Archives for December 2013

December 31, 2013 by Hannah Jackson

Winter Party Themes for Your Kids

Moms of winter babies, we feel your birthday party pain. Kids with summer birthdays get outdoor extravaganzas to celebrate their days, but cold weather calls for some more creative party planning. Here are a few ideas to celebrate your little one's special day. Some embrace the holiday spirit and some are filled with their own inside entertainment.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland – This is a good idea for kids who love magical settings. Use a color scheme of whites, silver, and pale pink to create a frosty wonderland. For boys, you can use icy blue and soft brown tones along with the white. Decorating is a cinch. So, for an easy and really affordable addition to your decorating, bring in some small branches from your yard, stick them in clear vases, and you've got a unique centerpiece for your child's cake table or your mantle. You can also add streamers, balloons, confetti and mesh to create a magical wonderland. You will also find fun games and activities for children to do as well.

All Things Glitter – The focus of this theme is the crafts the kids can do while they are celebrating. Cutting out snowflakes covered in glitter, spraying various colors of glitter on Styrofoam shaped like trees, cupcakes with glitter frosting, pine cones covered in gold glitter and made into an ornament (if the party is before Christmas), etc. A handmade craft from your child is the perfect party favor, and it looks even better covered in glitter!

Arctic Animals – This one is pretty self-explanatory. Get into a conversation with your child and find out their favorite winter animals and use it as a jumping off point for their party. There's something about animal characters that put a smile on almost any child's face. Penguins and polar bears are good choices for a kids party. Or boys may like having the arctic fox as a unique theme for their big day. You can even suggest that guests who want to bring gifts can keep with the animal theme.

Snowmen Cupcakes

Snowman Party- This one is pretty classic, but there are so many crafts and food options for a party with this theme. If you don't include snowmen into your winter wonderland theme, make it a theme all its own. Pinterest is full of tutorials for snowman cookies, cookie dough balls, or candy bars. Take time before the party to draw snowmen on clear plastic cups with black and orange sharpies and fill them with popcorn for the kids to snack on during the party.

For take-home party favors, you can paint a snowman on pretty much anything. You can have the kids bring home personalized coffee mugs for their parents with a snowman face painted on them. This party will be a hit with all ages.

If you take the time to research a little bit, you can find plenty of ideas to make a Winter party a big hit. The kids won't even miss the swimming pool with an indoor wonderland that celebrates this chilly season.

December 30, 2013 by Ed Belly

Barefoot to Elegant Wedding Officiants of South Florida

Are you planning a wedding in South Florida? Do you long to stand barefoot on the beach, the cool sand between your toes while your feet are washed by gentle waves? Do you want to hear the cry of gulls overhead as you speak your vows, looking into the eyes of your future spouse? This type of ceremony is the specialty of Debra J. Bays, owner and operator of Barefoot to Elegant Wedding Officiants of South Florida!

A Special Wedding Day

You want your wedding to be special, the best of everything with the least amount of personal hassle, and Debra understands exactly how to help you achieve that goal. As a wedding officiant since 1984, Debra has years of personal experience and offers a wide variety of ceremony options sure to meet your needs!

She is the winner of the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Wedding Wire Couple's Choice Award, is an ordained member of the Clergy of the Church of Spiritual Humanism and Clergy of the Universal Life Church, a member of the American Association of Wedding Officiants and the National Association of Wedding Officiants as well as a member of Interfaith Officiants.

With her experience and proven track record, you can be sure to receive all the help you need to make your day amazing!

A Little Help with the Rest

Though Debra specializes in being a wedding officiant, she is also Notary Public in and for the state of Florida and can answer all your questions and help facilitate the process of obtaining your Marriage License!

Looking for that perfect venue, help personalizing your vows or assistance with the planning process? Debra will use her experience and know-how to assist you in making your wedding day memorable and exactly as you want it.

Whether looking for your day at the beach or a sophisticated church wedding, Barefoot to Elegant Wedding Officiants of South Florida will make it magnificent!

December 27, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Inspirational Friday – Silver

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 color silver.

Silver is such a great color for any wedding, any time of the year. That can be the main focus or it makes a wonderful compliment to almost any color. Silver accents to your wedding cake, flowers, shoes, bridesmaid dresses and even your wedding dress will truly stand out.

December 24, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Planning a Bachelorette Trip to New Orleans

Recently, I had the pleasure of planning a bachelorette trip to the city of New Orleans for a dear friend. The trip was incredible and I think every single person had a great time, and of course the bride. However, planning this trip came with a few little bumps, especially when you're planning a destination bachelorette trip for 14 girls all who live no where near each other. So, I'm here to offer a few tips for planning a bachelorette party learning from my experiences, as well as offering up a few recommendations for New Orleans.

Who's in Charge – Thankfully, me and another girl basically took charge of planning this trip. With email & text these days, it was easy to stay in contact.

