Create My Event - Event & Party Ideas Blog

The new Fancy Flours catalog is here!

I recently received my fall Fancy Flours catalog, and as always, I am fully delighted! They are a fabulous cake and cookie decorating supply site, and you may have just seen them featured during the Martha Stewart's Show's Cupcake Week. They have everything you can imagine, from edible gold leaf and cake jewels to bling out your baked creations to cake stand and cupcake wrappers, like this spider web wrapper.  The catalog is chock-full of Halloween and fall ideas to wow your guests with at your next soiree.  They are offering my blog readers a 15% discount on purchases at their site.  Don't try and fight it, you know you have lots of holiday baking coming up! Not Just A Mommy!

America the Beautiful- Bicentennial Redux! An indoor/outdoor July 4th Bash.

We all love the 4th of July. It happens to be my favorite holiday. What is better than a hot summer day filled with water balloon fights, strawberries and watermelon, hot dogs on the grill, and intricate fireworks displays?
Last year, I had the traditional party all planned out. We had plenty of ice, charcoal, and patriotism. An entire day devoted to outdoor fun! Well, it rained. And not just a little rain; we had a 3 hour down pour! I am planning my 4th of July party for this year and as I remember the storms that ruined my BBQ- I had a thought.
This year, I am planning to honor my country in a different way. I am re-doing the Bicentennial!
Since I love theme parties, and the 70s are among my favorite of all themes, I am recreating a 1976 style Bicentennial 4th of July Party.
In 1976, from coast to coast, America celebrated its 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It was a rockin' good time! And I can't wait to recreate it!
Fondue was a party trend in the 70s, so why not incorporate fondue into your party?

Super fun lime green fondue set. Rachel Ray for Target
Check out the recipe section for my favorite fondue recipes!

For cocktails, instead of setting out the traditional bar with vodka, gin, rum, and various mixers, focus on a signature cocktail and ask your guests to bring some beer or wine.
For this party, I am serving one of my favorite refreshing summer drinks, the Caipirihna.

You can find the mix at Target, but if you don't like to do a mix, here is the recipe:

Limes and key lime juice
Sugar
Cachaca (this is a Brazilian rum that can be hard to find. You can use light rum or good vodka instead)

Rim an old fashioned glass with sugar.
Cut the limes and squeeze the juice into the bottom of a glass. Throw the limes in there as well.
Add about 2 teaspoons of sugar per glass (adjust for pitcher sizes as your taste prefers).
Using a pestle, muddle the limes and sugar.
Fill glass with ice and add rum.
Use a swizzle stick to stir it all up and enjoy!

To decorate for your Bicentennial Redux, all you need is red white, and blue, and a little 70s style bright colors and bold prints. Head over to my favorite party supply place, Social Couture for some awesome patriotic decor.

For a modern take on 70s retro dinner and drinkware, Cynthia Rowley's Whim collection for Target has some great, affordable ideas.

Since the 70s were cheesy and fun, why not use that in traditional 4th of July games? Instead of bobbing for apples, bob for these cute little patriotic rubber duckies!

You can find these adorable duckies and other patriotic novelties at Oriental Trading

When the sun goes down, you can light your yard with tiki torches and paper lanterns. Pass out the sparklers and settle in for the fireworks show!

S'mores the really easy way

If you are planning a beach barbecue or campfire at your 4th July celebrations you could make dessert easy with these SmorStix Marshmallow Roasting Sticks from Moose-R-Us.

The 30" long White Birch sticks save having to scour the undergrowth or sand dunes for suitable spears to toast those marshmallows and are even more convenient if you purchase the complete S'mores SmorPak that includes Stix, Marshmallows, Graham Crackers and Chocolate. $21 from Moose-R-Us, campfire not included.

In case there is anyone out there who doesn't know how to make their campfire Smores, you will need per person

1 large marshmallow
2 graham crackers
2 squares chocolate

Place the marshmallow on the stick and toast over campfire until golden brown.
Place the chocolate squares on top of a graham cracker. Place the marshmallow on top of the chocolate. Complete the sandwich with the remaining graham cracker. The heat of the marshmallow will melt the chocolate and result in a crunchy, gooey, irresistible summer treat. Enjoy.

