Remember the days of childhood when summertime brought catching fireflies in a Mason jar, playing outside 'til it was dark and eating homemade ice cream? I sure do and I think it's time we bring back the old ice cream sundae social.

There are several wonderful summer events in which an ice-cream sundae social would be perfect: family reunions, after a church picnic, at a friend's pool party and even summer birthday bashes.

Nothing says "summer" like ice cream, and nothing tends to bring smiles to people's faces and brings on the laughter like ice cream. So, for your next summer get-together, consider these ideas:

The Ice Cream Sundae Buffet – Set up a "buffet" of different flavored ice creams – both store bought and homemade – with fresh, summer fruits like strawberries, peaches, blueberries and raspberries.

Serve with homemade chocolate, caramel and strawberry sauces, or the bottled ones are just fine too. Provide other favorite toppings, such as jimmies, sprinkles, chopped peanuts and pecans, marachino cherries and whipped cream.

BYOT (Bring Your Own Toppings) Party –  You provide the ice cream, your guests provide the toppings. This is a cost-effective way to have an ice cream sundae social and your guests feel like they did something  to help.

Build-Your-Own Banana Split Party – Just a variation on the buffet, but make sure you have the yummy toppings for the classic banana split, including freshly-whipped cream.

Soda Fountain Social – Serve a variety of soda fountain classics. Recipes are readily available, as are the ingredients for root beer floats, Coke floats, old-fashioned sodas and lime rickeys. Let your guests "order" their favorite and you whip them up like a pro.

So cool down your next party with a ice cream and be the soical event of the year.

Publish Date: 9-22-10

I was single a long time, and there's nothing worse than going to a "single's party" where everyone sits around looking at each other, fidgeting with beverages and not talking. While hosts mean well, it can be very awkward if you don't have something to open people up once you bring them together.

This idea would work for high schools or colleges: throw a mascot party where people either dress up as their alma mater mascot or wear a shirt with their mascot and school name on it. If you're inviting people who don't know each other, provide a simple nametag upon arrival. People can mingle, checking out where each other went to school, and may even find they have mutual friends, grew up in the same town, went to the same high school, etc. You can also plan this kind of party around a sporting event, if the group is into sports. This is a great "mixer" idea for co-workers, church groups, neighbors, or any other group you're trying to socialize with.

Provide a nice spread of appetizers, desserts and beverages. It's always easier to get to know people over a bowl of homemade chili or a slice of chocolate cheesecake. If you really want to push the envelope, have a contest for the best singer of their alma mater song. Give a gift card to a local restaurant or mall to the winner.  You could also ask everyone to share their funniest high school or college memory, which is great for getting to know people, and that's what this mascot party is all about.

Photo courtesy of jillallyn via Flickr Creative Commons.

MARCH MADNESS 2010 HAS TAKEN OVER!

Your brackets are filled out, your pools have started to gather and your team is going ALL THE WAY!  It is now time to start planning that March Madness Party!  Whether you invite the entire neighborhood, or you just have your closest friends over for the basketball game, you are sure to throw the best party on the block with a few of these great ideas!

A March Madness Party would not be a party without some really good hot dogs! You can use the usual ketchup and mustard, but adding some spicy mustard is sure to put a kick to your dog!  Cheese dogs with chili and jalapenos are a sure hit, too!

Don't forget the snacks–chips, cheese dip, popcorn, salsa and all the beer and soda you can stomach! Make sure to put the cooler and the snacks next to the TV so that no one has to miss a moment of the game!  March Madness is packed full of seconds that change EVERYTHING! Don't be the "bad guy" for making your guests walk to the kitchen just as your team makes the winning shot!

So we have your salty, where is the sweet?

Find a local bakery that can make you some tasty March Madness Theme Cupcakes!  Personalize the cupcakes with your college basketball team colors, favorite jerseys, or an assortment of great cupcakes that make your event just right!  These will for sure satisfy any fans hunger needs while inspiring support for the game!

Don't forget to decorate!  Cover the walls with pendants, posters, and streamers of the college basketball team of your choice!  Provide whistles to your guests to blow when the fouls are made, and when you are screaming at the referee for that intolerable call!  Foam fingers are great fun, too!  Make sure to let your guests know they need to wear their team colors, and of course bring the March Madness brackets!

