Nobbies Parties Blog

St Patrick's Day Party Ideas

2012-03-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

Throwing a St. Patrick's Day Party means going green. St. Patrick’s Day is a fun and free spirited celebration for everyone, whether you belong to the Irish community or you just enjoy the spirit of this Irish-themed holiday. Since, everybody's Irish on St. Paddy's Day, it’s a great reason to throw a party for family and good friends!

Invitations: St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner so get your invites out now. Keep it simple with a shamrock shaped invitation. Cut the shape out of green card stock paper; use a pencil to trace the outline of a shamrock cookie cutter and cut along the line. Write the party greeting on one side of the shamrock and add the date, location and time details on the opposite side. Use this little rhyme as a party greeting:

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind always be at your back
And may that road be the one to our house
For a party to celebrate St. Pat's!

Come join the shenanigans and share the green beer
It's a Saint Patrick's Day Party and we want you here!

Our Irish eyes will be smiling if you join us at our St. Patrick's Day celebration!

Be sure to add “Wear green!” on the invites.

Attire: Of course, green is the way to go with your St. Patrick's Day gear. Lads and lassies alike can get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day by breaking out all their green clothing, pinning on a "Kiss Me, I’m Irish" button and topping it all off with a green leprechaun's hat. If you’re really audacious, try adding some shamrock tattoos in various places and show guests your green.

Décor: Start your St. Paddy’s Day decorating with green streamers in various shades to set the mood. Go all out with a string of green lights (get out your Christmas lights) and shamrock-shaped helium balloons strategically placed around the festivities. Put up green cutouts of shamrocks and leprechauns on the walls and in the windows. Suspend lanterns in a rainbow pattern around your party area. Add Lucky Charms cereal for festive table confetti. Fill bowls or vases with them to dress up your party.

Ambience: Put on a CD of traditional Irish songs and print out the lyrics for your guests so they can croon along to classics like "Danny Boy." Hand out paper and pens and give your guests five minutes to write a limerick, and then read them aloud in your best Irish accents. If you're the adventurous type, send your guests on a treasure hunt for a leprechaun's pot of gold. Before guests arrive, hide your treasure (gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins) around the party area, then have guests search for it throughout the party.

Favors: Hand out “Kiss Me, I’m Irish!” buttons or party beads to your guests to wear during the course of the party. As they leave, hand out little pots of gold (goodluck coins, small treats, and a some party beads in a little pot).

Menu: Get out your green food coloring; you'll need it to dye everything from mashed potatoes to beer. Serve beer in mini mugs or green koozies. In addition to green-colored treats, serve traditional Irish favorites like corned beef and cabbage and lots of potatoes; perfect for this lucky holiday. For a sweet snack, try a rainbow cake (recipe here) and add chocolate gold coins around the cake.

Rainbow Cake Recipe

2012-03-04T20:01:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

· Vegetable shortening

· 2 boxes of white cake mix

· 2 cans buttercream frosting

· Six 9-inch round cake pans

· Food coloring in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush six 9-inch cake pans with shortening. Line bottom of each cake pan with parchment paper; brush again and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, mix cake mix according to directions.

3. Divide batter evenly between six medium bowls. Add drops of each color of food coloring to each bowl, stirring, until desired shade is reached.

4. Transfer each color to an individual cake pan. Transfer to oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 15 minutes.

5. Remove cakes from oven and transfer to a wire rack; let cool for 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto a wire rack; re-invert and let cool completely.

6. Using a serrated knife or cake leveler, trim tops of cakes to make level. Place the purple layer cake on a plate. Spread ½ cup buttercream on top. Repeat process with rest of colored layers.

7. Place the remaining red layer on top, bottom side up. Gently sweep away any loose crumbs with a pastry brush. Cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.

8. Using a spatula, cover cake again with remaining frosting.

9. Decorate cake and enjoy.

Heartwarming Party

2012-02-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

Share your heart this Valentine’s Day by throwing a party with a purpose! Extend an invitation to friends and family to help you do good deeds by giving to charity. Have everyone bring new or gently used winter items such as hats, mittens, and coats as their ticket into your party. Then, donate the items to charity. Choose the charity that means the most to you; a few other great charities are your local animal shelter or pantry.

Invitations - This party will make everyone feel warm and fuzzy – and so will the card! Cut a heart shape from a piece of fun, fuzzy fabric and glue to a blank card. Let dry and write the party details inside the card.

Décor – Don’t go overboard with too much pink, but have fun and string some cut out hearts in various colors around your party area. Welcome guests with a fun party favor... a red carnation for the ladies is always nice. Or hand out something fun, like heart shaped glasses, a red or pink plastic lei, or wax lips. Decorate with red and white heart shaped doilies. They would look very cute on the walls with a photo of your charity in the center. Add a few balloons for the perfect touch.

Ambience – For extra atmosphere, buy several packs of those cheesy Valentines that kids swap in class. Use a hole punch and some red ribbon to make a garland. It will look festive hanging over the party entrance or above the buffet. Make sure to have a decorated donation box as your centerpiece so that partygoers can sporadically donate during the event.

Menu – Hearts will melt with this simple and easy dessert. Warm up your guests with a Hug in a Mug – this delicious chocolate cake is served in a mug (recipe below). Serve with ice cream and red cocoa.

Favors – Normally favors are a great way to send guests home remembering your get together. After this gathering, guests will already feel wonderful that they had a delightful time and did something to help out others in need.

This heart warming party is sure to make hearts swell. Have an ever-so-sweet Valentine’s Day!

Hug in a Mug

Ingredients:

· ½ cup flour

· ½ cup sugar

· ¼ cup baking cocoa

· 2 eggs

· ¼ cup milk

· ¼ cup oil

· 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

· Whipped cream

· 4 microwavable coffee mugs

Directions:

1. Mix flour, sugar, and baking cocoa in a bowl. Stir together.

2. Add eggs. Stir well.

3. Add the milk, oil, and peppermint. Stir again.

4. Spoon mixture into 4 microwave safe mugs. Fill halfway.

5. Microwave individually for 2 minutes or until firm.

6. Top with whipped cream. Enjoy!

Double recipe for 8 mugs.

Let Me Count The Ways!

2012-02-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

By Poppie

As I pondered blog ideas for February, of course, the subject of love came to mind. I am not normally a sappy person (I didn’t even cry during Steel Magnolias), but I did want to focus on that all too powerful emotion that intertwines our family life, acting as a glue that holds us all together through thick and thin. Love, amore, affection, adoration. No matter how you say it, this one word says so much about our passions.

There are so many ways to express how we feel about those we love, but I thought I’d list a few of my simple, inexpensive favorites here.

1) Stamp out the love – Add a spot of cheer to your letters with a stamp featuring your child’s smiling face. Take a picture of your child holding her Valentine message and either edit yourself or have a professional do it. Make stamps, postcards, whatever you desire to send your message of love.

2) A girl’s best friend - Jewelry is always a big hit, but who can afford it? Make red and pink macaroni necklaces for your little sweeties. Hey, it works when they give them to you.

3) Letter of love – Write a special note to your sweetheart or child and put in a tiny bottle. Have them discover it in various places – in the bathroom cabinet by the toothpaste, in the mailbox (make sure they get the mail), or by their favorite electronic device. A fun twist on this is to use pre-messaged sticky notes with amusing, loving messages.

4) A rosy outlook - Red roses are perfect for Valentine's Day but they are so pricy at this time of year! Fluffy carnations make great substitutes. Or make your own flowers with bunches of tissue paper.

5) Extended love - Get trendy and add some fun hair extensions or feathers in red and pink to your child’s hair so they will look extra fashionable at their school party. Bonus points if you show up with extensions in as well.

Use these ideas to help set the mood, and your loved ones will soon be delighted at your expression of love. Here’s to an oh-so-sweet Valentine’s Day!

Super Bowl XLVI

2012-01-24T12:15:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again.

The biggest of the biggest… the best of the best… the grand-daddy of all sporting celebrations…the super Sunday extravaganza… the Super Bowl!

Everyone wants to be part of this great party and every business is vying for advertising space during commercials to be part of the game. Fans know it’s not just something you watch, it’s something you experience. Super Bowl XLVI is upon us and now is the time to plan your “fan–tastic” fiesta.

Invitations: No little football invite is going to do. Be creative and send a VIP sporting ticket to be redeemed for food and drink upon arrival at your gathering. Or have your kids decorate huge footballs (the bigger the better) with all the super information your guests will need.

