Party Talk

You Decide 2008!

You may have noticed that it is an election year. Between the onslaught of network coverage and the campaigns of the candidates, it is a little hard to miss. But elections are not the only event on the horizon, the summer patriotic party season kicks off with Memorial Day on May 26^th! There are few things more patriotic than a democratic election, so why not use the upcoming presidential election as a theme for your Memorial Day or Fourth of July party?

Send an invitation with a flag pin attached, and let your guest know that they must wear it to the party! (This is sure to cause a chuckle because of the discussion  surrounding who is wearing flag pins, and who is not)

Play a game of “Pin the spin on the candidate”. Enlarge photographs of the candidates, and cut out word bubbles with quotes from the candidate. Players must match the quotes to the correct candidate to win. You can hand out little prizes for correct answers such as red white and blue glow necklaces, star shaped cookies, or other patriotic themed goodies. Party411.com has more great patriotic party games you can play at your election party.

Decorate with red white and blue patriotic decorations and serve hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, anything barbecued /grilled, coleslaw, fruit salad, etc. For dessert you can have apple pie and ice cream.

See the full You Decide 2008! election theme party for more great ideas, and have a wonderful Memorial Day!

 

Cinco de Monday!

Cinco de Mayo is on a Monday this year, so what better way to celebrate than with a Cinco de Monday fiesta!

On the 5th day of May, in 1862, the Mexicans defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla. The holiday Cinco de Mayo is a commemoration and celebration of the victory of the smaller Mexican army over the larger and more modern French army. Although it is celebrated and recognized as a holiday in all areas of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated most heartily in the state of Puebla where the French were defeated. It is, however, becoming more common to see the celebration stretch to other states within the U.S. and along the border of Mexico where many people with Mexican ancestry are living.

For a fun and colorful invitation to your fiesta, roll up the details of the party in a piece of colorful paper and tie it with a bandanna. Let your guests know that the bandanna must be worn in order to gain admittance into the party.

For an authentic Cinco de Mayo fiesta, try a Mexican buffet so that everyone can sample a little bit of everything. Some foods that you want to be sure to include are chicken fajitas, warm flour tortillas, chili con queso, tortilla soup, Mexican rice, black bean and corn salsa, three-milk cake, flan, and margaritas. Check out these great Mexican recipes.

Check out Party411.com’s Fiesta Decorating411 for ideas on how to decorate your yard or house with festive colors, and for bright and fun party goods for you and your guests to celebrate in! Check out the Fiesta Party Planning Guide for more great Cinco de Mayo fiesta theme party ideas!

 

“Oh the Places You'll Go” a Dr. Seuss 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.

 

A few ideas for decorating an “Oh the Places You'll Go” graduation party:

 

Make an easel sign 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.  In the background is a directional sign showing all the places your grad has been or wants to go.

For the seating card table make a sign that says "You have brains in your head, and feet in your shoes. Make sure the table you pick is the right one to choose!"

Use a large, 4'x12' lit backdrop over the DJ, band or buffet that appears to be held up at either end by hot air balloon. It can read, "Oh, the places we're going with [your grad's name] on his/her Graduation!"

 

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. Basically, anything white can have food coloring added for some Seuss-like fun - vanilla ice cream, macaroni, bread, white chocolate, sugar cookies, popcorn, noodles, rice, white pizza, potatoes, whipped cream, marshmallows, meringue, hummus, pita bread, pork tenderloin, cauliflower, bananas, parsnips-the list goes on. Scale your local grocery for more ideas!

 

See the “Oh the Places You'll Go” graduation party theme if you want more ideas.

Have a “Hoppy” Leap Day!

With a Leap Year occurring only once every 4 years, shouldn't we make more of an effort to celebrate Leap Day?  I, for one, always have a Leap Day party.  My friends have already asked how I will be celebrating Leap Day 2008!

For me, Leap Day 2008 (celebrated on February 29th) with be a "Hoppy" Leap Day with a frog theme party.  Of course any of these ideas can be used for a Leap Day Birthday party as well!

Go green invitations all the way! Look for frog confetti or stickers at a local card shop and include it in green envelopes along with the invite.

 

Serve green food, salad, guacamole and chips, cupcakes with green frosting (seeing a color theme here?) Is the party for kids? Serve green Jello. For adults? Green Jello shots!

