Posts tagged ‘celebrations’
The Best and Most Beautiful Things…
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
Happy Mother’s Day!
Finding Connection with Appreciation Texting
Get connected with your partner — with Appreciation Texting. Check it out. Based on Michael Fiore’s eBook, “Text the Romance Back: The 30 Day Digital Relationship Transformer,” appreciation texting has the power to bring you and your partner closer, and it’s so easy.
You can always find out more at YouCanPlanAParty.com
Creating a Celebration Plan for the Year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfdsZQNbej0
Continue Reading January 24, 2012 at 1:49 am Leave a comment
End of Summer Party Ideas At Your Finger Tips
In this fast paced world of cyber-connections, I strongly believe that face-time is what we all need more that collecting friends online. We need to hang out with our friends and family in person. Unfortunately, getting together with friends and family can have its problems: (1) We are so busy that we don’t have time to plan a get-together; (2) We feel financially strapped and can’t afford to throw an amazing party; and (3) Many of us don’t come by entertaining naturally and would rather not try than to risk failure.
As an award-winning party designer, professional television host, and three-time author, I built my business and reputation around my easy six-step formula to creating parties from the heart that people will remember for a lifetime. I’m a wife and busy mother of two, so I know what it’s like to juggle my time. That’s why I created this great party system. Whether you’re a novice or a professional, or fall somewhere in between, YouCanPlanAParty.com offers something for everyone.
You can plan a party as well as a professional party planner can, but for a lot less money and also save time and minimize the risk of failure. Here’s how: You can watch a few quick video clips and get affordable and innovative ideas to pull your party together. You can be your own DJ and play fun, customized music mixes to coordinate with your party theme. You can plan a delicious menu easily around your theme with recipes and full menu suggestions. You can find unique party supplies your friends haven’t seen before.
I’m committed to transforming the way you think about parties. To that end, I offer you access to tools you can start using today and ideas for celebrating the special people in your lives. Tab by tab, here’s what YouCanPlanAParty.com, offers. To walk you through the six steps of a successful party, check out my video show, “Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party!”
THEME Tab – In this section, you’ll find my show which offers complete party plans from theme to party favors. Use my ideas or think of them as idea starters and add you own flair to create a cohesive shindig. Now playing, our End of Summer Party Plan, SOS Shipwreck Island Party.
PARTY PLANNING Tab – If you’re looking for ideas for one of my six party planning categories, then this is the section for you.
Element #1 – THEME, MOOD, & COLOR – Every great party begins with a great theme, even if it’s as simple as a color. These videos share ways to come up with and further flush out an exciting theme.
Element #2 – INVITATIONS – Since the invitation is the first thing your guests see, make it inviting and create some excitement. This collection of videos share clever ideas sure to get the party started.
Element #3 – DECOR & AMBIANCE – Set and setting are everything when it comes to creating environments for your guests to play in. This group of videos show you how to transform your party spaces with easy, affordable items.
Element #4 – FOOD & BEVERAGE – This eclectic mix of video clips provides loads of inspiration for your food and beverage needs, from unique serving pieces to recipes to food safety tips.
Element #5 – ACTIVITIES – One of my secrets to a memorable party is to get my guests engaged in something. This group of clips show you ways to do just that.
Element #6 – SPECIAL TOUCHES – What sets my parties, and now yours, apart from others is what I call the “heart element.” This collection of videos illustrates ways to give your party heart through special touches.
TRANSFORMATIONS Tab – To provide inspiration, this before and after section shows raw materials or typical rooms in your house, and what happens with a few easy steps…magic! This month, watch as artificial flowers and hair clips come together to create a lovely party favor for our shipwrecked ladies.
PARTY MART Tab – This exciting section offers access to my book series, The Enlightened Party Planner: Guides to Creating Parties from the Heart. There are three books to assist you in your quest to easily spend more time with the ones you love. The Six Elements of a Successful Party walks you through the approach in detail. Decade Parties: A Blast from the Past offers detailed ideas for theme parties from the 20s to the 80s, and Our Favorite Parties beautifully details the six-elements of fifteen party plans in narrative style.
