Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

Handmade Holiday Hostess Gifts

Here a few simple handmade holiday hostess gifts to make from Sunset.


Bulbs planted in a paint can will brighten someone's life for weeks. Cover a 1-quart paint can (about $1 at hardware stores) with wrapping paper, securing the seam with double-stick tape.

Guided by the depression in the can's lid, trace and cut out a paper label, write your message, and attach to lid with double-stick tape. Fill can halfway with sand.

Place two or three paperwhite or other narcissus bulbs (about $5 for a 10-pack) in the sand (roots down, points up).

On a paper slip, offer advice for the giftee: To force bulbs, set aside lid and add water until sand is just moist. Place in sunny spot and keep moist; blooms in about seven weeks.

Tuck instructions in can, and, covering lid with a dishcloth, gently tap into place with a hammer.

Find more great gift plant ideas at Sunset.

Monogrammed River Rock Paperweight

Stencil river rocks with white rub-on transfers (available at craft stores). More ideas here.

Posted by Entertain Exchange.

Fruit By The Foot

One of my favorite children's books is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, a perfectly simple story about a very hungry caterpillar. And when I saw this awesome fruit chandelier, all I could think about was how to plan the perfect TVHC party around it. A quick search turned up some amazing parties and treats, but then I saw Personally You Parties already covered most of them. Since I'm not about reinventing the wheel, check her out for some great parties. So, I'll add my two cents with more fruit-inspired fun... You must go check the rest of this party; she started the party off right with ADORABLE invites! Using the Eric Carle Birthday Kit, check out this clever setup from Harri's Mom; I love, love love her balloon caterpillar. Cute cupcakes bites for guests accompanied a themed smash cake Check out awesome Alpha Mom's free fruit tag downloads; we've done her lunch box tags, it's nice for the kids to have a 'hug' from you during the day. These are perfect for Valentine's Day, but you can change the juicy puns to fit your party's theme. Not Just A Mommy!

Recycled Ornament Contest!

All you DIY Junkies get ready to create a Holiday Ornament made completely of recycled materials. Winners will be judged on creatvitiy, use of recycled materials, and design asthetic. 3 Winners will be chosen and win great prizes from 2Modern.com. Contest ends December 20th 2009. You may enter as many times as you wish. Learn More Here! 
 

New Moon/Twilight Saga Party Ideas

With the opening of the New Moon/Twilight Saga on Friday, I thought it would be fun to feature a few great party ideas - for those Twilight Obsessed!

1. See this apple place card and amazing tablescape at Tara's Twilight Party Blog. She has collected some great Twilight Party ideas.

2. Find great download drink labels and quotes from Hostess With The Mostess. Get the downloads here for the labels and quotes along with some fun party ideas.

3. These amazing cookies were created by Amber.

4. What fun it would be to serve these Vampire Bites from Bright Ideas - get the recipe here.

5. A few tablescape ideas from Entertain Exchange Blog.

Posted by Entertain Exchange.

Thanksgiving Pear Place Card

Thanks Martha Stewart for this cute and easy idea for an Autumn place card!
 

Delightfully Unique Thanksgiving Ideas

The leaves have changed their colors, the wool sweaters have come out of hibernation, and the sweet smell of cinnamon potpourri permeates throughout the department stores. This can only mean one thing- Thanksgiving's around the corner! Here are a few simple yet unique ideas that are sure to stand out with your guests!

1. Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Recipe

2. Thanksgiving Treat Boxes

3. Pumpkin Pie Cookie

4. Candy Corn Cupcake Recipe

More ideas at Sweet Cuddlecakes 

A Fall Hoot-enanny

Needing some clever ideas for a fun fall party? While looking through Matthew Mead's Monster Book Of Halloween, I discovered the cutest Owl-oween Party, but really couldn't you use it anytime? Change the colors to fit the occasion; pastel for a baby shower or gender-specific colors for a birthday, or whatever you like! Thus today's inspiration.... Get The Party Started
They may be for a wizard party, but you can still download and use these scroll invites and place cards. I love the colors of Polka Dot Design's owl invite; this blue and brown owl invite from My Good Greetings has clean lines and simple perfection. Setting The Scene
Bring in natural elements like grapevine wreaths to mimic bird nests and manzanita branches adorned with small owls. Of course you have to use feathers, like this beautiful wreath from Zofia Design. The Munchies
If you have the skills, this owl cake will blow your guests away. Catching Fireflies' too cute owl cupcakes and Bright Ideas' owl cookies have easy tutorials to follow. Transform moonpies into clever treats; serve these chocolate owls or send them as favors. Adorn cupcakes with these cupcake topper downloads from Rock Scissors Paper. What To Do
Check out petit elefant's DIY for a fun party activity; make their felt bean bags and let guests glue on the features. Or set out paper bags and craft supplies for this inspired owl craft. I know that owls don't live in birdhouses, but setting out small wooden birdhouses (check out your local craft or dollar store) to paint would still work. Send Them Home With A Smile
End the party with Favormaker's owl favor box filled with treats or this cute Stampin Up! favor bag.  Not Just A Mommy!

