It's tailgating time. However, not everyone enjoys tailgating. Some girls love football, however, others don't enjoy it as much but they are dragged to it because of their significant other. So, how can you make the experience more fun for girls? Wedding and Party Network has a guide for tailgating for girls.

What to eat. A lot of tailgating food can be a bit fattening and high in calorie. Are you trying to watch your weight, like most girls? You are at least trying to find something that is not soaked in grease. Well, get together with your girlfriends and plan out a skinny menu. The guys can bring their own food, while you bring something that is tasty, low cal, yet still in the gameday realm of food. What about a skinny pizza bar? You choose the toppings, which most of the toppings are low-calorie, but where the fat is at is the pizza dough. So, you can cut the calories by offering pitas. They are still delicious, gameday friendly and fewer calories.

Also during gameday, people tend to go with dips, which can also have calories. So, research on Pinterest, and find some low-calorie dip recipes like guacamole or fresh salsa and learn how to cut the calories by using Greek yogurt instead of mayo. There are great ideas. Also, don't forget about the drinks. These can have calories too or you may not be a fan of what the boys drink. So, come up with some unique punch recipes.

For dessert, come up with some fun cupcake ideas. Again, you can find healthy alternatives like using almond flour, no sugar and almond milk. However, this maybe where you want to splurge and even go with a Guinness cupcake with cute football cupcake toppers.

Gameday entertainment that is for girls. If you aren't that interested in the game, plan some gameday activities for you and your friends that will hold you over while the guys are wrapped up in the game. If you and your friends are into the new fashion trends, which is dressing up your nails, have a tutorial setup where everyone can paint their nails to look like footballs. However, you can also plan some games to play too.

When the girls are looking for something fun to do while the guys watch football, the girls should plan their own fun tailgate.

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Pizza bar photo provided by Oh Party.

Tailgating is a fun experience for all. You spend time with your friends, family, get ready for the game, much on some delicious tailgating food and play some games. This can definitely make your football experience a more memorable one. However, if you're in charge of your tailgate party, you need to come prepared. So, Wedding and Party Network has put together the top 5 tailgating tips that you must remember.

The early bird gets the worm. Show up early to stake your claim on your tailgating location. The closer the better for some or you may have your favorite spot picked out that's located next to your friends. Plus, you need time to start cooking, play some games and just get the overall experience of tailgating. Don't forget, you can always come back to your tailgate after the game too.

Find a good parking spot. Finding the right parking spot can definitely make your tailgate better. You may try to find a spot next to a grassy area that even has a tree for some extra shade and you will have one less car to worry about that's next to you. Plus, it will give you more space. Don't forget, you may have to pay for some parking too, so make sure that's in your budget.

Follow the rules. With tailgating, there are some rules you must follow. Clean up after you're done, no unattended grills or even no smoking maybe some of the rules. Find out beforehand. Some may not allow alcoholic beverages, no glass bottles or you must recycle. Follow the rules. This makes it much more fun for everyone in your group, as well as everyone around you.

Be a planner. In order for your tailgate to be successful, you must plan ahead of time. If you're in charge of cooking, plan out the menu and don't forget to bring the grill. However, if you're not the only one cooking, delegate who will be cooking what type of food. Or you can take the easy way out and have it catered. Plan out what time you will get there, when to start cooking, how many cars you may want to bring, set up a tent if you want, utensils, cleaning supplies, games and don't forget the TRASHBAGS.

When it's done and over with, pack it up. You brought the stuff out there, now it's time to clean up and get ready to go. Take everything you bring in. Make sure you can dispose of all your trash properly, storage for your food, clean your grill and dump out charcoal properly. You can pour your melted ice over the charcoal or dispose of it with aluminium food tins. Just make sure you clean up your space and take everything that you brought with you.

Tailgating is a great experience, especially when you follow these top 5 tailgating tips.

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Everybody's favorite week is approaching fast. What is that? Of course, it's shark week! It starts on August 12th on The Discovery Channel and is exactly what it sounds like, it's all about sharks. So, to celebrate, why not host a shark themed party? There are super fun party decorations and food that you can enjoy while sitting around the television watching Shark Week. And Wedding and Party Network has a few ideas to help you along the way.

Fun Party Invitations - If you want a super simple, yet fun party invitation; first cut out shark fins. Next, write Caution: Shark Week, and give your guests the details of your party. You could also come up with a fun saying related to Jaws, however, it's completely up to you. Just let guests know what your party is all about.

