Daily Party Dish

Punny Halloween Costumes - Perfect for the Last Minute!

The Party Girl is {almost} always prepared for Halloween. But this is a crazy time of year and sometimes the holiday catches up to me. Have you ever needed an easy costume?

Recently we receved an email about an ebook called Punny Costumes :252 easy-to-make, no-sew, Halloween costumes based on word plays ($5 to download). We love Bonnies's ideas because the costumes are easy and creative and will make you the hit of the party. She gives a few of the ideas away for free on her site, and three of them really tickled our fancy, so we made a printable to go with them. Perfect for your last minute/free costume -

"Hip Chick" - attach this chick printable to your hip, after you dress in your hippest clothes of course. And now you are a hip chick.

"Anchorman/woman" - attach this anchor printable to your suit and you are ready to broadcast. If you are in a pinch for an office party this is a great option for you.

"Green with Envy" -  simply print our NV printable and attach to your all green get up. Walk up to your friends and gush how you are green with NV. Get it?

"But wait!" you say. "I still have time, I don't have to resort to sicking paper to my clothes for a punny costume, right?" Not to worry. If you want a funny punny costume there are plent of great options.

• We like this bun in the oven costume. This is even more amusing if you are going to an event where this question is always asked. “You’re 22! When are you going to have babies?” Respond with, “I have a bun in the oven!” Or use it as a couple's costume with the Bun Maker.
  
• Remember when swine flu was an epidemic? Well enough time has passed where you can dress up in this swine flu costume.  Fly around the party and see how many people get it.
• I think this Hot S#!t costume is hilarious. This is for the person who thinks they are indeed the best that has ever walked this Earth. (I fall in this category and am going to prove it this Halloween.) 
• And then you have a few completely inappropriate ones, here, here and here. (don't say we didn't warn you)
  

Whether you want to go with a homemade costume or store bought costume the key is to dress up and embrace it. Happy Halloween!

 

How to Make Jello Shots in Syringes for Halloween

Last year at our Halloween party we had Jello Shot Syringes. They were super fun and our guests loved them! They are very easy to make; when you make the Jello just replace half the water with alcohol. So you would heat 1 cup water, stir it into the mix, then add 1 cup alcohol. Then suck the liquid up in the syringes and cool in the fridge for 2-3 hours.

We usually use vodka in our shooters. But here are a few more combos that work really well together:

• Strawberry Jello and 99 Bananas Liquor
• Rasberry Jello and Bacardi Razz
• Watermelon Jello and Sour Apple Schnapps
• Cherry Jello and Crème de cacao

I like to add a drop of blue food coloring to the bright red Jello to make it more blood colored.

You can make a fun display with some bloody bandages, severed body parts, or even this IV Stand Drink Dispenser. Set the "blood" filled syringes out on a tray and watch your guests love every drop!

If you like the goriness of these ideas, check out the Bloody Banquet Halloween Party Theme - it's bloody brilliant :)

How early is too early for Halloween Decorations?

I love Halloween. It is my second favorite decorating holiday, right behind Christmas. Every year I struggle with when to put up the Halloween decorations around the house and in the front yard. Is it too early still? If it is, well too bad :) Because this weekend was the beginning of Halloween 2010!

I say beginning because my Halloween decorations go up in stages. Stage one, setting out Halloween knick knacks, replacing photos and artwork with spookier versions, swapping summer candles for fall scents, and buying pumpkins, hay and cornstalks for the front yard.

Stage two happens closer to Halloween, the week before usually. I hang the spooky silhouettes in the windows, back lit with green lights. I string Halloween lights on the back deck and set out the more gruesome props. Last year I bought a Bucky Skeleton, a mister for our cauldron, and this freaky shower curtain which was a huge hit. It helps freshen things up, since the other decorations have been up for a month. Plus my husband isn't keen on listening to all the animated props for a whole month.

The day before Halloween we carve our pumpkins, test the fog machine, and play "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" several times.

After it is all over {despair!}, I will leave everything out for a week, then I will start setting out my Christmas decorations.

Too early?

