How To Make Birthday Party Hats At Home?

Sometimes, we can enjoy celebrating any birthday party by preparing everything with our own hands and at our homes. It is much pleasure to prepare things by using our own skills and utilize them for our own events.

Suppose, if anyone's birthday is nearing, you can celebrate this event in a special way using your own hands and skills. You can make most of the things very easily whereas rest of things can be purchased from market. This way, you can celebrate the birthday in a very special way which will be remembered for years. You can prepare cake at your home, decorate the room for the party using different decoration items. You can even make birthday hats for the children and the older ones.

Let’s see and learn how to make birthday party hats at home?

You can consider different things of fun for it. Pick some colorful scrapbooks and scrap paper collection and can make the birthday party hats for the guests providing fun and laughter to all during the event. You can also use crepe paper streamers and rick rack to make the hat attractive for everyone. 

Start making hats by portraying a template in your mind using light cardboard. It is better to measure the cards well and use proper scaling. Suppose make a size about ten inches on the either sides of the cardboard and then connect both the sides with a curved portion using a paper plate to shape a circular edge.

Simply trace the shapes at back of scrapbook paper and simply cut it out according to the size of the hat. Use glue to paste it tightly at the edges and thus form a shape of hat, gluing them well so that it may stick finely. You can finally use the funny images and drawing on the hats in order to embellish and decorate hats for children and the elder ones. 

Use the cake plates in the center of table for putting the home made hats on; this will be a plus to your overall party decoration. You can also use the crepe paper streamer for making the ruffles and rosettes for giving the final touch to the birthday hats accordingly and present these hats to the guests before the party begins.

I assume that if you are reading this article, possibly there is a birthday around the corner in your friends or family circle. If you do make some beautiful party hats, please share your experience in the comments box.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paxye/

Birthdays: What Type Of Well-Wisher Are You?

Birthdays. There are few words which conjure up such a differing range of reactions as this one.
When you’re a kid, birthdays are the best thing ever. If it’s yours, you’re likely in line for a shedload of presents. If it’s someone else’s, you’re at the very least getting to go to a cool party, play pass the parcel and stuff your face with free cake and cherryade.

But as you progress through to adulthood and beyond, the whole birthday deal can lose its luster. When it’s your birthday, you might just see it as being another year older. And when it’s someone else’s, it’s just another thing to add to your ‘to do’ list.

As an adult, it’s easy to look at birthdays in a negative light – but whatever your age, birthdays are what you make of them. They give us the opportunity to let our friends and family know how we feel about them. And the more you put into wishing them well on their special day, the more they’re going to feel appreciated and valued.

Think about you and your friends and family, and take a look at the categories below – which kind of well-wisher are you?

Wish and Run

Just above the ‘those who don’t bother with birthdays at all’ category, are the Wish-and-Runners, or Drive-By-Wishers. Facebook is a great tool for keeping up with friends, but when it comes to birthdays, it has made us somewhat lazy. Instead of picking up the phone and calling someone to talk to them, or making a note of their birthday in our diaries and posting a card, it’s all too easy to rely on Facebook to do the job for us. The Wish-and-Runner simply logs in, checks their notifications, and after three seconds of typing (‘Happy Birthday lol x’), it’s all done for another year.

Casual Well-Wisher

The next step up, the Casual Well-Wisher will remember days in advance about their friend’s birthday, and pick up a card in time to send via post. However, they won’t go out of their way to pick a specific card up. They will often choose the best possible card from the selection at their local supermarket, on a Saturday morning while they’re doing their weekly shop.

Attentive Well-Wisher

An Attentive Well-Wisher usually goes the extra mile. This person will go to a specialist card shop, and be more likely to select a card which befits their recipient. They will also spend more time than a casual buyer writing their in-card message.

Attentive Tech-Savvy Well-Wisher

The Tech-Savvy Well-Wisher can be defined as someone who regularly makes use of online card-sellers such as Ebay or Etsy. You could argue that the Tech-Savvy Well-Wisher is habitually less organised than an Attentive or even a Casual Well-Wisher, as they might rely on the online retailer to post out a card at very short notice. However, the level of engagement is often more involved – they may spend more time changing the message or basic design of their card, to cater it more specifically to their recipient.

Full-On Card Crafter

The most committed of all the Well-Wisher categories. The Card-Crafter will anticipate the birthday of a friend of family member weeks in advance, start to think about getting materials together, and put time aside to design and make a card of their own. It goes without saying that if you've got a friend who has made you a hand-crafted card especially, they’re definitely a keeper.

Featured images:

•  
• License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=birthday&ex=1#ai:MP900341731|

Adam, the author of this article, works for Craftsite.co.uk who offer card making supplies in the UK. On his days off, Adam enjoys shopping in the heart of Manchester.

Birthday Party Goes Violent at Lawrenceville Party – Sad!

At Lawrenceville, at a birthday party, reportedly, a lady was gunned down and killedwhereas another ladywas injured by gun shots. Atlanta Police is looking for the suspect in the wake of the foresaid.

Both victim women were found in a garage inside a house at Crystal Lake Drive in Lawrenceville on the evening of last Sunday – November 10, 2013.

According to the police, incident took place at a birthday party. Police surrounded the inflatable bounce castle in the lawn. Police says that they were hunting for a man aged around 40years who left the crime scene in a Volvo automobile after committing the gunfire, near 17:00 on Sunday. A criminal murder warrant has been acquired for the arrest of suspect. No further information was released about the conditions of the injured.

Source: http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2013-11-11/woman-gunned-down-birthday-party-near-atlanta

Prince's 65th Birthday Got Remarkable - Received Early Gift from Children in Delhi

Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) was surprised to receive an early birthday gift for his 65^th birthday during his visit to India. He was delighted by the children at a slum school in Delhi when they presented a Black Forest Cake along birthday wish card.

Prince’s actual birthday is on November 14^th however pupils at the school presented a home-made Black Forest cake on Thursday, November 7, 2013, when he was on an official visit to Delhi.

Prince was apparently excited to see the youth, residing in an underprivileged area of Delhi, not only remembered his special day but also shared their love by offering him chocolate gateau cake adorned with number 65.

On arrival of Prince Charles and Camilla, around 200,000 locals of Govindpuri slum area were there to welcome them.

Prince of Wales is to celebrate his actual birthday in Colombo, Sri Lanka where he will also preside over the commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Celebrating an early birthday with students at Delhi and then at commonwealth Meeting at Colombo; this birthday would be the remarkable one for the Prince for years.

Source:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2492392/Prince-Charles-receives-65th-birthday-cake-tour-India-Camilla.html

Unique Birthday Party Ideas For Little Girls

Birthday party themes are a dime a dozen. You can go into any local party supply store or order a party in a box and get any theme that your little one has seen on television or seen at a theme park. Although there are already some great birthday party theme ideas out there, putting a twist on some of themes makes for some unique fun that she will never forget.

Limo birthday party:

Before you jump to the next paragraph, a limo birthday party is not as expensive as you think. If you are planning a birthday at your house, you will be spending a few hundred dollars before you are done with decorations, invitations, party supplies, games, etc. If you throw in any fun activities such as a bounce house or rented clown, you can easily add an additional few hundred to that bill. The price of a limo birthday party will actually turn out to be much less. Contact your local limo companies and tell them what you have planned for the birthday. Find out if there is a date or time where they will charge you less than the normal rate. You will end up paying between $100 and $200 to rent the limo for up to 2 hours. This will be fun in itself as every little girl dreams of being chauffeured around in a limo.