Find a local party supply store with theme plates, napkins, decorations, and anything you could ever need to make the atmosphere perfect for heated March Madness watch parties!

If you want to make the party last after the game, hook up your gaming system to play some basket ball of your own!  Rent a few games for your playing pleasure, and give your fingers a work out as you score big playing basketball in the comfort of your home!

We hope YOUR team can take the March Madness, maybe we'll see you cheering for your team on the big screen in Indianapolis, IN for the FINAL FOUR– April 3-5, 2010!!

MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN!

Why Green Beer?

Green beer, now who thought that one up? Enter the mystical world of Saint Patrick's Day.  The day in which you can swig green beer, can try your hand at speaking like an Irishman, and look for "ye pot of gold."

Who is responsible for the green beer?  Who knows, seems no one wants to admit that, but for some odd reason they wanted to drink green-dyed beer.  Maybe the traditional St Patrick's Day beer, Guinness Stout, was to strong for them and not wanting fellow St Paddy's Day partygoers to know,  they dyed their light beer green.

What Is The relationship Between St Patrick's Day & Shamrocks?

The idea of the green beer might come from the shamrock.  It is associated with St Paddy's Day is because Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the trinity of the Christian's God to pagans. We use the shamrock during St Patrick's Day celebrations as a decoration or as part of our food designs.  Personally, I like shamrock-shaped cupcakes and cookies.  These finger foods are great for parties!

The Traditional Leprechaun & Pot-of-Gold

The pot o' gold comes from the tradition of leprechauns. A mythology Irish fairy, a leprechaun is the keeper of a pot-of-gold.  If you find a leprechaun, he is required to lead you to his pot-of-gold.

Some say that St Patrick used the leprechaun as an analogy of God — one who remains hidden and feared, but who has great wealth for those that find him.  Ireland's green green spring grass is the favorite hiding  spot for Leprechauns. This is another reason for using the color green on March 17th.

The mystical association of a  pot o' gold makes it a great idea for party decorations.  Take some wee little black pots fill them with gold-foiled chocolate coins and you've got yourself a mini pot' o' gold party favor.  While traditional Irish beer is usually dark, you could always put your light golden-colored beer  in a clear glass and call it your  pot o' gold.  A big pot can be filled with chips and dip for a tasty pot o' food.

A St Patrick's Day party is one of the easiest get-togethers you can throw. Green is your party color. Food is anything from corned beef and cabbage to chips and dips, shamrock cookies, sandwiches cut in shapes of shamrocks and beer, beer and more beer!  If you don't like beer, you could always dye ginger ale green.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! May "the luck of the Irish be with ya!"

Celebrate a birthday with butterflies!  Have a BUTTERFLY BIRTHDAY BASH releasing live butterflies.  When planning a butterfly themed birthday party, keep in mind that the temperatures need to be above 60-65 degrees for your butterflies to fly.

It is recommended that the birthday party participants be 5 years of age or older.  A few suggestions include making a butterfly-shaped birthday cake.  Instructions can be found on the internet or created by your local bakery.  Give the guests some packets of easy-to-plant butterfly garden seeds to take home. You can order child-sized or adult-sized butterfly wings from several companies.  A pair of bug glasses and some handmade antennae would complete the outfit.  The guests can make a butterfly craft during the party.  The grande finale would include an outdoor butterfly release.  Each participant can release one individually, or you may choose to release them all at one time from a decorative cage.  You may want to have someone else plan your butterfly party as your time may be limited.

Article written by Linda Marchman, owner of Social Butterflies. She has raised butterflies for seven years and is a director of the Association for Butterflies, a member of the International Butterfly Breeders Association, the Butterfly Society of Virginia and is a Certified Master Gardener.

This information about butterfly releases was brought to you by Wedding and Party Network, your leading resource for planning weddings and parties.

This is a fun way to celebrate the milestone of a 50^th wedding anniversary, but you can use the same ideas for any wedding anniversary. Decorate the party place with all things from the year the couple was married. In the case of a 50^th wedding anniversary celebrated in 2009 the wedding year is 1959. Dig up all the information you can on 1959 and use what you find to help choose a theme.

