Archive for Events
Open House Party Ideas: Dress Up the Floor!
I’m sure I am not the only one that attended a blast of a party in someone’s home. We all remember the endless drinks, the music, the corner nooks where we made friends with other people, the initial “I like your house” pleasantries which were quickly drowned out by the sound system.
Ok, so let’s deal with the more serious kind of house party. The kind that you throw when you invite some co-workers and their families. Or, your boss and his family. Wouldn’t you want to impress them with your hospitality, your house’s design and the impeccable taste that you have?
Let’s talk about focal points. Though your guests may not always take in everything that they see in your place, as they’d probably crane their neck around to look at all your wall decorations, there is one aspect that’s sometimes entirely overlooked: the floor.
Guests spend their time walking around admiring things, while waiting for dinner to be served or while chatting. Inadvertently, your floor is the focal point that they glue their eyes on when there is a feeling of awkwardness, or even boredom.
Don’t panic. Your floor can be the best source of conversation for those at a loss of topics to talk about. You can dress up your floor in Area Rugs, for the effect that you want to achieve. A bit of blending and good choice of materials for rugs , and your house is pretty fabulous with minimal decorations.
Contemporary Rugs are always in style, and you can design your whole living room around a particularly good design. If your aim is to dress the floor to impress, this is the best way to do it.
Kiddie Tea
Here’s a nice socialization idea for kids, a tea party, complete with grown up fineries and kid’s games. Remember how, as kids, we loved to play dress up and imitate our elders? This party idea will teach them the basics of polite small party talk and buffet table manners.
And it’s fun to watch and facilitate too! Get ready with your cameras!
When to invite the neighborhood kids.
Invitations must be given out 3 days to a week prior to the party. Set the date to a Saturday afternoon when no homework needs to be done. Sunday is family day so better not interfere with that. The official teatime is in the afternoon, a little after lunch time.
Decorate
Let your princess or prince take part in the planning. Regal decorations and tiny silverware will make play tea party seem real and more special. Balloons, streamers and fancy ribbons are a must.
Sandwiches and Fingerfood
Cucumber sandwich - Lightly buttered toast with thinly sliced cucumber fruits and cheese. Nutritious and filling.
Cake - Bake your own or order in. This will make the occasion seem more festive. You must remind the kids though that no one’s going to blow candles on the cake because it’s for tea.
Animal Cookies - These are normal cookies shaped like animals. The trick is in the cookie cutter! Here’s a nice recipe:
4 c. flour
1 c. softened butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3 eggs
Mix the flour, soda and salt together, then add the cream butter slowly. Add the sugar and eggs one at a time and mix. Stir in the vanilla then add flour mixture. Mix. Cover the dough and chill one hour or more. Roll the dough one fourth of an inch thick, then cut out with cookie cutters. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until lightly brown.
Tea Party Games
It’s a formal tea party, but the participants are still kids. A print out of a game called What’s that on Old MacDonald’s Farm? will have them learning about farm animals in a fun way. Faciliator adults can guide the kids on what to do, but the fun of discovery should be left to the participants.
Other games include a nice treasure hunt where some gold foil covered chocolates could be hidden in the garden or around the house. Mom escorts can set up stations to keep the kids from getting too enthusiastic and knock over things. This tea party you set up perfectly could be one of the best memories of their childhood.
Mother’s Day Barbecue
Start planning for Mother’s Day! This is perhaps one of the biggest and most celebrated day of the year because it features that one woman who is the most important figure in our lives. What to give a person who knows-all, sees-all and does-all? Daunting, isn’t it!
A typical community event for Mother’s Day is a Barbecue. With a little organization during early May, or even during April, there is no reason why a small or big gathering comprising moms and their families won’t be a success. Simple lists that could grow and party events that could branch out to bigger more complicated ones are the best way to start brainstorming.
Steaks - Marinate in vegetable oil, small amount of soy sauce, crushed garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt, and a pinch of tenderizer. A touch of rosemary will bring out the aroma and flavor of the meat. Marinading should be the night before the party, in a plastic container. A brush must always be available for basting the meat.
Other Must haves:
1. Beverage cooler - People that love to grill love to have others enjoy their work. When you both have friends or the entire community over for a backyard barbeque, give them a cool drink without running back and forth in the house or refilling the ice chest. These coolers keep the temperature constantly cool so no one gets a lukewarm beverage while they wait for grilled food.
2. A Sturdy Grill - Heavy duty grills are always useful to have around. Scout for community members with these and get them involved.
3. Mom Nametags - They are the celebrants. They must wear a name tag to mandate that they should be hugged and kissed during the day. Alternatively, aprons that say Mom’s the Best could be purchased prior to the occasion for distribution or sale.
Venue issue
Television Celebrity Wedding (Marimar)
The venue is the factor that will affect the success of your event most. This is where the guests and your clients will stay for 3-5 hours or more, and in this place they will be experiencing the best party of their lives, with your help of course. A trusted venue will be the best for any party, but it will outgrow its usefulness for returning clients, as they’d want another place where they can have a different kind of party. Mishaps and boredom can be avoided when these 2 following words are taken into consideration:
“Plan ahead”
The best locations can be very busy at peak seasons, i.e. resorts during the summer, 500-people halls during debutante season and wedding reception gardens during June. For your peace of mind you need to book early. However, if you have procrastinated and left it late, there are several measures that can be done to make up for the time lost.
The perfect venue is perfect only because you sold its potential well to the client. Suggest a new party theme for an old and trusted venue.If the returning client loved that venue before, point out the benefits of staying there.
The main things to look for in a venue:
- ventilation and lighting
- water supply for washing and cooking
- well-maintained and enough number of restrooms
- ambiance
You notice that ambiance is the last priority, which can be justified with the point I raised earlier. Ambiance can be manipulated through insightful decorations and technical implements such as music . The rest of the things on the list are of utmost necessity.
