Archives for June 2009

June 26, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

A New Approach To Tween Girl Parties.

Planning A Party For Your Pre-teen Daughter?

Of course you can always do a party for your tween girl using the many tween idols of the day; Hannah Montana or High School Musical. While these are great themes, every party your child has been to in the last six months has been a Hannah Montana party. UGH!! By now you've grown tired of the same theme, but your tween's birthday is drawing near. So what to do?

Creating Your Own Teenage Superstar

Ask yourself what does my tween girl want? To be glamorous and dress up like older (teenage) girls. You know the phrase 12 going on 20. So for one day, her birthday allow her to be a teenager (with full adult supervision of course). Employ a teenage girl and maybe her friends to do the tween girls make up and hair. Buy a few inexpensive foundations, and eye shadows, lipstick for the teenagers to use on tweens. Create a runway decorated with streamers and lights. Have the tweens walk the runway as the teenagers vote on who has the best style. You can even give the winner a special prize. For party favors give mini little lip gloss along with some inexpensive nail polish and bracelets. Hanging out with real teenages is the best part for these tweens.

If it is a small party, you can have the tweens make their own pizza. If not, order pizza from your local pizza parlor. For the "cake” choose something unusual like cup cakes or fancy cookies. Create a special drink for the tweens or serve an assortment of canned sodas.

Using a popular tween idol for a themes is certainly okay, but it can also be fun for you to do a creative party such as the one above. Plus this is an added bonus teenagers like to be idolized by the younger set as well so you get bring the two groups together.

June 25, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Seating Two Sets of Grandparents At The Wedding

Ask The Celebration Advisor: When you have two sets of grandparents for both the bride and groom, do you alternate seating the grandparents during the processional? or do you seat all the groom's grandparents first, and then all the bride's grandparents? ~ Erika M.

The Celebration Advisor: Great question, Erika! How lucky you both are to have both sets of grandparents at your wedding! According to traditional wedding etiquette, you have several good options depending on how quickly and politely you are trying to seat your guests.

Traditional Wedding Etiquette Seating Option: The general wedding etiquette rule of thumb with grandparents is to seat them as they arrive. This prevents them from having to stand longer than would be comfortable. This also prevents the hassle of figuring out who walks with whom, when and where they sit when they get there.

Modern Wedding Etiquette Seating Option: Seat your mother's parents first, then your groom's mother's parents, then your father's parents, then the groom's fathers parents. Wedding processionals and seating always favor the bride and then the maternal side of both families.

Polite and Modern Wedding Etiquette Seating Option: If you really want to have your grandparents walk before the wedding processional, a polite seating option would be to seat the your grandparents first (both sets) then seat both sets of the groom's grandparents. This is a spin off of the modern wedding etiquette option for seating that is very popular. However, this option is more in line with the traditional order of the processional and seating arrangements.

June 25, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

The Essential Top 25 Baby Shower Gifts Checklist

Things All Expectant Mothers Should Have After Her Baby Shower

Attending a baby shower anytime soon? In the past few months I've attended more than my fair share. What I've walked away with is an extensive knowledge of things that the expectant mothers received–and a long list of things they wish they'd received.

You're probably not going to the baby shower for kicks. You're most likely going because you're good friends with the mommy-to-be and want to make sure that the little tike is taken care of for a while. Props to you for being a concerned friend/relative/father/mother!

Pick up these items for the baby shower if you want to make sure that your best gal pal and her little one have the "wants" and "needs" that make life easier.

