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Spring Has Sprung With Baby Shower Ideas!

Spring is finally in full swing with blooming flowers, sunshine, and new life popping up everywhere. Including a few expectant mother's who need a baby shower, right? Whether you are planning one for yourself or for a friend, use the beautiful inspiration of the season to make your baby shower fun and memorable.

Spring Baby Shower Themes

Newborn Spring
Baby animals couldn't be cuter and they are extra fitting as the springtime is so full of new life. To incorporate adorable animals into your shower, create a  garland of furry friends by stringing up stuffed animals that match your theme colors. Also, use white handkerchiefs to create diapers for each animal and the entire room will be surrounded by cuteness.

For your baby shower cake, your local bakery will have tons of options for a wide-eyed baby animal dessert, like the fun fondant creatures atop cupcakes in the photo below. We adore these egg-shaped scented soaps that come in their own little nest – perfect baby shower favors!

Sweet Taste of Spring
Nothing is sweeter than the smell of spring but candy comes close! Have fun choosing happy candy colors to decorate with. The best part is this decor can double as a snack. Create a tablescape that really pops by pouring loose candies into clear jars and vases of all different sizes. Also, take small colorful lollipops in clear cellophane wrappers and tape them a few inches apart on a long piece of string for an easy garland. Willy Wonka would be proud.

Continue reading "Spring Has Sprung With Baby Shower Ideas!" »

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Have S'more Fun

Planning a kid's birthday party can leave mommies scratching their heads. How do moms work, raise their children and plan unique birthday parties? Moms read the Celebration Advisor of course.

Bounce House from Premier Party Rentals LLC
This summer, give your little boy or girl a party everyone can enjoy. A camping themed party can be a fun and relaxed way to celebrate the passing of a joyful year. Not only can you celebrate your themed party in your own backyard, but everyone in the family can be a part of the preparation and activities.

S’more Party Food

For your camping themed party, you have plenty of options for your food that everyone will enjoy! A buffet style food table is ideal and will be just as relaxed as the mood of your party.

For starters, send the men of the family to their favorite spot, the grill. Hot dogs and hamburgers are the perfect meal for picky eaters and are budget friendly to make for a group of 20 kids.

Lets not forget about dessert! For a sweet treat, allow the boys to eat dirt, well “chocolate dirt”. Fill a mason jar with three layers: brownie, chocolate pudding and crushed Oreos. To wash down dessert, serve “bug juice” which is Kool Aid with floating gummy worms. This will be the hit of the night.

Fun Camping Activities

There are plenty of fun party activities that all kids will enjoy! For the afternoon, a rented jump castle can be used for rotation around hot dogs and hamburgers. After dinner, I suggest a scavenger hunt to allow their tummies to settle. They can search for fun items around the yard and go on an outdoor adventure. To cap off the night, a movie night on the lawn is the perfect way to end the night, just add s’mores for an extra treat.

Party Decorations

All decorations for this party can be homemade or if you're not into DIY, you can easily visit your local party store. However, if you plan to use DIY party decor, there are lots of fun ideas to create a fun camping themed party.

Yummy S'mores
Start off with old wooden planks for “no girls allowed” signs. To bring the jump castle into the camping theme, simply place another wooden sign with “Don’t feed the bears” written on it. The jump castle resembles a cage and is the perfect area for the kids to act like animals. For the entrance, make your own cloth banner for “Camp Landon” using triangle pieces of cloth for a rustic look. All of these fun party decorations combined together will truly transport you to the woods.

Party Favors

Make sure your guests take supplies as they travel on the trail back home. Some party favors that can be used over and over are:

  • Flash Lights: easy access night-light
  • Trail Mix: the perfect snack for later adventures
  • Seed Packets: to start wildlife of their own

Saying thank you with these great party favors will truly be the icing on the cake for them.

Wedding and Party Network is camping out and we’re inviting you. Enjoy a s’more on us with this great party theme idea!

