Daily Party Dish

Fiesta Party Games

Want to switch up your fiesta party games?  The piñata just not doing it for you anymore?  Check these party games out!

Bean and Spoon Relay
Ingredients:

• Beans
• Spoons (2 per team)
• Bowls (2 per team)

To Play:
Fill one of the bowls with beans and leave the other empty.  Set the bean bowls a distance apart from the the empty bowls (5-10-15 feet, based on the kids ages!).  Have one player start at the bean bowl and their teammate midway between the bowls.  Start a timer and at go have the bean player pick up one bean with their spoon, go to their teammate and transfer the bean (without touching it!) on to their teammates spoon. The teammate then brings the bean to the empty bowl.  Continue until the timer is up and the team with the most beans wins.

Pass the Sombrero
Ingredients:

• Sombrero
• Mexican music

To Play:
Just like hot potatoe, have the players sit in a circle.  When the music starts, pass the sombrero around the circle, each player must set the sombrero on their head before passing it.  Players are eliminated if they have the hat when the music stops.  Last one sitting wins.

Mexican Ring Toss
Ingredients:

• Inflatable cactus
• Rings (Red and Green Glow Necklaces work great!)
  

To Play:
Blow up the inflatable cactus and place it 5-10 feet away from a floor marker.  Give each player 3 rings and one at a time have each player throw the rings onto the cactus arms.  If more than one player gets all three, have them compete again against each other for the win!

Have any other great fiesta party games? Feel free to share them in the comments section below!

• Fiesta Party Planning Ideas from Party411.com
• Fiesta Party Invitations
• Fiesta Party Games

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Cinco De Mayo History And Traditions

Cinco de Mayo has become a huge celebration that rivals Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day and even Mardi Gras.  It’s traditionally celebrated with Mexican food (like tortillas, salsa, tacos, tamales and margaritas), dancing and music (especially to mariachi bands), and the national colors red and green (on everything from shirts, skirts, and dresses to sombreros and bandanas!).  

The French ruled over Mexico up until the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  This holiday commemorates a huge Mexican achievement since the great power of France was undefeated for over 50 years before this battle.  It also signifies the last time foreign power acted as an aggressor on American soil - a reason for all Americans to celebrate!

The holiday is typically marked by cultural parades and festivals.  In the city of Puebla, where the battle took place, natives perform reenactments with the armies in battle and the French eventually fleeing the scene.  The celebrations also focus on music and dance forms that are unique to region and highlight Mexican culture through arts and crafts. 

Cinco de Mayo is a festive holiday that celebrates Mexican national pride, independence and freedom, but it is much more popular in the US than it is in Mexico.  This is because Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day (which is on September 16, 1810).  In Mexico, their real Independence Day is celebrated with a lot more vigor than Cinco de Mayo.

Well anyways, whichever side of the border you live on, just make sure you have the tequila and margarita in hand to celebrate this festive day!  Ariba!

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2011 St. Patrick's Day Costumes

St. Patty’s Day is right around the corner, but it’s definitely not too late to get an awesome St. Pat’s Day costume to go out on the town in style!

If you want sexy, funny, or just easy; make everyone green with envy & check out some of our most popular St. Pat’s Day costumes!

St. Pat’s Day Costumes for Women

• Good Luck Charm Sexy Adult Everyone needs a little luch of the Irish at their party, right?
  
• Sassie Lassie Adult Costume A head turner to be sure!
  
• Luscious Leprechaun Adult costume Nobody will question your Irish heritage with this costume!
  
• Pot o Gold You've found the luck of the Irish!

St. Pat’s Day Costumes for Men

• Get Lucky Leprechaun This can be classy or sexy, up to you!
• Leprechaun Adult costume The green tails are a great addition!
  
• Leprechaun Lad Adult Costume If you have the opportunity to wear a bow tie you do it, right?
  
• Parade Leprechaun This costume is an absolute delight and sure to make everyone laugh. 

St. Pat’s Day Costumes for Kids

• Lucky Leprechaun Child costume Your child is sure to turn heads with this adorable costume.
  
• General Mills Lucky Charms Leprechaun Child Costume  Keep them away from your lucky charms!

St. Pat’s Day accessories:

• St. Paddy’s mini Top Hat A total winner to your costume this year!
• Short Bob Green Wig A harido that's perfect to cover your clover crew!
• Pot of Gold Handbag It's St. Pat's so of course you need a pot of gold!
• Shamrock Suspenders Any reason to wear suspenders should be encouraged.
  
• St. Pat’s Gatsby Hat Sure to turn heads this year. 
• Plush Leprechaun Hat with Beard Don't have time to grow a leprechaun beard? Problem solved! 