Décor: Start by putting a football field table cover over your dining area. Add Super Bowl or NFL party supplies. Give each guest party beads in both team colors. Let your guests decide which beads they will chose. This is an easy way to know who’s rooting for whom - of course, they will probably be wearing a team jersey anyway, so it won’t be too hard, but for those guests who come for the commercials….

Ambience: Add extra atmosphere by having colorful footballs dangle from the ceiling. Turn on the surround sound and if possible, have a TV in all major party areas. Have one guest dress as a referee to mediate between unfair plays.

Menu: Chips and dip as well as buffalo wings are a staple at most Super Bowl parties. How about putting a new spin on the two and combining them, into an amazing buffalo dip. This recipe (below) is sure to be a crowd pleaser for your high-spirited crew. Remember to put it close to the TV so no one misses any of the game or the commercials. Of course beer will be flowing abundant, but remember, this is just a game, so keep the drinking responsible.

Favors: Hand out handclappers or blow horns for fans to make some noise during great plays and flags to throw for those unworthy calls.

Remember what Joe Namath said, “Football is an honest game. It’s true to life. It’s a game about sharing. Football is a team game. So is life.”

Buffalo Chicken Dip:

Ingredients:

· 8 oz cream cheese
· 1 can chunky (pre-cooked) chicken
· ½ cup ranch dressing
· ¼ cup buffalo sauce
· ½ cup mozzarella cheese
· ½ cup cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Make sure cream cheese is softened. Heat oven to 350.
2. Add buffalo sauce, ranch, ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup cheddar cheese. Save the rest for later.
3. Add the chicken. Stir until mixed well. Add to 8x8 baking pan and smooth out over pan.
4. Cover with rest of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool and enjoy! Double recipe for 13x9 pan.

Wedding Colors 2012

2012-01-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

The Color of Love

One of the first things to do before you start wedding planning, is pick the colors that will set the mood for the wedding that ensues.

Whether you want to show the world your energy with reds and oranges, express your joy with yellows and gold, or show your loyalty with blue hues, here are some great color tips for whatever type of wedding party you are planning.

The hottest new colors for 2012 are:

Spring: Light, airy, earthy tones are in for spring. Hunter Green, Oregano, Peony Pink, Sage Green, White, Sweet Lilac, Bellflower Purple, Cabaret, Cockatoo, and Daisy Yellow.

Summer: Bright and bold is the way to go for summer! Kiwi, Strawberry, Lilac, Hot Pink, Slate Grey, Gold, Coral, Mocha, Navy, Emerald Green, Dark Cyan, Tangerine, True Blue, Driftwood, and Champagne.

Fall/Winter: Bold, passionate hues are great for this time of year. Dark Chocolate, Charcoal Gray, Brick Red, Myrtle Green, Pomegranate, Chestnut, Asparagus, Eggplant, Midnight Green, Royal Blue, Taupe, Agate Blue, Moccasin, khaki, Carrot Orange.

Accents: Cool earth tones are very big again this year mixed with a brighter hue. These colors will have different shades and mixtures of brown and gray, such as, charcoal, mocha, slate, and dark brown. Many of these shades will compliment an array of colors that will be very appealing to the eye.

Big Color Trend Of The Year: Tangerine Orange is the color of choice for many brides in 2012. The color is alive with a fresh and bold look that will look great on a bridesmaid’s dress or in a floral bouquet. It’s also very versatile and compliments other color palates of every season.

Color Combos:

Whether you picked your colors to have meaning, want to follow the latest color trends, or you’ve used one color or several, follow your color passion and color your wedding perfect.

New Year's Eve Party

2011-12-27T09:14:00.000-08:00

New Year's is an occasion that everyone gets excited for! It's a time for new beginnings and a fresh start. A great way to start the New Year is by planning a fabulous New Year's Eve Party. Here are some fun ways to ring in the New Year:

Countdown to Midnight:

Try an invitation shaped like a clock bearing the name of the invitee and an image of a clock on top. Add party supplies that enhance your theme. Set the mood by having a grandfather clock as your centerpiece that will ring at midnight. Have some fun, festive hats available for guests or try a party kit that has everything you will need for a successful countdown. End the countdown with champagne and kisses at midnight. We all know how important that first kiss is; it ensures intimacy and a close relationship throughout the New Year. Give out lip gloss as a party favor and pucker up!

New Year’s New York Style:

If you can’t be in New York for New Year’s Eve, bring New York to you with a Times Square scene setter, balloon drops, confetti, and poppers. Make your own ball or use a disco ball and shine different colored lights on it throughout the night. Hang your ball in a high traffic area as a key centerpiece. New Year's Eve parties are widely regarded as the biggest celebration of the year, so make yours shine by having your sphere as the main focal point. Have one of the New Year’s Eve specials set in New York on a big screen TV. Countdown with the New Yorkers and at midnight let the balloons drop and confetti fly while your own ball slowly drops as well.

"Auld" Memories

Forget the past? No way! Instead of letting that "auld acquaintance" be forgotten, stir things up by remembering a few of the best moments of the old year before you ring in the new. Go around the room and encourage guests to share the funniest, craziest, and most unforgettable moments of the past twelve months. Good or bad, if they come to mind then they're probably worth a mention. You can also take it one step further by inviting guests to bring their most embarrassing moments caught on camera or tape. Put them together and you will all enjoy a rather nontraditional collage or funniest home videos that just might be the highlight of the evening. Capture new memories by having guests pose for photos. Send them home with a memento to last the whole year. Something as simple as a background of iridescent balloons tied together at varying heights to create a solid wall of glitz will match the magic of the night and reflect the new memories of the year to come.

Superstitious New Year

Celebrate New Year's Eve by learning or simply revisiting some of the most fabulous New Year's Eve superstitions. A popular superstition in Latin American is eating 12 grapes at midnight to ensure good luck for each month of the coming year. Be sure to have plenty of grapes on hand for your guests. For a fun twist, plop one or two in a glass of champagne for the midnight toast! Be sure to keep some change in your pocket at midnight to bring good fortune and wealth in the New Year. Just before midnight, pass around a roll of coins to your guests to make sure everyone is prepared! Forecast your fashion fortune in the coming months and wear a new outfit on New Year's. Even one new piece, like a fancy new skirt for you or tie for you guy, is the perfect excuse for a little shopping. Or, double your luck and be sure to wear something in red.

With all these sure-fire themes, you are bound to have an engaging, exciting party and Happy New Year! Remember, parties are fun but please drink responsibly. However you celebrate, have fun and may the New Year bring you health, hope, and happiness!

Winter Wonderland!

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

No one ever tires of the beauty and sparkle of winter. If you’re planning a gathering, a Holiday Winter Wonderland offers all the joys of the season. There are as many party possibilities for a Winter Wonderland as there are snowflakes!

Invitations: For an easy DIY invite, cut out snowflakes, decorate with silver and blue glitter pens, and write the party details on the back. Add a little sparkle to the invitation by throwing in a pinch of iridescent snow into the envelope. Ask guests to bring the invitation back to the party and have a special place to hang all your invites as partygoers arrive. Voila! Now you have instant decorations as well.

Another creative way to make your own invitation is to take a picture of your family doing something in the snow (making a snowman, creating snow angels, catching snowflakes on their tongue) and attach a copy of the picture to a piece of heavy cardstock. Decorate and write out the party details on the back.

Décor: There are so many vast choices for decorations and party supplies that the hard part is picking the right ones for your Winter Wonderland. Snowy whites, sparkling silvers, and breezy blues are the perfect color combo for this party, so use them for all of your decorations and party supplies. Cover tables with blue plastic tablecloths and sprinkle snowflake confetti across the top. Make a bouquet of balloons and use small snow globes or weighted mittens as balloon weights! Or link blue, silver, and white balloons together to make a wonderful arch for your entrance or for over the buffet!

Ambience: Hang a few strings of blinking, twinkling, white lights around the party space and dim the overhead lights a bit to give the room a winter glow. Use decorative paper lanterns and snowflakes in winter hues hanging at various intervals to give the feeling that it is snowing inside. Set up an area where everyone can take a fun holiday photo! You can set up a backdrop with winter scene setters and give everyone hats, scarves and mittens to wear in the pictures.

Menu: Think warm comfort food as your main dish and sides to match the Winter Wonderland theme. Here are a few ideas for your main menu: Fettuccine Alfredo, white pizza, white chili, or potato soup. For dessert, keep the scintillating colors going by serving blueberries with white dipping yogurt or cupcakes with white icing and blue or silver sprinkles. Another option is anything made with shaved coconut for that fresh, just-snowed look. Serve hot buttered run with whipped cream as your drink.