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Southern Drawls and Bendy Straws

Backyards seem to be the perfect setting for spring and summer parties. A new party theme that is easy on the eyes and on your wallet is Southern Rustic Charm. Enjoy the weather without the frustration of planning and hosting an elaborate event. Southern Rustic Charm can be accomplished with just two key decorations: burlap and mason jars. A simple party that will truly charm your guests.

Southern Inspired Entrées:

Southern Drawls & Bendy Straws
Food can play a huge role in party success. There are a several main dishes that are inexpensive and easy to replenish. For example, BBQ and fried chicken wings (for less mess) are great homemade foods that almost anyone can enjoy. If you want to get a little dirty, try a crawfish, potatoes and corn on the cob mix. There are plenty of options for food that will help make your party a success.

Refreshing Refreshments:

Playing host can leave you stuck in the kitchen. But, with a few simple tips, you'll be the center of the party for sure.

Simple lace-decorated mason jars can be filled with sweet tea and lemonade. Just ice them down in a bucket to reduce back and forth trips to fill drinks.

Also, don’t be afraid to mix things up. Try making strawberry lemonade with actual strawberry pieces or my new favorite, turquoise lemonade. This is made with Country Time Lemonade, sugar and blue raspberry Kool Aid. It is a sure way to brighten up the party.

Rustic Charm Décor:

In a Southern Rustic Charm themed party, decorations will be the talk of the party. Refurbished flea market furniture is easy to find and it makes a stunning impression. Did I mention it’s one-of-a-kind? Simply find a different chair, paint it a basic color (my favorite is white) and sand the edges for added rustic effect. Don’t forget to visit your local florist for their unique flower arrangements.

As the sun goes down and your guests make their way home, make sure they leave with a little piece of the South. Some cheap and easy party favors are:

  • Honey
  • Homemade Jelly
  • Seed Packets
  • Cotton Candy

With the right decorating skills and unique party favors, your guests will leave your Southern Rustic Charm truly envious.

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Celebrate Memorial Day

Before WWII, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day. As such, it was a tradition to decorate the graves of soldiers who had lost their lives in war. As illustrated by this photo taken in the 1930’s, Decoration Day was taken quite seriously by its celebrants.

Today, what we know as Memorial Day, is celebrated on the last Monday of the month of May. Although the official government holiday was established to honor our dead veterans, many now use the day for mini holidays like going on picnics, spending time at the lake or traveling. Of course, there are still those that take flowers to the cemetery to decorate their loved ones tombstones.

The Ins and Outs of My Memorial Day Celebration

As the unofficial beginning of the summer vacation season, many people spend the day involved in numerous outdoor activities. Since it can be very hot already by the end of May, I like to entertain people who are not involved in those type of activities. Instead I prefer to host an indoor/outdoor party.

With the trees bloomed out, gardens planted and my porches spruced up, I am ready for the excitement of a memorial party. Because this is a casual party, I email or text invitations. I have a drop in, so those who might be returning from the lake or a trip can feel free to drop in. As there are always plenty of food and beverages, we often invite people we run into in the days leading up to the holiday.

My Decorations For The Day

Every serving area (and I have many) has a patriotic theme. I love the simplicity of this arrangement in a basket. With a few potted geraniums from your local nursery and some dollar store flags and you have a very appropriate patriotic centerpiece.


Fresh plants from the local nursery decorate the screened porch and are readily available at your local nursery. As it is early in the growing season, all plants are young and small but will provide big design if you take proper care.

In the above photos, you'll see that the patio is party ready having been cleaned and decorated with plants that have been newly planted. Now, my guests will have several areas to gather depending on the weather.

Memorial Day Menu

I keep my menu simple:

  • Chicken Salad Sandwiches
  • Sassy's Wieners
  • Shrimp Dip
  • Fruit and Cheese Plate
  • Bourbon Punch, Lemonade and Iced Tea

Just for fun, I will share my mother's recipe for Chicken Salad:

Boil some chicken.

Peel some celery

Boil some eggs

Put this into food processor until chopped; do not puree'. Add a dollop of mayonnaise (not salad dressing) and a dollop of Durkees'. You must have Durkees dressing. I keep four or five containers on hand in my pantry. Do not expect me to share if you do not return the glass quart jar I used for you before. Enjoy.