We did send group emails to all the girls and asked for the opinions so they felt included. Tip: All the girls should get together or get a group email or text going asking for opinions and maybe decide who's in charge of what or put one girl in charge of it all. That way, it makes it easier for decisions to get made.

Budget – Again, me and another bridesmaid just took charge of planning and ordering everything. So, we really didn't have a budget. That wasn't a big deal to us and we loved surprising the girls with all the goodies we got. However, we did have a budget with the hotel. The bride didn't want everyone to pay a ridiculous amount on the hotel, especially since every girl was having to travel for this trip.

We did talk with the bride and all the girls about how much they wanted to spend. Thankfully, we found a great location at a wonderful price at the Country Inn & Suites New Orleans French Quarter. Tip: Talk with the girls about how much they are willing to spend. Tell them what you are wanting to buy and do for the bride and give a per person price.

Bachelorette Theme – Of course, you don't have to settle on a theme. The norm is pink & black. With our bachelorette party, we really want to do something classic with colors that aren't normally used. We chose Tiffany Blue & lavender. We also found cute invites saying "It's time to drink champagne and dance on the tables", so we played off that throughout the theme. Tip: Be sure to stick with the bride's personality.

Bachelorette Goodies – We had fun with ordering the bride's goodies. A bridal sash, veil, bachelorette essentials party favors, personalized cups & koozies, cake, cookies, banner and a Dum Dum bouquet are a few items we purchased. All within the color scheme and suited for the bride. Tip: Stick with the theme.

Lingerie Shower – This was easy. We chose a night, talked our decision over with the bride and put her sizes, as well as ALL of the details in an itinerary we made for all the girls so they knew what was planned for each day. The girls did great in knowing exactly what to get her!

What to Do – We did our research, plus many of us had been there before so it was easy to find things to do. A few of us arrived on Thursday and we walked around a bit before checking into our hotel. We also decided to go to Cafe Du Monde since the line was nonexistent, which is not the normal.

Again, Friday we rested and hung out waiting on the other girls to get there. Saturday was when we did our shopping and made it down to the market, Jackson Square Continue reading "Planning a Bachelorette Trip to New Orleans" »

December 23, 2013 by Juli Jackson

Ring In The New Year With Gatsby Style!

Really, there isn't any better theme for a New Year's Eve Party than The Great Gatsby. Of course I have read the book. Of course I know it takes place in the dead of summer. I'm telling you that doesn't matter.

New Year's Eve is a night that celebrates the past, even paints it in a decadent golden light, and drinks lasciviously to welcome in an uncertain future with wild abandon… well, I say you can't get more Gatsby than that. Plus, who doesn't want to host a party where magic elegance drips off every possible surface? We'll show you how to create some 1920s style that will make everyone want to kick up their heels to ring in the new year!

Decorations

Think glamor, shiny metallics, glitter and lights! As many and as much as you can manage. If possible, try to decorate each and every selection of the party space. Don't leave any bare walls or everyday fixtures untouched. This is the time to go crazy with the details. Your local party store will save the day here.

Have a large empty wall? Create big texture and color with gold, silver and white streamers. Twist two colors together and tape to the wall in a pattern of parallel strips. Covered the entire space, making sure the twists are spaced equally. Tack a line of metallic balloons around the edges to hide the ends of the streamers but also to create some depth. There! You'll have an inexpensive and easy decor option that will help create the festive atmosphere you want.

Have any old fur or faux fur coats or wraps? Drape them over an end table for a lush look and feel. Sprinkle metallic confetti across tables and shelves so every surface has some eye-catching sparkle. Tack long 1/2in curling ribbon of different length from the ceiling so it dangles and sways with the movement of the night. Just remember, this is one time you can't overdo it.

Put The Internet to Good Use!

Add a little more visual oomph to your party. Use your computer or TV to stream Youtube videos featuring scenes from The Great Gatsby film! Just search "Great Gatsby party scenes" and add the clips to your favorites. Leave the sound off and let the visuals play on a loop. There are excerpts from the movie and music videos that relish in all those lovely Baz Luhrmann production designs elements. You and your guests will love the energy of those positively enviable dance scenes.

For optimal dancing opportunities, plan your music ahead of time. If you need ideas you could start with the new film's eclectic soundtrack. Also throw in some fun jazz age music like the original Charleston dance.

Food

With a focus on drinking and dancing, you'll want to go light on the food but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be spectacular. Fancy hors d'oeuvres are definitely the way to go. If you are short on time, find a caterer and enjoy the night with the rest of your guests instead of slaving over tiny beautiful finger foods. You won't regret it!

Salads were very popular in the 1920s. An updated and party-friendly version might be a salad kebabs. Italian caprese on skewers would be delicious and very fitting. Shrimp cocktails will look beautiful and would be more of a people-pleaser over the oysters mentioned in story.