For extra presentation, add these penguin appetizers as a fun display for your winter wonderland. You can also make silverware bundles by wrapping silverware in napkins and then tying them off with blue, silver, or white ribbon.

Favors: Your guests will be thrilled to leave your party with their own presents. A few ideas are popcorn balls, chapstick, mini snowflake yo yo’s, glittery candles, butter mints, or snowflake photo frame kits. Tie a tag on the favor that says "Thanks for coming to frolic in our Winter Wonderland!"

This party color scheme is easily adaptable for other winter holidays such as Hanukkah as well. Of course, a menorah and a Star of David are great traditional choices to add for a festive party of lights. Set out a snowflake doily and a dreidel on top as each guest’s place setting at dinner.

Have a wonderful time frolicking in your Winter Wonderland, and Happy Holidays!

In Quest of the Perfect Christmas

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

By: Poppie

There was a time when I wanted the perfect Christmas. All the decorations would match, all the tree ornaments would glitter in a golden theme, and everything would look like it just came out of a magazine spread. I would be the hostess that invited guests over on a moment’s notice because the atmosphere was a wonderland of golden gorgeousness ready to show off to the world.

I tried to implement my plan last year. “Let’s just put up the gold ornaments,” I said to my children and husband as we started our decorating duties. They all looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “But mommy, what about this Popsicle star I made you in preschool?” asked my 4 year old. “And what about my snowman marshmallow ornament I made you last year?” asked my 10 year old. “We have to put up my red Husker ornaments,” piped up my husband. “And it would look weird not to add the colored ornaments as well,” he added. Begrudgingly, I let them add their favorite ornaments and watched as my wonderful golden forest was lost in a sea of homemade items and unmatched colors.

Then my 4 year old decided that we must have all the ornaments in family groups. She rearranged the tree to put a bigger colored ornament by a medium and smaller ornament. She looked at me and said, “Now the daddy, mommy, and baby can all be together,” smiling and satisfied with her work. There they were; groups of three in various colored clumps around the tree. Later I tried to rearrange them back, but to no avail, as she noticed one of the family members had gone astray and promptly put it back.

So my Christmas was ruined. Or so I thought. Then, on Christmas Eve, as I (I mean Santa) put presents carefully around the tree, I really looked at my twinkling tree and smiled. This really was the strangest tree we’ve put up to date, yet its beauty beckoned to me and I felt warm and fuzzy because of how hard my family had worked to make this tree fit into our family, well…perfectly.

This year my children and husband looked expectantly at me wondering if I would be a Grinch in our decorating. I smiled and immediately got out all the ornaments, not just the gold, and had the girls go to town decorating the tree. Sure, it has bare spots with no ornaments and other spots with so many ornaments on the same branch that the limb is starting to sag. And yes, there are homemade paper antlers at the top instead of a star, but as I stood back and watched them work, I thought, what a gorgeous tree made with such dedicated, decorative love.

In the end, I realized that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I will never have a magazine spread Christmas, but I will have many amazing Christmas memories created with my family and friends. As long as my family is happy, healthy, and together, I have found the ideal Christmas after all. My quest for perfection has ended because it was right in front of me all along.

Have fun with all your family traditions and treasure the memories. And to all, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Animal Christmas Recipes

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

What could be merrier than cute Christmas critters for you holiday fiestas? Our theme for the holidays is cherry, merry, and delicious animal treats. All are so easy the kids can help as well. Try one or try them all but be warned, these goodies are so cute, your guests may not want to eat them!

Cream Cheese Penguins

Ingredients

· Jumbo black olives, pitted

· 1 package cream cheese, softened

· Small black olives

· 1 carrot

· Toothpicks

· Pimentos (optional)

Directions

1. Cut a slit from top to bottom, lengthwise, into the side of each jumbo olive. Carefully insert about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese into each olive and pat down.

2. Slice the carrot into 1/4 inch thick rounds; cut a small notch out of each carrot slice to form feet. Save the cut out piece and press into center of small olive to form the beak. If necessary cut a small slit into each olive before inserting the beak.

3. Set a big olive, large hole side down, onto a carrot slice. Then, set a small olive onto the large olive, adjusting so that the beak, cream cheese chest and notch in the carrot slice line up. Secure with a toothpick.

4. Add pimento scarf around neck of the penguin (optional).

Christmas Mice

Ingredients

· Double-stuffed Oreo cookies

· 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

· 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

· Red maraschino cherries with stems, well drained

· Milk chocolate kisses

· Sliced almonds

· 1 small tube green decorative icing gel

· 1 small tube red decorative icing gel

Directions

Carefully twist cookies apart; set aside the halves with cream filling. Store and use the plain halves another time.
Unwrap chocolate kisses and have them ready to use.
On stovetop, melt chocolate chips and oil on very low heat; stir until smooth. Holding each cherry by the stem, dip in melted chocolate, then press onto the bottom of a chocolate kiss. Place on the cream filling of cookie, with cherry stem extending beyond cookie edge.
For ears, place slivered almonds between the cherry and kiss. Refrigerate until set.
With green gel, pipe holly leaves on the cream. With red gel, pipe holly berries between leaves and pipe eyes on each chocolate kiss. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Reindeer Cupcakes

Ingredients:

· Twisted Pretzels

· Cupcake Mix

· Vanilla Wafers

· Chocolate Frosting

· Red Candy (M & M’s or Red Hots work well)

· Candy Eyes

· Cupcake liners

Directions:

1. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners. Make cupcake mix according to the box directions. Let cool.

2. Frost cupcakes with brown frosting. Add vanilla wafer to one side of each cupcake.

3. Add pretzels as antlers and candy eyes. Add Red nose to wafer with a bit of frosting to make it stick.

Candy Cane Christmas

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Bring the sparkle and freshness of winter indoors with a Christmas Candy Cane Party. Everyone will love this peppermint paradise theme for a holiday party.

Invitations: Your guests’ sweet tooth will be tingling the minute they open the invitation to your party if you attach a mini candy cane to the invitation. This reindeer invite is easily adaptable for your candy cane soirée and fun for the kids to help with.

Décor: Your guest will know something special awaits them as soon as they see the candy canes lining your front walk. These candy canes provide a warm welcome. Put up dazzling bouquets of red and white balloons with a minty Mylar balloon at the top. Use candy canes as balloon weights. Add red bows to the walls. Use a mix of red and white tableware and sprinkle crushed mints as confetti for extra color and fun.

Ambience: The whole room will feel like a peppermint forest with some strategically placed small Christmas trees decorated with lots of candy canes and peppermints. Add a mix of red and white tree lights and ornaments and set out some presents wrapped in a minty mix around the base of the tree. Hang mistletoe with red and white ribbon in a key traffic area as an ice breaker and to tie into the theme.

Menu: Dinner can be red, white and easy too. How about pasta with a choice of red marinara or white Alfredo sauce? Chili is another great option for a main meal or served in small dishes as an appetizer. Add delicious bread and a green salad and your meal has all the colors of the holidays.

Candy cane shaped sugar cookies, or peppermint sundaes - use vanilla ice cream sprinkled with candy cane pieces - are the perfect ending to a delicious meal. And remember, if it’s cold; serve peppermint hot cocoa or coffee with a squirt of peppermint syrup.

Favors: Have your guest leave the party with wonderful memories and a special treat! Give the guests their mini stockings filled with candy canes with their name on it and a thank you message for a delicious way to send guests on their way and later remember the fun they had while munching on their delectable goodies.

If you want to have a candy cane theme but want to add a bit of color, don’t be shy. Candy canes come in all sorts of colorful assortments so have your Candy Cane Christmas with some festive holiday color as well.

Reindeer Invite

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Make this year's holiday invitations a real showpiece by crafting these oh so easy Reindeer Cards. They're not too messy and super cute! Make these fun cards with your kids to give as charming invites to your holiday festivities or as a holiday greeting for teachers, grandparents or friends.

Supplies

· Red, brown, white and black cardstock (8 x 11 inches)

· Striped and holiday-themed scrapbook paper (complementary color to cardstock)

· Scallop edge scissors

· Scissors

· Double-stick tape

· 2 candy canes

· 1 red gumdrop or pom pom

· White glue

Directions

1. Fold the red cardstock in half.

2. Fold the striped paper in half to make a card that is about 1/2-inch less in length and width than the red card. Trim along the striped card opening with scallop edge scissors. Slip the striped card onto the red card and attach them together with double-stick tape.

3. Cut out a reindeer head from the brown cardstock. Cut out his eyes from the white cardstock. Cut out his pupils and mouth outline using the black cardstock. Cut out the inside of his ears using holiday-themed scrapbook paper. Assemble the reindeer's features using double-stick tape.

