Daily Party Dish

Ghoul's Night Out Halloween Bachelorette Party Invitations

Get the girls together for a Halloween theme party by hosting a Ghoul’s Night Out!  I threw a bachelorette party for a friend, and I sent a Ghoul’s Night Out Halloween Invitation to each of my guests.  I love the pink and black color scheme, and those high heels are hot.  I ended up decorating in all black and hot pink, too – think feather boas, martinis, and lots of sparkle!

All of the favors I used from our line of Ghoul’s Night Out Halloween Invitations and Party Favors (including the candy bar and water bottle labels) matched the invitations as well.  I ended up making a pretty amazing party buffet for my friend which all coordinated!  Our friends will never forget it!  Check out more of my invite ideas below to get your friends excited for a girl’s night out on the town.

5 More Ghoul's Night Out Invitation Ideas

1. Confetti:  Put a handful of handmade pink confetti in each envelope.  I used a 1/2" circle paper punch on hot pink craft and glitter paper, and quickly made a huge pile.  I ended up scattering some of the confetti on the party table, too, so everything matched!
2. Feather Boas: Send your guests something to wear for the big night along with the invitation! These black and pink feather boas look amazing with the Ghoul's Night Out color scheme.
3. Cocktail Recipe Card: Guests will love a photo and recipe of a cocktail you're serving at the party! A recipe card for this Very Pink Raspberry Cosmopolitan from Creative Culinary will get everyone ready to celebrate.
4. Glitter Masks: Every guest should dress up for a Halloween party!  Send these glitter masks along with your invitation, encouraging friends to put on their finest for your Ghoul's Night Out.
5. Corset Wrap: Make your bachelorette party a lingerie party, too, by making a corset wrap for your invitation.  Cut hot pink craft paper to size, and wrap it around the invite.  Punch 5-6 holes down each side of the invite and string 1/4" black ribbon through the holes like a corset.  Cut a heart shape into the top of the wrap to finish off the look. On the invite, make sure to remind guests to bring a piece of lingerie as a gift for the bride-to-be!

Good luck planning your Ghoul's Night Out, and don't forget to take a look at my other posts on my amazing Halloween bachelorette party, too!

• Halloween Ghoul's Night Out Bachelorette Party Ideas
• Ghouls Night Out Halloween Party Centerpiece
• Halloween Ghoul's Night Out Banner
• Ghouls Night Out Halloween Candy Buffet Ideas
• Ghouls Night Out Halloween Pink Cupcakes
• Ghoul's Night Out Bachelorette Party Raspberry Mousse

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Spooky Laboratory Halloween Invitations and Free PDF Download

Mad Scientist Lab Theme Halloween Party Ideas

I loved designing this green, blue, and yellow party table for our amazing Halloween Spooky Lab Party!   Kid friendly and colorful, this theme is perfect for anyone who wants to throw a Halloween bash that will delight your guests (rather than cause a fright).

Not only did I run with the color scheme, I included many “mad scientist” touches, like a bubbling dry ice centerpiece and “beakers” filled with candy and lollipops.  Plus, our Halloween Spooky Lab Invitations and Party Favors made the table “come alive”!  Take a look at all my table close-ups below, and don’t forget to check out our Mad Scientist Laboratory Halloween Ideas for more spooky inspiration!

From the ceiling to the floor, a lab theme party should be all about color!  I layered yellow, green, and blue table covers as an easy and eye-catching way to dress up the table.  And guests couldn't help but be drawn to my colorful backdrop.  I hung easy-to-make confetti garlands in the theme's colors over a bright green table cover. A bunch of clear and white balloon "bubbles" rising from my smoking blue beaker centerpiece finished off my mad scientist laboratory look!

My party table was all about bright colors, creepy desserts and candy favors!  Eye-popping Halloween Lab Lollipops burst out out of green and yellow "beakers" topped with white foam (just Halloween spider webs).  Guests grabbed these fun favors as they passed by.

I personalized our Halloween Lab Theme Candy Bar Wrappers with a message for our guests!  And organizing all of the treats in neat rows (just like these candy bars) and displaying them on clear or white trays, gave the table a "scientific" look that carried the theme well. The neatness only lasted until guests helped themselves to all the delicious goodies, however!

It's Aliiiiiivvvveeeee!  Every good mad scientist needs a few brains around the lab, so I cooked up these goofy cupcakes for guests to enjoy throughout the night.  Even as a (very) amateur baker, I found these desserts easy and fun to make.  Family and friends couldn't help asking for some more braaaaaiiiinzzzz! 