Shark Themed Party Decor - Create an ocean setting in your home. Think all things you would find at a beach. Make your party colors blue, bring in some blow up palm trees, coconuts, bring in the kiddie pools and feel them with sand and water, hang beach balls, paper umbrellas, fishing nets, shark sighting signs, shark fin centerpiece and don't forget about the shark fins. A fun idea is to take blue paper and hang it up behind the food table. Next, cut out shark fins and glue them on there to create an ocean setting with shark fins coming up from the water. Just bring the elements of the beach into your party and you're set.

Shark Inspired Party Food - There are so many fun idea for your food, you will definitely have to pick your favorites. You can easily serve up your favorite appetizers and snacks. If you're serving sandwiches, find a shark cookie cutter and make them into shark sandwiches. Also, don't forget to add some Goldfish to your snack mix. For your fruit platter, it's always fun to take a watermelon and carve it into a shark. Take a watermelon, cut it in half with a slight angle, cut out a shark mouth wedge, hollow out the watermelon, cut shark teeth, use a blueberry for an eye and fill it with fruit. Here is a fun tutorial.

Next up for the dessert, there are fun ideas. Create delicious cupcakes, use blue icing and create waves and place a fin on top. To pair with these cupcakes, create another one that features fine ground up Graham crackers to create sand. Also, create jello with gummy fish in it, except feature it in an actual fish bowl. Blue colored candy, salt water taffy and you can even feature pudding cups that are colored blue and have a shark floating around in it. Don't forget to visit with your local caterer and even your bakery and they will for sure come up with some unique food and desserts.

Next up, just sit around and watch the exciting shows of Shark Week. If you have some kiddos attending, you can even create a shark fin of their own and have a few games set up outside. However, it may be just as fun watching and learning from The Discovery Channel.

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Watermelon Shark photo via Sun Scholars

You enjoy hosting parties, yet it can be a bit of strain on your budget. There are so many elements that go into planning a party that it can definitely be time consuming and costly. Well, Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas on super fun and cost friendly party theme ideas.

Movie Party - Do you and your group of friends have that one movie that you find quoting all the time or relating your life to? Why not have host a movie night at your house and watch that movie? Sure, it's not a big deal, but it's still a fun time to have everyone over at your house and laugh at your favorite movie. You more than likely own the movie, so all you need to buy is the popcorn, candy and drinks. Total Cost: $15.00 for popcorn, drinks & candy.

Flash Mob - You've all seen these floating around on the Internet. Why not create one of your own? This is just a super fun time to get all of your close friends together and bust out some of your favorite dance moves. However, if you want to think outside the box and not just have a dance party in the middle of a food court, you can think of having a water balloon fight at your local park, break out in song at a random festival going on in your town or crash a party. Total Cost: FREE!

Go Retro - It's always fun to have a costume party. Going back in time and creating fun costumes with your friends is always a fun time. So, host a retro costume party. Pick a few decades for your guests to choose from, like the 50's, 60's and 70's. Create a fun playlist, make a trip to your nearest Goodwill to find appropriate clothing, let your guests bring their own drinks and one appetizer for entry into the party and you have yourself a party. Total Cost: $25.00 for your costume, appetizer & drinks.

Stock The Bar - Need a fun and cost friendly party idea for a housewarming party, engagement or shower? A stock the bar party is always a fun way to go. Just have guests bring bar tools, drinks and you're all set. Everyone is sure to have a good time at this party. Total Cost: $30.00 for appetizers & your drinks.

When wanting to gather a group of friends together for a party, it doesn't have to be about a huge celebration. There are always some fun and budget friendly parties out there that everyone will enjoy!

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Not in Houston, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find party caterers near you!

Be Prepared for Back to School

To get children in the back to school mood, host a celebratory block party with your neighborhood. A simple get together will definitely do the trick to get the neighborhood and school pals back in the mood. However, turn a simple gathering into a fun and exciting event with a school theme. Wedding and Party Network has a few themes and tips on getting everyone ready for back to school!

Rise & Shine – Of course, sleeping in late isn't the way to go during the school year. So, if you want to have children ready to rise and shine for the first day of school, host a breakfast back to school get together. Prepare a big feast for everyone to enjoy and even think about car pooling everyone together. This will definitely get them ready for school.

Meet & Greet – If your child is new to the school or just switching from preschool to elementary school, think about hosting a meet and greet for all the kids to get to know each other. You can even get together with their teacher and ask if you can bring this idea into the classroom on their first day or later in the week. Come up with fun ideas like create their own cupcake or create their own s'mores. This is a great way for everyone to get to know each other a bit better.

After School Snacks – When the children get done with school, they are ready for their afternoon snack. So, why not host a party at your house that is full with after school snacks? This gives the children and even the parents time to ask what happened during the day and ask how their first day of school went. Load up on pretzels, vegetables, fruits and even a few sweets that will hold them over until dinnertime. Don't forget to get creative with the snacks.