4. Place the reindeer's head on top of the card to figure out where the candy cane antlers will look best. Lay the card on a flat surface and glue the candy canes on to the card. Use double-stick tape to attach the reindeer head on top of the candy canes. Glue the gumdrop or pom pom on the reindeer's nose.

5. Allow glue to dry completely before setting the card upright or mailing it. Deliver this card by hand or mail it in a padded enveloped and write "please hand stamp" on the outside to keep the candy canes from breaking.

Christmas Under $25!

2011-12-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and yet, everyone these days is feeling the financial crunch and cutting back on extras. In today’s day and age, spending frugally has quickly become the trend. This concept is making it harder and harder for people to budget for the holidays. However, you don’t have to sacrifice the family budget to be able to enjoy the Holiday Season.

This week, if you haven’t already, sit down with a cup of coffee and jot down what you think your holiday season will cost. It can be done a number of ways, but here are a few of the most common holiday items:

Tree and Lights
Misc. Decor (ornaments, candles, wreath, etc.)
Craft Supplies
Cookie or Dessert Ingredients & Accessories
Christmas Day Dishes
Tableware (cups, plates, napkins, etc)
Stamps, cards, and envelopes
Photography
Gifts (spouse, kids, parents, siblings, coworkers, etc)
Stocking Stuffers
Misc Gift Supplies (wrapping paper, tape, gift tags, etc)
Giving ( church, charities)

After you make your list, which is going to be different for each family, start your search at Nobbies where you can find most of your decorating items, stocking stuffers, holiday cooking utensils, wrapping supplies, and tableware. In fact, we’ve done some of the work for you and came up with a few different baskets of holiday items for $25 or less!

Christmas Party Basket

This basket includes everything you need to create a Christmas dinner with festive displays of red and green, including decorations and a centerpiece! (M & M’s not included)

· Poinsettia Breeze Dinner Plates – 3.99

· Red or Green Value Luncheon Napkins – 1.50

· Curling Ribbon – Assorted Colors – 1.57

· Festive Table Cover – 1.97

· Value 9oz Red Paper Cups – 1.50

· Cello Christmas Loot Bags – 2.99

· Candy Cane Striped Straws – 1.79

· Glittered Foam Snowflakes – 1.79

· Tray W/ handle or Bowl W/ Pedestal – 1.99

· Green Centerpiece Spray – 2.79

· Heavy Duty Apple Red Cutlery – 2.49

Total: $24.37!

Stocking Stuffers Basket

Stuff your stockings full with this basket of fun toys galore!

· Reindeer Game – 12pk – 3.49

· Mini Christmas Yo Yo’s – 12pk – 1.99

· Assorted Holiday Playing Cards - .57

· Holiday Pencils – 12pk – 2.49

· Snowflake Bookmarks – 12pk - .99

· Holiday Pop Up Stickers – 1.99

· Penguin Tattoos – 36pk – 1.99

· Christmas Paddle Ball - .79

· Christmas Rings – 48pk – 1.99

· Holiday Stamps – 6pk – 1.99

· Christmas Crayons – 4pk - .20

· Holiday Erasers – 30pk – 1.99

· Santa or Elf Headband – 1.99

· Bag of Coal Joke Kit – 1.49

· Christmas Rubber Ducky - .59

Total: $24.54!

Be a smart shopper this Holiday Season and make your dollar stretch by purchasing all your holiday party supplies at Nobbies. Come into one of our stores to make your own party basket for whatever your holiday budget may be.

Cyber Monday

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Cyber Monday

By: Poppie

I know your mind is on Black Friday. I know you are planning your strategies, shopping lists, battle armor, and survival kits. But I feel it is my duty to remind you of the wonderful online-sale day that is Cyber Monday, 2011. Cyber Monday is a marketing term for the Monday immediately following Black Friday, created by companies to persuade people to shop online. The term made its debut just 6 years ago in November of 2005 by a company called Shop.org.

For some (like myself), Cyber Monday is much more enjoyable than Black Friday. You can trade in your battle armor for your PJs or enjoy a hot cup of coffee while browsing the best sales. And best of all, the only arguments you will have are with family members if they dare to interrupt your internet shopping. So if you break it down: pajamas, hot coffee, comfy couch, and ONLINE SALES! It really doesn’t get any better than that.

Let me share one tip with you: be as diligent about staying on top of Cyber Monday sales as you are about Black Friday sales. Although Cyber Monday may still seem like the little cousin of Black Friday to some, it is quickly becoming a shopping day to be reckoned with, especially with the ever increasing popularity of online shopping. Retailers will be jumping at the chance to offer you great sales that you can take advantage of from the comfort of your own home. Another piece of advice, some online stores start their Cyber Monday as early as Black Friday to stay in competition. This means you can still get that awesome sale item without battling the crowds. So put your feet up on the coffee table, grab your cup of joe and laptop, and shop away!

The "It" Gift

2011-11-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

Every year there is one item that drives us all crazy – the “it” gift. We all want “it” so bad we will do anything to get it. Fights break out over the last one on the shelf; others sell it for an exorbitant markup in secondary markets like eBay or Craigslist. Children beg and plead until parents are ready to pull their hair out. Santa gets more letters on this one item than all other items combined.

But if you’re lucky enough to score one, it will be a star amidst the gifts under the tree on Christmas morning, and you’ll be granted hero status, at least for the day anyway. What “it” is, of course, changes from year to year, and many of the hot holiday gifts throughout the last century have become some of the best loved and most iconic toys of all time.

I’ve assembled a quick timeline of some of the most popular toys from 1903 to now. Did you know that the teddy bear was the “it” item of 1903? Then it was board games for quite a while in the 1930’s to 1950’s. Then Barbie made her debut and became infamous, creating one of the biggest toy markets in history. Now it is the latest gaming device that takes precedence over the market. It’s certainly striking to see how technology and tastes have evolved over the last 110 years!

· 1903 – Teddy Bear

· 1916 – Lincoln Logs

· 1923 – Chinese Checkers

· 1935 – Monopoly

· 1945 – Slinky

· 1948 - Scrable

· 1952 – Mr. Potato Head

· 1959 – Barbie

· 1968 – Big Wheel and Lite Brite

· 1975 – Pet Rock (yes really!)

· 1977 – Stars Wars action figures

· 1983 – My Little Pony, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Care Bears

· 1991 – Nintendo Gameboy

· 1996 – Beanie Babies and Tickle Me Elmo

· 2006 – Playstation 3

· 2007 – Nintendo Wii

And now in 2011, the guesses are in for the “it” item of the year. My pick for everyone, young or old, is the Kindle Fire or IPod Touch 4. For the little ones, I have seen a huge pickup in Monster High (think Barbie with a dark twist) or the new electronic devices aimed for the younger ages like the LeapPad Touch. What will you pick for your “it” item this year?

Thanksgiving Tree

2011-11-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Tree

We all know Thanksgiving is a time of reflection on the blessings we have in our lives, yet it seems more and more a holiday to overstuff ourselves with a turkey dinner and pumpkin pie. The thankfulness we should feel, especially on this day, but also year-round, has been replaced with a time to have the day off, watch football, and gorge on a great dinner. We tend to forget why we even celebrate this holiday at all.

Did you know that the Pilgrims had it extremely difficult that first Thanksgiving, yet still had a feast to consider all they were thankful for? Here are a few hardships they endured their first year in 1621:

· They didn’t even reach the place they had set out to go (Virginia) and ended up in Massachusetts.

· They had extremely bad weather (storms and snow) that first year and very rudimentary shelter.

· They had little food.

· Almost 2/3 of the first Pilgrims died of disease, malnutrition, or sickness from the cold.

· Their first crops they planted, with help from the Indians, failed and what little they did get they sent overseas only to have it stolen by Pirates.

If you had endured all this, would you really be thankful? Gratitude isn’t an emotion most of us cultivate, even on Thanksgiving. We are more likely to concentrate on the turkey or television than on giving thanks.

Here’s my crafty solution for establishing a grateful heart in your family: a simple, child-friendly Thanksgiving Tree. There are many ways to incorporate this into your holiday festivities, but here is my favorite.

You will need:

· Construction paper (in fall colors)

· Leaf stencil or your child’s hand

· Markers

· Glitter (optional)

· Two-sided sticky tape

To do:

Cut a tree pattern with brown construction paper. Make it as big as possible (note: you could also use real tree branches from outside or felt for this as well).
Have children use the stencils or trace their hands and make lots of leaves in a variety of colors with the construction paper, then cut out the leaves.
Put the tree up in a prominent spot so everyone will see it (maybe even in a glassless frame or as a centerpiece on your table).
Have every family member take a leaf (or several) and write something they are thankful for, then decorate with glitter if desired.
Stick the leaves to the tree with tape.

