dancers, bagpipers or live bands are always great.

Don't forget to decorate. You do not have to be elaborate, but creating a festive atmosphere will get everyone in the mood to party!

• Use Green Carnations and St Patrick's Confetti on your tables.
• Leprechaun Scene Setters and Irish Clover Swirls make a big impact on any room.
• Blarney Zone Party Tape and St Patrick's Day Cutouts are easy and fun.
• Buy Shamrock Vests, Leprechaun Hat Boppers and Beer Sunglasses for your servers and bartenders.

See, wasn't that easy? You can even check out our Restaurant and Bar Owners'St. Patrick's Day Party Decorations for more ideas. Now go and have a great St. Patrick's Day!

February is...

                           by Tim in Sydney

Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month—hmmm. I suppose you should hold a networking party so all of your business associates can meet each other. You never know what will happen!

February 12th the 2010 Winter Olympics Begin - Have an opening ceremony watch party with the help of our Olympics Theme Party Guide.

February 15th is President's Day - Okay so it's Monday, but the whole weekend is up for grabs! In case you don't remember, we used to celebrate twice—one for President Lincoln and one for President Washington. And then someone came up with the big idea of making it one holiday. Get out that stuff left over from July 4th and have a winter BBQ!

February 28th is Purim - starring Haman and Queen Esther. If you don’t know about this holiday, call one of your Jewish friends and insist they take you to a Purim party—and try the hamantashen!

See more Stuff to Celebrate for February, or take a sneak peek at March!