Individual lemon cakes, however are also straight from the book and would be such a sweet way to celebrate. Anything rich and decadent will delight your guests like chocolate truffles and candied nuts.

Drinks

Just because Gatsby partied during Prohibition, that didn't stop the drinks from flowing at his fabulous soirees . Elegant cut-glass punch bowls were very popular and great for serving a crowd. Drinks called The Bee's Knees, Sidecar, and Gin Rickey were popular and might be worth revisiting at your party.

And champagne. Lots of champagne is in order as per the demands of both the Gatsby story and the holiday. What could be more gorgeous than a towering champagne pyramid? Have you ever seen one? We say built it and they will come!

Surprisingly, it's not that hard – it just requires a little daring. You can use plastic champagne glasses to take away some of the risk. We recommend having a friend help with the set up and the pouring. Big or small, this process actually goes faster than you think so start pouring your pyramid just before midnight. Make an event out of the pouring. How fun to watch and all the glasses fill from top to bottom! Be sure to snap a few pictures of your bubbling creation then everyone can grab a glass – starting from the top! – and toast during the midnight countdown. We love this simple how-to video.

Don't let the new year roll in unmarked. Host a party that will have people talking 'til next year.
Say hello to 2014 with the style of Fitzgerald's unforgettable Jay Gatsby!

December 20, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Inspirational Friday – The Color Red

Red is such a bold and strong color. It's also a great color to use for weddings any time of year. You can pair it with numerous colors, such as yellow, green, white and black to create some unbelievable color combinations. Also, this color works with any theme. So, go ahead and get inspired by red for your wedding.

December 19, 2013 by Ed Belly

7 Ideas for Improving Your Kwanzaa Feast

Kwanzaa is a seven day event celebrated the world over. Conceived as a holiday celebrating African heritage in African-American culture, its principles and values stretch to everyone regardless of race, nationality or color. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa corresponds with one of the seven principles while a feast should be held on the final day of Kwanzaa. The key to making that feast successful, in addition to the regular decorations and symbols that Kwanzaa suggests, lies in understanding those principles and incorporating them into your preparations.

Umoja (Unity)

This tenet can easily be represented by having your guests wear traditional African cloth such as kente. Everyone dressed in a similar fashion will be an easily recognizable symbol of unity.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

This tenet is all about defining yourself and your culture as you see fit, not accepting the labels that society places on you. Encourage your guests to discuss something about themselves that is unique and special. You can even do it as a group, each individual getting an opportunity to speak.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

Allow everyone an opportunity to help with the feast preparations. This displays a community atmosphere and an opportunity to share the load of cooking for so many people.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Allow everyone an opportunity to discuss their jobs, businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Nia (Purpose)

Read a few uplifting chapters from black history. Share some of the great things the culture is responsible for and allow it to inspire the group toward greater success in their own lives.

Kuumba (Creativity)

Plan an outing to the local park to clean the grounds or work on the playground equipment. This promotes community spirit and offers everyone a way to help in a small way.

Imani (Faith)

Hold a group prayer wherein you extoll the virtues of those present and ask for strength and support throughout the rest of the year.

As you can see, Kwanzaa is a beautiful celebration that extols values any community should be proud to display. Incorporating the seven tenets of Kwanzaa into your final day feast will not only remind your guests of each of the days which have already passed and their defining principle, but will also reinforce a sense of togetherness, unity and community within your circle of family and friends.

December 18, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Wedding Wednesday – What Are My Duties as a Bridesmaid?

Your Wedding Wednesday Question

What are my duties as a bridesmaid?

Answer:

Bridesmaids have many duties. Mainly, it's helping with the planning. Go shopping with her for her wedding gown, attend dress fittings, and also plan showers, trips or parties. There are many duties of a bridesmaid and they are all important. Just be there for the bride.

We hope this answered your question!
If you have more wedding questions, send them to: social@weddingandpartynetwork.com
Every Wednesday we will post answers to your biggest wedding questions.

December 18, 2013 by Juli Jackson

Host A Holiday Craft Party This Season

Listen up all you DIYers, this is your time! There is no craftier season than December so start making plans now. Are your Pinterest boards already overflowing? Good! Grab your favorite project ideas, your best buds and host a fun holiday craft party to get in the spirit of the season. We know you'll love getting together with your friends and unleashing your creative side. Relax, create and enjoy each other on this most festive time of year!

Holiday Craft Party Ideas

Ornament Party

Break out the hot glue gun! Ornaments are so fun to make and give as gifts. They are wonderful for your own tree but also as toppers on presents or stocking stuffers.

You can pick some simple ideas that can be done with the group or everyone can bring supplies for their own ideas. We love these simple cinnamon stick stars! And these is your chance to finally make those clever online ideas you love all your own. Cover your table and work area with some brown craft paper and get started making holiday magic.