DIAPERS — Yeah, it's a cliche but you'd be surprised how many people think that someone else will bring the diapers. Believe me. This is the perfect baby shower gift.
Diaper Rash Ointment — What's a baby without diaper rash? A content baby but that's not the point. Babies get this pitiful condition often. Make sure mommy can handle it quickly with rash ointment.
Tear-free Baby Shampoo — Most babies cry enough as it is. Keep their little eyes free of stinging shampoo chemicals with a trusted tear-free baby shampoo. Tired mommy and daddy will thank you.
Moisturizing Lotion — Baby skin is naturally soft and supple but can dry out quickly. Don't forget to supply mommy with plenty of moisturizing lotion! This also helps prevent diaper rash and itchiness after bathing.
Diaper Bag — Every mom wants a cool diaper bag! If you want to bring a baby gift that you know she'll love, bring a tricked out but easy to manage diaper bag.
Baby Bathtub — Baby has to be bathed! Save mom this expense and bring this baby gift.
Baby Wipes — Anyone who has ever changed a diaper understands how important these tiny pieces of heaven are.
Baby Bibs — Babies eat but babies are messy. Bring along a few cute baby bibs!
Baby Blankets — Want to hold him or her when they get here? Baby blankets from you will keep the sweetheart warm and snuggled up in your arms.
Baby Outfits — Baby clothes are starting to be the most adorable fashion items ever. If you want a trendy baby gift that mom will "aww" over, bring baby outfits.
Manicure Set — Most people forget how important it is to keep baby's fingers and toes clean and cut. Otherwise, mom will wake up in the middle of the night because baby has scratched himself/herself accidentally.
Thermometers — Unfortunately, babies get sick quickly and easily. Mommies can make sure it's not worth a trip to the doctor by having a thermometer around.
Rubber Syringe (Nose Sucker) — Most people forget these. Most mommies find out quickly how useful these little booger suckers can be!
Trash Bags for Diaper Can — It's nasty and stinky in that can. Help keep mom NOT asphyxiated by giving her trash bags that reduce the smell or keep it limited to the can.
Baby Wash — Wash a bye baby. No, that's not right but you still need baby wash to go with the baby bathtub and bath supplies!
Hair Accessories — Whether boy or girl, baby hair accessories come in quite handy as the infants begin to grow a bit. These can include bows and ribbons for little girls, baby combs, and other things that mom may need.
Baby Bottles & Inserts — Mom will love not having to wash the bottles as often and having a handy supply around!
Baby Monitor — Most new moms are rightfully obsessive about keeping their little ones safe. Baby monitors make that easier for everyone.
Baby Bouncer, Activity Pad, Walkers — When baby grows, so will his mind and his muscle!
Stroller — Tired moms don't want to cart around sleepy babies on their hips, especially if a lot of walking, lifting or stretching is involved. This baby shower gift makes it fun for mom and baby to walk the mall, grocery store, or around the block.
Pacifier — A handy dandy little invention that no parent should be without!
Rattles, Stuffed Animals, Small Toys — Noise is great for small children. They love. Their parents may not but it's helpful for child development. Plus, playing with these toys develops their motor skills.
Burp Clothes — Mom's got the bib, the bottles and the food. Now she just needs burp clothes to keep her own clothes from getting dirty!
Mobile for the Baby Bed — It's a unique baby gift that moms will love. If you're close to the family and know the layout of the nursery, get a mobile for the baby bed!
Baby Books — This can be the baby memory books that parents keep as their child grows or books designed for babies that like to look at pictures. Either way, these are always big hits at the baby showers.

June 24, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

After The Wedding Tradition: Honeymoon

Captive Honeymoon!

This past weekend I attended a lovely morning wedding. The ceremony time was chosen, not because morning light is so beautiful, but so the couple could catch an early flight to their honeymoon destination. This made me wonder, where did the honeymoon tradition start?

Weddings have taken place in some form or another since the beginning of history. However, I wondered if early honeymoons were like they are now. I doubt that past generations could afford to travel as we do now for our honeymoons. So I began my own journey to find the answer to "where did the honeymoon tradition come from?"

In my quest, I found it had to do with the “capture of the bride" era. This era is known as marriage by capture and in some third world countries still takes place. Historically "marriage by capture" is roughly attributed to the 15th century and considered the beginning of the honeymoon concept. However, honeymoons may have occurred much early.

The honeymoon took place after the man captured or took his "bride". The "groom" would steal the "bride" away from her family and all others for a "moon's time" which is roughly 30 days. Hopefully during the thirty days, the bride would conceive a child. Forcing her family to “consent” to a marriage.

Why all the drama? For one, the groom was usually from another tribe and not likely to be given consented to marry the women. Kidnapping was a way to force the issue and the thirty days gave the "groom" time to persuade the family.

Why Honeymoon?

During the 30 days of "marriage by capture", the groom would give his captured "bride" a drink of mead know as metheglin. Mead is a fermented drink of herbs and honey. This drink made from honey and given to the bride by her groom during a "moons time" gives us the word of honeymoon.

Down through the ages as we have moved from a tribal to a civil society , the honeymoon tradition has given way to a more romantic sentiment. Now the groom and bride plan a trip away from family and friends. Their honeymoon destination allows them to enjoy their wedded bliss.

June 23, 2009 by Christina Friedrichsen

Intimate At-Home Weddings – What You Need To Know

Is An At-Home Wedding for You?

