Party Tips for the busymom: Save time the .com party!

I have discovered the one unifying factor for all moms, the one thing that we all share.  It doesn’t matter if you are a young mom or “old” (moms never get old by the way, they just get better) Weather you are white collar or blue.  There is one simple truth that we can all agree on:  All Mom’s are BUSY Moms. Knowing that here’s a list of my favorite party hot spots to save time while shopping for party supplies and planning my parties. (Surfing is much cheaper than driving these days and you don’t have to shuffle kids in and out of car seats.) Believe me, you’ll want to save this page to your favorites!

 

Oriental Trading Company- Fabulous themed accessories and party supplies. Buy your craft items here!  I’d be lost without them.  Refer a friend first and receive an email for 5 bucks off your order (Promotion, limited time only) Use the search bar and them look at all their suggested items. >>>The most fabulous goody bags start here! By the way, they also have scrap booking items, for all your post party pictures.

www.orientaltrading.com

 

 

Birthday in a Box-  A very well organized party supply shop.  They always have what I am looking for and a great wealth of ideas for my party planning themes.

www.birthdayinabox.com

 

 

Shindigz.com- They’re a great place for over the top party decorations.  Want a HUGE Eiffel tower for your pink Poodle party?  How about a huge castle for your princess party?  Shindigz has it all and are affordable too!

www.shindigz.com

Celebrate Express- This site has the most exceptional selection of themes I’ve seen yet.  They are also unique and seem to offer what most other sites don’t, with professionalism and quality.

www.celebratexpress.com

 

 

>>>Coming soon: Great sites for party planning; Themes

The nasty “P” word: Party Planning, getting ready for the big day

Party planning is like a marathon.  It’s good for you & it can be fun but if you don’t do it right you can get seriously injured. (Alright, so I’ve never seen someone actually collapse from exhaustion from planning a 3 year old’s Chuckey Cheese Birthday, but at the end of the day, with cake smeared pants and confetti coming from, only God knows where, you darn well feel like it .) Yet, there is a light at the end of the sugar- hyped tunnel.  There is a key to unlock the magic door of Party bliss (or avoiding total party meltdown). Ready? …. Preparation.  I know, that ugly word my mother overused, the one word that shows me I am truly turning into my mother, Preparation…. .  I don’t like it, so let’s get to the point:  Great parties don’t happen by accident, it takes planning. Realizing that I have a lot more birthday parties to throw in my future, I sat at the feet of a few people who do it well. Here’s what I learned.  Bad news: Parties take planning and planning means lists.  Good news: I hate lists, so I’ll keep it as short as possible. 

Party CountdownThe Plan: 8 weeks before

Finalize guest list

Estimate your party budgetBook your entertainer:

Check out www.overthetopproductions.com, they do a fantastic job and they do it all.

Set party date and Time

Find Location

Select a theme

The Guests: 7 weeks before           

If you’re going to, Hire a caterer               

Create and send RSVP’s               

Decide activities & goody bags, then purchase necessary items.                               

There are amazing Online party resources, use them well   and save time and $$$                                                www.orientaltrading.com                                                www.shindigz.com                                               

www.celebrateexpress.com

Take Stock: 6 weeks before

Plan your party menu

Take inventory of table wear, place settings and décor.  Acquire what you lack.

Order any party rental equipment.

The Home stretch: Five days before               

Call to confirm your caterer and entertainment               

Buy Piñata and Fillers               

Order cake or make and freeze one.

Three days before

Hit the grocery store for snacks, mini juice boxes, food and drinks for adults and paper goods. Don’t forget: ice, birthday candles, extra garbage bags and paper towels.

Two days before               

Wrap presents               

Pack up the goody bags               

Take care of camera and video equipment : batteries, memory, film.                Mentally run through itinerary, make sure you have more than enough to fill the time.

1 day before               

Restock 1^st aide kit               

Assemble cake or cupcakes               

Put up décor and set a place for gifts               

Set up craft supplies and games               

HINT: IF you’re serving ice cream, pre-scoop it into cupcake liners and freeze until cake time

The Big Day!           

Tie balloons to mailbox or front door               

Pick up cake               

Place cake accessories are in a handy spot               

Chill drinks in cooler               

Relax, smile and have a good time.