 

Another idea is to give out blank cards (remember, green!) and ask guests to write where they would like to be in 4 years when Leap Day 2012 arrives.  You can save these cards and mail them to your friends at the beginning of 2012 or have your guests seal them in envelopes and bring them home.  Just make sure to write "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL LEAP DAY 2012" on the front of the cards!

 

See all of the great personalized Leap Day products from Creations For You, along with frog themed décor and cute party favors (like these keychains!) at the full “Hoppy” Leap Day theme at Party411.com!

Super Bowl Mardi Gras Bash!

 

This year Super Bowl weekend falls at the beginning of Mardi Gras in 2008. That means two of the most festive holidays of the year can now be celebrated with one big bash!

The idea is to mix football and Mardi Gras.  Party411.com has personalized ticket invitations that you can order in purple and yellow. You can mix football and Mardi Gras decorations, like beads, lights, balloons, and crepe paper. Hand out noisemakers in Mardi Gras colors to help cheer on your favorite team!

Serve game day snacks along side Gumbo and other New Orleans style food.  For dessert, stick with the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake. 

Have guests bet on the game and give out beads to the winners.  There are lots of things to wager on, but I'll get you started:

• how long the game will last
• who will be the MVP
• who wins the coin flip
• who scores first touchdown
• who has first turnover 
• score at the end of each quarter
• number of penalties in a quarter

Getting excited about your Super Bowl Mardi Gras Party? Check out the full theme for more great ideas!

Want more for ideas for a Super Bowl party? Get them at the Super Bowl Party Planning Guide, and share your great ideas or burning questions at Super Bowl Party Chat.

Need ideas for your Mardi Gras party? We’ve got ‘em!

 

July at Christmas Time

You've heard of Christmas in July parties, but what about a July at Christmas party?

There are lots of fun ways to invite friends and family to your July at Christmas party. If you are hand delivering your invitations, tie the party information onto a red and green shovel and bucket! Or write it on a red and green inner tube (this you can deflate and send in the mail).

Decorations should be a mix of a summer bash and a traditional Christmas! Use red and white checkered tablecloths, maybe a few citronella candles. Poinsettias and additional Christmas decorations complete the look.

And what to do at your July at Christmas party? Limbo! Play some fun music while your friends stand in line waiting to bend backwards low enough to fit under the limbo stick (broom handle, yardstick, etc.). In order to win, the limbo master must not touch the stick or fall on the floor while limbo-ing under the stick (which is usually held by 2 people). You can decorate your limbo stick with red and green ribbon available at your local craft store. There are also some great Christmas party games  you can play!

Favors of sunglasses and Santa hats will add a new meaning attached to the “warmth of the Christmas season”.

I would definitely stick to a traditional Christmas meal for this one though. It may be July at your house, but it's still a Christmas party! You can find some great suggestions in our PartyMenu411 section. 

BUT... If you wanted to carry the theme through with a mix of traditional holiday foods and summertime favorites, what combinations would you use? Pumpkin pie and barbecue?  Peppermint lemonade with a candy cane garnish?

Tell us below (and bonus points for including the recipe!)

What to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers?

Have A Potluck Party!

It's November. Which means it's the beginning of the holiday season--starting with Thanksgiving. Every Thanksgiving, we bring together our families and friends and share a full day of feasting and fun. But when it's all said and done, there's a lot to be packed away in the fridge come evening!

So, the Party Girl (that's me) has a great idea. Why not take the Friday night after Thanksgiving and make it into a Pot Luck Party for the friends you didn't get to see on Thursday? Most people spend the day with their families, and believe me, by Friday we're all ready to blow off some steam, aren't we?

Since it is Thanksgiving, you may want to come up with a way for you and your friends to feed and shelter the homeless. I know it sounds trite, but it is a good, caring thing to do. Possibly have people bring canned goods, gently worn clothing, and other needed goods. Take the food stuff and make baskets to be delivered. It's a thought.

If it's on or if you can rent the DVD, watch "The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" special. Everyone will thank you for it.

See our full list of what Party411.com offers this Thanksgiving so you can decorate your home, your family and friends as well as your table! There are loads of Thanksgiving and Football watching party stuff…(use it now, use it New Year's Day and use it at your Super Bowl party) so have fun!