One-Hit Wonder Karaoke Party

Saturday September 25th is National One-Hit Wonder Day, and what a great party theme! Everyone loves a great music theme party. If you want to do a specific decade of music, we have ideas for 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's parties in our Music Theme Parties section. But whether you do a specific decade or not, One-Hit Wonder Day definitely deserves a karaoke party!

So here are a few of our best tips for an enjoyable karaoke party.

• Music. A list of VH1’s One-Hit Wonders is a great place to start. Make a playlist and have it playing while your guests arrive. The dancing and frivolity will start right away.
• Equipment. A karaoke machine is necessary. However, if you want to make your party legendary, get a smoke machine. (Make sure your venue can handle it.) Your guests will love this added touch.
• Costumes. When you invite everyone ask them to dress up as their favorite rock star or one hit wonder, or band manager or even a groupie! Think of it as a tune up for Halloween.
  
• Cameras. If you have a smoke machine and everyone is dressed in costume, you have to take pictures. You owe it to yourself to capture all of this on film. Of course, no video capturing! You want everyone to sing their hearts out and don’t want them to be self conscience.
• Liquid Courage. Let’s be honest here, not all of us are natural born singers. In fact some of us are terrible. (Put me in that category. I was booed off the stage once. Painful.) A few adult beverages for your guests will help put them in the mood to sing any and every song.

Remember this is a karaoke party so it’s supposed to be fun and good natured.  Enjoy a few music party games before the singing starts to get the party started. Remember, I’d rather be a one-hit wonder than a no hitter.

What to Expect at a Football Tailgate

“I don’t know what to expect at a tailgate.” These were the words spoken at the tailgate I attended prior to the Browns game.  I’ve been going to tailgates for football games for as long as I can remember, so the sounds and sights are second nature to me now. If you haven't been to a tailgate, here are a few things you can expect to see.

 

Multiple Groups of Friends. Everyone arrives early and sets up their camps, and are they impressive! You’ll see grills, alcoholic beverages, chairs and of course food. You will be surprised by the quality of food on display. You can see a range from sandwiches to a fried turkey!

Football Games. Not everybody is comfortable just sitting in a circle. Be prepared for  footballs bouncing all over the place. You’re going to see the professionals at the game and not at the tailgate. Heads up.

 

Generators.  You think generators are only for when you lose power? Then you have not been to a tailgate. There are generators all over the place, because some people want to watch TV and tailgate at the same time. More power to you.

 

Everyone with an internal clock leaving at the same time for the game. This is great and always gets me fired up for the games. Now this is a Browns game so we all yell, “Here we go Brownies” and then we bark. Is it silly? Absolutely. Does it get you ready for the Browns game? Absolutely. I would imagine there are specific cheers for specific teams and that they are easily learned. Just follow the crowd.

 

Edited jerseys. This is my favorite. The turnover in the NFL is pretty high, so the likelihood your jersey is relevant after two years is not good. What do you do? Get out the duct tape and magic marker. Not only are you creative but you’re staying current.

These are just a few of the things you’ll see while at a tailgate extravaganza. I personally all of these things make for a great experience.

Celebrate ITLAPD - Bacon and Cheese Crescent Arr-petizers

 

I made these bacon and crescent roll up appetizers for our International Talk Like a Pirate Day party on Friday. While I doubt they were standard pirate fare back in the day, they were a tasty addition to to our celebration. They are easy to make, so bake some up for ITLAPD (which is really today btw).

Bacon and Cheese Crescent Arr-petizers

• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup mayo
• bacon cooked, drained, and crumbled, or bought this way
• 8 oz. refrigerated crescent rolls
• this should make about 15, depending how thick you cut them

1. Preheat oven to 350. Combine cheese, mayo and bacon.  
2. Take the crescent dough and make 2 triangles into a rectangle by pinching the seams together - do this on both sides and do it well!
3. Spread cream cheese mixture onto rectangles, roll up, starting with longest sides.
4. Press seams together to seal, cut each roll into slices,(1/2 inch to 3/4 inch is good) place cut side down on greased baking sheet. Bake 11 minutes, or until golden brown.