For some extra cheer, cook up some fresh apple cider – spiked or not is up to you! It will be a joy to savor the flavors of cinnamon and spice while making some craftiness goodness for your holiday celebration.

To help with organization, try setting up dedicated work spaces for particular tasks
like hot gluing, cutting and definitely for anything needing glitter!

Card Party

Are holiday cards a tradition for you? If not, why not start! Sending holiday cards are such a great way to reach out to loved ones and rarely-seen friends. Whether it is a traditional Christmas card, a funny photo card, or your own unique season's greeting, there is nothing like getting a real piece of mail from a loved one.

Don't get bogged down by feeling like you have to write an epic Christmas letter or send all the school pictures. While those things are nice, just a quick line and signature on a pretty card is enough. So tell your friends to start gathering addresses.

Perfect time for some piping hot coffee and maybe a variety of biscotti to munch on while you chat and seal. Mix it up with some fancy creamers or favorite coffee shop add-ins like whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

Remember, the United States Post Office recommends mailing your cards
by December 20th to make sure they arrive in time for Christmas!

Cookie Party

This one is a favorite during the holidays. Each person makes an extra large batch of cookies and everyone swaps so you get to go home with many different varieties to offer at your house. Elect one person to bake plain sugar cookies before the party.

When the gathering begins, some can start decorating the pre-made sugar cookies while others can be mixing and manning the oven. This way there are fewer battles for counter space and switching up will be a breeze.

Bar cookies, drop cookies, rolled cookies and shortbread – Try all different types for great diversity. Grab your apron and turn on some favorite tunes to get in the spirit. You'll love baking up a storm with friends!

Since it will be impossible bake cookies without sampling a few, consider serving something light to cut all the sugar. Offer up a colorful veggie tray with dip to snack on while the oven works it's magic. Though you might want to break out the milk when it comes time to officially taste test all the varieties. Everyone needs feedback, right? Go here for more Christmas Cookie Swap Ideas.

Have everyone bring a big platter to take their cookies home.
Use cupcake wrappers to display smaller cookies and waxed paper to keep sticky types separated.

Snowflake Party

Who doesn't remember cutting out snowflakes as a kid? Try it again as an adult and you might be surprised by the complex and lacy designs you can make. If you need a little reminder, do a quick search for "snowflake cutout patterns" and you'll be on your way. These make beautiful decor for windows, walls or the tops of presents.

Tape multiple snowflakes to a piece of string to make a dainty garland, perfect for draping along your banister or mantle. With a ream of white paper and some sharp scissors, put on a favorite holiday movie and start snipping away with friends.

Serve your guests some creamy hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows and some warm muffins for a cozy evening snack.

To preserve particularly stunning snowflake creations, get a roll of clear contact paper
and sandwich your cutout in-between 2 pieces. Press flat and trim excess to 1/4 inch all the way around.

Photos provided by Robbie Ribeiro, Michaela Kobyakov and Robert Proksa

December 17, 2013 by Hannah Jackson

Celebrating New Year's Eve with Your Kids

Once your kids wave goodbye to Christmas it can leave them (and you!) in a little bit of funk. It's always sad to see Christmas go, but there is always New Year's Eve! The midnight hour may not be very kid-friendly, but you can still give them a reason to look forward to the holiday. Prepare the hot chocolate, crank up the holiday tunes, and give these ideas a try.

Make a Time Capsule – This is a really neat idea if you are even the slightest bit sentimental. You can sit down with your kids and fill out a fun survey with questions such as: What is your favorite food right now? Who is your best friend? What is your favorite thing you did this year? Put a current picture of your children along with their surveys in a box and pull it out every year. Answer the same questions each year. Years down the road it will be fun to see how much has changed, and to reflect on various stages of your kids' lives.

Brainstorm – Going along with getting together as a family, the simplest thing you can do is talk about the year that is fast approaching. Make some of your kids' favorite snacks and hang out together with a big poster board to write any and every thing you want to do in the next year. This can range from small things like seeing a certain movie, to bigger dreams like a hopeful vacation. Since you are all having to leave Christmas behind, this can give you some much-needed targets to look forward to.

Join with Friends – Remember all those friends that you used to spend New Year's Eve with before you had kids? If you are all in the same parenting boat there's no reason why you still can't get together to celebrate the new year! If you're up for company (and a little chaos!), invite them all over with their kids and have a spontaneous New Year's Eve celebration. Tell your friends to bring pajamas for the kids and set up movies, popcorn, and sleeping bags for the little ones so that everyone can stay as late as possible.

If your kids are young and you aren't really sure how to involve them in the thrill of New Year's, it doesn't have to be complicated. Mark the holiday by spending time together, and you'll hopefully make it a little bit easier for them to move on from Christmas.

Archives for December 2013

Winter Party Themes for Your Kids