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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Island Party Tips...

Having an Island Party is great fun!!!
Next week I will be adding all my Island Party planning tips with some great recipes!

Here are some pictures for inspiration...

Cakes...
     Tropical Birthday Cakes








 Drinks...

 Beauty...

Corsica


Angel Island


Jelly Fish


Scene Setter...  Have a fun island PHOTO SHOOT!!!  It's the perfect activity and a fun way to remember the great times. 
*Set up a back drop--scene setter:  This one is available at Fun Party Stores in PA or online.
*Have a basket full of Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, leis, straw hats, sunglasses, etc.---for your guests to dress in. 
*Take family pictures and funny photos in front of the back drop to make it look like vacation time in your own back yard!
*With the thank you notes, send out picture cds with all the great party pictures.  They are easy and inexpensive to create---and your guests will be really thrilled to have it!

Island Fun Games & Activities
  • Coconut Bowling----Using bowling pins or Pina Colada bottles(plastic) and a real coconut.
  • Island Fun Photo Shoot
  • Hula Hoop Contest
  • Hula Dance Contest
  • Limbo
  • Beach Volley Ball
  • Island Treasure Hunt(prizes in the sand box for younger children)
  • 3 Legged Races
  • Water Fun--Pool time or sprinkler time
  • Ring around the Pink Flamingo
  • Make your own island drink at the Tiki Bar---Have several different juices and fruits set up---have the guests create their own fruity island drinks!
  • Sand Art---in a bottle craft time
  • Dig for sea shells(in the sand box)
  • Crab races
  • Frisbee golf
Island Party Foods & Drinks
  • Roasted Pig
  • Pulled pork sandwiches(if you budget does not allow for a full pig)
  • Ribs
  • Tropical Fruit Salad (Pineapple, mangos, passion fruit, coconut, oranges, etc.)
  • Fruit Kabobs with pound cake and chocolate drizzle
  • Burgers & Hot Dogs on the grill
  • Tropical Fruit Jello(Ocean blue jello with tropical fruit--topped with fruity marshmallows)
  • Apricot and Coconut Kisses(Recipe in the Galley)
  • Key-Lime Cooler cookies(Recipe in the Galley---add lime instead of lemon)
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Kona Coffee
  • Pina Coladas
  • Volcano Punch ~Check out Paula Dean's recipe...  http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/volcano_punch/ 
  • Island Punch ~Check out All Recipes...  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/floating-island-punch/

Setting the Island Scence
Table Decorations...
  • Bright colored table clothes---in orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, etc.
  • Sea Shells and white playground sand
  • Grass shirt table skirt
  • Flowered necklaces(leis) and tropical flowers(Hibiscus flowers)
  • Tiki statues
  • Main food centerpiece----Just place a basket with a pineapple, mango, limes, lemons, a coconut and other tropical fruits and a beautiful centerpiece that can also be used.
  • Straw hats
  • Containers with brightly colored straws and drink umbrellas
  • Beach balls
  • Surf board or boogie board back drops
  • Volcano back drop
  • Hibiscus flowers --randomly placed
  • Waves backdrop---to border the room
  • Blow up palm trees
  • Ocean back drop
  • Tiki Bar
  • Parrots
  • Glass containers with limes
  • Sunglasses

Island Favors
  • Leis---Everyone at the party needs a lei!  Go to www.orientaltrading.com
  • Coconut drink cups
  • Grass skirts
  • Sea shell necklaces
  • Flip flops
  • Sunglasses
  • Straw hats
  • Lolli pop---flip flops, flowers, suns, etc.
  • Dried tropical fruit mix with a cute island label
  • Mini sun screen bottles
  • Message in a bottle--favors or invites
  • Colorful bags with flowered stickers---filled with tropical treats
  • Hawaiian Punch gummy fruit snacks







Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Drink Stations!!!

Beverages---Drink Stations, are so important for a great party!


Tips for a great drink station:
  • Think age appropriate!  --Be careful serving adult beverages at a kid's party---make sure they are kept in a separate location and labeled. 
  • Have a WIDE VARIETY of options for your guests! 
  • Always have water available.
  • Size control:  Little bottles work well for party to avoid wastefulness.
  • Cups:  Have a way to label cups to avoid confusion.  Some cups come with scratch in labels like "It's my Solo," from Solo.  Have wine charms for adults beverages or insulated holders in different colors for cold cans and bottles.
  • Think about your theme and make labels for all the drink containers----the possibilities are endless.  Used ribbon, card stock and party decor, to dress up the containers.  Use names that match the theme.  For example:  "Fuel Station" for a car themed birthday. 
  • Labels, labels, labels...
  • Remember to make it sweet and pretty!
St. Patrick's Day...



 Lalaloopsy Party...





 Mallard Duck-Hunting Party

Margarita Party



By Angela Hurt  -Cupcake 1st Birthday Party



S S Party Theme Juice Box Wraps...



Have a Margarita Party!

Have a Margarita Party...
     And don't forget the SPRINKLES!

My sweet family surprised me with this table for my birthday!


My kids made this banner!


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Vote for my birthday card please...

Please vote for my birthday card in the Catch My Party Birthday Card Contest...
http://catchmyparty.com/contest_entries/91

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inside: Don't let this happen to you! It's your birthday! Party responsibily!

Watermelon Fun!

How to make a cute and fun
watermelon gift bag...

I just love giving "gifts with a theme!" 
 Here is an example of a gift bag, decorated by my daughter and I, adorned with cute little watermelon slices.

Materials needed:
  • Green,  red and black card stock paper
  • Scissors
  • Black crayon or marker and a pencil
  • Tape
  • Hole punch
  • Tag and ribbon(if desired)




How to...

Step 1: Using green card stock, trace(using a cup) a circle on the green paper and cut out.  Then cut the green circles in half.
Using the green semi-circles as a guide, make a smaller semi-circle with red card stock.  Once you have the desired size for the red semi-circle, use it as a template for the others.




Step 2:  Using tape, attach the red semi-circles to the green semi-circles.

Step 3:  Using the hole punch, clip a few(about 3) "bites" out of the top of each watermelon slice.
Step 4:  Decorate!
Using a crayon or marker, draw seeds and smiley faces(if desired.)

~Little hands love to create!~


Finished bag---It was a group effort!
Add a tag, ribbon and some watermelon seeds cut from black card stock.



I just love "gifts with a theme!"
These adorable items were all purchased at Wal-Mart.
The watermelon cutting knife was the inspiration for the gift.









Saturday, May 12, 2012

Mother's Day Tablescape

Happy Mother's Day from
            S S Party Theme!

The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.  -Saint Therese of Lisieux

Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord.  -Psalm 127:3

-A Mother's Day Tablescape