Gothic Girls Night Out Party

Here is a not so typical Girls Night Out Party. Invite your friends over and ask them to dress on the dark side - a Gothtail Party. Everyone owns something black and with a few accessories it is easy to pull of a gothic look. Glitter skulls, feathers and bling make this a fun party to plan.

Get these party details at Entertain Exchange with more decorating ideas here. The complete hand made invitation instructions are here.

Happy Halloween!

Monster Mash Bash

So, last year's Mad Scientist's Lab Halloween party was a bit much, so I've decided to alternate my holiday parties, so this year small Halloween party, big Christmas party. I fell in love with Target's Monster Mash line, so I let that be my inspiration. Everyone loved the Monster Fingers. You know I love to decorate paper bags. These are filled with themed pencils, glowsticks, vials filled with gummy body parts and these comp books (clearanced for dirt cheap after the Back-To-School rush) I covered with scrapbook paper. These fun monster pillows from Oriental Trading make new friends, especially inspiring while watching Pixar's Monsters, Inc. How cute are these eggs? Perfect for our Monster Egg Hunt!   And the party couldn't be complete without making monster cupcakes! For my second Monster Mash Bash, we made monster trick or treat bags. I made the cupcakes instead, and needed something to do with all the frosting, so I covered cookie balls and made these cute Monster Eyeball Cookies. Come visit my blog for my next Tuesday Tutorial and I'll clue you on how to make them, they are perfect as a last-minute party treat! Not Just A Mommy!

Creative Candy Corn

1. Decorate with this cute Candy Corn Topiary - Instructions from Better Homes & Garden.

2. Candy Corn Cheese and Crackers from Better Homes & Garden.

3. Cookies from The Recipe Girl.

4. Candy Corn Centerpiece made of Jello from Entertain Exchange.

Free Downloadable Cupcake Wrapper

Just download, print and trim this cute cupcake wrapper. Get it here!
 

Win a Modern Baby Nursery!

2Modern presents the Modern Nursery Sweepstakes! 2Modern & Argington are giving away thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and a one hour color consultation from Danielle Hirsch. All you have to do is sign up for one of our monthly newsletters for a chance to win.  ENTER HERE!

 

Boos & Ghouls Party

Enter if you dare - get into the spirit of a spooky Boos & Ghouls party, complete with bootiful decor, spooktacular activities and ghoulish food. Use a black and white palette from start to finish.

Get The Party Started
Raid your favorite candy store for the giant lollipops needed for these party invites from HGTV. Have a Halloween birthday? These sweet and scary Halloween invitations from Fun and Sassy Designs also have matching flat note cards and calling cards.

Setting The Scene
Ghostly door decorations made from painted gourds chill the hearts of those brave enough to darken your doorstep.

Spookify your living room furniture with white draping and adding ghostly black felt eyes. Replace light bulbs with blue or black-light bulbs, and everything will take on an eerie glow.

Purchase white pumpkins, paint on black eyes and mouths and place them everywhere; in the dark they resemble floating heads.

Country Living shares how to make these pretty ribbon-handled paper cones; on the back of your guests' chairs they do double-duty as treat holders and party favors.

What To Do
Have a younger crowd play freeze dance with glowsticks while dancing to Ray Parker's "Ghostbusters" and color on black cardstock with glow-in-the-dark paint and markers.

Get right to the point and make a spooky ghostwriter from Crayola Model Magic at FamilyFun.

Have a Slime Pit Relay - fill a large cauldron with homemade slime and have teams try to fill their smaller cauldrons with handfuls of slime. Check out the ultimate slime recipe from the slime expert that is Nickelodeon.

Having a teen sleep-over? Host a Haunt-A-Thon with movies like The Sixth Sense, Poltergeist, Amityville Horror and The Shining, guarantees to keep them up all night!

The Munchies
Oh, so many ideas to choose from! White and black food are a must. Of course, you must set up an Oreo cookie bar. Set them on square plates in piles of like-flavors for maximum impact. Serve shots of milk and chocolate milk, alongside clear glass bowls and jars filled with black and white candies.

Add all sorts of other treats to the table like these mini ghost cupcakes, or these Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy ghost cookies from Everyday Celebrating.

Marshmellow treats never looked so good with these White-As-A-Ghost recipe.

For those who need a bit more of a challenge, BHG's meringue spooks are to die-for.

Come visit my blog this Sunday for two special ghoulish beverages to serve. Not Just A Mommy!

New Online Invitations - Blocks Series

New Blocks Series Online Invitations from Sendomatic. New designs include: Blocks Thanksgiving, Blocks Holloween, Blocks Birthday, Blocks Housewarming, Blocks Sale and Blocks Save The Date.

 

Murderous Cupcakes

Perfect for your Slashin' Halloween Bash, these cupcakes were also inspired by the Showtime serial killer show Dexter. See the post below - A Slashin' Dinner Bash. Get the details for these Murderous Cupcakes here.

Posted by Entertain Exchange