Makeover party:

A makeover party is exactly what it sounds like. You will simply set up your house as if it is a salon. Select an area where you will have makeup stations and also an area where girls can wait until it is their turn for their makeover (throw a few kids books out to make it look like a real waiting area). Put a sign on your front door with the fake name of a salon (let the birthday girl choose the name for an extra experience that she will always remember). For supplies, you can purchase cheap makeup kits at the dollar store for the makeup and lip gloss. For the hair, create an updo with bobby pins and use fake hair color for an extra effect. If you want a princess theme party, throw in a tiara and wand from the dollar store. The birthday girl and guests will feel so special being pampered for the day. Combine the limo ride and makeover for an even better fun filled day.

Rent a princess:

Most parents do not even think of this, but there are many local places that will either host a princess birthday party or actually rent out a princess for your birthday party at home. For as little as $25 per hour, you can your very own Disney princess come to your daughter’s birthday. While clowns are fun, renting a princess will have her jaw dropping when she sees her come through the door. As the princess will be the main attraction, you also will not have to spend a ton of money on extra decorations or party favors. Their attention will be on the princess and not on the décor.

Head chef party:

This is one of the messiest of the unique birthday party ideas but is something that she will enjoy. You can purchase kid aprons from the local party store as well as cheap utensils such as wooden spoons and spatulas. It is suggested that you make something simple like cupcakes as you will only need batter, eggs, oil, and water. Mixing too many different ingredients can get complicated and frustrating for children. While the cupcakes are baking, you can have party games and open presents. Once they are finished and cooled, everyone can decorate the cupcakes to their pleasure and also take some home as a goodie bag gift.

Sarah Robins is an elementary school teacher from Southfield, Michigan. She enjoys writing about children, family, and local events.

Why Is It Difficult For Parents To Buy Gifts?

Parents should be the best people in the world at buying gifts. After all, they know their children better than anyone, particularly at a young age when it is easy to gauge children’s interests and they’ll happily speak with their parents about any and all subjects.

However, parents are notorious for being decidedly dreadful when it comes to buying great gifts. We’re not just talking about buying what your children have specifically asked for, either.

Blame the Parents

As children, most of us have a hard time accepting that our parents know best, or at least that they act in our best interests at all times.

We’ve all been in a situation where we thought we were getting a particular gift, only to open something and see that it wasn’t what we wanted or expected. However, this isn’t necessarily a problem. As long as a gift has a meaning and purpose, it will generally be accepted.

The problem is that parents will then start trying to give an awkward explanation about why they’ve chosen a particular gift and go on to sell the benefits of it. Many parents struggle to remember when they were children themselves, and unwittingly turn into their own parents!

Great Expectations

While you never want to target children and say that they’re being unrealistic or shouldn’t ask for certain things, modern society now means that children are readily asking for things like iPods and games consoles, where in the past dolls from A Girl for All Time and similar traditional toys would be at the top of wish lists.

As much as parents do need to be taken to task sometimes for buying a particular gift, if a child is so tunnelled into wanting the latest gadget, it is often impossible to make any difference at all.

Collectible Items

There’s nothing wrong with parents purchasing collectible items for their children. However, if parents want to buy these, then they ought to do so outside of usual gifting occasions like Christmas and birthdays.

After all, who wants to open a toy that looks amazing one morning, only to be told that it must stay in its box because it will be worth much more in years to come? As if any child is going to take notice of that!

Buying for Now

Some parents don’t believe in spending a lot of money on toys because they think children will quickly get bored of them. At this point, parents will feel they’ve wasted their money. Of course, this is understandable enough, but what they don’t often realise is that if they’d spend more on something more engaging, they wouldn’t be in this situation.

However, there still exists a catch-22 situation where parents don’t want to pay the extra money through fear of the same thing happening, so stick to the tried and tested routines where if a child gets bored ‘at least they didn’t spend much.

As much as we’re saying parents are bad at buying presents, many do a great job, which is not to say their children get everything they want, but what they do get is well received and excellent for its purpose.

Featured images:

•  
• License: Creative Commons image source 

Joanne is a parent to two children and openly admits that he finds it difficult to buy presents, for a variety of reasons. To get around this, she attends regular meetings with local parent groups to discuss the latest toy trends and the best ideas for buying children's gifts.

How To Remember Your Special Occasion

There are many special occasions that we all have in our lives however very few of us keep a record of it. A few relatives take pictures on an old digital camera but apart from that the memories stay only in the back of our minds which is a sad thing. We should be able to look back on past occasions and have greatly detailed records of what happened, who attended and what music was playing.


This article will highlight three ways to keep a record of your special occasion and will explain why it is so important.

We live in a technologically advanced world and it really isn’t that difficult to keep a record of something, there are video cameras, cameras and voice records that you can buy from most supermarkets nowadays.
We are extremely advanced and we should embrace that when it comes to those special occasions.

Video Recording

This is probably the best way to keep an account of your special occasion. Whether it be a wedding, christening or birthday you can’t go wrong by video recording it. There are many ways you can go about it, employ someone to record the event at usually a high cost or look internally and see if one of the guests will do it.

If it’s your event and you ask someone to do it, they usually will however if you struggle to find anyone willing then don’t be afraid to spend some money to get it done. This is something that is timeless, it will never get out of date and you have a vivid and moving memory to show your children and grandchildren as they grow up.
I can’t overstate the brilliance of recording an event such as a birthday, all those moments that you can only dream about reliving again all on one file that you can watch back at your own leisure. If you take the plunge and decide to host a big event I don’t think the added cost of a cameraman will set you back that much in the long run.

DSLR Photography

The technology within cameras nowadays in incredible and this means that the photographs a cameraman can take are incredible. Scanning photos onto your computer and distributing them to guests and social media means that everyone there can enjoy the event after it has finished.

This is another great way to record your special occasion. DSLR photography is on the rise and there are many budding photographers out there who will do the job for very little cost. It is important that you do your research and ensure you find someone who is of good quality.

Dictaphones

This is a sneakier way of recording the day but if you leave one of these on each table then you can get a great variety of conversation recorded that can be played back once you get home.

I am sure many people will be against this idea but if you can do it discreetly it can provide some entertainment in the days after.

Featured images:

•  
• License: Creative Commons image source 

Andrew is an author with a love for modern technology. He graduated with a business degree and now is a full time writer with over 10 years’ experience, writing about a variety of topics.

Traditional Kids Party Games From Around The World

Image by Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Children love to play games (and don’t pretend that you don’t too), but unfortunately children also get bored pretty quickly. Thinking up new games for your little darlings is a little tough, but that’s okay! I have plenty of games you can try out with the kids. Plus, as an added bonus, they’re from all over the world to add a little culture to your children’s play time.

Australia: Skippy Roo Kangaroo!
Here’s a game played in many Aussie schools to help the children learn their classmate’s names - but it can certainly be fun at a party, or for a bigger group of children.
Have the children sit in a circle, with one child sat in the middle. The lucky chosen one starts of being Skippyroo the kangaroo! The children forming the circle then sing a song:

“Skippyroo, kangeroo, dozing in the midday sun, here comes a hunter, run run run, guess who’s caught you just for fun!”

The final part of the song (guess who’s caught you just for fun) is said by one child, (who is selected secretly during the song), as they touch Skippyroo’s shoulder. Skippyroo must then guess who has caught them from the sound of their voice. If Skippyroo guesses correctly, they switch places. A great game from down under!