Whether you're saying 'I do' in your living room, or you're having a backyard wedding, at-home weddings are a challenge. A couple of weeks before our at-home wedding, our neighbor placed a big, honking boatlift on his beach. This wasn't any old boatlift. It was a rickety, rusty eyesore.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

I wouldn't have cared. Honest. It's just that my husband-to-be and I spent months getting our lakefront home ready for our backyard wedding. This involved adding flowerbeds, planting a truckload of ever-thirsty impatiens (more on those later), power washing, and even painting.

I envisioned my guests mingling on the spotless deck, cocktails in hand, a soft breeze from Lake Erie cooling their sun-exposed skin. I pictured sailboats in the distance, a beach free of garbage and smelly dead things and an unobstructed view of Fermi II (that's the nuclear power plant across the lake). I did not forsee a rusty, contraption of a boatlift to be part of the picture.

So, I traipsed on over to my neighbor's house and told him we were getting married and we were having an at-home wedding. And by the way, can you move your boatlift, because it won't look nice in my wedding photos? (The nerve of me!)

Our wedding day came and went, and the boatlift didn't budge. And you know what? It didn't matter. Not a single bit. I did not harbor bad feelings towards my neighbor, and he did not hold my temporary lapse of reason against me. In fact, the day before our wedding, he offered us the use of a wooden platform that we ended up using it as a stage for the Irish band!

Looking back, I can't believe that I was so petty. But that's what planning a wedding can do to you. Even a small wedding. It can make you crazy. Unrecognizable. The evil twin sister you didn't know you had can suddenly rear her ugly head. Heck, there are even TV shows about this kind of thing.

Wooden Bridge & Wedding Flowers

And having an at-home wedding can intensify the symptoms -especially if you are a perfectionist. There are so many extra details involved with planning an at-home wedding that it can be overwhelming for anyone – but especially those who have a penchant for perfection.

Not only will you be running around like a hen with her head missing trying to cross off the zillion things on your to-do list, you'll also want to make sure your home is extra-tidy, extra-lovely, extra-special for your extra-important big day. And that will take Effort. (Note the capital 'E' for emphasis.)

One of the first things Darin and I did when we decided to have a backyard wedding was head out to a local nursery to load up on flowers, and other bedding plants. In fact, we spent the entire spring and summer landscaping our property, which included planting dozens of flats of impatiens, as well as an assortment of perennials.

Through it all, I discovered a new passion – gardening, and I lost weight without even trying! (Hauling wheelbarrows full of earth day after day will get you in shape pretty fast!)I also discovered that impatiens and a scorching hot summer climate make for a very LARGE water bill.

Garden Pew Markers For Outdoor Wedding

Even though we were having our at-home wedding outdoors, Darin and I decided not only to landscape the yard – but also fix up our house before the wedding. This included stripping wallpaper, painting, stripping more wallpaper, and did I mention stripping wallpaper? We had plenty of help from family, but Darin and I truly busted our behinds trying to get things in order.

Of course, not all couples planning an at-home wedding spend months fixing up their place. Some people don't lift a finger on home improvements. If that's the case, planning can be a whole lot easier.

However, there are still things to keep in mind if you are planning an at-home wedding.

1. Toilets. It's probably the least romantic thing about your wedding, but it's probably one of the most important. No matter where you decide to have your wedding, you're going to need at least one. If you are having your wedding at home, you might decide that guests can use the washrooms in your home. But after giving it some serious thought, you might change your mind. If you are having an outdoor wedding, do you really want your guests traipsing in and out of your home? Can your plumbing system take the wear and tear? Is it possible that your septic system will be overstressed, causing a plumbing nightmare on the biggest day of your life? (Ever see Meet the Parents?) After doing some research, we discovered that port-a-johns definitely aren't what they used to be. There are new user-friendly models in a variety of colors. Not only are they more pleasing to the eye, they have sinks and flush toilets. Even though they are more expensive, they were definitely worth the splurge.

2. Neighbors. Warn them in advance and give them a heads up closer to the big day. They might even offer up their driveways for parking – or a portable stage! Be extra kind to them as you get close to your wedding day, so that they will put up with potentially high noise levels from your happy wedding guests.

3. Invite your caterer over before the big day so s/he can scope out your kitchen. S/he'll need to know how much space there is to work in – as well as fridge and stove details.

4. If you are doing the outdoor thing, rent a tent. That is, unless you have a huge tolerance for risk. (Which I do not.)

5. Hire a cleaning person to clean your home thoroughly prior to your wedding – not to mention after your big day. Unless of course, you have a lovely friend or relative who has kindly offered to take on this task.