The recipe for the Shrimp Dip is as follows:

8 oz. Cream Cheese (room temp)

4 tbl. Chilie Sauce

1 tsp. onion juice

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 lb. shrimp

Peel and devein shrimp. Cook shrimp in shrimp boil mix. (I use medium shrimp). Cut into bite size pieces. Mix all other ingredients in food processor until smooth. Use milk if necessary to thin. Keep refrigerated but remove early enough to knock the chill off. I use Fritos with this dip. I will double or triple for this party. It will keep several days.

Memorial Day can be celebrated in many ways. If you don't have a lake or stream to go to, or you want to stay out of the traffic, you might want to try this type of party to entertain yourself and your friends. With most going back to work the next day, it may turn into the party to remember.

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Party of One for Mother's Day

Our family traditions change as our circumstances change.

Since my spouse and I have both lost our mothers, we spend the morning at church with our daughter and then head to our club for a special meal that neither she nor I must cook. After a full morning I have given myself the gift of a party for one. I treat myself to a lazy afternoon on the porch. I read, daydream, enjoy the new spring plantings and fuel all of this with coffee or iced tea as I enjoy this rare moment of quiet. There are always magazines to catch up with. Sometimes I will have a slice of cake, if I have it or a snack of cheese and fruit. It is a party of one where I can celebrate myself, my mother and my daughter. Celebrate a life many times too busy to enjoy.

Mother’s Day Ideas

There are numerous activities that you can do to celebrate Mother’s Day. Here are a few ideas that mothers will love:

  • Traditional Mother's Day celebrations include a meal with generations of mothers and children and flowers. There are brunches, lunches, and buffets at local restaurants.

This happy bunch is three generations sharing a festive mother's day brunch.

  • Some mother's prepare their own meal to share with their children and grandchildren.

Here a table is set with the grandmother's vintage china and crystal to honor the mother and grandmother at an intimate brunch.

  • Many times distance keeps us from our loved ones so a card or a bouquet of flowers must suffice.

This is a card sent to my husband's grandmother by her daughter at the beginning of WWII. I always put the framed card out to celebrate the season and remember our ancestors.

I love my porch this time of year. It is a gift and a celebration in itself. The air is fresh, the plants and trees are green and there is the promise of new beginnings. So promise yourself to find a special place and give yourself a party for one.

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Mint Juleps & Derby Hats

The Kentucky Derby is May 4, 2013 this year, which means it's time to break out those derby hats and mint juleps. If you aren't able to attend The Kentucky Derby, it is only fitting to host a party. They are so much fun and you can really get creative with this party theme. Wedding and Party Network has a few party photos that will give you inspiration for a Kentucky Derby party.


Kentucky Derby Decor
Charm City Concierge
The Watering Trough
Crossing the Bigger Dixon Line
Mint Julep Cupcake
Lovely Craft Home

Mint Julep
Kentucky Hot Browns
Plain Chicken
Kentucky Derby Invitation

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How to Plan & Decorate for Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo is a spanish holiday held on the 5th of May each year, and celebrates the Mexican army’s' victory over French troops in the Battle of Puebla. However, for many it is simply a day to celebrate the mexican culture.

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo With Style

Parties are a great way to get together and celebrate, but how does one go about decorating for this holiday? Why not celebrate with a festive fiesta. Here are a few tips to help plan and decorate for this holiday:

  • Be festive with some brightly colored party invitations with the word "fiesta" printed on them.
  • The Spanish are all about bright colors, so choose some brightly colored tablecloths and bowls. These are good for chips, salsa, and other finger foods.
  • Don't forget photo props! A fun way to keep guests entertained is with a homemade "photo booth." Just grab some small banjos, guitars, maracas and sombreros to create that Mexico feel. Provide cheap, disposable cameras for guests to take pictures on, and have them create copies of the prints for you to keep in a keepsake album.
  • It wouldn’t be a fiesta without some lively music. Play tropical, Spanish style music to create a beachy, party environment.