This section also provides access to the YouCanPlanAParty Merch Mart on Zazzle.com. Loaded with literary thousands of party products from never-before-seen invitations, to sculptured centerpieces, to themed music speakers, the store is organized by party theme making it easy to shop for the items you want most. Plus, you’ll find supplies for every party outlined in my books, making it simple to make a party plan come to life.
This month check out our selection of Shipwreck products by simply clicking on Zazzle.com. Once there, select from main categories such as invitations, postage, centerpieces, party favors, etc., or type in “shipwreck” in the search box to see all the great products at once. Happy shopping!
CONTEST Tab – Cool prizes are awarded each month, usually props from the show, to an entrant who has used the six-step formula in one of their parties. This month’s prizes are a set of round raffia place mats, palm leaves, and palm fans…perfect for adorning a shipwreck party table.
MUSIC Tab – Clicking on this tab takes you to our essential End of Summer Shipwrecked Island Party music playlist which can be downloaded from iTunes. Thirty handpicked songs for $34.50, or simply buy the individual songs you need.
RECIPES Tab – In the Food & Beverage video clip, I introduce a cocktail called Blue Lagoon. By clicking on this tab, you’ll have access to the recipe, plus the non-alcoholic version.
RESOURCES Tab – We’ve assembled over 60 affiliate resources to help make your party special. This section makes searching for something specific easy by simply going down the list of providers and using their research functions. You’ll always return to the YouCanPlanAParty page when you use the back arrow function, allowing you to quickly check the next provider on the list.
RSVP CLUB Tab – This is a very special “back stage” section to the site. Sign up and you’ll have access to:
ASK SHELBY – Ask me anything! I’ll post my answers here. It’s like having a free consultation with a professional party designer!
HOW TO – This month, learn how to put a treasure hunt together and access the archives of great how-to projects.
MENU SUGGESTIONS – Check out the full, tasty menu for an Island Shipwreck Party, as well as past theme party menu ideas.
SHOPPING WITH SHELBY – A fun gorilla video section where I take you rogue shopping with me. Hear how a party designer thinks as I consider how raw materials can be used in a party setting.
BEHIND THE SCENES – A fun and eclectic section of videos of various professionals chatting about different aspects of planning parties.
FORUM – Share ideas with others members of our party community.
No matter what tab you click, YouCanPlanAParty.com makes throwing a party easy, affordable, and fun! Nothing provides connection more than sharing quality time engaged in conversation and laughter with people you care about. So gather your friends and family, and throw an end of summer party. Make it simple or go all out…it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re together in person and having fun face to face.
Make Your Milestone Birthday Party Memorable
July 5th is my birthday, the day after all the Independence Day celebrations. Everyone was back at work. My kids were enjoying a summer’s day with the neighborhood kids. In the afternoon, one of my daughters had a swim lesson, but other than that, there was nothing much going on; no plans for any sort of birthday celebration that I knew of. That’s alright, I told myself. It isn’t a milestone birthday, after all.
When I was small, it seemed every birthday was celebrated in grand fashion. Now a days it seems folks only celebrate the birthdays with a zero or a five after the first number—milestone birthdays—and of course, the La Quinceanera and the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs when one turns 15 and 13 respectively, not to mention Sweet 16 and that all-important 21st (in some states 18th). That’s cool, I thought, such birthdays should be celebrated in high style.
While I prefer the childhood notion of making each birthday a memorable fete, it isn’t always practical or cost effective. In keeping with today’s trend, here are a few tips and tricks for celebrating those milestone birthdays in style and always from the heart:
- Think about the birthday boy and girl. What does he or she like? What does he or she like to do? Does he or she like large groups or intimate gatherings? Where’s their favorite place to spend time? The answers to these questions will help resolve the four W’s – the Who, What, Where, When.
- Answer the following question as best you can. What is your intention for the party? This is the fifth W and the one that will set your party apart from others because it will create a context for the celebration to occur.
