Halloween Party Ideas from Party411.com
80's Halloween Horror Movie Party
Halloween Invitation Wording Ideas
Halloween Scavenger Hunt Party Game
How to make Jello Shot Syringes
Halloween Do It Yourself Costumes
Halloween Outdoor Decoration Inspiration
NEXT! Halloween Party Themes
I just wanted to share these fun Party411 cookies that we just recieved here at the office! Ivan Schwarz sent them to us as a "thank you" for the work we did on the Road the Red Carpet benefit. They were made by one of the lovely sponsors of the event, Luna Bakery.
We are so blessed to work with the "sweetest" people!
May 16th marks the 25th Anniversary of Top Gun. Like all silver anniversaries, I feel like this is a reason to throw a Patriotic Theme Party!
Here’s how you can party like it’s 1986 with a Top Gun twist -
I would make this a costume party because there are a variety of options for your guests. You can go in pilot gear, go as a "Russian", wear a leather jacket with aviators, fatigues, white officer uniforms, jump suits, or dress in your favorite 80s gear. If people come dressed as specific characters they will be required to say their lines on command. I expect to hear my fair share of: “Too close for missiles, I’m switching to guns,” “Requesting a fly by,” “Negative ghostrider, the pattern is full,” and of course, “I feel the need, the need for speed.” In fact, everyone should plan on trying their hand at these iconic lines.
I would suggest that everyone wear aviator sunglasses, regardless of their costume. They were such a staple of the movie that it would be a shame to not wear them.
Decorations:
Yes you need to have some decorations for your party, but it doesn't have to be over the top. Because Top Gun was all about America and the Cold War I'm going with a Patriotic theme for my decorations.
I'm going to hang Patriotic Crepe Paper around my house, especially the TV. I'm going to decorate my walls with a variety of Patriotic Cutouts. And because I admittedly have a soft spot for balloons, I'm going to have American Flag Balloons floating throughout the party zone.
Activities:
I do plan on having the Top Gun soundtrack playing as the guests enter. (Danger Zone, Playing with the Boys, Take My Breath Away, and Great Balls of Fire are just some of the classics on this soundtrack.) But what else can we do to entertain the guests during this joyous occasion?
Volleyball: If it’s warm I’m playing volleyball. In a change from the movie though, no jeans allowed. Tell your guests if you plan on playing volleyball so they can come prepared with aviators and volleyball attire.
Karaoke: I would hold a competition for the best rendition of, “You’ve lost that loving feeling.” I really feel like everyone will get a hit out of this. I’m also going to allow people to sing multiple times, so they can continually go over the top.
Plane Flying: Do we have fighter jets? No. Can I set up a target or possibly an obstacle course and have my guests make paper airplanes? Yes, yes I can. I’m going to set up a target on the wall and give my guests three minutes to make their airplane and then see who can get the closest to the target. Like Top Gun there will be more than one challenge. For example, straight on, from behind a chair, on your back, one eye covered, blindfolded. Whoever wins the most challenges wins the best seat for the next activity.
Movie Viewing: You have to watch the movie. You have to. So sit back and relax.
If you want to spice up your movie viewing there are a few drinking games available. (Remember, safety first everyone.) There is a Tom Cruise drinking game with a little section on Top Gun. But we really like the Top Gun Drinking game. These are both sure to be a hit.
You can serve beer or other alcoholic beverages for the game, but for me I need something more. I'm going to serve the Jet Pilot. It's a blended rum drink, and I am excited to try it out.
Are you planning on having a Top Gun 25th Anniversary Party celebration? Let us know in the comments below.
Growing up, my Mom always made us the best themed birthday cakes. She makes, I think, the best frosting in the entire world, and she’s an amazing artist. It’s a win-win for anyone attending the party. One of my favorite birthday memories was my brother’s Muppet theme birthday party. My mom made a Muppet theme cake complete with a sugar rainbow that went over the cake. We learned as the rainbow caught on fire, not to put candles under sugar.
We had a hiatus of her cakes as we got older. When my son turned one, my Mom was excited to pick up her baking tools again and get to work. Now all our friends (and the folks at Party411, who benefit from leftovers) all look forward to these amazing cakes. Here are some pictures of the cakes she has made my boys and my nephew. Not bad, huh?
Happy 1st Birthday – a Mickey Mouse theme
Happy 2nd Birthday – a Shrek theme birthday cake
Happy 3rd Birthday – a bounce house theme birthday cake
Happy 4th Birthday – a Toy Story theme birthday cake
Happy 5th! Star Wars theme cupcakes
Happy 1st to our St. Patty’s day baby
Happy 2nd! A rock n’ roll theme party.
Happy 3rd! A Mickey Mouse clubhouse theme cake
Happy 1st! This cake is based on the cat in the book in the background. He’s a popular guy in Japan.
These cakes are amazing. Her other famous dessert is the giant cookie cake. Here’s one she made for Thanksgiving. 2 bags of chocolate chips – what could be bad about that???
This wasn't to only show off these incredible cakes and cookie cakes; it's to remind our loyal readers that the dessert is another way to bring your theme full circle.
We recently had my family over for a delicious dinner. This is a standard event at our household which happens about once a month. It’s always enjoyable, fun and relaxing.