Tips for a Memorable Reception

A few years ago, I attended thirteen weddings in one summer, and with the exception of a handful of them, went as a guest.  It was a whirlwind of bland chicken, dry cake and tepid punch in paper cups.  To be fair, not all the weddings were that way, but after a while they all seemed to run into each other.  Sound familiar?  Well, your wedding needn't be cookie cutter.  Here are five fun ideas to make your reception different and leave your guests with something invaluable - a great experience and even better memories.

1) Hire a live cigar roller for your reception.  Yes, there are actually people who will come out and roll stogies right at your event.  If that's a little out of your reach, consider placing a cigar at each seat as a favor.  The male guests will give you major brownie points for thinking of them, and as a woman, I can tell you I wouldn't mind one either. 

2) Channel your inner Europhile and serve up steaming cups of cappuccino from an espresso bar.  Baristas can come and mix up beverages just like they do in your corner coffee shop.  The extra shots will keep the energy levels up and the dance floor packed.  For an alternative twist, offer a post-dessert coffee tasting paired with chocolates. 

3) Skip the cake and serve ice cream, or opt for both!  Delicious places like Marble Slab and Cold Stone Creamery offer services where they bring their slabs and supplies and mix ice cream right in front of your guests.  If you prefer the sweeter, lighter options, check to see if your local gelato shop will do something similar.  Yum.

4) Have your DJ teach your guests a dance.  Since everyone will be learning it together, the awkwardness factor is cut way down.  Plus, you may be surprised to see that the guest you could never drag out on the dance floor is eager to get involved. 

5) If your guests will be valet parking, have the attendants place a Bon Voyage gift in their vehicles at the end of the night.  This can be a single flower tied with a thank you note from you and your fiance, a midnight snack of milk and cookies, or whatever else your creative mind may come up with.  Your guests will be thrilled you thought of them and will be impressed with your attention to detail.

Weddings are a celebration.  Have fun and don't be afraid to infuse some fresh ideas into your own reception!

Photo by Rhonda Lewis Photography 

Tips for a Host Bar

Alcohol is easily one of the most controversial topics when it comes to a wedding.  Is a tip jar okay?  What about guests who may not drink?  And how can you keep the budget from getting out of hand?  Here are some tips on keeping your plans from getting tipsy.

1) Create a signature drink.  Whether it's the drink that was poured when he proposed or a crowd pleaser with a catchy name, offer your guests a beverage that's uniquely you.  Served alongside a house wine and beer, it's an instant conversation starter and is a fun and classy way to lower your alcohol expenses.

2) In addition to your signature drink, create a non-alcholic one for guests who may choose not to imbibe.  Often the non-drinkers are left with a choice of flat water and Sprite.  Make sure you have a good assortment for them as well. 

3) Many times people will take a sip or two of the champagne after the toast and then return to their beverage of choice.  Eliminate this waste by skipping the champagne and allowing guests to toast with whatever they have in hand.

4) Ask the bartender to price on consumption rather than per person.  By using this method, you will only pay for what is actually used and bottles won't be opened until they are needed. 

5) If you are having a full bar, ask the bartender to refrain from serving shots of hard liquor.  This will keep some of your wilder guests from getting drunk faster and lessens the chances of a chaotic scene later on.

6) To ensure you have enough alcohol on hand, a good rule of thumb is to plan on two drinks per person.  Some people will drink more and others less.  In the end, this ratio typically balances out.

7) Tip jars can be confusing to guests and are tacky.  As the host, let the bartender know that you will be taking care of the gratuity and ask them to keep the jar hidden.

Photo courtesy David Molnar Photography 

Moving Party

Do you know someone who is moving soon? Whether it's across the country, or across the street, people are constantly looking to upgrade their home, or just live in a new area. While having friends or family move away can be a tearful experience, throwing them a successful moving or "going away" party will create a wonderful memory between you.