- Use balloon bouquets. Nothing says “party” like balloons. I don’t care how old you are, you’re never too old or too young to enjoy these festive decorations. Balloons can be used in dozens of ways. Consider balloon bouquets on sticks. They’re simple to create and make quick and easy centerpieces.
- Be sure to add at least one photo element to a milestone birthday party. Ideas include a photo cake or photo flags stuck into cupcakes. Having photo albums on display or creating fun collage frames with themes like “In the Life Of,” “Decades,” or “This is Your Life” are fun ways to get guests involved in the mood of the party. You can also use the windows around the party area as built-in photo frames to showcase the birthday boy or girl. If nothing else, consider photo thank you notes.
- Create a special keepsake for the birthday boy or girl to document the event and everyone who was there, be it a platter, book, frame or other creative gift. Whatever gift you choose, be sure it is one they will treasure for a lifetime.
This month on “Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party!” I’ve designed a party plan for a 1st birthday and it’s filled with many of the ideas above. Tune in to see how it all comes together. The great thing about this party plan is that it can truly be adapted for any age and gender.
You know, if I’ve learned anything over the last few years of working with clients and sharing my love of connection, it’s that everyday is cause for celebration. This year, even though my birthday wasn’t a milestone, the evening spent with friends and family, laughing, connecting, and enjoying the moments, was celebration enough.
Celebrate Anywhere With These Menu Photo Place Cards
Making a Menu Photo Place Card that you can use at any home gathering or restaurant, helps to make your guests, or guest of honor, feel special. They are unique place cards because they are personalized with a pop up photo, event name and date, and planned menu.
If you aren’t computer savvy, or your home color printer can’t handle heavy card stock, you can opt to have your local print shop, Kinko’s or other speedy printer, set them up for you. Be sure to specify that the paper has to be heavy for these place cards to work.
These instructions will demonstrate how to create Menu Photo Place Cards for each guest using a photo of the guest of honor. Begin by clicking this link to retrieve a Word template from the How-To section on the YouCanPlanAParty.com website, or make your own by following the simple directions below. Remember to use paper and ink colors that are complimentary to your chosen theme.
You’ll need a photo of the guest of honor, or one that is fitting for the occasion, that is approximately 3×5 inches for best results. Using your word processing program, center the photo at the top of the page then drop it down about two to three inches. Centered just below the photo, type in the event name. Under the event name, type in the date. For an added touch, skip a line and then list the menu, centering one item per line. Skip another line and type in a guest’s name. Print the card out on glossy card stock for a high-end look. Remember to make one for each guest by name.
The important thing to note here is that the trimmer (or thinner) the place cards are, the more professional they will look. Carefully trim each side of the paper however much you feel is best. Now for the fun part – on a cutting mat, cut around the photo using a metal ruler and an Exacto knife, a little more than half way down on each side and across the top. When you’re finished, fold the card in half to see the photo pop up from the top.
Some variations to consider: (1) Do this all by hand. Write the information on a fold-over card and glue a photo on each so it extends above the fold. (2) Use different photos of your guest of honor or of each guest for fun and variety. (3) Depending on the occasion, use vintage photos. For example, for an Easter table, choose a photo from a Victorian postcard, or use a lovely photo of the Sader plate for Passover. (4) Experiment with colored card stock and ink colors that coordinate with your event theme, and the colors in the photo(s). (5) If hosting a large party at a restaurant, take your place cards with you for an added special touch.
Plan Back-To-Back Holidays With Ease
Spring is here and if you plan to host a Passover, Easter, Mother’s Day, or other springtime event, now is the time to start planning. Planning now will pay off big especially if you’ll be hosting all three back-to-back holidays, as I will be. My “easy six-element approach to party planning” makes situations like these simple to manage. Here are a few useful tips and tricks.
Time is a precious commodity. I’m a wife and an involved mother of two who works, I get it. That’s why I put together a beautiful Garden Brunch Party Plan for Mother’s Day which can easily be adapted for Passover or Easter.