Armenia: Egg Jousting
Egg Jousting. This Armenian game sounds fun even before I’ve explained it right?
All you need to do it boil one egg per child playing the game. The children can then decorate them how they please. When they’re happy with their egg designs it’s time to joust!

For the first round, the children tap the smaller ends of their eggs together until one cracks. The egg that doesn’t crack is the winner and advances to the next round!
In round two, the children tap the larger ends of their eggs together. The last one standing is the egg jousting champion! Reward the champion with a small toy such as a bubble maker.

Ghana: Pilolo
All the way from Ghana, this game is great fun to play in groups, large or small. ‘Pilolo’ literally means ‘time to find’, and that’s the idea of the game.

Start off by choosing a child to be a leader. The leader then hides pennies (one for each player) while the others aren’t looking. The leader then goes and waits by the finish line to judge the winner. When the leader shouts ‘piolo’ the players race to find a penny and cross the finish line with it. A game that can be played over and over without getting boring! You could try substituting the pennies for gifts such as sweets that the children can keep.

Greece: Statues
This game is particularly full of culture, and also happens to be especially fun. Greek children have access to amazing statues from thousands of years ago. Now, just because your children aren’t surrounded by marble sculptures, doesn’t mean you can’t teach them or show them other famous works of art. In this game they can become The Thinker, The Statue of Liberty, or the classic Greek Discus Thrower through the power of a child’s imagination!

Select one child to be ‘It’. ‘It’ then covers their eyes and counts to any random number they choose - different each time. They then spin around shouting ‘Agalmata!’ (meaning statue in Greek) and look at the other players. The other children should then freeze in the pose of one of many famous statues. ‘It’ then tags the players who moves when ‘It’ tries to make them laugh. This can be played repeatedly until each kiddie-wink has had a go at playing ‘It’.

That’s just four of many games to be played from around the world that your children will surely enjoy.
Do you have any games you and your children love to play? Let us know in the comments!

Featured images:

•  
• License: Creative Commons image source 

Bekah is an avid reader and loves kids! She’s always up for a giggle and hopes to become a children’s author one day. She recommends All About Party Bags.

Kylie Jenner's Sweet 16 Party: What She Got For Her Birthday

Kylie Jenner’s just celebrated her sixteenth birthday; as many would put it ‘sweet sixteen’ and yes, for this birthday girl, it must have been really ‘sweet’ turning sixteen. Normally, the sixteenth birthday calls for a big party, a list of guests not forgetting the tons of gifts these guests might bring along but for Kylie Jenner, the above mentioned qualities of a great sixteenth birthday party may have seemed as too little or rather too cheap. Starting from gifts to the celebrities who attended this party. Top on the list among the gifts which the 16 year old received was a black Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV worth $125,000. The 16 year old can’t even drive unless she’s with an adult and yet she got a v8 engine all time four-wheel seven speed monster.

Celebrities in Attendance

Drake who was among the many celebrities who attended Kylie’s sweet sixteen birthday party gave her a gold chain and a kiss. It would seem almost not right to call Drake’s kiss to Kylie a gift but what else could we call it? Not every girl gets to get a kiss from Drake on their sixteenth birthday! She even got a live performance from the same Drake not forgetting other celebrities who were present at her party like Big Sean.

What She Got For Her Birthday

Considering that it’s a She, anyone who would have bought her a diamond ring would have made her day. It might not have been a match for the SUV but its ‘Shinny’ and girls really do like ‘shinny’ stuff. Having full access to all the information as to what gifts the birthday girl may have received may be quite difficult. But based on the facts that this wasn’t at all a cheap party’ then it wouldn’t be that difficult to draw conclusions.

A pair of Christian Louboutin shoes would have been among some of the gifts she received. Even being among the top ten most expensive shoes in the world, still it wouldn’t seem too fancy or out of place.
Turning sixteen in Hollywood means you’re all grown up and along with the growing up come a sophisticated style and therefore it must have crossed one of the guests minds at the party to get the birthday girl a nice dress that would give her the look of a young lady.

At this age, Kylie’s life, on some part, might be getting overwhelming, for instance her social life, and to some extent maybe school work, might be too overwhelming. It therefore wouldn’t seem absurd to draw the conclusion that she might have also gotten one of the latest tablet as her birthday gift.
Trying to draw conclusions on all the kind of gifts Kylie Jenner may have received could seem like trying to determine how many seeds are usually there in a paw-paw because it’s almost obvious that  a 16 year old girl who receives a car worth $125,000 as a birthday present could as well have received anything else ranging all the way down to a simple card with just a smiley face; stuff that she would really ‘appreciate’ when receiving but later stash away with the rest of her old toys.

Michaella Twersky is a freelance writer based in New York City. She is a frequent content provider to Diamond Envy (www.diamondenvy.com).

Birthday Traditions From Around The World

Ever wonder where the birthday spanking came from? Or when people began forking out loads of money hiring entertainers to perform at their child’s party? Here’s a brief history of the birthday party, and what traditions look like around the world.

The Birthday Party: Why? 
As far as anyone can tell, birthday parties began in Europe as a way of warding off evil spirits. It was believed that evil spirits were somehow more attracted to people on their birthdays, so family and friends would gather around to protect people on their special day.

Kids’ parties began in Germany, and it is here that the western traditions of cake, decorations, and games began. Prior to the Kinderfest (which translates to ‘child’s party’), only royalty had big birthday celebrations.

Interesting Traditions from Around the World:

The Birthday Spanking: This is an American tradition in which a child gets spanked on the bottom for each year they’ve been alive. It is meant to be reminiscent of birth—when the doctor spanks a baby to stimulate life—and is therefore good luck for the recipient.

The Birthday Bump: Coming out the UK, Ireland, and Canada is a tradition in which the honorary birthday boy/girl gets picked up and bumped on the floor once for each year they have been alive, and one for good measure. In the UK, the kid gets picked up by their hands and feet and then bumped. In Ireland, the victim gets picked up and flipped upside down before being bumped while inverted. Sometimes, the bump is replaced by a kick—but I imagine that this can’t be too common these days.

The Arm Tap: Variation of the bump and the spanking, but Puerto Ricans are less violent.

The Ear Pull: Brazil, Hungary, and Argentina are known to tug on the earlobe as many times as you are old.

The Waltz: Many Latin American countries including Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Mexico have a tradition for girls to dance a waltz with their fathers on either their fifteenth or sixteenth birthdays.

The Chair Raise: In Israel, it is common for a child in kindergarten to sit in a decorated chair on their special day and be raised up the number of times as they are old, plus one.

The Cake-Smash: Be glad you are not in Venezuela, where the goal of party guests is to smash your face in the cake as you blow out your candles.

Piñatas: These are hugely popular in Mexico and Cuba—now in the United States with its increasing Mexican-American population. Piñatas are filled with treats and suspended from a beam or a tree branch, and party guests take turns donning a blindfold and swinging at the piñata with a bat or a stick. Often, the event happens with music playing.

The Western Birthday Now:
If you are particularly wealthy, you might take your child’s party well past a small-scale event with a decorated cake. Many parents in the U.S. now splurge on parties for their children that include bounce houses, magicians, clowns, Disney princesses, and various characters from children’s shows.

Writer Madeline Croft lives in Brooklyn with her cat, Fig, and the entire box set of Sex and the City.