Parties and celebrations are fun no matter what the occasion! Just remember to spice up the party with tasty foods, sweet beverages, entertaining music, games, and fun things to do. You'll be the best party host ever!

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And They're Off…Celebrate The Kentucky Derby

These famous words begin the greatest two minutes in sports. The Kentucky Derby has been a traditional horse race held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Folks flock to this Kentucky town to watch the two-minute race and share in the celebration that traditionally includes roses, hats and mint juleps. We may not ever be able to join the folks in Louisville, but we can create our own celebration steeped in tradition to share with our friends. A few enthusiastic friends, some mint juleps, hats, roses and appropriate food are all you need.

How To Celebrate The Derby At Home

I like to give six couples a week or two notice that we will be celebrating the Derby at our home. This gives the ladies time to find a hat or embellish one they already own. Notices can be sent by text or email. If you want to be real fancy, handwritten invitations are the way to go.

If you are only sending five or six invitations, it isn't that much trouble. The note might read something like this:

" Please join us on Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p. m. for a Derby Day party. We will be serving mint juleps and traditional Derby food. Ladies get your best hats ready. We look forward to having you enjoy the race with us. Best, Jane and John Doe "

Starting your celebration at 2:00 gives your guests plenty of time to enjoy libations and food while visiting before the 4:00 race begins. The men in the group may even want to make up a betting pool, but I always leave that to them. Men always seem to know better about those things.

On to the Libations and Food…

I am fortunate to have 12 silver mint julep cups. Well, actually 4 of these are what my mother referred to as Jefferson cups, but the size works here. If you don't have any silver, glass is the way to go as glass julep cups are used at the official Kentucky Derby.

Now, the key to a mint julep is to use crushed ice. I don't crush it myself as a local fast food outlet will sell a 10 lb. bag to me for a couple of dollars. Mint is a must have for this drink and I also grow mint in my yard, but you can get this at your local grocery store. The mint julep makes this party truly festive.

Mint Julep

Serving Size: One Mint Julep

Crushed ice

2 tbl. mint syrup (Recipe Below)

2 oz. good Kentucky Bourbon

Chill glasses.  Fill with crushed ice. Add 2 tbl. mint syrup, 2 oz. bourbon. Stir and serve. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Mint Syrup

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups water

1 bunch of mint

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and pur over a handful of mint leaves and crush with a spoon. Cool and refrigerate syrup overnight in a closed jar. Remove mint leaves. Will keep in the refrigerator several weeks.

Serve this traditional drink with pimento cheese sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches and I like to do something substantial like ham and biscuits. The pimento cheese can be made 4 or 5 days ahead, as well as the spread for the cucumber sandwiches. The ham can be cooked several days ahead and set out to come to room temperature. The biscuits can be cooked early in the day (I use the frozen ones and they are great). If you feel the need for something sweet, lemon bars can be made ahead and will be a good addition.

It is always wise to serve enough food to keep your guests from leaving your home inebriated. Also, I always have other drinks available as not everyone will partake of the mint julep. Wine, beer, and lemonade should suffice. As you will know your crowd, you can decide what they might drink.


Run for the Roses

Roses, as many as you can cut or afford, should be everywhere. Roses should serve for the centerpieces for the serving table, cocktail table, powder bath, etc. This is the run for the roses after all.

With a little effort on your part, your friends will enjoy this party so much that they will look forward to the next year with much excitement. Get your best hat ready and  give yourself some time to organize this great party so you will be ready for those three famous words "and they're off".

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A Sweet & Elegant Backyard BBQ

It's starting to warm out, so now is the time to get outdoors. What better way to kick off the gorgeous weather than by hosting a backyard BBQ? Why not change up your BBQ though? Put a sweet and elegant twist on it. How? Wedding and Party Network has a few tips on creating an elegant BBQ in your very own backyard.