This is a great way to encourage family members to express their thanks and can quickly become a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition. It’s also fun to see how your family’s gratitude changes over the years. Remember as the Pilgrims remembered, not to take the gifts and blessings in your life for granted and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Get Geared Up For Black Friday!

2011-11-18T08:59:00.000-08:00

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Though not an actual holiday, many employees do receive the day off. The increased number of shoppers creates the busiest shopping day of the year. To accommodate the rush, many retailers open at 3 am or earlier to offer massive sales to entice people to shop their stores. Shoppers will camp out to be the first in line to get that special sale item for their loved ones.

What does Black Friday mean for shoppers? Black Friday = Sales! Shopping for deals on Black Friday has become a post-Thanksgiving tradition for many families. In preparation for this "holiday," shoppers map out the best routes to their favorite stores, each clutching a stack of Black Friday ads and coupons along with a survival pack. What to pack in your survival guide? Nobbies has given a quick rundown of the essentials:

Survival Pack:

· Recyclable shopping bag to keep survival essentials in (plus an extra for your finds)

· Thermos with water, coffee, cocoa, or energy drink

· Energy bars or snacks (such as trail mix to keep you going)

· Ads and coupons in order of first store stop to last

· Book or magazine to read while waiting in long lines

· Chapstick, earmuffs, gloves (while waiting in outside lines)

· Black Friday Gear (antler headband, Santa hat, etc)

What? Why do I need gear? Well, because of a few reasons: It’s a great conversation starter and people just can’t hate someone donning holiday gear to get into the spirit of things, even if you are grabbing the last toy out of their hands. Also, if you are shopping with others, what an easy way to find your shopping partner during this hectic day. Plus, it’s just fun and makes the day smoother and your spirits brighter if you have on a silly tree hat or reindeer nose that glows. Not to mention, you can wear your festive gear to all your many holiday get-togethers.

So get Geared Up to tough out the crowds and make the day the most fun it can be. Don’t forget that Nobbies offers great holiday gear now through November 22^nd at 20% off as well as many items for your survival pack. Come in early and get all the items you need to look festive while battling Black Friday crowds for all your awesome sale finds!

Welcome Home Soldier!

2011-11-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome Home Soldier! by: Poppie

We all appreciate the great job our young men and women are doing overseas. We all know someone who is serving or has served in one military branch or another to fight for the honor and integrity of our great nation. I, myself, have a brother-in-law in the Air Force who has done several tours and a cousin in the army who is currently overseas as I write this.

It is sad to see them ship out and a great relief to see them return. The best way to celebrate a loved one's return from serving our country is with a Welcome Home Party, especially since President Obama announced the return of our troops by year’s end and the ending of a 9 year long war. Surrounding a person with love and joy is the perfect homecoming message. They have done the hard work fighting overseas, now welcome them home with a party that will show your loved one how proud you feel and how happy you are that they are back!

Preparation:
Invitations, decorations, refreshments, and even presents can make your welcome home party a success. But, be mindful of the guest of honor's situation, where he or she may be tired and in need of much-deserved rest. It might be better to have a few people meet the returning soldier at their actual arrival and have a big party a few days later so he or she has time to settle in. In general, the welcome home party shouldn't go over a few hours. Also, consider recruiting a few guests to help you with the clean-up or decorating so you get to mingle with guests and your returning soldier.

Invitations:The thing about the military, is that sometimes you know the exact date to expect the soldier home and other times you do not. They may have a target date set to return, but may hit or miss it by a few days. This is why I suggest waiting a few days after the set date before having the party so you can be sure your soldier is home and has time to rest. Send invitations out at least two to three weeks in advance of the party date if you are able.

Decorations:Decorations should include balloons, flags, streamers, and a huge “Welcome Home” banner. Use a color theme such as patriotic red, white, and blue for your decorations and tableware. There is probably no need to go to extremes on decorating for the event because it is the smiling faces that will really warm the heart of the honoree.

To add some extra ambience, though, have a centerpiece created to put by the refreshments or in the middle of the table and give each guest a support ribbon or bracelet to wear to honor your homecoming hero. Another great idea is to have a Welcome Home sign board where guests can write a short message to the honoree. Put a picture of your hero dressed in their military suit in or around your sign board.

Menu:Take note of the honoree's favorite foods, and make sure these items are on your food list. Finger foods, cold trays, or sandwiches are usually a good idea for a welcome home party because it allows guests to mingle with your honoree and it makes clean up easier for you.

A cake, of course, is a big hit at any party. Try to make the theme of the cake match the honoree's situation using plastic Army men situated atop the cake or stars and stripes to represent what your guest of honor was fighting for. Use your imagination, and make the cake a memorable part of the party.

Used by permission of Alpha Company 2-5

Thanks to all who have served our country in previous wars and tours and who are serving right now overseas. We appreciate all your time and effort to fight for the beliefs and freedom of this country! We can’t wait to be able to say, “Welcome Home”!

Ps – Can’t wait to have you back Cory and Alpha Company 2-5 Infantry!

Spooktacular Halloween Themes

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

It’s a given there will be a party or two to attend during the Halloween season. If you are the host of that party, here are some great ideas for spooky, ghoulish themes that are both frightening and fun!

Get the party started with the right decorations and props to turn your space into a room to be remembered! Why settle for a plain card table and a homemade paper chain when you can add oh-so-fantastic embellishments to your event that will make guests go “wow” when they walk in the door.

The easiest way to start off your party is to pick a theme. This will help decide the best decorations, guest list, and ideas for your specific party. A few great ideas are:

· Bats - A Bat Halloween theme party is a great idea if you've got a mixed crowd -- guests of all ages, boys, girls, guys and gals, will love this batty party.

· Pumpkins - Pumpkin-carving is enticingly messy and squishy, and it's a Halloween tradition that's been celebrated for centuries. Keep little ones celebrating this fall with a pumpkin-carving party.

· Glam - Get the girls together for a night of Halloween fun. Easy and cute decorations as well as bite sized foods will make a party they'll love. Top the night off with an adorable purse favor filled with grown up Halloween goodies!

· Monsters (zombies, vampires, and werewolves oh my!) – For these party guests, grisly and ghastly is the only way to go. Let these tough types test the strength of their spine with a party that oozes with heart-stopping surprises, cringe-worthy costumes, and a menu into which only the boldest vampires would sink their fangs.

· Budget – Scare your guests, not your wallet with easy DIY decorations and invitations. There are many online resources you can print for free to give guests a great time and your wallet a rest.

· Creepy Haunted House - The touch of a cold corpse, the sound of a howling wind, and the taste of your heart in your throat...the senses truly come alive as they enter your chilling retreat.

· Adult - Halloween isn't just for kids anymore! Mix decorations and recipes for a perfect, upscale adult Halloween party. Choose a spooky costume; mix with a creepy cocktail for an unforgettable evening!

· Party Scene Investigation – Send invitations early to get guests intrigued so they will want to investigate this criminally perfect party! Have a mystery game ready so you can find out which of your guests is a super sleuth.

Halloween is a fun holiday for all ages, so get creative and incorporate the best party ideas for your theme. Create a party plan and remember to include invitations, decorations, games, activities, party food, gift bag favors, costumes, and gifts.

Halloween Recipes

2011-10-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Throwing a Halloween party provides the perfect opportunity to delight guests with spooky food creations that set the mood for an evening of thrills and chills. Guests are sure to enjoy your scary treats, even if they're a little grossed out by the presentation. Halloween is the ideal occasion to offer such a disconcerting array of creepy, yet tasty options.

Brain Mini Cupcakes

Brains! That is what every zombie is in quest of so serve your guests these mini cupcake brains.

Ingredients:

· Red velvet cake mix

· Cherry or raspberry sauce

· Candy Brain mold

· Jello (green) or green fondant

· Mini cupcake wrappers

· Cream cheese frosting

Directions:

1. Make the cake box recipe according to directions on the box using mini cupcake wrappers and pans.

2. Once cooled, add cream cheese frosting to each mini cupcake.

3. Make jello according to directions but add to candy mold and let set in fridge until firm. (If using fondant, roll fondant and press into mold, take out immediately).

4. Carefully, take brains out of mold and add to top of cupcakes.

5. Spoon cherry sauce on top and around brain to add effect.

Forked Eyeballs

These scary-good Halloween treats, prepared and eaten on the same fork, begin with a doughnut hole dunked in white chocolate.