Enjoy me hearties!

Ahoy, me Hearties! It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day (on Sunday)

International Talk Like A Pirate Day is Sunday, September 19th. We are dedicated partyers, but not dedicated enough to come to work on Sunday, so we are celebrating today instead! For some of us, ITLAPD is a dress rehearsal for Halloween! Everyone in the office had a great time gathering for snacks and chocolate gold coins, plus a few friendly sword fights.

              Brian and Kathleen fight over the last of the food

 

 

Arrr you looking for a swashbuckling pirate Halloween costume this year? Kathleen and Brian really got dressed up this year (and last year too), so they thought they were best qualified to share their favorite pirate costume picks with us (the conceit of some pirates...)

Captain Brian Walker D'Plank - "Since I already have my long, flowing pirate locks to go with it, my pick for the best pirate costume this year is the Rouge Pirate. Plus, I think the pirate vest will really set off my eyes."

See all the Men's Pirate Costumes

Scurv-aceous Kathleen Strawder - "My favorite pirate costume this year is the Pirate Vixan Coat and Hat. I would show up all the other pirates with these, since all I am lacking in my costume this year is a good hat (and maybe a real sword, but we don't sell those)."

See all the Women's Pirate Costumes
 

 

You can check out our pirate theme parties if you need ideas for your ITLAPD celebration; there is a Pirate Halloween Party and a Pirate Adventure Birthday Party you can pillage for suggestions.

Sunday Kathleen will share here recipe for the Bacon and Cheese Crescent Arr-petizers we had today at the party, so stay tuned landlubbers!

5 Reasons MLB Playoffs are a Good Reason to Party

I love a great baseball party so I’m a little prejudiced but I have 5 good reasons you should consider a baseball theme party. This will work as an end of summer party or for the MLB Playoffs.

1. They work inside or outside. A beautiful fall afternoon or evening gives you one more day on the deck or patio and if it rains it’s easy to move the party inside.
2. The pace of the game is slow.  I know this is a reason that many people don’t like baseball but it’s a good thing for a party. Giving people plenty of time to chat, mingle, eat and do other party things.
3. It’s easy to host. Put out some baseball themed party supplies and/or noisemakers and cook burgers and dogs. Doesn’t get much easier than that.
4. Not everyone has to play. Just like some players don’t get into the game you’ll find some guests don’t get into baseball. No problem. Just have a room or area in the yard away from the TV or radio where they can chat and they’ll have as much fun as anyone else.
5. It’s easy to find someone to cheer for.  Of course, if your hometown team is playing you have to root for them. If not, just root against the favorites, because really everyone loves a good underdog.
   

Follow these tips and your baseball party will be a homerun. You can check out more baseball party ideas at Party411.com. If you want to share any other baseball tips leave them in the comments section!

New 2010 Halloween Invitations

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Costumes, candy and parties are all ingredients for a great holiday. Almost everybody gets dressed up, and more often than not I go over the top with my party and costume (of course).

Some people have the reputation of fantastically over the top wonderful parties (ahem). I honestly believe these type of parties start with an incredible invitation. We went all out this year and designed a brand new line of invitations that will make your guests scream with delight, and then RSVP faster than you can say "BOO!". 

You can see even more designs on our Facebook page in the 2010 Halloween Invitations Album. Let us know what you think. And remember Trick or Treat!

 

 

Pirate Bottle Label Printables For I.T.L.A.P.D.

We’re getting closer and closer to International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which means the anticipation is building here at Party411.com.  If you don’t remember ITLAPD is a holiday for us.

 

We are here to deliver on our promise from Are you Ready for ITLAPD. We are making sure you have your Pirate Bottle Label Printables for your Pirate party. Because you know you’re going to have one now, right? :)

These bottle labels will fit on Avery 5168 shipping labels, which are 3-1/2 x 5". Perfect for your soda bottles or even the rum bottle!

If you want more ideas or inspiration for your Pirate party don’t forget our Pirate Adventure and Pirate Halloween Party. Both will help you plan an awesome party for International Talk Like A Pirate Day.