TIPS & TRICKS #1 – Watch the six short video clips on this month’s episode of Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party! for loads of great ideas that you can use for your own spring parties. For example, you’ll learn how to: develop theme ideas that will please your guests or guest of honor; make long-stem flower invitations; create baked eggs that are fabulous centerpieces to any brunch; design an easily customizable photo place card for any holiday; give a unique keepsake sure to illicit emotions; and set a beautiful table.
TIPS & TRICKS #2 – One of the secrets to planning successful celebrations and keeping your cool, is staying organized, even for the simplest party. Staying organized is easy when you use efficient checklists and worksheets to help you stay the course.
TIPS & TRICKS #3 – Click to download the one form that will make your party planning life simpler, Quick Six Worksheet. It won’t do all the work for you and you’ll certainly need to make other lists, I’m sure, but it gives you a great place to start. Make a copy for each event you’re planning this spring and start working the six-step formula.
The Quick Six Worksheet is part of my Planner Pack. Learning to use the Planner Pack is one of the best ways to avoid getting stressed about your upcoming gathering, or gatherings. The reason the included worksheets and lists work so well is that they allow you to get your thoughts and ideas out of your head and onto paper so that you can stop worrying about them. Having all of your party planning notes and information in one location assures that what you need to accomplish gets done on time, allowing you to relax and enjoy the celebration along with your family and friends. The Planner Pack is available for download on the Party Mart Page at YouCanPlanAParty.com for just $14. Make a copy for every party you host. We also offer a matching three-ring binder to help keep it all together.
TIPS & TRICKS #4 – Whether Easter, Passover or Mother’s Day, think of your gathering as a gift you’re giving your friends and family. Then ask yourself “why?” Why am I giving this party? What is my intention? What experience do I want my guests to have? What do I want my guests or guest of honor to feel? How can I create a lasting impression? Having a clear intention for your celebration will help keep you focused on what’s necessary. It also helps with the budget, putting dollars where they’re needed. Most important, having a clear intention for your party goes a long way in making your guests feel special and important.
TIPS & TRICKS #5 – Here are some great shopping resources for unique items. Whether looking for vintage Easter stuff, cool Passover items, or one-of-a-kind Mother’s Days gifts, these sites have something for everyone.
www.blumchen.com/easter_shop.html
www.bargainjudaica.com/default.aspx
www.zazzle.com/shelbysemail2
The ABC’s of Planning a Party Inspired by Curious George
I was watching Curious George the other day with my daughters. On the episode, The Man with The Big Yellow Hat was having a birthday and George, being the generous, fun-loving monkey that he is, wanted to throw him a party to celebrate. The Doorman taught George that to throw a party he just needed to remember “ABCD.” With my ears perked, I listened closely.
“A is for Apartment,” The Doorman said.
“B is for Buddies,
C is for Cake, and
D is for Decorations.”
Brilliant, I thought. The Doorman distilled it down so that even a monkey can throw a party!
Because the parties I design, using my six-element approach, are theme parties from the heart, I’d like to offer letters E, F, and G to the mix.
E is for Environment. Pick a fun theme for your buddies to play in.
F is for Favors. Give everyone a token from your heart.
G is for Games. Get your friends engaged in an activity.
The alphabet of party planning inspired by a monkey…who would have thought!
The Holiday Connection
I love the holidays. Apart from the insanity of staying up past midnight for nights on end, secretly wrapping presents and shopping for last-minute “Santa gifts,” I love the holidays for the warmth and love the season brings.
The holidays are for thinking of others and for me, bringing joy to friends and family. It’s a time of year when we gather to celebrate one another. It’s also a time of year when we express our love for each other and our humanity perhaps a little more than usual. Add automobiles with antlers and wreaths, houses lit up like they’re on parade, decadent meals, sweet treats, and beautifully wrapped presents that sparkle under the tree lights, and this party designer is in heaven!
With the start of the new year, I realized, once all the decorations had been packed away and life returned to it’s daily routine, that all the reasons I love the holidays are also why I love my work. They are all parts of my message that I’m committed to sharing.
In fact, a cornerstone of my party planning philosophy, is to design gatherings around your guests’ likes, wants and favorite things. Fill the party with details that are sure to delight them.