It was easy to make our drinks match our party theme by wrapping a Halloween Lab Water Bottle Label around each one.

On one side of the bottle we warned guests about the potential safety of our lab water, and on the other was our little Frankenstein friend.

I paid homage to everyone's favorite lab-created monster with these easy-to-make Frankenstein pudding cups.  Green colored vanilla pudding and crushed Oreos was all I needed to make this tasty treat. (Notice the bubbling fog from my beaker centerpiece in the background? Awesome!)

The undeniable highlight of the party was the bubbling and boiling beaker centerpiece!  I filled a large glass jar 3/4 of the way with warm water and mixed in blue food coloring.  By adding just a few chunks of dry ice, I had a boiling beaker that spilled a delightful fog over the table!  Don't forget to keep adding dry ice and warm water throughout the party to keep up this great look.

What did guests do with all of their delicious treats?  They put candy bars and other goodies in Halloween Lab Party Favor Bags I had lined up on the table.  There was even a cute message from the hosts on the personalized label.

Give your guests something with which to fill their favor bags!  I piled yellow, green, and blue candies into small beaker shaped jars. I used Mike & Ikes and sour ropes, but pixie sticks, gum balls, pops rocks, and rock candy would be other great options, too.

The decorations didn't stop at the table top.  The balloon "bubbles" added height to my centerpiece and coordinated well with my garland backdrop.  Heavy cardstock, a round paper punch, and a sewing machine were all I needed to make the colorful garlands.

I loved all the little details about this party, too.  From the DIY "measurements" on the lollipop beaker stands to the yellow, green and blue confetti scattered on the table, everything came together in one eye-popping statement!

Enjoy planning your Halloween lab theme bash this year, and don't forget to check out my more in depth posts about many of the party ideas you see above:

• Spooky Laboratory Halloween Invitations
• Halloween Lab Invitation
• Brain Cupcakes for a Halloween Lab Party
• Halloween Spooky Lab Candy Buffet
• Mad Scientist Halloween Party Decorations

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Oktoberfest Theme Party Inspiration Board

My husband and I just purchased a new house, and we’re very excited to move out of our teeny-tiny apartment and into a home where we can actually host parties! For our housewarming party (which we’ll be having at the end of September), we decided to celebrate Oktoberfest.  Since our families are big beer connoisseurs and love Oktoberfest foods (brats, pretzels, and sauerkraut! Yum!), it’s a perfect theme.   

When I started planning, I browsed through a bunch of Oktoberfest Party Ideas and designed an inspiration board that reflects the overall style and mood I hope to achieve.  I also picked out some cute Oktoberfest Invitations and Party Favors which match my theme (see above). Check out my inspiration board and other party ideas, and keep an eye out for future posts on my Oktoberfest theme housewarming party!

From top left: Oktoberfest Cookies, Octoberfest Food, Beer Tasting Game and Favor, Wheat Centerpiece, Beer Cheese Dip and Pretzels, Oktoberfest Cupcakes, German Style Updo, Beer Stein Flower Decoration.

At our party, I want to highlight the delicious Oktoberfest foods (can anyone say brats and beer?), so I included a lot of savory pictures of my favorite dishes in my inspiration board.  The centerpieces will be simple; I can't decide between the beer stein carnation centerpiece or the wheat one.  And because many of my family members are big on specialty beers, we'll be serving quite of few of those along with hosting a beer tasting!  Plus, I'll just have to order two Oktoberfest Lifesize Cutouts of me and my husband.  They'll look great at the front door; it is our housewarming after all!

Good luck planning this year's Oktoberfest, and don't forget to save a beer (and a brat!) for the Party Girl!

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Patriotic Party Decorations from Etsy

Keep your friends and family entertained this summer by hosting a patriotic red, white, and blue backyard barbecue!  Luckily, we've come up with a new line of Patriotic Party Invitations and Party Favors that will help make planning and decorating your party a cinch.  To add a homemade touch to your get-together, try including a few diy touches from some of my favorite Etsy sellers.  Their inspirational 4th of July Party Ideas will help you get started on planning an unforgettable summer bash!

Our new 4th of July Fireworks Party Invitations and Favors will help set the stage for an explosive red, white, and blue celebration!  From invitations to banners to cookie favors, coordinate your event with memorable custom decorations.

To match the patriotic theme, don't forget to add red, white, and blue touches throughout your venue.  Try these adorable Etsy decorations at your summer party:

• Red, White, and Blue Paper Wheels: Hang these behind the buffet or along a mantle for a powerful punch of color.
• Patriotic Photo Booth Props: Keep your guests entertained and get some great party pictures with fun patriotic props.  Just add a patriotic fabric for a background and a camera on a tripod.
• American Flag Wreath: Greet your guests with red, white, and blue right when they walk in the door.
• Rustic American Flag Sign: This antiqued sign will not only make great party decor but can also be incorporated into your home after the bash is over.