Happy St. Patty’s Day & the luck o’ the Irish to ya!

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• St. Pat's Pub Crawl

Dressing Up for a St. Pat's Pub Crawl

Ready for the green this year!?  Planning to head downtown for the parade and a pub crawl!?  Well the luck o’ the Irish is on your side because we’re going to get you ready to party in style!  Green style!

St. Patty’s Day Basics

Everyone needs to make sure they have some of these basic items, you know: hats, beads, glow items, sunglasses…

• We love this St. Patty’s Buckle Hat, it’s great for the true Leprechaun! 
• Shamrock necklaces and green beads are great additions to any outfit. It's also fun to have a lot on you to pass them out to your friends. 
• Spray your hair green with some Green Hair Spray. It's only one night, so why not?
• And if you’re getting ready for the night time pub crawl, pick up these green glow glasses, they come in a pack of 12 so they will be perfect for you and your friends. 
• For a little extra light, grab these green mini light sticks!  You can throw them in your drinks, your mouth, where ever they fit (safely of course!). 

St. Pat’s Costumes for Women

The ladies need to be all decked out!  Here are a couple cute and complete options of Leprechaun costumes:

• Luscious Leprechaun women’s costume. A traditional but still great leprechaun costume.
  
• Clover Leprechaun women’s costume. You'll be queen with this costume.
• Charmed Leprechaun women’s costume. A very sexy take on the classic outfit.
  
• Irish Cutie women’s costume. You're sure to turn heads with this outfit.
  

Already have your outfit planned but need a few additions? Consider adding the following:

• Striped thigh-highs. Whether you are wearing a skirt or pants these are a wonderful green addition to the green scene.
  
• Green plaid mini skirt.  Have the perfect shirt? This plaid mini skirt is a great way to complete your look.
• Leprechaun Hat hair clip. Simple additions can go a long way with your outfit.
• Green bob wig. Not interested in spraying your hair? That's fine, just put on a wig!
  
• Green & White Super Boa! An addition that is sure to make any outfit that much greener!
  

St. Pat’s Costumes for Men

The costumes for guys are typically a little simpler.  Here are some great St. Patty’s Day party items for guys. 

• St. Pat’s Stove Top Hat - a funny hat for a funny day!
• Shamrock Tattoo Sleeves - add some detail to your outfit, and let people think you are a over-the-top in love with St. Pat's!
• Beer Sunglasses - beer goggles!
• Shamrock bandana - wear it on your head, around your neck, or tucked in your shirt for a lil extra Green.
• Graffiti Cowboy - Cowboys and St. Pat's? You better believe it!
• Green Afro wig - add some funk to your St. Pat’s outfit.
• Giant Leprechaun Hat - go big or go home!
• If you want a full costume, check out this Lucky Charm Leprechaun costume!  Everything you need to pub crawl in style! 

Well that’s it - just grab your pot of gold and hit the pubs!  Happy St. Patty’s Day!

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Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts With a Twist!

Valentine’s Day sneaks up on us and just might be one of the most unprepared for holidays, and we know this!  So here are a couple last minute Valentine’s Day gifts and activities for you and your Valentine.

Want something quick and cheap?

• Love coupons, and all you need is a printer!
• Get home before she does and hide small notes in various places, the bathroom mirror, her dresser drawer, the kitchen counter.
• Do a romantic scavenger hunt that leads her to a room, the dinner table, or a romantic location (even outside the house) where a surprise is waiting.
• Pick up a picture frame with picture of the two of you.

Making a last minute dinner reservation will be difficult and probably frustrating, so skip it!  Run to the grocery store and pick up stuffed pork tenderloin from the meat department and throw it in the oven, add a couple fresh veggies to the menu and don’t forget desert!  If she loves chocolate, just grab a box and serve with wine, and even strawberries and whipped cream.  If chocolates are too common for you, try cupcakes in red velvet or vanilla with heart shaped sprinkles – get them ready made or make it an event and bake them together! 

Make sure to light some candles, it’s the simplest way to make any night romantic.

Money to spend?  Book a romantic weekend getaway for a future date.

New beau?  Go for a romantic walk; make it a little adventurous and find a rooftop destination.  Or just do a movie night at the theater or at home.

Been there, done these?  Start a new hobby together!  Painting, pottery, art collecting, take dance classes, start a game night, learn a foreign language, go wine tasting, travel locally. For the more active couple: take up a new sport - tennis, golf, bowling, or work out together.

I still think flowers are a must, even if she says she doesn’t care about getting flowers, the gesture is always appreciated!

Good luck this Valentine’s Day!