I also believe that connection and sense of community are two of the human souls greatest joys and that they occur naturally whenever people gather together, especially in the spirit of celebration.
That said, there’s nothing quite like a party being thrown in one’s honor to convey to them, “You’re special and important to me.” It is a great way to express your love.
My resolution for 2011 is that this is the year for getting the word out about how important it is to bring the special people in our lives together and celebrating them as often as we can; inviting people to think about parties a little differently so that they can create memorable, heartfelt experiences at their gatherings; and teaching as many people as I can my six-element approach to making it all happen a bit easier.
To this end, I invite you to check out my newest article published at SelfGrowth.com called “Introducing the Six Elements of Party Planning from the Heart.” It’s a great primer of my party design philosophy and six-step formula that can transform the way you think about parties forever.
Here’s to happy beginnings — new years, new messages, new gatherings!
Currently the host of “Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party!” airing on YouCanPlanAParty.com, Shelby Phillips is an award-winning party design expert with over 20 years experience. Shelby has co-written a book series titled “The Enlightened Party Planner: Guides to Creating Parties from the Heart” and developed a 6-step formula for bring people together to celebrate. She has also been a host and designer on the Style Network’s “Big Party Plan Off,” and owner of a successful event planning and promotions company.
Can You Plan An Open House Potluck Party?
I’m often asked the difference between a “potluck” and an “open house,” and receive comments like, “I just got invited to an open house and I don’t know what dish I should bring.”
So, first, let’s clear up a few party terms and then chat about the benefits to each of these party types so that you can decide what kind of shindig you’re up for creating.
When you throw a POTLUCK you are inviting your guests to share in the task of providing something for the party, traditionally the meal, but this can also include paper goods, drinks, music, or any other “gifts” or talents your friends and family may want to share.
When throwing an OPEN HOUSE, you, the host, are in essence opening up your home and asking your guests to drop by any time that is convenient for them during a specified timeframe. Thus, as the host, you are responsible for providing all the goodies at your party and your guests get to show up, relax and enjoy the mood you’ve created for them.
The great thing about POTLUCKS is that your guests can take an active part in creating the party. Generally they create a more casual type of gathering, and this can be perfect for impromptu celebrations or when budget is a strong consideration.
OPEN HOUSES provide you and your guests an opportunity to mix and mingle and share some time…to just go with the flow. This type of gathering can be anywhere from casual to black tie. In fact, black tie is often a very fun option.
So, what is the difference than between a normal party vs. an open house? Basic party etiquette says that a PARTY starts at a certain time and you should arrive near that starting time, especially if food is being served. Showing up “whenever” would be considered rude, even disrespectful, unless prior arrangements have been made.
At an OPEN HOUSE, however, your guests are free to come whenever they’d like. These types of parties are particularly helpful for example, on busy holidays like Halloween, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve. Also, food menus will be a bit different as you’ll want to serve foods that can sit out on ice or on heat for the duration of the party, and even activities will change from arranged group recreation to more do-it-yourself type entertainment.
There you have it, the basics. This month on Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party! I’ve put together an Open House Party Plan. Surprise. Surprise! As always, if you have any questions, you can email me at askshelby@youcanplanaparty.com.
Be sure to check out the How-To Video under the RSVP Club member’s section too, as I’m showing you some inventive ways to wrap a bottle (wine, champagne, or sparkling juice) with meaning, the heartfelt way. These ideas make lovely hostess gifts for all those parties you’ll be going to this holiday season, because it is always thoughtful to arrive with a little something for your host.
Wishing you a lovely and safe holiday season, full of warmth and affection.
Currently the host of “Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party!” airing on YouCanPlanAParty.com, Shelby Phillips is an award-winning party design expert with over 20 years experience. Shelby has co-written a book series titled “The Enlightened Party Planner: Guides to Creating Parties from the Heart” and developed a 6-step formula for bring people together to celebrate. She has also been a host and designer on the Style Network’s “Big Party Plan Off,” and owner of a successful event planning and promotions company.
queen of connection | Shelby L. Phillips 