6. Have bug spray handy. Citronella candles might provide ambiance, but they are useless when it comes to fending off hungry 'mossies'.

7. If your guests like to over-imbibe, be prepared: some might want to crash at your house. We had a pretty tame crowd at our wedding, but like any good party, there's a chance this will happen at your wedding. If you're not equipped for sleepovers, be smart and call a cab.

8. Enjoy the journey. Easy for me to say – I got married eight years ago. But, really, try not to sweat the small stuff – like boatlifts.

9. Give yourself a pat on the back for pulling it off. Planning a wedding at home is no small feat, but it's one of the most rewarding things you will accomplish. Raise a glass to yourself – (and to your neighbor) for a job well done!

Christina Friedrichsen is the author of Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style and owner of IntimateWeddings.com, a website dedicated to small weddings.

A special thanks to:

Photography by memoriesINtime, a Milan MO photographer, for the beautiful photo of a wedding ceremony in front of a lake.

Hollyhock Flowers, a Weare NH florist, who create the fabulous flowers decorating the wooden bridge in the second photo.

Petals-a-Florist, an Atlanta GA florist, who designed the sensational pew markers in the third photo.

June 18, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Etiquette Matters: Am I Required To Send A Wedding Gift?

Ask The Wedding Guide: I just got invited to a wedding. I work with the girl and we're friends but we're not super close. I'm going to be out of town that weekend and will not be attending. Am I still required to send a wedding gift? Sarah Lynn from Tulsa:

The Wedding Guide: Thankfully, this is a more cut-and-dried wedding etiquette issue than most would expect. The simplest answer is yes, it is polite to send a wedding gift. However, there are situations where it would be ok to refrain from purchasing a wedding gift. Here's how you can tell pretty quickly:

Yes, Buy A Gift

I received a wedding invitation
I am good friends with the bride/groom/family

No, It's OK To Not Buy A Gift

We haven't spoken in years or many months
We haven't seen each other in years or many months
I received a wedding announcement, not an invitation
I was told about the wedding but have not received an invitation
I was told about the wedding through a third party
I was asked not to buy a gift
The couple is accepting money only or has a money tree at the reception

In your situation Sarah Lynn, you received an invitation from a good friend. Your absence is unfortunate but wedding etiquette suggests purchasing a gift for the new couple. It is acceptable to give the gift to her before or after work or before your departure at her home. Perhaps ask to host the couple at an informal dinner at a time convenient for all and give it then. You can make the giving process as simple or lavish as possible. For that matter, the gift doesn't have to be the highest priced item on the registry. It's the thought that counts in this case.

June 17, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Use Citrus Centerpieces for Fresh Appeal

I love citrus! Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines—they all say warm breezes, freshness and a fun way to decorate your wedding reception. Whether your reception is elegant and elaborate with large, lavish floral centerpieces or simple and modern with small, compact floral arrangements, this is a great idea to incorporate. Using one or several varieties of citrus—let’s say oranges and tangerines—place whole or sliced fruit in your centerpiece containers, depending on the size of the containers. Fill with water, then place your flowers, ribbon and other embellishments in the vases. The look is stunning!

I recently used this idea for a bridal shower where the young bride’s main wedding colors were tangerine and turquoise. I used small clear vases, added orange slices, orange Gerbera daisies, and turquoise ribbon. They looked fresh and youthful on the white tablecloths, and the votive candles on each side added a beautiful elegance to the arrangements. They also added a pleasant orange fragrance to the air.

This idea works well no matter what your color choices. The natural, organic beauty of the citrus fruit adds a unique twist to the floral arrangements that can be carried into the food trays, as well. Adding a slice or wedge of citrus on each tray, and adding slices of citrus to crystal pitchers of ice water helps to carry through the citrus theme at your wedding reception.

Citrus Floral Arrangement by Inspired Floral Design

A special thanks to Inspired Floral Design, a Bradford RI florist and Carolina MediaStar Photography, a Fayetteville NC photographer for sharing this wonderful example of a citrus floral arrangement.

June 16, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Looking For An Award Winning Caterer in Fort Worth?

Get the best of the best in catering for your occasion. The best in Fort Worth, Texas? Well that title belongs to Louise Lamensdorf of Bistro Louise. Her multiple award-winning recipes have even earned her television appearances on The Food Network and Good Morning Texas among other.

So what's so great about Bistro Louise's new American Mediterranean cuisine that makes Bon Appetit, The Cooks Magazine, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Fort Worth Texas Magazine, Texas Monthly and Tasteful Treasures want to feature the food in their magazines? The taste. The experience. The pleasure.