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St. Patrick's Day Games

Most St. Patrick’s Day celebrations involve a trip downtown to see the parade, bar hopping, and other green filled activities!  Well this year, keep it local and throw a St. Patrick’s Day party!  Here are some great games, contests, and activities for your St. Patty’s Day party.

Gold Coin Hunt   

• Gold or yellow construction paper
• Scissors
• Markers
• Black cauldrons or pots

This is played just like an Easter Egg hunt, but with a twist!  With the construction paper cut out ‘coins’ and on each coin write a rule.  Here are some examples:

• Take 1 shot
• Assign 1 shot to another player
• In an Irish/Leprechaun accent you must say ‘Lucky me! A Gold coin’ each time you find a coin, anytime you don’t a coin will be taken away.
• If you found this coin, give 2 coins to the person nearest you.
• To keep this coin, sing the lyric “Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so!” 3 times out loud.
• This game will need a referee to make sure the players are performing their rules.  The person with the most coins wins!

Irish St. Pat’s Day Contests

• Potato Peel – Who can peel the most potatoes in 5 minutes.
• Irish Beer & Whiskey Tasting – Most correct guesses wins.
• Best St. Pat’s Costume – Vote to determine the best dressed Irishman (or woman)!
• The Greenest – The one wearing the most green at the party wins.
• Best Irish Jig – Play an Irish song that competitors can dance to!
• Best Irish Accent – Come up with a couple Irish phrases/sayings for the competitors to say.  No natives!
• Guess that Irish Song Name – Get a couple of snippets of Irish songs and play them for the contestants.

The Party Girl suggests that you create scorecards to tally votes for each contest!

St. Pat’s Day Drinking Games - with green beer of course!

• Irish Quarters – Fill a cup (or half a cup) with beer and then spin a quarter. The players must only drink when they’re quarter is spinning and re-spin until they have finished their beer.  First one done wins.
• Beer Pong – Played the traditional ‘house rules’ way, but with green beer of course!
• Flip cup – Played like the traditional game with ‘house rules’ and green beer.
• Ringbeer – Played just like beer pong, but with beer bottles and you have to use rings or beads and throw them around the beer bottles.

(‘House rules’ just means that there are many forms of the game; play it however you would usually play it!)

Are there any games that you try to incorporate into your St. Pat’s celebration? Share them in the comments below!

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Valentine's Day History

Valentine’s Day has been a mid-February tradition for hundreds of years, but it hasn’t always been celebrated in the same way it is now.   Let’s take a look at the growth of this holiday.

In the 3^rd century, the Romans practiced a pagan celebration of a young man’s rite of passage to the god Lupercus.  These young men would pick from a lottery, the names of teenage girls and these girls would then be their sexual companions for the remainder of the year.  

Pope Gelasius wanted to do away with this celebration, so he ordered a change to the lottery.  Both men and women would draw the names of saints instead, and they were to emulate these saints for the rest of the year.   He also chose a new patron saint of love to replace the pagan god Lupercus and that was St. Valentine.

St. Valentine was stoned and beheaded by the Emperor Claudius II, on Feb 14, AD 270, for performing secret marriages for young lovers.  At this time, the Emperor believed that married men made poor soldiers and banned marriage from his empire.   While imprisoned, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of a jailer and would sign his love notes to her ‘From Your Valentine’, a phrase that is still used to this day.

Over the years, Valentine’s Day has evolved into a holiday in which men give to the ones they admire most.   Today over $14 billion is spent on chocolates, flowers, and other gifts for Valentine’s Day each year, with the average check about $75!

Anyways, now you know!  Have a great Valentine’s Day this year – and try not to wait until the last minute!

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Mardi Gras History

Today, Mardi Gras is known for its parties on Bourbon Street, bead throwing and costumed jesters, but why New Orleans, why the carnival celebration, where did this all come from?

Mardi Gras has its roots in the Catholic traditions.  The Catholic Church directed a fasting Lent season in which meat was to be abstained from for the 40 days of Lent.  With refrigeration basically non-existent, meat would have to be eaten the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent, or be discarded.  This Tuesday became the day of feasting and its French translation, Mardi Gras literally means Fat Tuesday.  

Lupercalia was a festival held around the middle of February, believed to banish evil spirits and bring health and fertility to the city.  This was traditionally a pagan celebration that the church tried unsuccessful to get rid of, so they repurposed this carnival as a celebration for the coming of Lent.   Soon, Lupercalia and Mardi Gras were celebrated hand-in-hand and gluttony in all forms ensued!

