Low Cost Ways to Party

We are planning to have a birthday party for my youngest son at our house in less than a month. We are in the middle of some chaos at the house (nothing new), so we have our work cut out for us to get everything ready. If money was no option, we might just hire things out, but as it is, we are opting for low-cost or no-cost ways to get it all done. Here are the ideas I am batting around today, as we start to make our plans. Cleaning in Pieces In the last few weeks, we have … Continue reading

The Best Ways to Save on Party Supplies

This year, my six-turning-seven-year-old wants a castle theme party. Since this will be our third castle theme birthday party (it seems to be a tradition with the kids in our family), I may just have this one down pat. Of course, things have changed a little bit since the first party of its kind. I’ve noticed that party supplies are a bit more expensive. When I first started with party planning, my first and sometimes only stop for party supplies would be one of those party stores. While they can be great for finding exactly what you want, they tend … Continue reading

Ways to Spice Up Your Easter Party

Add some spring to your step and kick up your upcoming Easter get-together with extended family and friends.  The following fun-filled activities are designed to supplement traditional egg hunts without breaking the bank or forcing you to your breaking point: Craft Stations:  Before the annual Easter egg hunt gets underway have kids partake in some craft making.  This can be done by setting up various stations in your home.  Not only do these project centers keep kids busy while the adults mingle, but they also ensure your youngest guests have something to take home besides a bunch of chocolate.  An … Continue reading

Party Like It’s 1999

Throw a fabulous New Year’s Eve party blow out for same cost you might have paid 13 years ago. If you want to leave your old budget back in 2012 and have a fresh start in 2013, don’t blow it first thing on an expensive New Year’s Eve bash. Instead, party like a millionaire  even if you are still wearing the 90s grunge look. Recycle Christmas Decorations Most Christmas or Chanukah decorations that are in silver or gold will work well for a New Year’s Eve bash. Work with the decorations that you already have, such as placing silver ball … Continue reading

New Events at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

If you’ve ever been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party — Walt Disney World’s tickets-only, after-hours, month-long Christmas bash — then you think you’ve seen it all.  While that’s not entirely untrue – most of the major elements of the party don’t change from year to year – visitors in 2012 can expect to see something a little bit different this year.  Disney Parks site Inside the Magic has, well, the insider’s details on the new things you can expect to see at this year’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Of course the biggest thing on everyone’s minds is the brand new Fantasyland … Continue reading

Quick and Easy Holiday Party Ideas

If you want to host a fabulous party but don’t want an equally fabulous bill at the end of it, try one of the following easy holiday party ideas. You can celebrate the season while still staying on budget. Dessert Party Everyone loves desserts, especially during the holidays, when we all want to indulge a little bit. Desserts can be much cheaper than providing a whole spread, especially if you make them yourself from scratch. To save even more money, ask each guest to bring one dessert. Provide the plates, the forks, the spoons and the coffee. Open House During … Continue reading

Give the Gifts of Time and Talent

Retailers make it seem as though the holidays wouldn’t be anywhere near merry and bright if you don’t spend, spend, spend from now until Christmas.  But, the truth of the matter is that you don’t have to drain your wallet in order to show family and friends how much you love them.  Instead of presenting your clan with a bunch of overpriced items this year, consider gifting them with your time and talent. If you have a special skill, share it with your loved ones to create a thoughtful present. For example, if you are a whiz in the kitchen, … Continue reading

Spice Up Your Holiday Party

  You don’t have to serve alcohol at a holiday party in order for your guests to have a good time.  There are plenty of ways you can keep your friends and family members entertained without busting your budget on a bunch of booze. Rather than stocking your bar before your guests arrive, have several games and activities on hand to keep everyone busy.  Just be sure to have a variety of fun things to do so all of your guests can participate. Also, game directions should be clear and not overly complicated.  Avoid forcing your guests to play long … Continue reading

Your Church Halloween Party

With all the changes that have been going on lately in our ward, it is a little chaotic. In the shuffle, there have not been any callings made just yet. So, the new bishop asked me to help out with our church halloween party since I had worked most recently with the children in our ward. So I agreed. This year, we aren’t going to do a trunk or treat like many wards do. While I love that idea, and it is usually so fun and simple, we are going to try and throw together some activities that the kids … Continue reading

Planning A Toddler Birthday Party

With about a month until Dylan turns three, it is time for me to put on my party planning hat and dream up the details of a special day for him. He has been very interested in trucks and construction vehicles lately, so I am sure that our theme will be something along those lines. Having already planned two birthday parties, I have learned that a few simple guidelines are helpful for parents of young children who are planning a birthday bash. My first tip for planning a party for a young child is to keep it small. Of course … Continue reading