How To Plan The Perfect Birthday Party For Your 12-Year Old Girl

Children today are so difficult to plan for. It seems like what may have been exciting for you as a 12-year old girl is of no interest to your own daughter now. So what do you do when her birthday comes along? Chuck-E-Cheese is for babies. A party at home with her parents hanging around is too embarrassing. And she’s not yet old enough for you to buy her first car, thank goodness. Here are a few ideas to get you started on planning the perfect birthday for your favorite girl.

Planning 12th Birthday Party

Try a spa day
Have you thought about getting your daughter together with a few of her closest friends for a spa day? Many day spas welcome small groups with participants as young as five years old to get their first manicure and pedicure. There are some companies that will bring their staff to your home if you have ample space. The girls can relax together in a room in their plush spa robes, reading the latest girly girl magazine, drinking a hot cup of herbal tea. The whole experience makes them feel very grown-up.

Before booking, ask the spa professional about their experience with working with young people. Twelve year old girls can be a rather demanding group, so you want to get a team of people that truly enjoy them on top of knowing the specific needs of younger clients. Also inquire about their sanitation standards. You don’t want any of the girls going home with an infection that could have been easily avoided.

Indoor water parks
Indoor water parks are great fun any time of the year. Many indoor water parks will help you to organize a birthday event for your pre-teen. Who wouldn't love an afternoon of the wave pool, water slides, and games? The great benefit of an indoor water park is that even if it happens to rain on the day of the party, the fun can still go on! Plus, the adults can have just as much fun as the girls since water parks are fun for any age.

A good old fashioned slumber party
Yes, slumber parties are still very popular amongst pre-teen girls. You can be brave and plan to host the event at your own home. Or you can rent a hotel suite complete with a kitchenette and host it there. You can ask a couple of the other moms to help you chaperons. You and the other moms can have some slumber party fun of your own while reminiscing about your own 12th birthday! The next morning, you and the girls can have a birthday brunch celebration complete with your daughter’s favorite foods. Remember to give every girl a small gift bag to remember their special day. Perhaps a bag full of sample size toiletries like nail polish, body spray, and lip gloss will be a big hit.

Your daughter’s twelfth birthday is a great day to celebrate. She’s not mommy’s little baby anymore, but not quite the independent teen she may think she is. While she may want her day to be all about her and her friends, be sure to ask her what the two of you can do together to celebrate privately. No matter how old she gets, she will always need you.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

By Jordan Mallory, a mother of two trying to keep up to date on how mature the birthday parties for her children should be, and trying to make them the most fun out of all of their friends.

Throw The Prefect Party For Your Not So Little Ones 18th Birthday

In Britain an 18th birthday is a mile stone and something to be celebrated. 18 can be a difficult age though and getting your teenager to willingly join in with family events and parties can be tricky. They key is to ensure you always bare them in mind, after all it is their birthday. You have to remember that as soon as the clock strikes midnight they are at legal drinking age and the first thing they will want to do is go out with their friends and have that all important first drink. Compromise and do something a few days after their birthday and make sure it’s something they want to do and that you can enjoy together as a family.
Here are some ideas to celebrate your teenagers 18th birthday.

Simple Meal Out
Although it may not seem like it, technically your 18 year old is now an adult and they expected to be treated this way. It can be so tempting to throw a party similar to the ones you threw for them as children, complete with party games and embarrassing childhood photos, but this probably won’t be appreciated. Instead opt for a classy family meal out at their favourite restaurant. Encourage everyone to get dressed up and toast to the occasion at home before.

Dinner Party
If you are keen to host a party at home to mark the celebration consider throwing a dinner party. Serve up three courses of your teenagers favourite foods followed by the birthday cake. Settle down afterwards to their favourite film or board game. Have a banner and an 18th birthday card made specially; after all it’s a special birthday.

Childhood Favourite
A lovely idea is to do repeat and activity they used to love as a child. This can be something fun and light hearted like going to the zoo or bowling or consider a trip away to their favourite holiday destination as a child. At this age surprises don’t always go down well so ask them in the run up to their birthday if there is anything they loved doing as a kid that they’d like to do to celebrate their birthday. It’s a great way to enjoy their big day as a family and remember something you used to enjoy doing during their childhood.

Shopping Trip
Something every teenager will enjoy is being taken shopping. This may seem like an expensive option but instead of buying them a present take them out and treat them to whatever they like (within reason of course). This is perfect if you’re unsure as to what to get them for their birthday present, at this age it can be difficult to know what they’d like and guessing is always a risk. Make a day of it, take them for lunch and spend the day looking round the shops together.

Whatever you decide to do for their birthday make a fuss...without making too much of a fuss, they’ll really appreciate the effort, but embarrass them on their birthday and they’ll never forgive you.
Eilidh MacRae works for Silver Stamp who sell cards online including 18th birthday cards.

Must Have Fireworks For Your Party

What do birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, religious celebrations and national festivities all have in common? They all benefit from the inclusion of fireworks. Using fireworks at your party is one of the easiest ways to turn it into a memorable event, and choosing the right fireworks will leave your guests impressed and excited for your next event.   There are a number of considerations to make before you purchase your firework, and doing so will ensure you choose the products best suited for your party, and no safety risks are posed.    Fireworks were originally invented by the Chinese over a thousand years ago to accompany their religious and national celebrations, and in the years since have become synonymous with night time social events that are of some importance. Fireworks provide an entertaining visual and audio effect that will captivate and delight your guests, and the majority of these products are sold for very reasonable prices.       

Most Popular Fireworks

There is a large market for fireworks today, and multiple companies to choose from.   

Rockets

The oldest form of firework and easily the most popular, rockets are attached to a long stick which is pressed into the ground to keep the rocket straight and pointed skyward. The fuse is lit and the firework shoots off high into the sky before exploding into a dazzling shower of colours. Rockets also produce an audio effect, so keep this in mind if you have pets or very small children.  

Roman Candle

Another popular type of firework, the roman candle is a stationary item that when lit emits a number of colourful sparks about fifteen foot into the air. As this firework remains on the ground, it is important to make sure that there is ample space between the firework and the observers. Roman candles can be bought in a number of variations, offering you a choice on how many shots are fired, how high the sparks rise, and the colour of the sparks.   

Selection Boxes

A lot of people choose to buy firework selection boxes, as these offer them a number of different fireworks to choose from at an excellent price. If the party is more of a low key event then you might be better off buying a selection box, but keep in mind that the fireworks contained in these boxes are smaller than their individual counterparts.   

Searching for Your Fireworks

There are a large number of retailers selling fireworks today, and these products can be very easily obtained. However, I recommend that you avoid buying from your local store and instead buy from a reputable online seller such as Fireworks Crazy. Fireworks can be dangerous, and if the products are mishandled or are faulty they can cause serious harm.   Buying from trusted sellers ensures that the products are well made, and pose no additional safety risks.   

Safety

As fireworks contain an explosive element, it is extremely important that you follow the precautions printed on the side of the packaging and ensure the safety of those present. Never light a firework indoors, and never let a minor light one. Pets should be kept indoors as the audio aspect can prove to be very distressing for them.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900442273.jpg
•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900227558.jpg

Nidia Guerra is an events planner who has years of experience working with town councils. In her free time she enjoys talking her dog Bruno for walks in the countryside.

Pros And Cons Of Throwing A Birthday Party For Your Dog

Some dog owners feel as if their dog should be honored every year with a birthday party. They do the same type of planning and preparing as they would for the birthday party of another family member. Having a birthday party for your dog is not uncommon, but it’s something you want to think about first before diving in. The following are a few pros and cons of throwing a dog birthday party for you to consider before making your final decision.