One taste will get you. It will have you hooked. Already touted as "Fort Worth's premier seafood restaurant," Bistro Louise is a step above anything you've ever thought was quality Mediterranean food. It doesn't matter whether it's sampling from the dinner menu or appetizing lunch menu. Regardless of the meal you choose, there isn't a bad meal to be had at Bistro Louise.

Where did Louise get a knack for cooking these marvels? Bistro Louise was founded in 1996 with an American cuisine highly influenced from cooking in France, Italy and Spain. This is European flair at its finest. The meat is fresh, often flown in from seaports across the world.

Being a native of New Orleans and of French ancestry herself, it was no wonder that the impecable reputation of French cuisine comes to life in Bistro Louise food. Louise also spent nearly a decade partnering to run the French Apron school for teaching starting chefs to prepare European cuisine. Louise also apprenticed under the first chef to lead the U.S. Olympic Culinary Team.

The list goes on and on. The gist though? You can't find a better European-style caterer in Fort Worth, Texas. If you're in the mood for tasty foods with a wholesome Mediterranean flair, you simply must contact Bistro Louise in Fort Worth. Your happy stomach will thank you!

June 15, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett

Planning An Office Retirement Party

When someone retires, it is a great time for an office party. However as with all parties, it requires organization and planning. Of course, the focus of the party should be on the life and work of the retiree which can be tricky. So how do you throw a great retirement party for some one you only know as a co-worker?

Simple get their family involved. Ask their family to share the hobbies, favorite color, food, and drink of the retiree. Get those questions answered then run with it. If you’re having the parties at work, decorate the party area with balloons, streamers and table cloths in their favorite color or colors. It also a nice touches to have a "Happy Retirement" banner made. If you’re having a quick retirement party, you can serve cake and ice cream with water, soda, and juice for the drinks and food. If you found out the retiree's hobby is golfing then purchase napkins with a golf theme.

To do a more formal dinner party, you can book a room at restaurant. For larger parties with entertainment, rent a party hall and hire caterers. as for decorations, skip the streamers and balloons instead use candles and flower arrangements. Keep table cloths in basic black or white and use flowers in the favorite color of the retiree. If this party is for multiple retirees, go with company colors in the table flower arrangements. That way you'll offend no one by leaving out their favorite color.

Being in charge of the office retirement parties isn’t really a difficult task when you ask the right questions and follow key party principles.

June 12, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Kid's Party Entertainment Ideas And Tips For Partes Big Or Small!

Your primary goal when planning for a children's birthday party is to make sure the birthday child feels special. Your secondary goal is to ensure that everyone has a good time at the party. The entertainment part of a children's birthday party is a very important part! You want to be sure that the entertainment you have planned is well thought out.

Let's start off with a little entertainment that doesn't take a lot of work to get planned. Children usually have a large imagination and just about anything will get their attention. The number one thing to add festivity to the air of a birthday party is music. Play kid-friendly songs, or have a musical DVD playing on a TV in the main party room. Besides the music , children's party activities always make a party a lot more fun for every child.

Here's a simple idea that doesn't cost much to do. You could set up a game room inside your home, or even outdoors. This game room could be arranged with a variety of homemade games that cost very little to do. You could then provide each child that completed or won the game with a "prize". This could be anything from candy bars to glow sticks, whatever you think would be fun for any child. A couple of homemade games you could set up are soda bottle bowling, or even mining for jewels. Sounds fun!

Need bigger entertainment ideas? One major hit at most children's parties is to book an entertainer. This could be a standard clown or magician. To change things up a bit, you could even book "character entertainers" who come as popular TV, movie, or story book characters. But before making your decision to hire an entertainer, you need to be sure of a couple of things. Try to see them in action performing before the party to determine if they are the right entertainer for your child's party. Another thing is to be sure and let your entertainer know ahead of time if your child is shy. This would prevent the entertainer from asking your child to participate in the show, if you know that's not what your child would have in mind.

Another entertainment idea that any child is for sure to enjoy is to rent out a "bounce gym" or also known as a bouncer. Kids love them! These bouncers usually tend to cost $150+ per day including delivery and setup. They also come in lots of fun themes. Not only do kids love them but these bounce gyms are even actually good for their bodies. They have fun while doing a little exercise. Talk about two for the price of one!

Regardless of which of these entertaintment ideas you use, your birthday party is sure to be well entertained. Just make sure to have back up plans in case one of your entertainment ideas ends up not being possible. Which is why planning ahead of time is always a good first choice!