If serving a buffet and desserts, make sure to decorate your food in patriotic splendor, too!  These cute add-ons will make your tables pop with red, white, and blue:

• Patriotic Beer Insulators: These beer caddies could be one of several great Backyard Barbeque Party Ideas.
• Patriotic Cake Topper: Make this topper the centerpiece of your dessert table.
• Star Cupcake Liners: Give plain cupcakes a punch with these patriotic liners.
• Star Paper Straws: Serve lemonade in glass mason jars with these fun straws.

Don't forget to decorate your friends, family, and even your pets!  Wearables turn a party from just fun to fantastic.  Plus, they make great photo opportunities:

• Girl Star Barrettes: Dress your little girl in a patriotic dress with these clips for a cute photo op.
• Men's Flag Bow Tie: With this bow tie and a white apron, your man will look great at the grill.
• American Flag Diaper Cover: What could be cuter than this!
• Patriotic Dog Collar: Don't forget man's best friend!

Have fun adding DIY touches to your patriotic theme party, and happy Fourth of July from Party411.com!

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Graduation Party Centerpiece Ideas

I recently designed and made these easy DIY graduation party centerpieces for a friend graduating from The Ohio State University! OH-IO! Of course, the centerpieces were scarlet and gray (red basket filler and tissue paper and silver Hershey’s kisses), and I just used glassware of varying heights that I had around the house as "vases".  Plus, I based the color scheme of the centerpieces on our new line of Graduation License Plate Invitations and Party Favors.  Check out some close-ups of my centerpieces below, and make sure to check out our Graduation Centerpiece Ideas for more inspiration, too!

Apart from these Graduation License Plate Invitations, I also used these fun (and matching!) Graduation License Plate Water Bottles to help keep everyone cool.  Coordinating invitations and party decor really helped tie my theme together.

To make the centerpieces, I layered 2-3 pieces of tissue paper and folded them in half. I then cut the paper in 1-inch fringes that were 4-5 inches long.  I rolled the tissue and stuck one roll in each glass.  

Then, I added basket filler and Hershey kisses to each glass to cover up the bottom half of the tissue paper, making sure to let some of the basket filler hang over the rim.  I grouped glasses of different heights together and scattered filler, silver bead necklaces, and kisses around the centerpiece on the table.  Don't forget to fluff the tissue tops to add some drama!

Overall, the centerpieces turned out cute, and I didn't have to break the bank to make them.  Enjoy decorating for your next graduation party, and congrats to your grad from everyone here at Party411.com!

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Summer Company Picnic Party Ideas

Spend a summer afternoon outside the office by hosting a company picnic!  Use a few of our Company Picnic Ideas and you'll be basking in the sunshine and having fun with your coworkers in no time. We even have a new line of Summer Picnic Invitations and Party Favors so planning and decorating your event is a breeze! Make sure to take a look at a bunch of our other company picnic party tips below for more inspiration, too.

Five Summer Company Picnic Party Ideas

1. Serve summer drinks like lemonade, iced tea, punch, and sangria in oversized glass jars.  Have guests ladle drinks into mason jars, which they can take home as favors!
2. Make your company picnic one to remember!  Rent party inflatables, like bouncy houses, obstacle courses, and giant slides for both the adults and kids to enjoy.  Set them up in large grassy areas near the picnic site.
3. While most guests may choose to sit at picnic tables, make sure to spread blankets out in desirable shady spots, too.  Add fluffy throw pillows to each blanket to make it a prime lounging spot!
4. Make fun fabric bunting that not only matches your invites but can also serve as decoration on buffet and dessert tables.  This fabric bunting tutorial will show you how to make easy bunting that will last for company picnics for years to come.
5. Keep your guests entertained with a variety of lawn games!  Set up games of horseshoe, bocce ball, and croquet in open grassy areas to encourage friendly competition.

Enjoy planning your next company picnic, and make sure to save a lemonade for the Party Girl!

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Watermelon Theme Summer Block Party Ideas

When you're coming up with Summer Block Party Ideas for this year's event, make sure to choose a theme that both the kids and adults will enjoy! Watermelon!  Our bright new line of  Summer Watermelon Party Invitations and Favors will give a pop of color to your block party, and there is nothing easier than creating a menu, activities, and decorations that revolve around everyone's favorite summer treat.  Make sure to take a look at some of our other fun watermelon theme party ideas below for more inspiration, too!