Pro: It’s a great way to get people together.
Let’s face it. Everyone enjoys a party, and throwing a birthday party for your dog can be a great way to get your friends and family members together. Plus, even though dog birthday parties are becoming more common, they’re still not typical everywhere, so it allows your friends and family members to get together for a unique reason.

Con: It can be expensive.
Your dog’s birthday party will cost just as much money as throwing a typical birthday party, and it could even cost more. You have to decide where to host the party, and you have to invest in foods and decorations that are safe for dogs and humans.

Pro: It makes your dog feel special.
Even though your dog may not understand that the party is being thrown in their honor, they will still have plenty of fun at the party and feel special that they get to enjoy a nice day playing with other dogs. Since dogs tend to thrive on attention, having a birthday party for your dog is a great way to make your dog happy.

Con: You have to choose the food carefully.
When you throw a human birthday party, you typically serve foods that you enjoy making or can make easily. There’s usually no thought involved as to what ingredients you choose. When you throw a dog birthday party, you need to keep in mind that not all human food is safe for dogs. This means that you will need to take extra precaution in knowing exactly what it is that you’ll be serving at your party. For example, serving chocolate cake to your human guests is not a good idea, as chocolate is harmful to dogs.

Pro: It provides your dog with exercise.
Ensuring that your dog gets plenty of exercise is important. Your dog needs to be active in order to maintain a healthy weight and combat illnesses. When you host a dog birthday party, you are giving your dog plenty of exercise by allowing them to play with other dogs. Your dog will be so excited that the other dogs are around that they will spend the majority of the day playing and roughhousing with the other dogs.

Con: You need to choose the location carefully.
The location of your dog’s birthday party also needs to be thoroughly considered. For example, if you host the party at your house, you will want to try and keep the dogs outside as much as possible, otherwise you run the risk of them damaging or chewing on your furniture. Remember that not every dog you invite will have been properly trained by a professional or with adequate training accessories!

You will also want to make sure that the yard is fenced in so that the dogs cannot run away. The last thing you want is for one of your guests to get lost at your party. You will also need to make sure that your yard is void of any sharp objects or harmful items that could pose a threat to the health or well being of your guests.
Along with dangers, you will also need to understand that your yard will now be full of dog feces that you will need to clean up.

If you need to host the dog party somewhere else, you will need to make sure that the area is willing to accommodate you and your dog guests.

Written by Henry Meyers

Greeting Cards: Do You Say It With Humour Or Sentiment?

When it comes to greeting cards it seems that there are two types of people. Those that like to find a card that will make the recipient laugh and that even pokes fun at them a bit and those that look for a card that is carefully worded, says exactly how they are feeling and has a cute picture on the front.

But what is the best style of greeting card to send? Or is there even a best style? Greeting cards have developed a lot over the years and there are now many occasions littered throughout the year for which it is appropriate to send them. In the days of online personalised cards we now have more choice than ever, but which do you prefer; humour or sentiment?

Funny Haha Or Funny Peculiar? –
I must admit that I personally fit right into this first category. Sending cards is all about making the recipient laugh to me and so I trawl the streets looking for the best jokes I can find. And I have to say that things are getting better. In days gone by there were times when I had to settle for an overused stereotypical joke about the difference between men and women, or one that was just on the cusp of being funny but not quite there.

However, humorous cards have come on in leaps and bounds and there are now quirky, hilarious and even risqué cards to be found in most of the high-street stores. And the move to online customised greetings cards has benefited everyone who can’t quite find a card that brings about a raucous belly laugh. You can now simply log on and write your own joke straight onto the card. Just don’t be surprised when you find that a joke writer’s job is not as easy as it seems.

Celebrating With Sentiment –
Conversely there are others who like to send their greetings cards with a far more serious tone attached. There is an argument that this makes the card mean more because the words inside express the exact sentiment that the person is trying to convey to the recipient.

Similar to the way in which humorous cards evoke an emotion of happiness through laughter; serious cards can create the same feelings through a mixture of pleasing pictures and a choice of lexis that hits the perfect spot in order to bring about emotion. And the result is that the person still feels happy but because of the nice words said in relation to them rather than something which makes them laugh.

Online greetings cards have also helped people that like to send sentimental cards as there is less pressure on finding the exact words for that particular occasion. You can now fill the cards with your own verse so that your particular message is conveyed in the exact way you want it to be.

A Third Group –
The reality is that most of us will fit into neither of these categories and would rather let the situation and the type of person receiving the card dictate the style of greeting they choose. No one is realistically going to send a humorous condolences card in the same way that it is very unlikely that granny is going to be given a jokey card on her 90th birthday bash. The truth is that you can send serious sentimental cards on any occasion and to any person but when it comes to humour sometimes it’s not appropriate. It’s interesting that we choose to convey our feelings in these different ways and perhaps it says a lot about the kind of person you are depending on which category you fall into.

So what type of greeting cards do you mostly like to send; humorous or sentimental? Add your comments below.

Featured images:

•  
• License: Creative Commons image source 

Chris Mayhew likes to send comic greeting cards and wondered what the rest of the nation preferred to do. He would recommend Silver Stamp to anyone wanting to customise their own cards online.

Tips For Throwing A Great Birthday Party For Your Kids

I’ve encountered numerous parents in my life with horror stories regarding party planning. It seems some parents simply do not know how to plan such a simple event.  If you are reading this article and thinking “uh oh that’s me!” well do not worry! All it takes is effort, prioritization, and a decent memory! The Parents the world Parents all over the world make mistakes when it comes to simple event planning, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. At the end of the day these are priceless memories, and you are going to want to remember a happy experience and not a tragic series of poor choices.

Food

Food is an essential part of any gathering, the birth of your child is no exception. At a gathering like this you must make sure that you have food with a general appeal for friends and family, but also something special for your child. Think about what your child’s favorite foods are and make sure it’s prepared and at the party. Sometimes it just so happens that your child is simply begging for something that can’t be prepared at home. Don’t over think it and just go and order as many as needed for the party. Remember food is fuel and good food will ensure that everyone who attends has the energy to contribute to the festivities.

Friends

Another crucial area to keep in your mind is friends. A party needs a base of decent individuals that mesh well with both you and your child. Keep in mind that there will simply be some children that are friends with your son/daughter that you won’t get along with. Unless the friend in question is destructive and vulgar don’t let your personal feelings get in the way of your child’s fun. Even the greatest of birthdays can be brought down by the lack of one great friend. So make sure you speak with your child regarding who will and won’t be coming to the event.

Entertainment

Provide entertainment, create a festive atmosphere. When it comes to entertainment the age of your child is obviously a considered factor before spending any of your hard earned money. For younger children the choices are almost endless. Things like renting a bounce house, clown, or even pony rides work just fine for a very young age group. When planning for a teenager it’s about taking them out to a venue of their choosing. Almost every teen out there would be more than pleased with four tickets to a concert of their choosing with friends of their choosing as a birthday party.

Conclusion

By combining the above three and keeping your child’s opinion in mind it’s very difficult to fail at throwing a party your daughter/son will remember. The first thing to take into account is age. Simply put it’s the most important variable. Some parents seem oblivious as to the age of their children, don’t follow in their footsteps and treat your children age appropriately. The second most important aspect is entertainment.  You don’t have to go out to have fun but you should at least have something planned for at home if you plan on staying in. Make sure that you create a guest list that is good for your children. Trying to force your child to not associate with a friend will only hurt his/her image of you. The last thing in this list to take into account is good food, but you don’t need a reminder for that, do you!

