Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Real Party: Bubbles!

I am still putting together my pictures from C's party-- I promise to have them ready for next week. But in the meantime, here is a fun party for a 1 yr old that you will love! 

Remember the Bubble Party Inspiration Board for my friend's daughter's 1st birthday? Well, the party turned out great-- and here are the pictures!

The colorful lanterns are so fun...

And I love the circle banners.

The adorable cupcakes and dessert table...even the water got in on the action!

The birthday girl and her mommy...loving that tutu!

Even her big brother got in on the bubble action!

And the favors were kiddie crayons-- themed packaging, of course!

Great job-- and Happy Birthday Ali!

Some of her Etsy vendors:

For the crayons: Pangaroo

For Ali's cute dress: Fairy Wonderful

For the packaging design: Dimple Design

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky 

 

Creative Gift Wrapping

 
 

Be the star this holiday season giving gifts wrapped in these festive fabric gift bags or use them to dress up underneath your tree.  They whip up quickly and are a lot of fun.  The best part?  They are reusable!

Each night in December we have a little family party complete with candles, stories, singing and little gifts placed in individualized gift bags.

Click HERE for our FREE Christmas gift bag pattern.

Holiday Open House-The Invitations Post #1

On December 18th, on a snowy and cold evening, my 1,800 square foot home will be transformed into a winter festival filled to the brim with food, friends, family and plenty of good cheer...At least that is my vision of my upcoming Open House along with a sparkly tree, real garland, warm soups, hot chocolate, red wine, laughter, clinking glasses, hellos and nice-to-meet yous; kids laughing, warm fire and of course my famous caramel corn... I am trying to work in carolers as well...We'll see how it all works out...

About two weeks ago, my husband and I announced we were having this soiree by sending out these great Christmas party invitations.

 

I had them printed on Urbanity's Shimmer Paper and the result makes me so happy. The belt buckle shines and the red has a subtle glow.

I also had matching address labels wraps made where one side said "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and the other side had my address. They look so great wrapped around the shimmer envelope. Apparently, it made a great impression as everyone (so far) is coming!  With 60+ folks, it is going to be tight quarters.

So, for the next several posts, I will share with you my ideas and my menu for this open house and hopefully, you'll get some good ideas for your party. I'll talk menu, favors and decorations.  Or, better yet, you can share some great ideas with me.  Until next Friday...

Let the celebration begin!

C's Party: Entry #7

Can you believe the party is this week?! I have so little time to get everything together!

While I have been working my fingers here, I have lots of help-- and thank goodness for them! My girlfriend (who will be using her fabulous writing skills to label) is also working on the music (NOT my strong suit). And my MIL-- bless that woman! Not only is she letting me ship things to her house, she made the can lanterns, the labels on the can/vases, went shopping for blankets and pillows for the tent, and might even do some pre shopping for us when she does her thanksgiving shopping. Seriously, a saint! And I assume both ladies will help set up.  I couldn't do it without them!

Usually by this time I am doing a mental walk through of the party to make sure I have finalized all of the details.  As I will be seeing the venue just 36 hours or so before the event I am sure there will be last minute changes. All the more that I need to be super organized upon arrival!

But... I am ashamed to say...not all decisions have been made! There are some pretty big ones still in limbo...

Such as--- whoopie pies (no forks needed-- and so cute!)

Or a forest looking cake? How beautiful is this chocolate cake?

Then to make them or buy them?! Any advice for yummy whoopie pies or cakes in Los Angeles?

Also, I haven't yet figured out a favor. I picked up clear treat bags today. What should I put in them?

Popcorn Balls

Or trail mix? (isn't that perfect for the camping theme)?

Or something else?

Any thoughts? Any last minute advice?

Next week I will be traveling, so no last minute post on the party. But the following week-- look forward to some pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! xoxo EventLucky 

To see Entry #1 click here

To see Entry #2 click here

To see Entry # 3 click here

To see Entry #4 click here

To see Entry #5 click here

To see Entry #6 click here

 

Thanksgiving Party Favors

 
 
Add an extra wobble to your guest's step with a little treat to top off the pie.  Click HERE to download our Thanksgiving candy bar wrappers for FREE.  Happy Thanksgiving!  Gobble gobble.

DIY Fall/Thanksgiving Napkin Ring

Here is a simple DIY Fall or Thanksgiving Napkin Ring I am creating for my Thanksgiving table. I used harvest doilies I found at Dollar Tree, but if they are no longer available, I think silk leaves from a craft store would work just as well. It would be great to write each guest names on the leaves with a gold metallic marker - they would double as a place card!

Here is what you need...

Harvest Doilies from Dollar Tree or silk floral leaves from a craft store.
Hole punch.
Raffia, twine or ribbon.
Cloth or paper napkins.

The instructions are simple. Punch two holes in the leaf, role or fold your napkins then feed the raffia through the holes and around the napkin. Tie with a pretty bow or knot. On these, I added an extra piece of raffia to the bow. Instead of choosing a traditional Thanksgiving napkin I loved the plum and greens in this paper napkin from Target. It also has a hint of rust in it to match my leaves!

Find more Party and Entertaining Ideas at Entertain Exchange.

Thanksgiving ideas for all ages

Host an entertaining Thanksgiving for all ages!

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie and the trimmings… okay maybe it mostly is. Aside from the fantastic food, Thanksgiving is a time for friends and family to gather and should be fun for everyone, including the host and hostess.

Entertainment for all Ages

Are you having a separate kids’ table this Thanksgiving? Instead of letting cousin Sue fling mashed potatoes across the kids’ table, give the kids some non-destructive things to keep them occupied.

