Party Planning and More…

Mid-February of each year is a time of courtship and romance. And as they say, cupid’s arrows are aimed at the least suspecting souls. For singles, men and women may find themselves initiating new connections with a newfound confidence. Those who are already in relationships may use especially grand gestures to display their affection for one another. Even children are eager to exchange kind sentiments with their peers. Without a doubt, love is in the air on February 14th, Valentine’s Day.

A History Rooted in Mythology

The day of love is thought to have roots in Roman mythology, a paganistic festival, and the early Christian church. In the month of February, Pagans traditionally observed a feast day to celebrate fertility. According to Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were cared for in their infancy by a she-wolf. Each year on the fertility feast day, Roman priests gathered to sacrifice a goat (the symbol for fertility) at the cave where the founders were raised. After the sacrifice was made, leftover strips of goat hide were dipped in blood and women were whipped with the pelt. Women welcomed the flogging in hopes that they would be more fertile in the coming year. They also put their names into a hopper to be randomly paired with a man for the upcoming year. Once this festival was deemed un-Christian and subsequently outlawed, it was decided that Valentine’s Day would serve as a suitable replacement to commemorate the upcoming mating season. The holiday’s patron saint is said to have been an ordained priest who secretly married young soldiers and their wives-to-be at a time when new marriages were outlawed for those in the military. Once St. Valentine was exposed for his crimes, the emperor had him imprisoned. There, in prison, St. Valentine is said to have delivered the first valentine to a girl with whom he was smitten. Legend has it that his valediction was “From your Valentine”.

Modern-Day Observances

Today, most lovers, family members, and friends express their affection for one another by sending combinations of cards, flowers, and candy as Valentine’s Day favors. Whether store-bought with a run-of-the-mill verse or handmade with a heartfelt dedication, a card is a classic way to convey a sentimental or funny message.  Next to Christmas, more cards are sent for Valentine’s Day than any other time of the year!

Red roses, the signature flowers of passion and beauty, are the ones most commonly gifted, but there are other floral options that can convey different sentiments. It’s a good idea to consult a florist when making a bouquet selection, as certain flowers have varied meanings in different societies.

Appealing to the senses with full-bodied flavor, chocolates are widely chosen for their perceived amatory properties. Conversation hearts are the runner-up, delighting all ages with their pastel hues and cutesy sayings.

If you’re searching for new ways to profess your amorous feelings and celebrate Valentine’s Day, here are some fresh ideas that are sure to warm hearts:

• Personalize it! From making your own candies and piping an icing epithet onto them to penning eloquent rhymes and binding them in an anthology, you can’t lose when it comes to customizing your sentimental offering.
• Instead of dining out, plan to make a candlelight dinner for your paramour. Julienned green papaya and beets on a bed of spring mix salad followed by a course of red snapper, asparagus, and orzo is vivacious and appetizing. A bottle of Riesling or Chardonnay complements the flavors especially well. A red velvet cake for dessert is a happy ending to a good meal.

Extend the theme by warming your home with Valentine’s Day decorations:

• Add spice to your garnet-hued floral arrangement by filling the space between nested glass vases with cinnamon heart-shaped candies. The sweet scent will invigorate any passerby. For an unscented version, use pastel candy hearts and coordinating pale flowers to achieve the same visual effect.
• Fashion a heart-shaped wreath to hang on your front door. A wreath made of raffia or heart-shaped felt pieces could be reused year after year.
• For singles, hosting a Valentine’s Day party can be a great way to introduce friends to one another. Stock up on plenty of Valentine’s Day party decorations, blush wines, and tasty treats.

Whether you’re planning a quiet night at home with your loved one or an exciting night out, make this Valentine’s Day the best one yet!

When the hustle and bustle of the holidays comes to an end, it can start to feel as though winter will drag on forever. With warm weather still calendar pages away, it’s easy for spirits to dip as low as the mercury. Why not warm up—and nip the winter doldrums in the bud—by hosting an indoor beach party? With a little planning and creativity, your indoor beach party will help put an end to the “cabin fever blues”.

Setting the Scene with Beach Party Invitations

Post cards with beach scenes make fantastic indoor beach party invitations, and are certain to whet your guests’ appetites for a little tropical fun. On your invitation, be sure to let guests know that they’ll be enjoying a “day at the beach,” and ask them to wear their favorite summer and beach attire. Some more fun ideas include sending a “message in a bottle,” writing the invitation on a rubber flip-flop, or including a small bottle of sand and shells. Make sure to send out the invitations two to three weeks before your party, so your guests will have plenty of time to round up their bathing suits and dust off their sandals!