This article was written by Eduardo Dieguez, blogger for Event Source Solutions. Eduardo is a 1st generation American born Cuban that is currently in pursuit of his AA Degree at Valencia CC.

The Five Best Things About Kid's Birthday Parties (When You're A Grown-up)

Children’s birthday parties are the very best fun. I gather that some children enjoy them as well, but really, children enjoy Tellytubbies, so they’re working from a very low threshold of enjoyment. No, the best fun to be had at children’s birthday parties is for the grown-ups. Fun like:




1. The Birthday Cake
The birthday cake is the centerpiece of any children’s birthday party. It just hasn't been a proper birthday unless some dough has been pushed into the shape of a cartoon character and been impaled with four of five sticks of flaming wax. Kids love birthday cakes, especially when they’re shaped like dinosaurs or castles or robots or robot dinosaurs in a castle, but they may not enjoy it quite as much as the birthday cake maker themselves. There’s just a lot of fun to be had, deciding on the flavour of the cake, searching up reference pictures on Google Images, making sure you've got all the detail work precisely right, and finally, licking the bowl clean when it’s all done.

Once you've completed your masterpiece, it almost seems like a waste to let children eat it.

2. Costumes
Now I’m not saying that people have children just so that they have an actual tiny living human being that they can dress up in whatever stupid costumes they desire. That is just a ridiculously happy bonus. Yes, there are grown-up costume parties, but the fact is the costumes are just never as good. Nothing can top dressing a four-year-old up as an octopus because someone decided it was a Sponge bob Square-pants themed party.

As with the birthday cake maker, the dedicated costumer will use this as a real outlet for their creativity, whether the theme is under the sea, outer space or superheroes. Then you can take loads of photographs and use them as blackmail material when your cute little angels turn into surly teenagers.

3. Games
While the costumes and cake give you a creative outlet, party games tap into your inner control freak. Go on, admit it. Nothing quite matches the rush of power that comes with knowing you, and only you, can control when the music stops during pass the parcel.
The same can be said of possessing the secret knowledge of where the tail should go on the donkey, and whereabouts the pinata is dangling. Come on, you’re among friends. Admit it – the power is intoxicating.

4. Food
I don’t know why it is that grown-up parties aren't allowed party rings and jelly and ice cream. Maybe it’s some sort of trade-off for being allowed to have booze at our parties, but I don’t think it seems fair. The harsh truth of the matter is that no grown-up party will ever have food as good as any children’s party. Somehow they just won that fight hands-down.

5. Naps
Perhaps the best part of the party though is when it’s all over, and the kids are so exhausted they fall fast asleep. Cleaning up the party can wait until tomorrow, for now just bask in this brief moment of peace and start making your plans for next year’s party.

Featured images:

• 
  License: Creative Commons image source 

How Different Organizations Celebrate America's Birthday, 4th July

It’s that wonderful time of year when popsicles melt faster than they can be eaten, when swimsuits become a kid’s everyday casual clothing, and when we commemorate that moment in time when British colonists turned themselves into independent Americans.

The anniversary of the ratification by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence is celebrated in many different ways by several different groups in the United States.  From families to cities to businesses, organizations of different shapes sizes find a way to enjoy the Fourth of July.  Here are a few examples of how America’s 237th birthday will be celebrated.

Backyard barbeques are a staple among some American families.  This holiday provides an opportunity for extended families to come together and enjoy each other’s company, while also enjoying each other’s side dishes.  Small fireworks displays can be seen in the backyards of those who live in climates that are not favorable to fires caused by stray sparks.

Many small towns and large cities treat their citizens to family-friendly festivities in honor of the holiday, such as parades, fairs, carnivals, and their own fireworks displays.  The city of Terre Haute, Indiana, for example, will celebrate with their annual Frontier Day Parade followed by horse shows, ceremonies, and fun and games for families.  The small town of Taylor, Arizona has a tradition that they call the Firing of the Anvil.  This activity involves two anvils stacked on top of each other with gunpowder in between.  The gunpowder is lit by a safely long torch and the top anvil flies up into the air with a deafening boom.  Starting at 5 a.m., the anvils are taken in the back of a truck all over town followed by a band made up of local musicians, stopping every once in a while to fire again and again.  Citizens follow behind to form a parade as it passes by their houses.

On a grander scale, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year with the usual program featuring an outdoor concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra followed by a huge fireworks display.  And if you visit New York City or turn the TV to the right channel, you can see the annual Macy’s fireworks show on the Hudson River.  This year is advertised to boast a 25-minute program featuring 40,000 fireworks and a musical score inspired and directed by Grammy-winning recording artist Usher.

Macy’s is also sure to celebrate this holiday, as they do with most other holidays, by advertising some sort of sale. Of course, Macy’s is not the only company that will capitalize on this opportunity.  Businesses large and small are planning to attract customers with lowered prices and great deals.  For example, the New Jersey division of Grout Works, a family-owned grouting business specializing in grout and tile, is already advertising $50 off grout cleaning and grout sealing from July 3rd to the 8th.  It’s the business world’s way of wishing the consumer a happy Independence Day.

The Declaration of Independence and its adoption by the Continental Congress led to the creation of a great country where its people can enjoy, as stated in the Declaration, the “unalienable Rights” to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Families, towns, cities, and businesses all have reason to celebrate the adoption of the document that changed this country—and the world—so many years ago.


Helen Ontiveros and Madison Resare are content creators who enjoy writing about holidays, business, and grout cleaning.

Looking for Awesome Birthday Ideas? Here are Great Ideas For Big Birthdays

If you have a birthday ending in -0 approaching, you may have a little fear in your heart at jumping into a new decade or trepidation at the growing number of silver hairs sprouting from your hairline. But the way to beat any fear is to acknowledge it head on: in the case of a birthday this means celebrate outrageously.
Forget understated, this is the chance to go decadent. Here are six ideas to celebrate a big birthday in style.

Go to space
If you have £130,000 to spare and fancy going to somewhere completely out of this world, why not travel to space? Richard Branson’s much-awaited Virgin Galactic launches in 2014, and if you book a ticket you’ll rub shoulders with the A listers: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are believed to have signed up to the SpaceShipTwo aircraft, along with Richard Branson’s family.

Go on a retreat
They’re associated with hippies and escapists, but retreats are essentially a place to escape the world for a bit, indulge in some peace and quiet and get back in touch with your body and mind in the company of other folk who want to do the same. Yoga retreats are popular all over the world, and if you have the time, you can learn to become a yoga teacher.

Party like it’s 1999
There’s no better excuse than a birthday ending in -0 to party. The world’s party capital is Las Vegas, of course, a 24-hour cocktail of juices, restaurants, coffee points, clubs and pizza spots. Berlin, Ibiza and Budapest are close-to-home party favourites, while further afield Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv and Havana are known let-your-hair-down cities. If it’s a beach party you’re after, Thailand holds its infamous full moon parties each month, with the original in Haad Rin on the island of Ko Pha Ngan. Don’t forget your dancing shoes.

Go on a roadtrip
Forget flying into a city, exploring for a few days, then flying straight back home - the best way to travel in the USA is by touring. Alternative American holidays get you beyond the bright lights of the big cities to explore the incredible natural landscapes that are often missed by holidaymakers. A road trip is the classic way to travel, and America has some of the world’s most famous: The Pacific Coast Highway in California and Route 66 between Chicago and Arizona are two of the most famous.