Colorful Tablecloths

A really easy and inexpensive way to entertain kids is through drawing. Let kids show their creativity by allowing them to draw on the table, literally. Instead of using a traditional tablecloth, cover the table with butcher paper. Place a variety of crayon colors in glass votive, plastic cups or other types of containers and place along the center of the table. Let the kids use their creativity to draw artistic renditions of turkeys, pilgrims or anything they like.

Creative Place Mats

Another idea to keep the kids entertained is Thanksgiving-themed place mats. The place mats are black and white, so the kids can color different sections any way they like. Download a Free Place Mat PDF that you can print on heavy card stock at home.

Discussion Starters

Start a tradition at Thanksgiving by asking each guest to describe what he/she is thankful for. Especially in a time when you can’t go a day without reading, viewing or hearing something about the state of the U.S. economy, it’s nice to bring things into perspective and stop for a moment to remember what you are thankful for.

Thanksgiving Trivia

You can also test guests knowledge of the actual celebration of Thanksgiving.  Maybe even offer a apple scented candle for the winner.

Below you will find some quick trivia questions*:

1. Who celebrated the first recorded Thanksgiving ceremony in 1565?
a. Spaniard settlers
b. British settlers
c. French settlers
d. Canadian settlers

2. Thanksgiving day was originally set aside as a day for______:
a. Plentiful food and drink
b. Celebrating the end of harvest
c. Prayer and fasting
d. Rest and relaxation

3. The First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving was given by the Continental Congress in what year?
a. 1590
b. 1650
c. 1777
d. 1910

4. Which United States President proclaimed a national Thanksgiving holiday to occur on the last Thursday of each November?
a. George Washington
b. John Adams
c. Franklin Roosevelt
d. Abraham Lincoln

5. Turkey has been the staple menu item since the inception of Thanksgiving?
a. True
b. False

Answers: 1.a., 2.c., 3.c., 4.d., 5.a.

*Thanksgiving (October 2008). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved October 29, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Thanksgiving_(United_States)

Simple Table Statements

Below are some fun tips and ideas to incorporate with your Thanksgiving table.

Drip less Candles

Have trouble with your pillar candles dripping? Here’s a trick: purchase inexpensive taper candles at your local craft store. Place the candles in the freezer for two hours prior to using them (by freezing the candles, it changes the wax so it won’t drip). You will be amazed at how this tip works virtually every time and you didn’t have to splurge for the “dripless” style candles.

Bring Nature Indoors

Gather fallen leaves and place between pages of a book you may want to add between pieces of waxed paper for several days. Once the leaves are flattened you can use them as confetti on your table cloth. This adds great color and brings Fall indoors.

Edible Name Place Cards

Setting a formal table with edible caramel apples that double as place cards becomes an added bonus to the Thanksgiving festivity. The least expensive option is to make your own caramel apples, place them in cellophane bags and tie them with a ribbon adorned with a place card. The more expensive option is to buy gourmet caramel apples from a gourmet chocolate shop.

You could also consider having menu cards made especially if you are serving slightly different dishes than the traditional fair. Place them at each guests place setting and let guests oooh and aahh over your spread.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We hope you are able to relax, laugh, and of course, eat some delicious food.

Let the celebration begin!

Bee Giveaway! Win a Bee Party Package!

 

Win a Vintage Bee Tag Package from Lazy Day Cottage! Great for a bee-themed party! And, makes a great holiday gift! Enter to win now!

Included in the prize is:
Vintage Coffee Stained lace paper doilies, kraft paper favor bags, French hive bee tags with hemp ties, Vintage inspired oval bee tags, Floral bee tags with ribbon, Meant to bee vintage label tags, Buzzing bee stickers, and bee tickets. Prize Value: $24.95.

How to enter: Visit the Sendomatic Facebook Page and make a comment on the wall to the Bee Giveaway post! Winner will be chosen on Monday November 29th.

 

C Party: Entry #6

I am working hard on the details for the party and am so excited to show you some of my ideas!

I thought I wanted to do bunting-- but after considering: making my own with fabric on hand, or new fabric, or buying one on etsy, I couldn't decide on anything. Nothing seemed right. Then I realized-- one of the things I love about camping is seeing the stars. I never realize how many there are its some place dark enough to see them. So I am making a star garland to give that "covered in stars" feeling. I ordered a star punch (from Amazon) and threaded it with ribbon. (Expect to see a lot more star shapes in the future--I'll want to get my use out of it!)

I ordered 2 rolls of fun Washi Japanese masking tape. You know how much I love this stuff. So far I have put it on the ends of the s'mores roasting stick.

I found a couple of meters of muslin, so I cut up square pieces to make napkins then wrapped them with raffia. Since we are"glamping" I thought an easy way to class things up would be fabric napkins-- but ones you can throw away! Here's my sample, but it might need to be starched.

Speaking of the table, I have a great idea --  and I am really excited about it! Instead of creating signs for all of the custom ingredients, I am going to put butcher paper on the tabletops and have a friend with beautiful handwriting to label things. I was inspired by the Cherry Wedding Details post from last week and asked my friend if she would lend a hand (as it were) the other night. I am so glad she agreed!

I still have lots to do, but what do you think so far?

To see Entry #1 click here

To see Entry #2 click here

To see Entry # 3 click here

To see Entry #4 click here

To see Entry #5 click here

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky 

 

Fall Leaf Centerpiece

 

A quick, easy and inexpensive way to bring a splash of that beautiful fall color into your home.  Click HERE for instructions.  WARNING:  Beware of dogs.  I had a dog come and snatch one of my berry twigs as it fell to the ground.  Darn dog.  Have fun!