Moving parties are not very complicated, and there is no need for an element of surprise. Check to see when they are moving, and pick a date that does not interfere with the craziness that always surrounds a move. This can be a very stressful time, so try not to put the moving party too close to the move date itself. Once you have chosen a good date, get your invitations out as early as possible so that your guests can clear their calendars. If you like sending electronic invitations, Sendomatic's Moving Invitation is a great choice.

Now that you have your date and your guests invited, you need to pick some kind of theme for your party. This is really up to you and should be based on the people moving. Try to keep their interests in the front of your mind - remember, you're throwing this party for them, not for the people you've invited. Make sure to keep the weather in mind, too, and prepare to take the party inside if it gets too hot, too cold, or rains.

Plan what food you will provide on the theme you have chosen, and of course, what the people moving like best. If you do not want to handle cooking as well as clean-up, you can always ask your guests to bring a dish that they know the guest of honor would enjoy. For entertainment, a moving party is usually sentimental, so I would suggest a slideshow featuring photographs of your guest of honor during their time in your area. Be sure to bring the Kleenex, leave plenty of time after the party for your goodbyes, and let those moving know they are loved wherever they go!

Creative Guest Book

A guest book is a great way to remember a fantastic party.  Here is a twist on the standard guest book idea that will be cherished by your guest of honor and fun for your guests to make.  Set a blank guest book or just a blank paged book on a table at the party.  Place some scissors, a selection of colored paper, a glue stick, and pens on the table.  As soon as the guests arrive, start taking Polaroids or digital pictures that you can instantly print out. Continuously place the photos on the table as they are available.  Tell your guests to write a little something in the guest book and to be creative!  You will be amazed at how interesting the book will turn out (and you barely had to lift a finger!)

Health Conscious Guests

Health Conscious Guests

A lot of people judge how good an event was based on how much food is left by the time the last guest departs. If people hardly ate anything, it is assumed that the event was a disaster and no one had a good time. I can certainly understand this mentality, since it is definitely annoying to spend hours cooking food to make your guests happy, and then have them barely touch anything.

However, we must remember, we are in a very health-conscious time. A lot of people are on diets and aren't ready to blow a year's worth of hard work at one party, so they may only touch fresh fruit and water. Others may be on a low-carb diet, and will only munch on meat/cheese products and stay completely away from sugar. Health issues such as diabetes may be a factor. Also, age is something to think about: a party full of 20-year-olds may chow down on chips and pizza with no problem, while a party with 60-year-olds will most likely gravitate more towards healthier foods that are more easily digested.

Here are some tips to appease everyone's pallete at a party, even dieters!
- Provide water, juice, or diet soda in festive jugs along with the alcoholic/sugar-filled drinks. At my grandmother's last birthday party we served wine and punch, and thought we had our bases covered by offering alcholic and non-alcoholic. Only until a guest specifically asked for water did we realize we should put out a pitcher of water as an alternative. It was empty by the end of the party.
- Place any healthy foods in the center of the table so your guests won't have any trouble finding them. Things such as fresh vegetables, fruit, or shrimp cocktail are a nice alternative to greasy or spicy foods.
- If you're going to have a main course, try to use spices and herbs for flavor rather than gravy or sauces. Chicken or beef can be very flavorful with just a few spices. You can always have sauces as an option on the side, so that those who aren't dieting can always add it if they want it.
- Salads are always acceptable! Salads are allowed on pretty much every diet, and most people like salads even if they aren't watching what they eat. You can even make a mini salad bar, allowing your guests to choose whether or not they have cheese, croutons, tomato, etc. A choice between regular and non-fat dressing would be a big plus.
- Cake is the universal dessert for parties. If you know your guests will enjoy a cake, you may want to cut it into moderate slices, or even ask your guests individually what size of a slice they would like. If you know most of your guests won't go for a frosted cake, angel food with strawberries is an excellent low-fat dessert. Another idea is to have small individual desserts, such as cookies, tarts, or candies. This way your guests can choose the amount of dessert they get, rather than feeling they have to clean their plate.