Do what you love best
What really makes you tick? Music? Dancing? Food? Cycling? A big birthday is an excuse to do what you really want to. For some folk that might mean emulating Bradley Wiggins and signing up to holiday cycling the route of the Tour de France, for others, a more sedentary break discovering the wineries of the Dordogne in France might be in order. If you struggle to get your friends and family involved in what you love, now is a perfect excuse to get them to come along – or choose to go on a solo holiday and meet others who share your passion.

Learn something new
You’re never too old to learn, as the saying goes, and why not put it to the test and learn something new. It could be something you’ve been thinking about for years, something that will give you skills to change careers, or just something you enjoy. From massage to reflexology, web design to journalism, there are countless courses out there geared at adult learners, and who knows, a new skill might just open the door to a new chapter in your life.

Ideas For Celebrating Your Dog's Birthday - Great Ideas to Please Your Dog

If you're the type of person that loves to spoil your dog, throwing a birthday party for him on his special day is the perfect excuse to spoil him even more. This is a great way to let your dog know that you love him and to thank him for being your best friend. You’ll be able to pull all of your creativity together to make a party that can be celebrated with your dog, friends, family and even other canine playmates that he may have.

Organizing your birthday party
The things that you're going to have to think about to get this party organized include the following:
* The date of the party
* Invitations
* The guests
* Decorations
* The location
* The theme
* The food
* Entertainment
* Party favors

The date of the party
Figure out the date of the party early enough so that you can send out proper invitations. If your dog's birthday falls on a weekday, you may want to bump the party up to the following weekend or move it back to the weekend prior to the official birthday date.

Invitations
What type of invitations do you want to send out? If you're creative you can make your own easily by cutting out fancy paper into the shape of a bone. You can also find pre-made dog party invitations online at a reasonable price.

Celebrating 1st Birthday of Cute Puppy

The guests
Who would you like to invite to the party? You can either have a quiet family affair at home or invite a number of doggie guests over for a fun filled day of adventure surrounded by furry friends of all kinds.

Decorations
Ideas for decorations include:
* Dog party hats
* Dog balloons
* Tablecloth with a doggie print
* Pictures of your dog hung on the walls or placed on posters
* Any type of dog themed decorations that can be handmade, purchased online or discovered at the dollar store.

The location
Is this going to be an inside or an outside party? You may want to consider holding it outside if the weather is good - especially if you are expecting a lot of four-legged guests that will expect to have bathroom facilities available. If you don't have a yard or would prefer to hold the party elsewhere, think about a neighborhood dog park for the location.

The theme
It’s going to be a dog theme! You don't have to go any further than that to make this party exciting. In most cases you'll want to keep things as simple as possible since you'll have a lot of activity occurring at the party and what do you think these dogs and their owners will want the most? Dog stuff of course!

The food
There should be plenty of food available for all the fuzzy guests and all the humans as well. Set up a table that offers bowls of food for the human visitors and have a separate bowl set up on the table with doggie treats it. You should also have a lot of water bowls on the floor for the dogs to drink from between their party games.

Entertainment
Some of your entertainment choices include a talent show with humans showing off the talents of their dogs, contests for best tricks, obstacle courses, Frisbee chasing, ball catching etc. You could also fill up a small kiddie pool in the yard and pull out the hose to add some extra fun and to help keep the dogs cool.

Party favors
Every dog that attends the party should be given a goody bag to take home. Inside these bags you can include dog treats, toys and the party hat they were given at the party. Don’t forget to take photographs and share them with your guests, as a memento of a fun filled day.

The best recommendation here from BirthdayWords Blog is Dogtrainingcollars.com which will cover your almost all dog items. Worth visit!


Image: www.flickr.com/photos/romeoromeo/2048546111/

What Mum Really Wants For Her Birthday - Guide for Celebrating Mom's Birthday

If you start browsing websites for gifts for your Mum’s birthday or other event, you’ll be confronted with pages of boxes of chocolates, bunches of flowers or jewellery. All this is very nice, and nobody’s going to turn their nose up at a lovely box of handmade chocs, but with a bit more effort and the same budget, you can give your Mum a day she’ll remember and come up with something out of the ordinary.

Gifts for Mother on Birthday

Pamper Day

What mums want more than boxes of chocolates or bunches of flowers is a chance to relax and zone out from the everyday demands of looking after the family. Help her do this by getting Dad or another adult to clear the kids out of the house for an afternoon or evening and leave her with a hamper containing pamper products like bath bombs, nail varnish, pedicure kits and body lotion. Switch off her mobile and unplug the phone and leave her to relax and pamper for a while. You don’t have to buy expensive products, it’s the thought that counts and good quality bath bombs or nail varnishes can be bought along with the weekly shop.

Classes

If your Mum has always wanted to learn to knit, cook Thai food or salsa dance, then book her onto a course as a gift. If she’s the shy and retiring type, book two places on the course so she can take a friend with her. There are courses for almost anything, so get on the search engines and try to find out what is happening in your local area and see if there is anything which you think your Mum might enjoy. If she gets into her new hobby, you’re sorted with ideas for gifts for many birthdays and Christmases to come.

Birthday Meal Mom!

Meal

If all Mum wants to do after a hard day at work or looking after the kids is pull on her Eberjey pants, a comfy sweatshirt and slob around in front of the telly, going out for a meal might be too much of a hassle. Solve this problem by having a slap up meal at home, and your cooking skills don’t even have to be up to much. Many restaurants will offer a takeaway service, and many delicatessens are also offering a “dinner party at home” option which allows you to choose your menu a few days in advance and then all you do is pick up the food and reheat it in the oven. Zero effort, and much tastier than a normal pizza or Chinese takeaway.

Housework Vouchers

If your pocket is feeling the pinch and you really can’t afford to splash out on classes or meals, then make your Mum’s day with a booklet of housework vouchers. Get some paper and write a domestic chore on each, for example emptying the dishwasher, stripping the beds, washing the car or putting the bins out. Give the vouchers to your Mum with instructions that she cashes them in whenever she pleases. The key to making this present a success is no arguing when Mum asks you to do something on the voucher, however much you don’t want to do it.

Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 
•  License: Creative Commons image source

Know The Things You Should And Shouldn't Do At Child's Birthday Party

Planning a children's party doesn't have to be as difficult as a lot of parent's let it become as there are plenty of ways to make it manageable and even fun.

o    Plan
You need to get organised and you need to be organised early because if you try and book an entertainer at the last minute then you'll fail. The best entertainers are all booked up months in advance because they are the best so if you do manage to book someone really close to your child's party then you should ask yourself why they're available.

o    Consider merging your party with another child's birthday
If you know that there's another child in your little boy or girl's class that has either the same birthday or one that's very close then consider a joint party. Joint parties eliminate the choice for the other children and parents because if two children have a party on the same weekend then one of them will be left upset when less people attend. So to avoid having to race the other parents to get the invites out quickly join them and cut the cost of the party in half for both of you by inviting the entire class to the same party.

o    Guest listYou should never let the child decide who's coming to the party because there will always be people who are left out. Playground arguments are common and if you ask your child to decide who's invited to their party on the day they've fallen out with their best friend then they're unlikely to be invited which means upset later on when it's their party and your child's not invited. Up to the age of seven full class parties are a good idea or just invite their closest friends. Remember that although they might not want to invite everyone if they don't then they won't get invited to other parties which means tears later on.

o    Make sure you get all of the replies
You should always put an RSVP date on invites to children's parties because many parents will forget to respond unless they know they have to. A lot of them will forget anyway or they will never receive the invite so there's nothing wrong with a quick text, e-mail or phone call to any of the parents that haven't replied a couple of days before the RSVP date. There will be some parents that never respond but still show up to the party - there's always a few - so make sure you have enough food and party bags to cater for any unexpected guests.

o    Allergies
If you've invited a class full of primary school children to a party then you can guarantee that there'll be a few that can't eat certain things whether it's because they're a vegetarian, for religious reasons or they're allergic to certain foods such as dairy. In order to avoid upset children and parents that are disappointed that you didn't consider this, as soon as you receive a reply ask if their child has any specific dietary needs.


