Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Dr Seuss Birthday Party

I absolutely loved planning and hosting this Dr Seuss Birthday Party!  There were so many fun themes and characters that the choices were endless.  After being inspired by Dr Seuss Baby Showers' at Kara's Party Ideas and Stem Parties I came up with this fabulous party!

  
I painted and cut out over 20 truffula trees taller than me!  I also painted Thing 1 and Thing 2 charicatures to go over photographs of the Birthday Boys. 

Green Eggs and Ham were, of course, a must have on the buffet table!

We had the children play 'Pin the heart on the Grinch' as we all know - his heart is two sizes too small!

 
The party favour table - it wouldn't be a Dr Seuss party if the Cat in the Hat weren't in attendance! 

Thing 1 ready to have his cake and eat it too!  His twin brother, Thing 2, never remained very presentable as he was wont to pull off his hair! 

You can find more great details and photos at It's My Party. 

Eye Of The Tiger

Sorry about the title...it was just too easy to pass up. February 14 marks the beginning of Year Of The Tiger, and there are so many amazing party ideas for your own Chinese New Year celebration!OK, bits and pieces first....sushi and sake-inspired invite from Madi & Company; Japanese incense kits from Beau-coup would be so pretty as a parting gift; make your own sweet fortune cookies from a piecrust. How about using a silk-brocade coin purse to hold the details of your soiree? Can one ever be tired of making paper fortune cookies? I love how she used coordinated paper; Martha's floral balls. I. am. in. love. with. this. birthday. party! I am drooling over the details of design*dump's absolutely amazing party for her 8 year old daughter, inspired by a purchase made a few years back. That is so my kind of party because I'm always buying stuff thinking 'you never know when you'll need it'. There is just so much eye candy at Bridal Bubbly's bridal shower. No detail was missed, from the stunning bamboo centerpieces to a pond structure with real goldfish, down to the fortune cookie garnishes on the glasses and mini bamboo steamer favors. Be inspired by these two beautiful parties from In Good Company's Good News 13; both spreads feature great party decor, and give lots of tips and ideas for activities and fab favors. Saffron 59's simple white table is elegant with gorgeous flower centerpieces and red lanterns.

Not enough? Check out my post from last year. Not Just A Mommy! 

Living And Entertaining With Winter Whites

We often think that white is a color for the hot summer months...when it is paired with bright refreshing colors. Don't forget that there are hundreds of shades of warm winter whites...the kind that feel warm and cozy. Enjoy the many shades of white all winter long - in your home and when you entertain.

Live a stylish white life with this collection of winter white inspiration.

1.Table setting - Better Homes and Garden here. 2.Romantic mantel - Victoria here. 3.Winter wonderland bedroom - House Beautiful here. 4.Romantic fireplace - Country Living here.

1.White macaroon favors - Martha Stewart here. 2.A gentle white-on-white palette unifies this mix of eras - Country Living here. 3.Whitewashed papier-mache fruit centerpiece - Martha Stewart here. 4.Incorporate your place card into the fold of this napkin knot - Martha Stewart here. 5.Wonderful white buffet table - Martha Stewart here.

Posted by Entertain Exchange.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

This week I received a desperate party planner emergency email from my reader P. Her six-year old has recently become obsessed with the movie Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and wants to change his upcoming party in a week and a half to reflect said obsession. And he ain't budging. I'm strapping on my utility belt and off to the rescue!

Since this movie is about a scientist causing food to rain from the sky, draw on that for inspiration. How about a Mad Scientist cooking party? Donna Hay Kids' Magazine features a very clever party with a few ideas with scientific bases that you can elaborate on while they are prepared; have them help you make Popcorn Explosions a.k.a. colored popcorn.

Create slimey goo dipping sauce by adding a few drops of blue food coloring to ketchup and mustard. It would go perfect with a for a Build Your Own Burger bar.

Have some fizzy fun with this DIY sherbet from the magazine. Their recipe - take 1 tsp citric acid (can be found in the canning section of grocery stores), 2 tsp. confectioner's sugar, 3 tsp. of any flavor gelatin, and 1 tsp. baking soda and layer in a small bottle or vial before you shake, shake, shake.
Set up a Make Your Own Soda bar and let them choose from a few different flavors.

Another direction is a cooking party. Don't be afraid to play with your food; show them how to roll homemade meatballs and mixing sauce for a spaghetti lunch.

Set up different stations to make fun not-foods like Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry, Faux Fish Sticks and Grilled Cheese or for making ice-cream sundaes or cookie-decorating.

Leftovers are plenty for favors. But if you must, how about filling inexpensive plastic measuring cups with food-related candy like candy peas and carrots, gummy fish, etc. Cover them with plastic and tie with colorful ribbon and personalized tags.

Hit up a dollar store or the dollar section of your favorite box store, there is always some form of play food that would also make great favors.

Yes, those infamous 'Cookies In A Jar' that seem to pop up everywhere during the holidays is another great take-home. Feel free to break out of the jar-box; any clear container will do. Acrylic boxes and deli containers are perfect because they are reusable and kid-friendly.