Create an Indoor Paradise with Beach Party Decorations

To set the stage for your indoor beach bash, hang beach balls and shells from the ceiling, cover your walls with tropical and beach destination posters, and drape tabletops and furniture with beach towels. Remove any furniture you can from the party area, and replace it with lawn chairs, patio tables, and beach umbrellas. To add extra floor seating, unroll bamboo beach mats and top them with brightly colored throw pillows. Enhance the warmth of the scene by replacing lamps and overhead lighting with red light bulbs, and don’t forget to add some upbeat beach party music.

Create an Appetite for Summer with Beach Party Food

For your indoor beach party, replace the savory stews, soups, and comfort foods of wintertime with classic cookout fare for your party menu. Fire up the grill for burgers and hot dogs, paired with potato salad and coleslaw, baked beans, diced tropical fruit, deviled eggs, and boiled ears of frozen corn on the cob. Serve the food buffet-style with side items in sand buckets, using Frisbees as plates and sand shovels as serving spoons. For dessert, nothing says summer more than ice cream. Set up a sundae buffet, complete with sliced fruit, flavored sauces, chopped nuts, and whipped cream. (Important note: When grilling during the winter months, don’t be tempted to move your grill indoors or any closer than five feet from your house. Be certain to remove any dirt or debris from your grill before lighting. Allow extra heating and cooking time, and keep scarves and other clothing away from the heat.)

Beach Party Attire, Party Favors & Games

Turn up the thermostat, set up heat lamps (if you can find them), and wait for your guests to arrive. Greet your beach companions dressed in full summer garb—complete with sunhat, cocoa butter, and zinc oxide. Provide a private dressing area and a designated spot for stowing bulky winter gear, and invite guests change into their summer attire. Give each attendee a few fun indoor beach party favors, such as sunglasses, sunhats, flip flops, bubbles, and beach toys, and engage your guests in some fun indoor beach party games. Hula-hoop and limbo contests, beach ball volleyball, scavenger hunts, and an indoor Frisbee toss are sure to be loads of fun for all.

When properly planned, your indoor beach party is sure to be a hit. Your guests will leave with warm memories, and with the renewed energy they need to face the remainder of the cold months ahead. Maybe a happy guest will reciprocate by inviting you to their Christmas Party…held in July, of course. Enjoy your indoor beach party!

As temperatures soar and schedules slow down, fun in the sun takes a prime spot on the agenda. For those who are lucky enough to live near an ocean or lake, relaxing on the sandy shore is a great way to while away summer afternoons. No water in sight? Not to worry—even landlocked sea lovers can indulge in their love for the nautical life by throwing a backyard beach bash. With a little creativity, some strategically placed party decorations, and a group of fun-loving guests, you can throw an authentic beach-themed party. (Water is optional!)

Below, we’ve compiled some helpful party planning tips for an unforgettable beach bash:

• Choose a location. If you’ve got a big, fenced-in backyard, you can host your party at home and use beach-themed party decorations to re-create the essence of the shore. While a pool is a nice bonus, there are plenty of other ways to incorporate water—easy alternatives include sprinklers, inflatable water slides, and Slip-n-Slides.
• Choose a theme. Okay, the obvious theme—the beach—is a given. But why stop there? Customize your beach party by adding a fun, unique twist. One idea is to turn it into a Hawaiian luau, complete with grass skirts, leis, tiki bars, and limbo contests. Party Favor Mall offers a full range of Hawaiian party decorations and party favors to infuse your outdoor space with the warmth and hospitality of the tropical islands. Another popular beach theme is a surfing party, where the guests are encouraged to wear surfing attire, bring their boards, and even participate in simulated surfing competitions.
• Plan a soundtrack. Summer songs are a must for a successful beach party. Choose music that evokes the essence of the shore—the Beach Boys, reggae, Jimmy Buffet, Sublime, and any other artists whose sounds emanate a carefree, relaxed ambiance. Consider placing portable or wireless speakers in strategic places throughout the yard to ensure prime acoustics for all guests.
• Choose your party decorations. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to infuse your venue with the appeal of a sandy shore or exotic isle. Some easy and economical beach party props include tiki torches, beach balls, and plastic palm trees. For festive lighting, string up white mini lights, suspend lanterns from tree branches, or place votive candles in paper bags. If you have a pool, light floating candles on the water for a shimmering effect. To add a touch of realism, consider creating a temporary faux beach by emptying a few bags of sand in one area of the yard. Some other unique ideas include using beach towels as tablecloths or coconut shells as centerpieces.
• Get guests moving. Starting up a party game is a great way to encourage guests to interact and to break the ice between different circles of friends who may not know each other well. A carefully chosen competition can tie in to your party theme. To conjure up ideas, think about popular beach activities that could easily make the transition to your own backyard, such as volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, or badminton.
• Add festive flames. To ignite the spirit of an authentic beach party, add a bonfire. The dancing flames will create a celebratory atmosphere and will help keep the crowd warm when temperatures dip after dark. A copper fire pit or rock-enclosed fire ring provides an easy way to create an outdoor bonfire. If you plan to create a bona fide bonfire, you should check with the local municipalities to determine whether a special permit is required.
• Choose your beach fare. A beach-themed party calls for summer-friendly foods: pig roasts, smoked barbecue, succulent fruit kabobs, and pasta salads, to name a few. Complement the meal with beachy beverages typically served oceanside: margaritas, pina coladas, fruit smoothies, or mai tais. Complete the effect by serving drinks in festive containers, such as hand-painted martini glasses or fish bowls, and by topping them off with miniature umbrellas. For a grand finale, serve such hot-weather indulgences as pineapple upside-down cake, ice-cream sorbets, or creamy puddings.