Ingredients:

2 bags white chocolate chips
12 doughnut holes
Semisweet chocolate chips
Red decorator frosting

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

To coat the doughnut holes, melt white chocolate chips and oil over low heat (and keep the chocolate warm while you work). With a fork, spear each doughnut hole and submerge it in the melted chocolate to coat it, and then gently tap off any excess.
Stick a chocolate chip with its point cut off onto each doughnut hole, cut end first. Place the forks (handle side down) in a glass and allow the chocolate coating to harden.
Use a tube of red decorator frosting to add squiggly veins radiating out from the pupils.

Swamp Juice

Filled with gummy creatures and fish eggs, this sweet, bubbly drink looks like something scooped up from a deep, dark bog. Try making a batch for a Halloween gathering or as a spooky after-dinner treat.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup small tapioca pearls
Food coloring
4 tablespoons sugar
Gummy fish
Seltzer water
Lemonade
Gummy worms

Directions:

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil and add the tapioca pearls. Reduce the heat slightly and boil the pearls, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes.
Divide the pearls, with the remaining water, between two bowls. Add 4 drops of food coloring (use 3 drops of yellow and 1 drop of green in one bowl, and 4 drops of blue in the other) and 2 tablespoons of sugar to each bowl. Stir the mixtures, and then allow them to sit uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and rinse the pearls with cold water.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of pearls into each glass and drop in a gummy fish. Fill the glasses with seltzer water, and then add a splash of lemonade. Place a gummy worm around the spoon as a creepy finishing touch.

Monster Toes

Kids will love the gross-out factor of this tasty finger food. Parents will love the fact that it is candy-free. Try some for a party or pre-trick-or-treating dinner.

Ingredients:

Cocktail Wieners
6 inch tortillas
Ketchup or BBQ sauce
Toothpicks

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut a small wedge into the end of each cocktail wiener to make a toenail.
2. Cut the tortillas into strips about 4 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Discard the ends.
3. Soften the strips in the microwave between damp paper towels for 10 to 30 seconds.
4. Roll each wiener in a tortilla strip and secure with a toothpick.
5. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and then fill the toenail with ketchup or mustard. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

2011 Costumes

2011-10-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Costumes

Just like any previous year, 2011 will present some exciting new choices in Halloween Costumes. While some may already know what their perfect costume will be, others seem to have difficulty finding the costume that suits them best.

With all the costume choices out there, it’s always hard for the indecisive to narrow down a final choice for the Halloween season. I’ve come to the rescue and let you in on what are the most popular and interesting costumes for the 2011 Halloween season.

Adults:

Steampunk is huge with adults this year. Both men and women can get into this gear head meets Victorian romance merger that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy.

I have to mention zombies, since zombies are the new vampires. This is an effortless costume to pull off as well because you come with unwashed hair, and dirty clothes. Just add some gray makeup and a limp, and you’re good to go.

Men:

Men always love the zany, wacky costumes so go as something completely unexpected this year such as a pool table with removable balls or a rubix cube hat that also twists like the real game.

Another popular option is the morph suit. These costumes are breathable and you can actually see and drink through them. Although form fitting, others are not able to see you through them.

Women:

Women tend to dress as nutty celebrities they see in the media. Lady Gaga is still big this year, but so is Black Swan, Jersey characters, and, you betcha, your favorite Alaskan mom.

Also, women want to relive their youth, so anything decade is always fun. There are so many choices from the 50’s to the 90’s that are great. So go retro Madonna or Farah Fawcett.

Children:

A lot of parents are looking back at what they were for Halloween as kids and some old-school costumes are also making a comeback such as Ghostbusters, Strawberry Shortcake, and Super Mario Brothers.

Don't forget one of the most important things a costume can do: encourage your child to play. There are many ways to incourage imagination, but one of the best is through costumes such as pirates and princesses.

Boys:

Super Heroes have always been the ultimate choice for boys but move over Super Man, there is a new crop of super heroes in town thanks to all the movies lately. Your boy will feel like he’s got super powers in his Hal Jordon or Captain America costume. Any of the Justice League or XMen are big (should I say Super Big) as well as transformers.

Girls:

Princesses have always ruled this area, but lately princesses have turned to a darker side and so I suggest the Monster High characters. Your little lady still looks cute in her costume and gets to act out her inner vampire or werewolf in a school girl skirt.

Infants and Toddlers:

These little tykes will look adorable in anything but here are a few favorites. Bugs and animals are always fun and usually the costume goes over clothes and comes with a hood to keep little ones warm while trick or treating. Characters are great alternatives as well, such as Yo Gabba Gabba, Thomas the Train, and of course, the ever popular Smurfs.

Couples:

Couples love to have ensembles that really work well together such as ketchup and mustard, Hansel and Gretel, or celebrity couples such as Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio or Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson. Be creative and think outside the box in this area. I once went with my husband as a gypsy and he was my crystal ball (short hair or bald heads work well for this).

Really anything goes when choosing a costume as long as you put a little thought and creativity into it. Which means, don’t decide what to be on Oct 29^th. The sooner your search begins for that perfect ensemble, the better the creative outcome will be.

Pink Party

2011-10-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

Usually October conjures up dark images of orange and black, but in the last few years October has taken a more feminine turn and is now associated with the color pink to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. Show you care and are aware by throwing a Pink Party to honor those who have beat the disease and also to shed light on research to find a cure.

Start by sending out personalized invitations on light pink stationary or cards and add the signature pink ribbon of the breast cancer movement to it. If doing a charity tie-in, don't forget to tell your friends beforehand so that they know they can make a donation during your event.

Make your Breast Cancer Awareness event stand out by encouraging guests to wear all pink and white to the party as well. Don a pink wig or pink lashes to add to your ensemble. Hand out pink feather boas or leis to your guests as a fun party favor. This also thanks your guests for their support.

A pink party can be either a large or small gathering, but you should always make sure to have enough paper goods for all your pink goodies. Luckily, there are countless pink decorations available, and the best part is that you can be eco friendly and reuse these products for other events like a sweet 16 or bachelorette party as well! As far as decorations go, don't be afraid to go big and bright or use different shades of pink. Hang a large personalized banner welcoming your partygoers to an inspiring and fun event. Decorate with balloons and streamers in a variety of shades of pink and even incorporate larger balloons with pink ribbons on them. Try hanging wall decorations and tea lights in the shape of pink ribbons all around your venue to liven up the atmosphere.

Create gift bags for your guests and include pink ribbons, pink pens or pencils, and several other thoughtful mementos to remind them of the great party they have attended and what a great cause they supported.

A pink party is perfect all year long, but is especially poignant during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every year thousands of women across the U.S. battle the disease, and every party and fundraiser held helps raise money brings us one step closer to finding a cure. Hosting your very own pink party is a way to bring community together and celebrate a great cause.

Zombie Walk

2011-10-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

4^th Annual Zombie Walk

Zombies everywhere come together one day a year to walk the undead walk at the 4^th Annual Omaha Zombie Walk. This year Omaha will hold the Zombie walk on October 15^th, 2011. The theme is Voo Doo Zombie and benefits go to the Siena Francis House - the largest Omaha shelter that provides emergency overnight shelter and food for those in need. They also operate an addiction recovery house as well.

The walk starts at 2:00 at the Waiting Room Lounge– 6212 Maple St. Omaha Ne 68104 and later features Kepi Ghoulie to perform an acoustic set for the undead. This walk is brought to you by the NYDM Nebraska Chapter.

A zombie walk is an organized gathering of two or more people who dress, act, and participate as zombies or victims during the walk. They usually have makeup done and limp around grunting and groaning to stay in character during the walk. Come early and get your face painted for $3 by makeup artists. There are a few rules to remember about the walk, which are featured below:

Rules: For Zombies

· If you use blood it cannot stain the sidewalks or anything else for that matter, which means no bloody handprints on the light pole or pedestrians.

· Stay on the sidewalks and do not jaywalk.

· Do not use profanity (you can scream for brains though, in fact it’s encouraged).

· Do not attack anyone who is not a designated victim (more on that below).

· Do not enter a business unless they have made it clear it is okay and that they like zombies.

· Do not touch cars, windows, or other personal or private property.

· Even the undead need to be law abiding citizens. This is a no-brainer right? (He he).

Rules: For Victims

· Identify yourself as a victim by placing a duct taped "X" somewhere noticeable on your clothes.

· Once caught by a zombie (oh yes, they will catch you!) they will swarm around you and you can apply makeup or rip your clothing to become a zombie as well.