And no matter which way you go, your party's pièce de résistance are these spaghetti and meatball cupcakes from Hello, Cupcakes! Make them yourself or have vanilla cupcakes ready to decorate as a party activity; check out a great tutorial over at The Junk Drawer. Not Just A Mommy!

Win an Inhabit Pillow!

Win a fabulous Inhabit Pillow from 2Modern! It's Easy! This pillow brings a taste of Spring to a cold winter day.

1. Become a Sendomatic Facebook Fan.
2. Write on the Sendomatic Wall.

Winner will be chosen on Feb 10, 2010. Winner must live in continential US.

Good Luck!
2Modern & Sendomatic
 

New Year's Day Lunch - Southern Style

This year, rather than compete with the Vegas strip for ringing in the new year, I am hosting lunch on New Year's Day. One of my invitees knew exactly what he wanted to bring (Black Eyed Peas) and exactly what he would like me to serve (Ham and Steamed Cabbage). I was thinking of a menu more of the frittata variety but after hearing my friend's enthusiasm, I decided to go with it.

Southern tradition holds that one should eat black eyed peas for good luck and prosperity. In the deep South, we also eat turnip, mustard or collard greens. Other regions eat cabbage (clearly my friend is from the other South). Greens represent paper money while the peas represent coins. Cornbread is served alongside, signifying gold.

Given the state of the economy, it seems appropriate to start the new year with a meal that is humble with a touch of superstitious magic.

I am picking up a double smoked ham from Whole Foods.

When it comes to cooking with black eyed peas, I trust the Texans. Every Junior League in Texas has their own favorite preparation  Homesick Texan has recipes for a pot of black eyed peas, black eyed pea dip and the perennial favorite, Texas Caviar.

New Year's Day marks the end of holiday feasting. With ham on the table, there has to be a Sweet Potato Casserole. Sugar & Spice By Celeste has a recipe that most resembles the one my mom made.

Bacon fat - that is what makes or breaks steamed cabbage, in my opinion. Gluten Free Journey makes her with pancetta, leeks and shallots.

Brennan's Texas Cornbread Pudding recipe can be found online at Recipe Helpers or in the Brennan's Of Houston In Your Kitchen cookbook by Chef Carl Walker. Mixed within the cornbread is chopped green pepper (or jalepeno) and corn kernels, with a melted layer of pepper jack cheese. Taste Of Home has a Semi-Homemade style version.

"Apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and oats. Welcome to the essential ingredients of the apple crisp..." as prepared by SimplyRecipes.

I'll put out crudites with a sun dried tomato/olive oil dip and nuts. Drinks are simple: iced tea and champagne.

Happy New Year (and may you enjoy a prosperous 2010)!

New Year's Disco Ball Bash

Everyone loves a bit of glamour and decadence on New Year's. Celebrate the famed Ball Drop with your own Disco Ball Bash! Silver, white and red are all perfect as your jump-off point.

Set your table with a silver tablecloth and white china, and accent napkins with red ribbon. Collect various sizes of pillar candles and mimic this fabulous tabletop from In Style Parties. Don't you heart the giant disco ball over the table?

Another option, add lots of sparkle with reflective surfaces, silver candlesticks, votive holders and vases. Fill oversized glasses with decor items a la Setting The Mood With Jamee's bash, and check out all her silver pieces.

In addition to disco ball ornaments, add to the bling with flat marbles, acrylic diamonds and sprinkles like this table setting from HWTM.

Social Couture's Hollywood Bash is complete with beautiful feather accents and I just love the mirrored napkin rings.

Dig out all of your candleholders and use them as support stands to create smaller-scaled accent pieces like these from Admar Decor .

Of course there will be these cupcakes from Paula Deen.

Have guests create their own blinged-out party hat, set up a photo area with a few more fun props like oversized sequined glasses and let the fun begin. Send the photos home as a thank-you card.

End the party and begin the new year right with these cute cookie favors from No Fuss Fabulous! I love how a simple cookie becomes a thoughtful treat and even better, she has provided the tag download for free! Not Just A Mommy!

Sparkling New Year's Party

1. Dress up any white tablecloth with tulle and shimmery confetti then tuck a boa around the plates to give the table a luxurious feel - Better Homes and Gardens.
2. A glamorous New Year's party from Sandra Lee.
3. Create dazzling champagne glasses using silver ribbon and sparkling snowflake tags - Entertain Exchange.
4. Star-studded accents from Better Homes and Gardens.

1. Easy DIY scroll napkin rings - Better Homes and Gardens.
2. Make easy fortune bubbles for all your guests with plastic craft store ornaments, paper and curling ribbon - directions here.
3. Make your own glam and glitter party hats - directions from Better Homes and Gardens. 4. Create a shimmering centerpiece with various styles of candle holders - Better Homes and Gardens.

Posted by Entertain Exchange.

Snowflakes In The Window

Use leftover evergreens to make these window snowflakes - from Sunset.