Night Before Shindig – Have an early night get together with all the kiddos from the neighborhood. You can create a fun dinner for them with some of their favorite foods, while they show off their new back to school supplies. Also, this gives parents a time to discuss the upcoming year and events they might want to plan or get involved in. It's great for both parents and children. Plus, it just gives everyone time to catch up on their summer adventures.

Get your children be back to school ready by hosting a fun get together for all their friends. It will definitely give them school spirit.

If you are planning a back to school party, let Wedding and Party Network help!

Tips for Hosting a Successful Party
Whether your party is for a birthday, graduation or celebration you can turn your fantasy party into a reality with these helpful tips. Make a list of what you will need for the party and then list realistic prices for each item. Create a limit for yourself and stick with it! Read more about Tips for Hosting a Successful Party

Candy Station (The Chocolate Chick Company), Vegetable Display (Catering Creations by CruLaRo), Colorful Party Centerpiece (Barry's Flower Shop Inc.), Party Entertainment (Event Envy), Colorful Centerpiece (Creative Hand's Flowers & Gifts)

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It's that time of year again. Yes, school is starting back up. However, children may not be looking forward to this time of year at all. How do you get children in the mood for going back to school? Of course, host a a back to school party for the children! This is a great time for everyone to get together and get excited about spending time together during the school year. So, Wedding and Party Network has a few party ideas and tips to host a back to school party.

Supply Your Party - When decorating for this party, use school supplies for your party decorations. Think about apples, pencils, markers, books, notebooks, planners, chalk and all the essentials you need to start school. Get a chalkboard and hang it above the food table and have some fun doodles on it. Also, fill vases with pencils, rulers, apples, chalk, scissors and markers to create fun party centerpieces. Even add some event flowers to add a bit of pizzazz. Also, create fun little placemats for the table to replicate their school desks that includes their name and a fun notebook paper napkin fold.

You can also use banners with fun school prints to hang around the party or even hang maps around the party. This will get the children in the mood for school, especially if you put a fun twist on the supplies they find in school.

After School Snacks - To get in the theme of things, serve food that replicates what you normally serve for after school snacks. Think about fun appetizers that the children will enjoy. Go with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but let them create their own and feature various types of jelly. Also, feature grilled cheese sandwiches, yet switch up the cheeses and go with something a bit more gourmet. Also, go with the normal vegetables and fruit trays, cookies, candy apples, apple cupcakes, apple cake pops and don't forget about their glass of milk. Keep everything light and simple. You want something easy enough for the kids to eat on their own, yet tasty enough for everyone to enjoy.

School Activities - So, what are you going to plan for the children? You can have different stations set up where they can decorate their notebooks, planners, lunch boxes or backpacks for the new year. Also, have another station set up where children can prepare a scrapbook for the upcoming year. They'll really enjoy that and will look forward to taking pictures during the upcoming year. Just plan activities that will get them excited for the new school year.

So, when planning a party for the new school year, include all things school related. This will get the kids excited to learn and see their friends!

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A couples shower is a fun event during the wedding process that is enjoyed by all! This is a great time to get their close friends and family together to celebrate this momentous occasion in their life. However, how do you make it personable and catered towards their style, while everyone has a good time? Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas on hosting a couples shower.

Who do you invite - First, make a gust list. Invite the couple's closest friends and family to this shower. There are so many other showers to attend, that some guests may not feel comfortable attending more than just one. So, make sure this shower is designated for people who are closest with the couple. Also, if  people are a bit more old-fashioned, cross them off the invite list as well. Why? This party is definitely a time to have fun and possibly even reminisce on some of the crazy times their friends had together.

Create a party theme - Having a theme for any shower is so much better than just a regular shower. You can easily go with a famous couple shower where guests dress up as famous couples, a backyard BBQ, stock the bar party or even a casino themed shower. Just take a look at the couple and see what would best suit them. What are their likes and hobbies? What do they need or enjoy doing? From there, you can cater their shower to fit them. This is very important. You also can start finding the right shower decorations, planning the party food and

Cocktails + Games - This equals a great time had by all. You may think that the girly cocktails and games are for an actual bridal shower. However, there are some great games for a couple's shower too. You can go with a bit of trivia, newlywed game or even some fun relay races for everyone to partake in. Once you come up with a theme, don't forget to create signature cocktail for the couple. This will make their shower more personable and fun for everyone.

So, start planning an unforgettable couples shower that truly shows off the style of the bride-to-be and groom. It can be a party that everyone enjoys and a pre-party for what can come at their wedding.