On March 3, 1699, when French explorer Sieur d’Iberville started his exploration of the Mississippi River, Iberville set up camp 60 miles south of where New Orleans is today.  To honor the celebration of Mardi Gras in France, Iberville declared that site the ‘Pointe du Mardi Gras’, or the point of Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras developed into a formal tradition, when Louisiana Governor Marquis de Vaudreuil started holding elegant society balls in New Orleans.   These began spilling onto the streets and in 1837 the first Mardi Gras parade was documented with masked revelers walking the streets or costumed in carriages and on horseback.

This year Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 – so please eat, drink and be merry! 

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Super Bowl History

We know it's the Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 45,  we think it’s time to take a look back into the history of the Super Bowl and its notable events and plays!

It’s fun to remember some of the most memorable Super Bowl moments in history.  Remember when Santonio Holmes basically defied gravity with his end zone toe drag touchdown, leaving only 35 seconds on the clock and giving the Pittsburgh Steelers their sixth Super Bowl win?

Or when the Giants’ own David Tyree caught the ball, third and long, with the help of his helmet? And the Giants went on to win against the then-undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII?

Or the first game that was won on the final play, Rams vs Patriots XXXVI, when Adam Vinatieri kicked the field goal, with only 7 seconds left, that gave New England their first Super Bowl title?

I mean, these are only the recent ones; the list can go on and on!  Let’s take a look at some legendary Super Bowl players.

Joe Montana – A legend in his own rite! Selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 1979 NFL draft, Montana became known for late game comebacks with 31 fourth quarter wins.  With three Super Bowl MVP awards under his belt, ‘Magic Montana’ also holds the record for Most Consecutive Completions, vs. Denver in Super Bowl XXIV (13) and is tied for 1^st as player in Most Super Bowls on the Winning Team (4).  

Jerry Rice – Said to be the greatest wide receiver of all time, Rice was the 49ers first round draft pick 1985 and had an impressive rookie year averaging 18.9 yards per catch on 49 receptions for 927 yards and 3 touchdowns.  His twenty-season career earned Rice every significant career record for receiving.  Super Bowl career records: Most Points (48), Most Pass Receptions (33), and Most Touchdowns (8).

John Elway – Undoubtedly the most dangerous quarterback in NFL history, this Super Bowl MVP led Denver to a record 47 fourth quarter comebacks and Denver’s first Super Bowl win.  A versatile player, Elway was responsible for 334 touchdowns (300 passing; 33 rushing and one receiving), which accounts for about 82.2% of the points scored by Broncos during his 16-year tenure.  Super Bowl career records: Most Fumbles Recovered (2), Most Passes Attempted (152) and Most Passes Intercepted (8).

Troy Aikman – Key catalyst of Cowboys in the 90s, was drafted first overall in 1989 became the first Dallas rookie quarterback to start a season opener since 1969. Aikman became the winningest starting quarterback of any decade in NFL history, with 90 wins in the 1990s.  Super Bowl Career Records: Highest Completion Percentage (70.0) and Lowest Percentage of Passes Intercepted (1.25).

Terry Bradshaw – Two-time Super Bowl MVP, Bradshaw might have had a slow start adjusting to pro games, but soon became a leading quarterback in the NFL calling his own plays.  His Super Bowl records include Most Passing Yards Gained, 318 in Super Bowl XIII, Highest Average Gain Passing 14.71 in Super Bowl XIV and Most Touchdown Passes (4).  Also tied with Montana as player in Most Super Bowls on the Winning Team (4).

We would like to thank Pro Football for the stats!

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Valentine’s Day Activities: Valentine’s Day Trivia

All’s fair in love and war, right?  Well have some friendly competition with these Valentine’s Day trivia questions!

Questions:	Answers:
It’s estimated that this percentage of women, send flowers to themselves on Valentine’s Day.	15%
Which states produces about 60% of American roses?	California
Often associated with Valentine’s Day, Cupid is said to be the son of the Roman god of love and beauty. Which god is that?	Venus
In the United States, what percentage of men do not make romantic plans in advance for their Valentine’s Day date with a sweetheart?	64%
Second to one big holiday, approximately one billion of these are sent for Valentine’s Day.	Greeting cards
According to NECCO, the maker of the ‘conversation hearts’, how many of these little candies are sold between Jan 1 and Feb 14?	8 billion
What is the most popular gift on Valentine’s Day?	Flowers
The name Valentine comes from which Latin word meaning worthy?	Valor
On average, how much money is spent on Valentine’s Day gifts?	$75
Which industry only began to promote their product in the 1980s, as a Valentine’s Day present?	Diamond Industry

Do you have any other interesting fact or tidbit regarding Valentine's Day? Please feel free to leave a note in the comments section.

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