Don’t let geography limit you—no matter where you live, you can host a backyard beach bash with all the seaside accoutrements. A beach party provides a great opportunity to kick back, relax with friends and family, and celebrate the simple joys of summer.

Today’s modern families are busier than ever. From sporting events to school functions to household chores, parents and children are often rushing from one obligation to another, racing against the clock to squeeze in everything that has to be done. With so many responsibilities, downtime is often in short supply. If you’re craving a break from your fast-paced daily routines, you may be surprised to discover a remedy right outside your front door.

When was the last time you spent some time relaxing with the neighbors? We live in an age where over-the-fence conversation and cul-de-sac revelry have given way to emails, text messages, and other forms of “express communication.” This summer, unplug your high-tech toys, push aside your day planner, and throw a long, leisurely block party. It’s a fun, easy way to turn passing acquaintances into built-in friends, and to form family connections that will endure for seasons to come. In addition to creating camaraderie, cultivating relationships with those who live closest to us promotes a sense of security and solidarity.

So, how to pull it off? Planning a block party is easier than you might think. Follow these quick, simple tips to throw a street soiree that will delight children and adults alike.

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Happy Leap Year!  …Ok, by now you see that I am always looking for a reason to throw a party, so, why not a Leap Year Party! 

Did you know why we have Leap Year?  Everyone thinks that each year is 365 days long, when in all actuality it is 365.242 days, thus we have to add a year every 4 years so our calendar is on que with the sun.  To figure out what year is Leap Year just remember that Leap year fall on every year that is divisible by 4…hence, 2004 and 2008.   I found that to be a fun little fact! 

So, go out, and celebrate! 

Check out this Red Hot gift for your special someone on Valentine’s Day… Really, any day!

You can find this Red Hot scented candle and many more great Valentine’s Day gifts at All Scented Candles.

I can’t believe that it is 2008, let alone the whole month of January has past us already! …What does that mean, everyone needs to get that gift for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day can make or break a relationship… Try doing something more than the typical flowers… Give something that will last longer!

My valentines gift idea is to give her a floral scented candle the match the flowers that you give her! Or, scented candles alone would make a lasting gift she can remember.

Popular choices include rose, lilac, lavender, jasmine, peony, and gardenia. Many believe that aromatic candles can actually benefit your health

It is always nice to bring the host of the party a gift.  It isn’t required, but always appreciated. 

These beautiful, contemporary scented jar candles from Flare are the perfect gift!  They come in a stylish glass jar with a silver lid and have a very unique, modern looking label that simply says “flare”. 

You can find so many wonderful scented candles and candle accessories at www.AllScentedCandles.com.   

We are well into the New Year, which means we have a big party year ahead. And Mardi Gras is coming fast! Only 3 more weeks until Fat Tuesday!

I had the opportunity years ago to spend Mardi Gras in New Orleans. What fun! The parades were wonderful. In fact, the first Parade of this Mardi Gras season is this Saturday. (January 19, 2008 at 7:00pm)

Whether you are spending Mardi Gras in New Orleans or having your own Mardi Gras party, get all of your Mardi Gras Party Supplies ordered now so you are prepared ahead of time.