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Here at Wedding and Party Network we want to give you inspiration for your wedding and party details. The details are what sets your wedding and party apart from anyone else. The colors, theme, detailing and style all creates your wedding day style and conveys your party theme. So, today's Inspirational Friday will focus on the 2012 London Olympics.

The Olympics are a great time to get your friends and family together to watch your favorite sporting event and cheer on your country. The Summer Olympics only occur every 4 years, so it must be a huge celebration when it does come around. So, host a celebration for all your friends and family. You can get creative with your country's colors or find inspiration from your favorite sports. You can incorporate this theme into your party flowers, party food and even come up with a unique ice sculpture. Now is the time to gather your friends and celebrate the Olympics!

It's all about the little details that go into a dinner party that makes it truly stand out. Summertime is all about bringing the parties outdoors. It's definitely time to use your outdoor space efficiently. However, do you think it might be a lot of work to bring your dinner party outdoors? Well, it's definitely not and Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas to create a simple, yet stunning outdoor dinner party.

Create a Beautiful Setting

It's all about creating a nice ambience in your backyard. So,what do you need to do to create this setting? Do you know someone who has a nice, white tent? If not, you can always create your own. Just find 4 poles and drape white fabric in the middle of it. Doing this in a nice rectangular area is nice to create room for that long dinner table. A white tent truly adds a bit of elegance to your outdoor dinner party and immediately helps set the tone.

Now that you have a beautiful white tent, it's time to jazz it up a bit. Yes, this tent could definitely stand alone. However, what about draping some lights or even finding a chandelier to hang from the middle of the tent?

Another nice detail that will definitely help the tone is candles. Candles are an absolute must. You can either go with various types of candles. Set up tiki torches, lanterns to light up the pathway, hang clear plastic cups with fishing wire with led lights, string Christmas lights throughout the trees and scatter tealight candles down the table. It's all about the lighting for this party.

Choosing the Right Colors

Now that you have all the basic elements, it's time to choose your color scheme for this party. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any color combination for this party. If you're definitely going for a formal affair, go with black. From there, you can pair black with anything. Choose white, pacific blue, hot pink, red or even a fun yellow. All of these colors would work.

Once you have chosen your party colors, you can start buying decor. Don't think you have to go all out with the decor. Focus on finding vases that go with the theme and style of your dinner party. You can even take the vases or talk with your florist about the type of vases you would like and discuss them making an event centerpiece. All dinner parties need a beautiful arrangement to display.

Lets not forget about the tableware. Think about mixing and matching patterns. Find a striped black and white table-cloth and patterned tableware. You can go to your local party store and find acrylic plates and bowls. Mix and match the colors and patterns to create a beautiful statement on the table.

You see, it's all in the details when creating a simple, yet stunning dinner party. It's all about the details.

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Summer Party Tips

Planning a party during the summer is always a fun task to do! However, there are some rules that you must remember when hosting a summer party due to the heat and outdoor elements. So, Wedding and Party Network has the top 5 party tips to help make your summer party a hit!

1. Always have plenty of ice. Ice will always go quickly at a summer party. Guests will be using it for their drinks, you will need ice to chill drinks and it will definitely melt in the heat. If you overestimate on your ice, don't worry, it will get used!
2. Never underestimate on beverages. You may be afraid that you may overestimate on some items, however, it's okay if you overestimate on drinks. You can always use beverages at home or even send them home with guests. From water, soda, mixed drinks to lemonade; you can never have enough. Don't let your guests get dehydrated.
3. Lighten up the menu. No one wants anything heavy during the hot summer heat. Think about going with light sandwiches, salads, fruit, vegetables and seasonal ingredients.
4. Keep everything casual and comfortable. An outdoor summer party should be about having that laid-back feel. Unless you are hosting a wedding or a formal affair; you want everyone to be casual, comfortable and not having to fuss with formal clothing. Being completely comfortable and relaxed are the elements for a good time.
5. Shade your guests from the sun. Shading yourself, as well as your guests, is an absolute must during the summertime. You don't want any of your guests to get overheated or even sunburnt.

Summer is an ideal time to host a party. However, there are some tips that will help your party run a bit smoothly when dealing with the heat and rays of the sun.

If you are planning a summer party, let Wedding and Party Network help!

Outdoor Party Games for the Whole Family
Since you are spending more and more time outdoors, you definitely want to have some entertainment while you do. Well, there are tons of party games that you can take outdoors, some you may never thought could have been taken outdoors. Read more about Outdoor Party Games

Flip Flop Favors (Escape Concepts), Fruit (Naiman's Catering), Balloon Columns (Flowers Plus), Citrus Cetnerpiece (Elizabeths Garden Santa Fe Barbara Flower Shop), Beach Cake (Delectable Delights by Debbie), Rainbow Party (G. Elliot Catering)

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