 Five Watermelon Summer Block Party Ideas

1. Mail your invites in a bright green envelope to match the paper, and don't forget to include a packet of watermelon seeds as a way to get guests ready to party!
2. Instead of a traditional spiked punch, serve your favorite cocktail in a watermelon keg!  Make the keg by cutting off the top of a watermelon. (You'll put it back on when you're done.)  Clean out the inside of the watermelon, cut a hole near the bottom, and attach a spigot in the hole.  Add your favorite punch for a watermelon treat!
3. Order bunches of pink and green balloons, and add "watermelon seeds" to the pink balloons with a black permanent marker.  This fun themed decoration is cheap and easy! Make sure to place the balloon bunches on buffet tables and at the entrance of the party to draw guests' attention.
4. Try making easy watermelon cupcakes for the dessert table!  Add red food coloring to white cake mix until it turns a watermelon pink, and put a cup of chocolate chips in the cake mix as "watermelon seeds." Then, dye vanilla frosting with green food coloring and spread them over your cooled cupcakes for a tasty themed treat.
5. Instead of serving the kiddos regular slices of watermelon, cut fun shapes from large chunks of watermelon using cookie cutters. Stars are a fun and easy option and would work well for a Memorial Day or Fourth of July block party. (Very patriotic!)

Have fun planning your watermelon theme summer block party, and make sure to save a watermelon coctail for the Party Girl! 

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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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Sam's Mom - Phineas and Ferb Theme Party

Have you seen Phineas and Ferb?  Chances are if you have kids older than 4, you have...and you love this show.  My husband and I find this show even more amusing than my kids do and they think it's a riot.  You know, it's got that kind of humor where the adults understand more than the kids.  If you've missed it, check it out on the Disney channel. 

The crew consists of Phineas and Ferb who are half brothers and their sister Candace, who is either obsessing over her boyfriend Jeremy or trying to bust her brothers for one of their daily adventures.  They have a pet platypus named Perry, who leads a double life as Agent P, a secret agent who thwarts the Evil (and hilarious) Dr. Doofenshmirtz. 

Needless I was super excited when I saw they were coming out with Phineas and Ferb party supplies.  They feature Phineas, Ferb and Perry and are sadly missing Doofenshmirtz, but are still pretty great.  I got the napkins and put them in my kids lunches the other day.  They were a hit! 


Along with the paper goods, I love the Phineas and Ferb silly band bracelets and the Perry noisemakers.


I think I'd set up two craft areas at the party.  First, I'd set up a "Phineas and Ferb building station" with popsicle sticks, glue and other building style craft supplies.  I'd also put out Lincoln Logs and other building toys to see what they could build. 

Then I'd set up a "Candace Loves Jeremy" station with picture frames, heart shapes, glitter, glue and markers and let them create their own picture frame. 

Go set your DVR and watch Phineas and Ferb with your kids.  I bet you'll want to have a party for your friends!

Sam's Mom

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Sam's Mom - Princess Theme Party

The other day Sam had a friend, Laila, over to play.  I thought I'd pick her brain a bit and show her some of the girl's party themes that are available.  She and Sam both loved looking through the themes.  As I expected Laila's eyes went right to the Disney princesses!  (She is 5 after all!)  This was a perfect choice for me - I used to work at Walt Disney World after all!

First we looked at the party supplies from Disney's newest princess movie, Tangled.  The Tangled party supplies are adorable... just like the movie!  They both thought the Fairy Princess Castle would be a lot of fun at a party.  The pink brush and mirror makes a perfect Tangled party favor. 
 

Next it was on to Princess and the Frog.  Sam and I watched this movie about 100 times this summer right up until Star Wars mania hit our house.  He was partial to the Voodoo man in the movie.  Needless to say, Laila loved the Tiana and princess theme from this party.  She loved the Princess and the Frog Lip Gloss Necklaces and the Princess and the Frog tiaras!
 
We loved Tangled and Princess and the Frog, but Laila went nuts for the classic Disney Princess party. They feature Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Snow White and Aurora!  (And, yes, it's a little sad that I can name them all just by seeing their pictures.)  The plates and balloons are purple and pink and shaped like hearts!!  Oh my!  And talk about favors!  We love the princess tiara and wand set and the purple and pink princess goblets. 

So the Disney Princesses were the big winner in my house that day.  I think Laila went home to plan her own Disney Princess party.  For me, it's back to Star Wars land.

Magically Yours,
Sam's Mom

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