Party Talk

CONGRADS GRAD!

Why do you think the word congratulations is spelled with a “t” and not a “d?”  I’ve often wondered.  Does it make a difference in our day-to-day lives? No.  But it is certainly something to ponder.  And the Class of 2010 has so much to ponder these days.

One might think that graduates are sitting around pondering, “what am I going to do with the rest of my life?”  But the Party Girl knows the truth.  They are really pondering which theme to use for prom and maybe who to ask (but hopefully that’s not an issue).  Will it be the usual blue and gold (or whatever your school colors are)?  An Arabian or Aisan theme?  A castle? A casino? A disco?  Oh, the Places You’ll Go on this mental journey!  (Oops, two more popular themes—Dr. Suess and cruising!)

Either way, I’m sure your class will choose a theme in the TOP TEN.  And when you remember your prom, years from now, you’ll say, “It was definitely a 10!” 

Because, dear graduates, 10 is a magical number.

Congrads!
The Party Girl

Oh the Places You'll Go Graduation Party

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy
who'll decide where to go.
- Oh, the Places You'll Go!
© 1997 by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All rights reserved.

If you've ever read any of the Dr. Seuss books, you know that this witty and thoughtful voice gives way to very good advice, whether you are 5, 50 or 100 years old. We love the Dr. Seuss book Oh the Places You'll Go for the way it eloquently, but simply says what life is all about… taking on that sense of adventure and finding life's balance. We recommend that you buy this book or get it from your local library, read it and absorb it before using this theme. You'll appreciate the process for your grad and have more fun. We've based some ideas on part of the book cited above.

At the entry to the party, hang a banner flanked by bright balloons. It can read, "Oh, the places we're going with [your grad's name] on his/her Graduation!"

Make an easel sign with a photo of your grad that says "Congratulations (Grad's name)! Tonight is your night. You're off to great places, so get ready - you're about to take flight!" Guests can leave special messages for the grad on it.

Your linens should match colors from the book—pink, light green, light orange, yellow and blue pastels. Alternate them on the tables and have the napkins in the same colors on opposite tables.

Here are some other fun items you might want to consider on your tables:

• Pastels non pariels are the perfect candy choice for this theme because their colors match the book. Have them plated on every table.
• A listing of the "Oh the Places You’ll Go with [your grad’s name]," with highlights and special articles written by family members, in characteristic "Dr. Seuss-ese" is great fun at each place.

For your meal, serve Green Eggs and Ham in full Seuss tradition. Seussville offers recipes  to try. Another fun idea is to make all of your food different colors.

For more great party ideas as well and great personalized product to match this theme, check out the full Oh the Places You'll Go Graduation Party Theme!

5 Graduation Etiquette Tips

Graduation is right around the corner and as a parent you have to be thrilled. Your little one has finally made it.  After years of parent-teacher conferences, finishing projects late night, and waking the little one up for the bus for twelve years you finally get to see the culmination of all your hard work!  This is why it is important to remember etiquette so you don’t ruin the big day.

1. Tie your Child's Shoes, one more time – People spend a great deal of time of what to wear underneath the gowns, which is fine.  Ironically though, just about the only part of your graduate that is actually visible is the footwear. Graduation is not the place for flip-flops, sandals, tennis shoes or bunny slippers, regardless of the gender of the graduate.

2. Be Selective with the Graduation Announcements – Yes you are proud, and you should be.  Don’t get carried away the announcements though!  Mr. Smith 14 houses down does not need to know you have a proud graduate in your midst.  A good solid rough rule to follow is this: Send announcements only to those people who should already know that your son or daughter is graduating.  This way it looks more like a reminder than a call for gifts.

3. Careful with the Graduation Ceremony Invitations – Again you are proud, and want to invite everybody but there are limits to how many you can invite.  Many of the schools limit how many people a graduate can have attend.  You don’t want to be in the spot to have to un-invite somebody, so as a guideline keep it to close family members.

4. Graduation Party – This is what the graduate looks forward to.  Do your best to tie the party to your graduate’s next steps in life.  If they are attending college decorate your house in all of the school colors, balloons, posters and anything else that can double as a decoration and party favor.

5. Graduation Party Part II – You can say you want to plan a party that the graduate remains at throughout the evening.  The chances of this happening are slim, there are other parties to attend and they are with all of their friends. Don’t hold your graduate back, because you know they’ll be back.  Be happy for the chance to reminisce about the last twelve years of your graduate’s life with all of your close friends and family.

These are all simply helpful tips to help make your graduation celebration as enjoyable as possible.  Remember to have fun, relax and enjoy the success of your child!

Ice Cream Theme Party

We were so excited to have an ice cream theme to work with.  We have never done that one before!  We made “cones” out of a waffle paper and topped them with “ice cream” balloons and a cherry on top.  Each place had a waffle cone filled with nuts made to look like a sundae.

We modified ice cream containers and made them into table names and numbers.

Each guest was sitting at the Bat Mitzvah girls favorite flavors.  The seating cards had a personalized ice cream scooper for everyone to take home.

Can you guess what they served for dessert?

Party411 can plan your ice cream 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!

Party411.com's Graduation Section Gets a New Look

I’m very excited.  If you remember in February we rolled out the first part of our site re-design.  Well I’m still excited because we are finished with the redesign of our Graduation Section and our Luau Section. 

Haven’t been to the newly designed site yet?  Don’t worry, you will still get:

• Fabulous suggestions for party games and party activities.
• Hundreds of party themes with thousands of party planning ideas.
• Great party decorating ideas and links to fun, unique party supplies.

Also for your convenience we have added our Personalize Your Party section.  You will be able to:

• Easily shop by occasion.
• Easily shop by product type.
• We've also segmented the products to make Party411.com easier to use.

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

Check out the redesigned Party411.com.

April is...

                                                                 Celebrating Walpurgis Night

April 1st is April Fools Day - It is said that in the mid-1500's, someone chose a new calendar with the new year starting on January 1st instead of April 1st (Actually, everyone began celebrating the new year on March 25 for eight days--ending on April 1st). People who didn't realize or didn't feel like going along with the "establishment" continued to celebrate on April 1st and were called "fools" by the populace, sent fake invitations and were the object of pranks. Go figure.

April 15th is Income Tax Pay Day - Oh dear. Terrible Thursday. Have a budget friendly potluck!

April 22nd is Earth Day, so host your own Earth Day celebration, or just get outside and enjoy nature!

April 30th is Walpurgis Night - May Day eve or the feast day of St. Walpurgis ("the protectress of magic arts"). Have a bonfire!

See more Stuff to Celebrate for April, or take a sneak peek at May!