Sian Needham has a five year old son and when it got to his birthday she really struggled with ideas until one of her friends suggested she had a themed party and bought the supplies from perfectpartyuk.com

Read This Interesting Story of A Very Childish Adult Birthday Party

I have decided to organise a party for my Birthday. It is not that I actually want a party, in fact I really don’t want one at all and have gone to the lengths of arranging to be on holiday on my actual Birthday to avoid all of the fuss. My friends, however, are so determined to arrange one for me that they are planning all sorts of horrors for my return. The only way to head off their plans is to arrange my own event. The question is what should I do?

Age

The real problem here is age. I will be celebrating a significant birthday (50 but don’t tell anyone). Sadly many of my friends are a lot younger than me and my age is a constant source of humour for them. I could bore you forever on the endless stream of jokes that come my way. Unfortunately for me I worked with many of my good friends at a theme park which is a very public place in which the workers have the use of public address systems. On one occasion my best friend told the 1000 strong queue at a roller coaster that the staff at the park were organising a special collection to buy me a Motability vehicle and on another day he told them to all stand aside because an elderly person was coming through! Another friend told the guests that I was the oldest ride operator in the world. I also endured constant requests to turn on my hearing aid and was once refused access to a staff ride in case my pacemaker failed! To cap it all one colleague once asked me if I required the installation of a stair lift to enable me to access a ride console.

The Party

The truth is that I am an active person with a tendency to behave like I am still 20 and with a distinctly childish side. In revenge for the constant jokes about age I have decided to have an anti-age party which will be conducted exactly like a children’s party but with only adults present. I will choose a suitably childish theme like pirates or princesses and insist that all guests arrive dressed for the part. I will serve them all jelly and ice cream on paper plates and we can all play silly games before being entertained by a clown. The clown will be a fantastic addition to proceedings because the particular friend who is so fond of hearing aid jokes is also terrified of clowns. Oh sweet revenge.

Fine Details

The party can be topped off by the handing out of party bags and sweets and then insisting the guests are collected by their parents before 6 pm so I can enjoy the rest of my day in peace. The event will, in fact, be my fifth birthday revisited. The trouble is I have a horrible feeling that my friends might actually enjoy it!

Citations:

• Photograph by Alan Levine Via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Featured images:

•  
  License: Creative Commons image source 

We have found Gifts for Tweens an awesome place for kids party bag fillers. Good for kids' parties!

Four Useful and Applicable Tips on How to Celebrate Birthday on Budget

Birthdays are one of the most celebrated occasions, and no matter your age, you certainly are excited about your birthday—unless, of course, if you hate to remember that you are getting older. But almost everyone looks forward to celebrating his or her birthday, no matter the financial status. However, when strapped for cash during your birthday, it might be of a challenge to throw a party, so here are some tips on how to celebrate your birthday despite being on a budget.

Birthday on Budget

1.         Celebrate multiple birthdays at the same time. This may sound a little stingy, but this is actually a good idea. Find a friend or a close relative who share the same birthday as you do, or a closer date from your birthday, and celebrate your birthday together. Despite having different guests, you can still have a great party within a budget. Plus, take it as an opportunity to widen your social circle.

2.         Limit your numbers. It is best to keep your guest list to a limited number. If you really want to save or not spend too much since you are in a tight budget, only invite people within your close social circle. If the people within your social circle are still too many, invite them ahead of time and make sure you get them to RSVP so you can plan further about the menu and any other details that need financial attention. Also, politely and tactfully ask the people you invited not to bring anyone else without informing you first as you are on a budget. Be honest and open to avoid any problems.

3.         Keep it simple. Keeping your birthday celebration simple is one great way to save money. Don’t be envious of your friend’s birthday or at least match last year’s celebrations by spending lavishly. It could be a potluck, salad party, or a simple barbeque in the garden. A sleepover with movie marathons is also another great idea. But what’s important is that the people that matters most to you are with you on this special day. There are a lot of ways you can celebrate your birthday within a budget.

4.                  Choose the right time. Another great way to save money is to choose the right time of the day to celebrate your birthday. That is, you choose the time of the day when people are not as hungry as they are usually or the time when they have already eaten. Around after lunchtime would be a great time since you only need to serve snacks rather than heavier type of foods.

About the author – Manilyn Moreno has several years of experience in catering and writing. Her friends were her first clients when she started out in the catering industry. Managing event financial and recipes has been made easier for her through the aid of software for catering .

What To Do For Celebrating Your Baby’s First Birthday Party - Best Ideas

If your little one is approaching their first birthday, you may well be wondering what to do to mark this momentous occasion. While your baby will be too little to truly appreciate their special day, parents and family will want to savour every moment, so here are some great ideas on how to celebrate your baby’s first birthday in style:

Home sweet home

Intimate parties held at home are a lovely way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday and smaller numbers won’t overwhelm your little one. The added advantage is that you won’t have to transport all the food and gifts very far! As your child and their friends get older and start running around and demanding party games, hosting at home won’t be nearly as attractive, so make the most of it and hold a small gathering for close family and friends.

Picnics and BBQs

If you’d rather not have your party at home and your baby was born in a warmer month, try a party in your local park. You can tie balloons to trees and family and friends can bring picnic rugs and tents to keep babies well-shaded. Or try a BBQ in the garden to keep the adults happy, with sandwiches and snacks available for the children.

Themes and games

While a theme isn’t necessary for a first birthday party, choosing one can be great fun. There is plenty of choice available, but a jungle or safari theme is great for boys or girls, and there is plenty of food that fits in perfectly – try making a cucumber crocodile with cheese on sticks, or sandwiches laid out in the shape of a snake!

Even though your little one may be too young to really know what’s going on, you can still enjoy some simple party games. Try the classic pass the parcel, musical games and finish with some nursery rhymes. Bubbles are also a favourite with children of all ages, so get a bubble machine for the garden and enjoy some great action photos!

The first birthday cake

One of the highlights of any child’s birthday party is the cake. For your little one’s first birthday you can keep it simple with a number one cake or match the cake to the theme of your party. Some cakes don’t even need to be baked, such as a train which can be made from swiss rolls and jammy dodgers for wheels!

Finishing touches

Your child’s first birthday is a celebration of their first milestone, so make the most of the special finishing touches to make your party come alive. Why not ask party guests to write a message or speak on a video for your child on their 18th birthday, and it’s a good idea to allocate someone else to do photographs and videos so that you can concentrate on entertaining the children and adults in the room!

However you decide to celebrate your baby’s first birthday, don’t forget to congratulate yourselves too! As parents you have survived the first year of sleepless nights and endless nappy changes, so make sure that you enjoy a well-deserved glass of wine once your guests have gone home and your one year old has finished partying and gone to bed!

Custard and Crumble help you to equip your baby’s nursery in style. We offer a range of nursery furniture, gifts and toys to make your baby’s first years as simple and pleasurable as possible!