The bottom line is, prepare for people with different eating habits. Most likely you will have a party full of different people of different ages, and they will all hunger for separate things. Don't be afraid to make those amazing, fat-filled dishes that we all love at parties! Just don't forget to provide an alternative for those watching their waistline. Food is an important part of any event, so if you keep everyone's taste buds happy your event is sure to be a success!

Last Minute Valentine

Did you drag your feet too long on making dinner reservations for your significant other and the only dinner reservations left are 4pm or 11pm?  Well, have no fear...all is not lost.  Just plan to have Valentine's Day at home.  Here are some tips to make your night special.

Set the Mood.   Tidy up the dining room.   Lower the lights.  Light some nice smelling candles.  Pull out your good china/crystal.  Set a beautiful table.  Put on some nice music.

Present yourself.  Freshen up with all your fancy products.  Take the time to do your hair. Wear something different (a classy dress, lingerie, etc.).

Let your date have time to freshen up when he/she gets home from work.  This puts both in a place to feel clean and refreshed.

Prepare a menu.  Mention in the small print that this "restaurant" has a No Interruption Policy (that means no phones, cell phones, etc.).  You can also put other caveats in there, such as "no talk about the kids/money/work".  Don't forget to allude to the "dessert" or "after dinner aperitif". 

The meal itself is not important.  You could make a salad and a frozen pizza and it will be wonderful presented in the above fashion.  Don't spend a lot of time worrying or preparing the meal, it may ruin your goal of a RELAXED, STRESS-FREE Valentine's Day.

Be sure to do something romantic after dinner like a evening walk around the block, watching a romantic movie, or looking through wedding pictures. 

You will be surprised how wonderful an "at home" Valentine's Day can be.  Enjoy!

From The Heart

Valentine's Day is one of those holidays that can either be wonderfully magic or dreadfully tragic. If you are hoping for a day filled with love and happiness here are some sure fire ways to get the flame going without spending a lot of money.

1. Create a "Pill Bottle" filled with Love Pills. Start by using an empty pain reliever bottle and soak it in water to strip the original label off. Create your own label with the words "LOVE PILLS, take one a day when needed".. and adhere your label to the bottle using glue or tape. Next, cut small strips of paper and write messages that your love can redeem whenever they want. You can write tame messages like "1/2 hour foot massage" or you can get really romantic and create messages such as "redeem for a long and passionate kiss" or how about "good for love making in any location of your choice"...You get the idea...This is a fun way to put the playful spark back into your love life.

2. Another idea that my mother used when we were little as a Valentine's day gift to my dad is a Love Tree. Search your local area for a decent size branch, (maybe 2' or so). Find a branch with lots of little twigs still attached. Next plant the branch in a small pot with soil. The soil does not have to be great since the goal is not to keep anything alive...Once your branch is planted, create small heart shaped notes out of red, pink and white construction paper. Write messages of love on each heart and tie them on the tree with a red ribbon. Our tree always had messages about what we loved about Dad, like "I love the way you play Candyland with me..." or "I love the way you tuck me in at night..." My mother's notes were more intimate like "I love the way you kiss my temple each day..." This is a great way to show your Valentine what you love about them. There is something so romantic and so simple about this gift.

3. One more idea for your Valentine is to take the same theory from either of the above gifts and bring your messages to the balloon shop. Ask the sales clerk to insert the messages into the balloons before she blows up the balloons. This is a great idea for a romantic proposal on Valentines Day. Be sure that one Balloon is a different color than all of the others and include your marriage proposal in this balloon. While you stand with your "honey" and give them the balloon bouquet, you choose a balloon out of the bunch (not the special balloon), and have your love pop them one at a time to read the messages. If you do this long enough, the receiver will never suspect that the special balloon is the "SPECIAL" balloon. Try not to save it for the last balloon so that she does not suspect the significance of this balloon's message. She will be so surprised to read the final message of love and proposal.

Valentine's Day does not have to break the bank. I think that gifts from the heart are the most romantic way to share your love. Your Valentine will not hesitate to share your thoughtfulness to everyone and you will look like the Valentine hero.