In 1959 for instance TV shows such as Bonanza and Rawhide premiered in that year, so a western theme might be what your draw from for a theme and decorations. You might choose to use Etch A Sketch as decoration on the tables since they were invented in that year. For entertainment you could hire impersonators to play the popular artist from the day, such as Doris Day or Frank Sinatra.

For food again look to the past for what to serve. In the 50’s grilling was a rising trend, so grilled food may be a good choice for this party. Or any other food items that were popular during that time. Do the same with your beverages choose drinks that were popular during the anniversary couple’s wedding year. In 1959 soda pop in bottles were the rage. See if you can find soda in bottles to continue the theme year. Tang was a popular drink as well. For adult beverages, martinis were very popular in the late 50’s.

With a bit of research on your part, a golden opportunity to give a wonderful walk down memory lane to an anniversary couple is a snap. And remember you can do this with any wedding year.

This anniversay party planning idea was brought ot you by weddingandpartynetwork.com.

Creating The Tropical Indoors

Everyone loves the beach.  Everyone loves a party.  Sometimes you want both and that is where a beach party theme comes in handy. Unfortunately depending where you live or the time of year, an outside beach party isn't always possible. So what do you do – throw a beach party indoors!

Decorating For The Beach Experience

Throwing a party with a tropical theme indoors isn’t as hard as it would seem. In fact, an indoor beach or tropical party theme works very well for back to school parties or birthday parties for kids and adult. Teens will love this party theme and the tropical drinks that go along with it.

As far as decorations go, you’ll want to have as many tropical items as you can possible fit in your indoor area.

To go all out rent some palms from local florist. If palms are not available for rent try a party supply store. They often have inflatable palms or even card board cut out palms or other tropical items. Add a little pizazz to table centerpieces by cutting holes in pineapples (like you do with pumpkins) and place votive candles inside.

If you’re an especially daring party thrower, set up a kiddy pool inside filled with sand. If your not that daring then buy an awesome party cake decorated like a  beach party and use it as your room's focal point.

Beach Grub Is A Must

Beach food is all hands on – literally.  So finger foods need to fill out the beach party menu. You can pick these items up at a deli or make them yourself.

If your planning this party for your teenager, you'll want to serve hot dogs and hamburgers. Of course you'll need a signature drink. Make tropical drinks such as (non-alcoholic) blue Hawaiians by using blending ice cubes, a lemon-lime type soda and a few drops of blue food coloring. Serve the drink in an inexpensive margarita style glass. You can find plastic ones at party supply stores. Ta da, you’ve got great tropical drink. For a super fun fruity idea get some ice trays and add small pieces of fruits such as pineapple chucks, cherries, raspberries, blueberries and freeze them in ice trays covered with water. Pop them out of the ice tray and put them in an ice bucket for the kids to add to their fruit punch or other tropical drink.

With just a bit of creative decorating, you’ll find that a inside beach party is easy to do. This party theme is  great fun for teens, kids or even adults. So get started now planning your beach party right under your own roof. Oh, don’t for get to tell the invites to dress in their best swim and beachwear.

A special thanks goes to The Party Place & Bakery, a Herber Springs bakery for letting me use the picture of their beach cake.

40th Birthday – You're Not Old – You're Like Fine Wine & Cheese – Better With Age

Having  reached my fortieth year (a milestone birthday), my sister threw me a great party. It was subdued, yet a fantastically wonderful party. My Sister invited my husband and a few of my dearest friends over to celebrate my birthday. The black and white invitation arrived by mail, asking us to attend a wine and cheese party, and to dress in evening wear attire.

She decorated her home with flowers that coordinated with the wines we were going to taste. The serving table was decorated with flowers such as red roses behind a Merlot wine,  white roses for a Chardonnay wine. It was fragrant and beautiful, her home looked like a fine restaurant. The food was delicious yet simple, the rich cheese, the fresh fruits all served by a waiter dressed in a purple shirt with black pants (purple is my favorite color). The best part was the most decadent seven layer chocolate cake she served for desert.

My sister, always the best hostess, hired a wonderful singer/guitar player who softy played through out the night. As we drank the wines and sampled the cheeses, we swayed to the music even singing along occasionally.  This party is a relaxing way to celebrate a 40^th birthday.