I thought maybe we were forgetting how much fun we have together, and how much of a party it is; because of how comfortable we all are together. For some reason I didn’t consider Sunday family gatherings as parties, it was just family. However, the more I work at Party411 the more I realize that a party can happen anywhere at any time. (Seriously, you can come in some days and a party will be planned. The reason? Not apparent.)
So how does one spice up a party that has a very similar feel and rhythm to it? You get an ice cream cake! That’s how. Did the nice lady chuckle when I asked for “Sunday Funday and a smiley face” on my cake? Of course she did, who wouldn’t? But she did have a glimmer of jealousy in her eyes.
Was the ice cream cake a success? Yes, yes it was. It made the day, if I don’t say so myself. So if you’re looking to spice things up or remind your guests that it is in fact a party, consider bringing something new to the table!
Many of the workers bees at Party411.com are HUGE fans of the Harry Potter books and movies. With the upcoming release of the Deatly Hallows we would like to recap some of the ways we love to celebrate the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
Harry Potter Release Party: Need any tips to help throw your party? Or do you have a need for suggestions on special decorations or supplies? It’s all covered here.
8 Great Harry Potter Recipes: Want to make some Harry Potter inspired treats for your release party? How about bringing them to the theater and using them to bribe yourself to the front of the line?
We are giddy about the newest installment of the Harry Potter movies. There will be a few empty desk chairs here at Party411 on Friday morning as we sleep of the HP hangover. How many of you are going opening night?
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.
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.
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."
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)."
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!
Last year we here at Party411.com embraced and celebrated International Talk Like A Pirate Day. This year International Talk Like A Pirate Day will be celebrated on September 19th 2010. We had a lot of fun celebrating because we love pirates and we love dressing like pirates. (Honestly, who doesn’t?) Because we here at Party411 love all of our loyal readers would like to give you a few ways to celebrate your own Talk Like A Pirate Day with a few of our favorite Pirate Parties.
Pirate Adventure Birthday Party
We love this party because it incorporates birthdays and pirates, which you know we love. I personally love the idea of a treasure map to your house as an invitation. Your guests will love the idea and come ready to party.
This pirate party is a great party as well. We enjoy our Halloween here, but it happens only once a year. (Which is a real shame in our opinion.) However, International Talk Like A Pirate Day is a perfect tune-up opportunity for Halloween. Think about it, September 19th is the perfect amount of time away from Halloween to test run your Halloween party and see what works and doesn't. Also you can recycle your costume if it's really good. Many benefits to a Halloween tune up pirate party for I.T.L.A.P.D.
Free Pirate Printables
We’re not giving these away just yet, this is just a little teaser. Next week we’ll be offering free Pirate Printables which will be great for your Talk Like A Pirate Party or even your Halloween party. These printables will help make your Pirate party a little more authentic. Join our Facebook fan page or subscribe to our newsletter to learn when the printables are ready.
Have fun plundering on International Talk Like A Pirate Day.
I love this one. September 3rd is National Lazy Mom's Day. As far as I can tell, this is a day like Mother's Day, but when Mom is expected to do NOTHING. If that isn't a reason to celebrate, then I don't know what is! It can't be a coincidence that this fabulous holiday falls just after the kids have gone back to school. So, what should I do Friday morning to celebrate? Here are some of my kids for post-school-drop off:
Now, as far as I'm concerned, this is a day to do whatever you want. Maybe you want to go to the gym or take a walk. That's far from lazy, but it's your day, so go for it! The key is that it's your day to do something for you and relax. The only flaw to my plan is that my children have never heard about Lazy Mom's Day and when they get picked up from school, they won't be thrilled with Mommy napping. I guess whoever came up with this holiday was too lazy to properly promote that big day.
This Friday I'll do my part to celebrate National Lazy Mom's Day. What about you?
Summer is here and the weather has been phenomenal, which is great for your summer parties. Party411 offers a great deal of summer party games and summer outdoor party games. However, basketball is still a favorite of mine and I wanted to share some of my favorite summer basketball games, great for all ages and all levels.
Horse: Pick an order. First person shoots and if they make it the following player shoots. If they miss they get an “H” and if they make it next in line shoots the same shot. You are out when you spell out HORSE. Last player standing is the winner. For a shorter game, play PIG.
Knockout: Also called Thunder and Lightening. This is a great game for a lot of people. Everyone gets in line at the free throw line (or three point line if you’re feeling adventurous.) Make sure you have two basketballs. Once the first in line shoots the next player in line shoots. You are out if the person behind you makes their shot before you make yours. Once you make your shot pass the ball to next in line. Winner is the last player standing.
5 Ball: Again, pick an order and stick with it. Whoever goes first picks any spot on the court and shoots five shots from that spot. Then the rest of the players shoot 5 shots. Player 2 then picks a spot and shoots 5 shots, and then the rest of the players shoot. Continue till everyone has picked their own spot and everyone has shot. The player at the end with the highest total of made shots wins. This game will get intense and will be a lot of fun. If there are many people playing, consider making it 3 ball.
Free Throws: This is a game my brother and I play, so there isn’t a fancy name for it. We both shoot 5 free throws and then repeat. Winner is the one with the most made free throws out of ten. Of course we added a rule you have to make seven to be able to win. This is a simple game that will entertain those playing.
These four games will keep you entertained during this summer season. Did we forget any? What are your favorites?