Create the Setting – To create this setting, it's simple. Use vintage jars, vases and a mix of simplistic flowers. Don't forget to add a bit of lace or twine to each arrangement, such as, wrap it around the vase. There should be flowers galore. Spring is all about bringing out the color, and of course the flowers. So, talk with your florist about what's in season and what would work best. Don't forget to mix a pretty pattern for the table cloths and napkins. Keep it simple with a bit of class.

For the Food – The other important aspect of this party is the food of course. What do you serve? First, plan out your meat. What will be easiest for you and what do you think everyone will enjoy the most?

Chicken is always a crowd pleaser, as well as hamburgers. However, if you want, smoked brisket or ribs also sound delicious. Once you've decided on your meats, move on to the side dishes. Whip up a batch of devil eggs with a twist, such as adding prosciutto, serve marinated green beans or peas and pancetta. Just take a look at what's in season and fresh. Once you do that, you can easily find tasty side dishes that are sure to compliment your meats.

While your guests are waiting on the food to be prepared, appetizers are great for them to nibble on. Chicken and potato salad in an artichoke cup, in season fruit, phyllo wrapped asparagus, raspberry canapes with basil & balsamic or goat cheese tarts. Again, find what's in season and go from there. However, if you have no clue what to cook or aren't that creative in the kitchen, you can always visit with your local caterer.

Also, don't forget about dessert. Again, include fresh fruit within your desserts to give it a refreshing taste a bit of lightness. A strawberry cake with fresh strawberries or mini lemon tartlets sound delicious as well.

It's all about finding the right decorations and food to pull off a sweet and elegant backyard bbq. Now, pick a weekend and start planning!

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Top 5 Birthday Party Themes

Birthday parties are made to be fun! It's a time to celebrate the day you were born, which was a pretty spectacular day. Why not celebrate with an unforgettable birthday bash? There are many themes out there, but Wedding and Party Network has picked out top 5 that will truly make your day amazing!

Masquerade Party – Masquerade parties are a great excuse to dress up. There are many ways you can create a fun masquerade party. 

Un Birthday Party
Un-Birthday Bash – This is such a fun modern-day take on Alice in Wonderland. Give each party guest a whimsical hat to wear when they enter your magical wonderland. Go with rustic cake stands and servingware, eat me and drink me paperware, wishing tree, and decadent desserts all make this party magical.

Beer Tasting –This is a great party for any guy or even girls who love beer. Go with cute labels for the beer, paperware for your guests to rate their favorite, great beer glasses, and a delicious buffet that goes perfectly with beer.

So Glad You Were Born – Who isn't glad you were born? This party is all about fun. Feature fun, traditional birthday elements like birthdays, cookies, cupcakes, balloons and streamers. Mix in some non-traditional elements like roller skates, disco ball, mad libs, and anything that takes you back to your childhood.

High School Party – Who doesn't want to relive their high school days? Incorporate fun elements from high school. What music did you listen to, food did you eat, sports did you play, or what did you do for fun? This is such a fun way to celebrate your birthday!

So, what party theme will you decide for your birthday? All are so much fun, you just have to find the one that is right for you.

Unbirthday party photo via My Little Cottage in the Making

What if it rains on my wedding day?

There’s nothing more romantic than a wedding day—except maybe a wedding day with a soft drizzle and a sky full of drama (hello, moody photos!). But let’s be honest, most couples don’t dream of rain when they picture their big day. That’s why having a solid rain plan and the right mindset can turn unexpected weather into part of the magic!

The Hottest Bachelorette Themes for 2025

Planning the bachelorette parties can be just as much fun as the party itself! Bachelorette celebrations have come a long way from simple weekend trips and nights out. Now, it's all about crafting a dreamy experience that compliments the bride-to-be's personality. Check out our favorite themes for 2025 and find a perfect bachelorette theme to celebrate her last fling before the ring!

Ringing in Spring

Spring is right around the corner, which means that now is the perfect time to start planning a spring fling! This is a party to celebrate the changing seasons and to say hello to spring and goodbye to winter! Trade those winter blues for spring florals and start planning your perfect spring-inspired party that will leave your friends and family excited for the new season!