Sometimes we think a milestone birthday party means big and grand, but big is not what every 40-year-old wants. Some like a more subdued party that is rich in food, drink and close friends and family. My sister gave me what I needed a relaxing celebration of my birthday.  Keep this idea in mind you may have a friend or family member that wants to quietly celebrate their age. This allows you to celebrate their milestone without stressing them out with big party.

Sometimes you want to throw a party, but you also want to do something to help out a good cause. So by all means do both!. Throw a Charity Party! It will be a fun event for friends and a big help for a good cause.

How does a charity party work? Choose your charity and go from there. For example, my pet charities are PAWS (our local animal rescue group) and The Children's Home (a home for neglected & troubled children). Once you decide which charity, comply a guest list, a party theme and what you want to contribute to the charity. Your contribution could be items from a food or clothing drive or to raise money.

The Children's home is in constant need of clothes, toys and household supplies. The goal of the Children's Home party would be to collect these items. At this charity party, everything would revolve around the party theme kids. All the decorations would reflect children. For decorations, I would choose bright primary colors for my streamers and tableware. The focal point of the party would be a kid's theme cake like Sesame Street™. On the invitations, I would ask that guests to bring a donation of clothing, toys or household supply for The Children's Home.

The same basic principles will apply to a charity party for PAWS. An animal rescue charity party can easily be decorated using dog biscuits that are strung together on fish line. Serve the food like dips for vegetables and chips in new clean dog and cat bowls. Serve dog bone theme cookies made by a local bakery as the sweets for the party. Send out invitations that tell why and what the name of charity is and ask guests to contribute by bringing items the charity needs: dog food, cat food, cat liter, ect. The bowls used for the dips can be given to the animal rescue as well.

Charity parties can be extravagant or causal, for large groups or small. They can help celebrate birthdays or just for the fun of it. But, one thing to keep in mind is to have a good time while you help a good cause.

Are you a student in college and need help moving from one rental property to another? Well, that student is about to be me and when deciding how exactly I would go about asking friends to help, I stumbled across the idea of throwing a moving-in party in which my guests would unknowingly be helping me out in the meantime.

What I first need to do as a host is to decide who out of my buddies would be willing enough to come and help out the cause. Then I would write their names on a call list. Most women would not like the idea of lifting heavy objects so this party would most likely end up as a Dude Night. Next, I have to come up with a scheme to have them all over and camouflage the idea of them helping me with an adult party theme they'll all enjoy.

After considering party themes, the idea hit me. Why not have my guests each pick out a box or piece of furniture from my old house, drive it over to my new house, and place it inside? If I find there is an issue with fitting all those items in vehicles, I could easily arrange a rental van or trailer to help haul a load or two. With each new delivery by a guest, the house becomes more full of essentials to a party. With one shipment would come a chair, then a couch, then a TV and sound system. Soon thereafter, a guest would arrive with a BBQ grill and a cooler full of meat ready to cook. Each new guest that arrived would share the satisfaction of doing their part in ensuring that the party keeps going and be instantly relieved by their job well-done and being able to sit down on a newly arrived couch and enjoy a cold drink.

A neat beverage choice would be one that people who perform manual labor or grill outdoors regularly would enjoy; some ice cold beer, lemonade, iced tea, or jack and coke.

Being the middle of summer, backyard parties with some delicious food such as Hamburgers, Beer-Soaked Brats, potato salad, coleslaw, and refried beans would suffice. Of course after a day of heavy lifting, food that sets like a brick in your stomach would surely take the edge off. Of course if there is concern with time, hiring a catering service to provide the food would surely alleviate some stresses that come with hosting a party.

A running joke in my group of friends is to wear cut-off jeans or the aptly named "Jorts". So as a manual labor/chore party theme, guests should wear Jorts and consignment shop t-shirts to really bring the feel of sweat and hard work to the party (beer gut optional).

Who doesn't enjoy to be treated to a southern style grill-out after working out in the sun? My friends are sure to enjoy our upcoming backyard party and what's best about it is that I can spend the night in my new house. Remember to throw a Moving-In Party when you are just at an ends as to how in the world you're going to find help to furnish your new home.