· If you want your clothes ripped, place a starter hole in them and rip yourself. Zombies should not be doing this in case a victim does not want his/her clothes ripped.

· Scatter yourselves along the walk so you are not all in one place at one time.

· Do not run into the streets or places not allowed to get away from zombies, but have fun with it and scream and yell.

So come out and join the undead while scaring all the living away. There are zombie walks all over the country so check your city or state to see if there is a walk close to you.

Children's Halloween Party

2011-10-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Children’s Party

By Poppie

Halloween conjures up images of haunted houses, trick or treating, and ghoulish monsters. Sometimes it can seem a bit scary for the little ones. I wanted to host a Halloween party that the children would remember but not be frightened to participate in.

My daughter’s birthday just so happens to be November 1^st so we decided to have a Halloween party last year to celebrate her birthday. We wanted it to be fun but not scary so these are a few things I did to ensure the children had a great time.

She had all her friends come in costume. To avoid scary masks, we specified on the invitations that it would be easier to eat cake and ice cream if there was no masks. We had a contest to see who had the best costume which was awarded with a "Best Costume" trophy.

For decorations, we took toilet paper rolls and folded one side in to make ears and made various creatures with them. We had a cat, the Where the Wild Things Are monster, a bat, and an owl. We set them by a black cauldron that I placed various piñata toys and candy in. Each child could grab what they wanted and put in an orange sack to take home. We also made “potions” out of lemonade and soda that we stuck in thin vases and labeled with ingredients such as “Potion Number 5 – snake tails, bat wings, sugar, spice, and everything naughty”.

We dimmed the lights and lit the jack o lanterns in one room to create ambience for our guests while they ate cake and brains (okay, green Jello shaped like a brain). Painted mini pumpkins were sporadically placed around the room to go with our glowing centerpieces.

For drinks, we had another black cauldron with punch in it and dry ice to create a spooky effect. The drinks were served in paper cups with cute, glittery spiders or pumpkins stickers placed on them.

We played pin the spider to the spider web. I had taken a pumpkin carving tracer sheet of a spider web and traced it on a paper plate. Then my girls painted the web and little spiders that we cut out and numbered with sticker numbers. Each child was blind folded and placed their numbered spider on the web. The closest to the center of the web was the winner. The prize was an oversized chocolate bar.

This was such a fun party, that my daughter wants to do a similar party this year as well. We’ll change a few of the decorations for a fun twist and add a theme this year to limit which decorations we decide to put up and stay on budget. This party is no trick to do and quite a treat for the children!

How to Decorate for a Zombie Party

2011-10-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Zombies are all the rage this Halloween so creep into Halloween with a Zombie Party for your friends and family. I love zombie parties for the simple fact that I don’t even need to worry about having a spotless house before the party! Of course you can always add extra ambience with these ideas.

The invite:

Send Toe Tag invitations to all your guests a few weeks in advance outlining your gruesome night ahead.

The costume:

A zombie party is the one social occasion where the idea is to turn up looking your worst! In fact it’s advised that you throw your zombie party while having gone several days without washing or brushing your hair with wrinkled or torn clothes.

The Ambience:

Scare your guests before they have even entered your house. Use these decorations to turn your yard into a graveyard and rope off your yard with party tape and signs that say “Beware of Zombies”.

Inside the house, more important than decoration is the scene setting. Dim the lights, use candle lights wherever possible and low voltage or colored lights for the rest of the house. Use a fog machine by the front door so guests feel they are entering the undead zone.

It is also a good idea to stick faces or words on your mirrors in small rooms such as the bathroom or coatroom so they see a gruesome sight as soon as they walk in. This bloody “beware” mirror cling is a great choice.

Leave your TV on all night it on silent playing zombie films. Keep the haunting noises going with a scary soundtrack. Add bloody gauze as a table cover. Serve food and drinks on it.

The drinks:

There is no better cocktail for a zombie themed party than the brain hemorrhage. This is a great visual drink that your fellow zombies will love!

1 oz. Peach Schnapps
1 tsp. Bailey's Irish Cream®
1/2 tsp. Grenadine

First, pour in the peach schnapps, and then slowly pour in the Irish Cream. Do not mix! The cream will clump together and settle at the bottom of the schnapps. Pour the grenadine over the cream for a completely disgusting look, yet completely tasty drink.

Another option is adding fake eyeballs to your ice cube trays so each guest has a frozen surprise staring back at them as they drink. Or you can add two olives to a pick and put in your martini glass so the olives look like eyes.

The food:

Zombie food is one of the easiest ones to get. Just call for take-out and eat the delivery boy!!!

If the delivery boy doesn’t appeal to you, you can always offer a buffet of cold meats to your guests. Add “fresh flesh” signs by the buffet table. Some meats that you can use for fresh flesh are cuts of ham, smoked fish, turkey or roast beef. For the sweet tooth, you can have trays of jello brains or ice-cream with candy worms sticking out.

Zombie Costume Ideas

2011-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Zombie Parties are becoming extremely popular as costumes are very easy to make. There’s nothing funnier than having a building full of zombies and then venturing out to town to scare the local populace!

This theme is perfect for a Sunday party after you have been to several parties over the weekend. This is the only party where you do not need to look fresh and pretty. You are supposed to be dead and stiff in the joints and with your flesh saggy and pasty. So you will be perfect even if you have been partying all weekend!

To pull off a zombie costume, choose from one of the following:

· The green zombie, think Herman Munster.

· The sexy zombie, think pin-up girl converted to zombie. For this look you can choose your favorite dead movie star and bring her back from the dead. You can dress sexy and just add a few zombie touches like messed up hair and gray makeup on your skin.

· The rotting zombie. A bit more complex to achieve, you will need lots of disgusting accessories like guts, worms, grey skin, dirty clothes, and flesh falling off.

· The ready-made zombie costume which you can get all the accessories you need at Nobbiesparties.com.

Of course, no matter what zombie type you choose, there are a few things to help give your costume that extra edge.

1. Cover yourself in grey make up. Go heavier under the eyes!

2. Go over parts of the grey in green and other parts in red.

3. Achieve the crusty look by mashing potato, dying it green and plastering your skin with it. Leave it on for ten minutes, enough for it to set and when you take it off you’ll have an awesome green flaky skin look. You can get this same effect with latex or gel makeup.

4. Choose your oldest and worst clothes as they’re going to get messed up! The day before your party bury your shirt in the dirt overnight.

5. Put rips in your shirt, pants and jacket etc. If you can, make it so there’s strips hanging which look more authentic. You could chop one leg off your pants if you wanted or a hole in the knee and put your foot through the hole.

6. Style your hair so that it purposely looks disheveled and your hair is all messed up (or just don't wash or brush it for two days).

7. Wear odd shoes so you’ll have an awesome limp enforced upon you, no need to act it out.

With these tips, you should be the star of the undead with the best zombie costume for any party you attend this fall.

Tailgate Party!

2011-08-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

By: Poppie

Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves are starting to change colors, the heat is fading, the kids are heading back to school, but most importantly, it’s football season!!! And football season means Tailgating Parties with family and friends!

What started out with a few sandwiches and a couple of beers before the game has evolved into a great American sports tradition, especially among the college football crowd. Every year my sisters and I take turns hosting a party at our house and this year will be no different. In fact, we've already got the first game planned out. Call us over achievers, but one can't be too zealous when it comes to football!

Whether you are heading to the game to tailgate, having a party in your home, or out on your patio, here is my ultimate guide for anyone to host the best tailgating party of the season!

Think of your Tailgate Party as a mini production along the lines of camping meets sports bar. Here's is a list of party must haves:

ü Grill and grill supplies.

ü Coolers (best if with wheels) and don’t forget the ice.

ü Seating (coolers can double as seating).

ü Decorations such as flags, banners, streamers, and other team affiliated materials.

ü Radio, boom-box, or portable television.

ü Blankets, lighting, citronella candles or torches, bug spray, sunscreen, and so forth for both day and night games.

ü Card tables and table covers.

ü Food and beverages (tip: If traveling, select food that can either be cooked ahead and transported to the event or cooked there on a grill).

ü Plates, napkins, silverware, cups, bottle opener, trash bags (to clean up your area afterwards), and so on.

Menu:

Hot items: The grill is a centerpiece of many tailgate parties. In addition to traditional burgers, hot dogs and brats, you can grill kebabs, chicken, ribs, pork chops, or fajitas. A big pot of chili on a portable burner is another popular food option.

Cold Items: If you prefer to leave the grill at home, you can always pack sandwiches for the occasion. Cold subs, sliced into manageable portions, with all the condiments are the classic choice. If you’re budgeting, you might want to consider making the rest of the menu potluck. Get your friends to bring side dishes, snacks, and desserts to round out the menu choices.

