There are as many reasons to give a party as there are days
in the year...besides the grand occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, and bar
and bat mitzvahs, there are graduations, bridal and baby showers, dinner
parties, brunches, football parties, and birthday celebrations from baby's
first to grandma's 100th.
This section will give you fun and easy-to-do ideas for all
kinds of parties-from unique invitations to creative menus and memorable
party favors. Enjoy!
Party Tips, Tricks and Trends
Want a romantic twist to your special event? It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to incorporate these simple steps into your plans.
1. Set the mood with scented candles. When you're planning an intimate dinner , filling the room with candles creates a feeling of romance and togetherness. Orange, lavender, vanilla, jasmine and ylang ylang are just a few of the scents that add a sensual aura to the room. Check out www.flamelessfantasy.scentsy.us and browse their Romance line of flameless candles for something a little different. With names like "Lucky in Love" and "Satin Sheets" what could be bad? 2. Flowers are a must. According to Harris Van Cleef, Creative Director at Star Trax, Black Magic Roses are the roses. This luxurious blossom is a deep, dark shade of red and is believed to symbolize beauty, passion and love. Please note that these require advance notice and can be special ordered, says Robbin Yelverton of Bumz by JR Designs. 3. Add to the ambiance with the right music. You'll create warmth inviting your guests to relax, engage in conversation and sit just a little closer to one another. Put together a playlist on your iPod that includes Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Buble, Kenny G, Sade and Andrea Bocelli, to name a few. 4. Let's not forget the food! One of the most romantic meals to have on Valentine's Day (or any other) according to The Festive Chef, Cassandra Morrison, is a Fondue Dinner. Plan three courses - cheese fondue (appetizer), hot pot (main course) and chocolate fondue (dessert). This meal is so much fun for you and your significant other as you take turns feeding each other; and everything does not have to be eaten at the table...bring the pots to the couch for a little snuggling in between courses. 5. Let there be wine. You don't have to spend a lot of money to find wine you like. Sparkling Wine can be an affordable alternative to champagne and be just as fun. Get out your best flutes, pop the cork and enjoy the bubbly. A couple of fun and delicious wine selections include Little Black Dress, Menage a Trois and Korbel Organic Brut California Champagne. You can do a little research on-line beforehand. Check out sites like: www.snooth.com/wine/ or www.gayot.com/wine/ for ratings, reviews, pricing and local availability. 6. Romance does have a dress code. Ladies, think feminine --silky, flowy, lacy. A silk blouse or camisole can be paired with "skinny" jeans and heels for a fun, flirty look. Dab a little perfume in strategic places and let down your hair. Guys - don't wear the same "uniform" that you might go to work in. Pair a cashmere v-neck with slacks or jeans (nice jeans, you know what I mean.), use product in your hair for a contemporary look and remember spicy scents (see Tip #1) are alluring and let your significant other know that romance is in the air.
Van Cleef also suggests a printed menu with your wine list to add a personal touch. Just remember, plan ahead, stay within your budget and pay attention to the details; your party will seem effortless, filled with warmth and you will feel lucky in love!
Planning a party? Love to entertain? We
believe that parties should be fun, for the guests and for the hosts.
At PartyPlanningPlus.com we're here to take the stress out of party
planning so that you can enjoy your special occasion as much as your
guests. Whether you're planning a small at-home get together or the
wedding of your dreams, we'll help it make it stress-free by guiding you
through the process from the moment you set the date until the last
guest is gone. We have a variety of tools to help make your next party a
success-without the added stress that often goes along with the
process. Take a few minutes and explore our site. You'll find unique
content, such as our Fabulous and Frugal series. You'll also find an
extensive list of vendors (see Resources) in the metro Detroit area, as
well as useful planning tools such as timelines and customized
checklists, all designed to make party planning fun and easier than you
ever imagined. PartyPlanningPlus.com is here to provide useful
information in a fun and easy-to-use format, so please come back often.
You'll find new articles, secrets from experts in the field, and
creative ways to save money on virtually everything. We're here for you,
so please let us know if there's something you need help with-we'll do
our best to provide it!
Happy planning, and here's to a season of fabulous parties.
Here are some great links for party favors and supplies.