Add the perfect backdrop to your evergreen ornaments by giving windows an iced look - even if you don't live in a frosty climate. Just coat windows with a holiday decorating spray that's easy to clean off with water.

MATERIALS (for one snowflake)

• Five fir sprigs of equal length (7 in. maximum)

• Three 18-in. pieces of 20-gauge floral wire

• Three 18-in. pieces of 22-gauge floral wire

• Ribbon

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Lay two fir sprigs upside down, end to end.

Bend one end of an 18-in. piece of 20-gauge floral wire into a loop for hanging. Set the loop of wire flush with the top of a sprig, with the wire's other end resting along the length of both sprigs.

Step 2: Secure the loop-topped wire to the end-to-end sprigs by wrapping an 18-in. piece of the thinner (22-gauge) wire every couple of inches along the length of the two sprigs. Twist the straight end of the thicker wire around the tip of the bottom sprig to finish.

Repeat with another pair of end-to-end sprigs, omitting the initial loop. Then repeat with a single sprig, again omitting the initial loop, and leaving the excess wire (do not clip).

Step 3: Cross the two dual-sprig pieces (one on top of the other) to form an X (they're the top four pieces in the photo of step 3), then twist the wired sprigs together where they meet in the center. Bend the X slightly as needed to make room for the fifth sprig.

Step 4: Position the fifth sprig as shown at left.

Wrap its excess wire several times around the center of the X until it's tightly in place. Bend all wired sprigs as needed to refine the snowflake shape.

Thread one or more ribbons through the loop to hang.

Posted by Entertain Exchange

Year of the Tiger Chinese New Year Invitation

It's the year of the Tiger....Roar!!!!! - Invite your friends to a Year of the Tiger Chinese New Year Celebration! Cute new e-invite from Sendomatic.com. View invitation here!
 

Pipe Cleaner Ornaments

Thanks Martha Stewart for this cute pipe cleaner ornament idea!

12 Days of Holiday Sweepstakes

 

2Modern is giving away modern gifts for 12 days! One gift will be given away each day to a lucky winner. Come back each day and enter! It's easy! Please note that prizes can only be sent to locations in the Continental US.

VIEW THE PRIZES HERE: http://2modern.com/holiday-sweepstakes

To Enter:

1. Become a 2Modern Facebook Fan - go to the 2Modern Facebook Page and click ‘BECOME A FAN’.
2. Write on our Facebook Wall each day you would like to win!
3. Newsletter Subscribers will be entered TWICE each day. So, make sure you are signed up for the 2Modern Newsletter!

Prizes from Thomaspaul, Notneutral, Ecotots, Wallter, Paper Cloud, Goldiehome, Parvez Taj and more!

 


 

Handmade Holiday Hostess Gifts

Here a few simple handmade holiday hostess gifts to make from Sunset.


Bulbs planted in a paint can will brighten someone's life for weeks. Cover a 1-quart paint can (about $1 at hardware stores) with wrapping paper, securing the seam with double-stick tape.

Guided by the depression in the can's lid, trace and cut out a paper label, write your message, and attach to lid with double-stick tape. Fill can halfway with sand.

Place two or three paperwhite or other narcissus bulbs (about $5 for a 10-pack) in the sand (roots down, points up).

On a paper slip, offer advice for the giftee: To force bulbs, set aside lid and add water until sand is just moist. Place in sunny spot and keep moist; blooms in about seven weeks.

Tuck instructions in can, and, covering lid with a dishcloth, gently tap into place with a hammer.

Find more great gift plant ideas at Sunset.

Monogrammed River Rock Paperweight

Stencil river rocks with white rub-on transfers (available at craft stores). More ideas here.

Posted by Entertain Exchange.

Fruit By The Foot

One of my favorite children's books is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, a perfectly simple story about a very hungry caterpillar. And when I saw this awesome fruit chandelier, all I could think about was how to plan the perfect TVHC party around it. A quick search turned up some amazing parties and treats, but then I saw Personally You Parties already covered most of them. Since I'm not about reinventing the wheel, check her out for some great parties. So, I'll add my two cents with more fruit-inspired fun... You must go check the rest of this party; she started the party off right with ADORABLE invites! Using the Eric Carle Birthday Kit, check out this clever setup from Harri's Mom; I love, love love her balloon caterpillar. Cute cupcakes bites for guests accompanied a themed smash cake Check out awesome Alpha Mom's free fruit tag downloads; we've done her lunch box tags, it's nice for the kids to have a 'hug' from you during the day. These are perfect for Valentine's Day, but you can change the juicy puns to fit your party's theme. Not Just A Mommy!

Recycled Ornament Contest!

All you DIY Junkies get ready to create a Holiday Ornament made completely of recycled materials. Winners will be judged on creatvitiy, use of recycled materials, and design asthetic. 3 Winners will be chosen and win great prizes from 2Modern.com. Contest ends December 20th 2009. You may enter as many times as you wish. Learn More Here!