Drinks: Do I even need to mention beer as a staple? Depending on the size of your party, a keg may be an easier choice since it serves many people. Another option is serving beer or soda in these fun “referee” koozies to keep them cold. Another new trend is making signature drinks in your team colors - such as red for a Husker Party (okay, I had to sneak my team in there at least once! J ).
Ps- Please drink responsibly at all parties you host or attend this season!

Decorations:

Bring poster board, glitter and markers to make posters. Make sure to buy supplies in your team's colors. Helium balloons, also in team colors, are a good way to decorate and designate your venue area. Don't forget that markers work on balloons as well. While you're stocking up, grab some body paint so that you and your guests can paint your faces if you like.

Ambience:

Another way to designate your area is with flag banners or tape around your party area. Use football themed paper or plastic plates, cups, and accessories for your food and serve on a football field table cover. Or buy the table cover in your team color (let’s say red or white) and buy green place mats and draw a football field on the placemats for extra ambience. If you have room, time, and strong men, forgo the folding chairs and bring an old couch covered with a slipcover in your team color to make your guests feel extra comfortable. Don't forget the penalty flag to throw down when the ref makes an unfair call.

Wardrobe:

Hype the #1 Fan Contest by letting everyone know ahead of time that there will be a prize for most enthusiastic wardrobe. Bring the beads, face paint, hats, glitter, tattoos, foam fingers and anything else you can glue to your body and let the good times roll. For prizes, think game-day paraphernalia like team cups, key chains, bobble heads or, if you are feeling generous, tickets to the next game. (Ps, if you decide on this for your prize, please invite me to your party, especially if you're a Husker fan!)

Whether college or a pro game, a well planned tailgating party, complete with organized set-up, a variety of delicious food, fun activities, fanatical fans, and all the essentials, can add to the team spirit and make your party the Ultimate Tailgating Experience!

Luau Party

2011-07-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

Luau Party

A Hawaiian Luau is one of the most popular themes used for parties today. Think about it- it’s all about sand, sea, and fun in a relaxing beach setting. A Hawaiian theme can liven up any party because of its tropical appeal, and bright, colorful hues.

But where to start? There are hundreds of ways to plan a Luau party so I’ve put together a few of the best ideas for a party your guests will be talking about for quite some time.

Invitations

Hawaiian invitations can come in various designs, including seashells, hibiscus flowers, and even scenery from the beach. For those who want to be creative, homemade invites are also a budget-friendly option. All you need is some paper, coloring materials and a bit of patience and hard work.

Dress

You can’t call it a Hawaiian party unless everyone is wearing their best beach attire. Men can wear Hawaiian shirts and beach shorts, while women can wear hula skirts, bikinis or floral sun dresses. You can also give out leis or flip flops to the guests as soon as they enter the party area.

Décor

Presentation is also very important for Hawaiian parties. Use brightly colored plates and party supplies. For a unique twist, have your guests eat on tiki or hibiscus plates. Another fun idea is to use Luau Raffia Round Placemat plates to serve food on. For a centerpiece, use coconut cups and add some colorful flowers to them. Arrange in one central area or spread throughout your venue.

Ambiance

You don’t have to be on the beach to hold a successful Hawaiian party. As long as you have proper decorations, you can hold the party indoors or your backyard. Try using bamboo garland, tiki torches, and sea shells around the place. Have colorful lanterns hanging all around. If you can, use actual sand. For a dramatic touch, have a sandcastle in the middle of your party area or in an area where children can create their own. If indoors, use a scene setter to really get that tropical feel.

Favors

Some people like to give favors to their guests as a sign of appreciation and so they will always remember the event. There are numerous options you can consider for these items. It all depends on what you like and what will fit in your budget. Some fun favors are: leis, flip flops, hibiscus tattoos, or mini fans.

Menu

Try serving melon, coconut, or mango shakes as drinks. Mai Tais are always great for an alcoholic drink choice. Use umbrella drink holders for a tropical touch. A fun idea for children is to serve drinks in your own "Hawaiian Cola" with these cute labels. below).

As for the main course, serve seafood delicacies with fresh vegetables as the side dish. End the meal with a yummy fruit salad dessert or, if you don’t want to use real sand, try this cute sandcastle cake as a centerpiece and yummy dessert option (see recipe below).

Having a Tropical Luau will never be difficult as long as you properly prepare for it. Keep these considerations in mind as you organize the event. When everything is set, put on your bikini, lei, and grass skirt, and get ready to have an enjoyable and refreshing beach party!

Recipe: Sandcastle Cake

Ingredients:

2 boxes of favorite cake mix
3 cups of brown sugar
Ice cream cones (about 5-7)
2 cans of frosting (white works best)
Square cereal (Cinnamon Toast Crunch works great)

Extras:

Toothpick flags or pinwheels
Seashells or starfish
Plastic palm trees

Directions:

1. It is important to have all the ingredients at room temperature.

2. Preheat oven (check cake mix box for temperature). Grease and flour 3 different sized round or square cake pans; tap out excess flour.

3. Follow directions on cake mix box. You made need to use 2 or 3 boxes depending on the size of your cake. Bake until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool upright in the pan for 15 minutes.
After cooling, tap the cake pan gently on a work surface to loosen the cake. Set the rack over a sheet of waxed paper, invert the pan onto the rack and lift off the pan.

5. Very lightly frost all pieces of the cake with frosting; this just needs to be thick enough to add the sugar and cereal.

6. Then carefully stack the cake with the biggest cake on bottom and smallest on top on whatever serving tray you choose.

7. Crush some cereal very finely in a bowl and add brown sugar to it. Mix well. Sprinkle brown sugar mix over top of cake and on surrounding plate.

8. Decorate by adding whole pieces of cereal around the edge of the cake.

9. Take cones and cut squares in the top of the cones to look like towers. Strategically place the ice cream cones around the cake. To keep cones from falling over, I used a toothpick to hold them in place.

10. Add extra ambience by adding seashells, starfish, or plastic palm trees around your castle area. Put toothpick flags or pinwheels in the top of the cones. Viola! You have a spectacular beach castle cake for your Luau!

Summer Bug Party

2011-06-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

Summer Bug Party
by Poppie

I am not a bug person. In fact, if it was up to me, bugs would be eliminated from my life forever, with the exception of butterflies since they are pretty and don’t bother me. My kids, however, do not share my sediments towards these small (or in some cases big) creatures. They love to dig in the dirt or look under a rock to find different bugs. And of course, they have to show me their find; which despite my queasiness, I smile and say, “That’s great, hun!”

Needing a summer party idea that hadn’t been done before, I decided to put aside my feelings and have a Summer Bug Party. It’s an easy party to do and works for all ages and genders. It can also be tweaked into a great children’s birthday theme as well.

I wanted the decorations to create that summer picnic ambience. First I hung some danglers with assorted types of bugs on the end. I used a gingham table cover and napkins and placed little plastic bugs all over the table. I put utensils and napkins in a picnic basket and added a butterfly to it. As a snack, I put out “ants on a log” which is celery, peanut butter, and raisins.

As the kids arrived, I gave each child antennas instead of a party hat along with some bug eyeglasses so they could see like a bug. Each child also received a sheet of stickers with lady bugs on them to decorate a poster my children had made announcing our Summer Bug Party theme.

As a party favor I filled ice cube trays with water and placed a toy bug in each cube, then let them freeze overnight. The next day, we added one bug ice cube to the kids’ drinks along with regular ice cubes. I added a butterfly straw to each drink as well. The kids enjoyed the “surprise” in their drink and got some neat take home gifts as well. You can also buy readymade fake bug cubes as well and strategically place where you would like.

I wanted something easy for a cake, so I created a simple, yet unique, caterpillar cake. Bake any number of cupcakes frosted with green frosting and place them into a hump-shaped line, with one red-frosted cupcake at the end for the caterpillar's face. Add eyes, black antennae and many small, black feet. A double row of cupcakes works great for a large party.

Of course our activity was to take a bug net and magnifying glass and catch as many bugs as we could find in an hour. Since I didn’t want to find actual bugs, I hid plastic bugs around the house and outside for the kids to find. I labeled a clear jar with each child’s name and added a gingham ribbon to go with the theme. Whoever found the most bugs got a prize.

Even though the idea scared me at first, it turned out to be one of the best summer parties we have ever had and was surprisingly easy to pull off. Nobbies had everything I needed to make this party happen so I didn’t have to spend tons of time planning it either. So kick off your summer in style and host your own version of this easy to do summer party.