empadmin, Author at The Party Place

Posted on June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Fun in the Sun: Summer Birthday Ideas

So, I’m a June baby, which means I have had plenty of experience in throwing pool parties, beach bashes, and everything else “summer” related that I could make into a birthday party. It just made sense! As a kid, who the heck wouldn’t want a pool party for a birthday? I vividly remember playing all sorts of pool games, eating cookie cake and ice cream, and just celebrating my birthday out in the sun. It was a lot of fun, and I think all kids can enjoy a nice beachy, summer-y birthday party. So, to all the summer birthday folks out there, I’ve got a fun beach themed party to throw for your summer celebration!

Courtesy of Catch My Party

I like to go with classic beach vibes when I plan a summer birthday party. Think: bright colors, the ocean, sunglasses, beach accessories, fruit, and popsicles. These might sound like random items, but read them again. When you read that list you immediately thought back to all those fun summer memories at the beach as a kid, right? Yep. That’s what I thought. It’s simple, really! Party Place makes it even easier with a huge selection of beach and summer themed dinnerware, decorations, party props, and balloons that can be found in store and online here.

One of my favorite beach party decorations has to be this beach ball pinata.

Seriously?! Could that be any cuter?

Food is easy too! Just take that list of summer essentials I gave you nd get those ideas rocking! You’d be surprised at just how cute and clever you can get with these beach snacks. For example, I love the idea of using crushed graham crackers on the birthday cake to imitate sand.

Courtesy of The Little Epicurean

Oh, and these jello cups with little umbrellas and floating bears, I am actually obsessed.

Courtesy of Stacy Ahrens

Finally, I want to show you these “crabwiches.” Easy, tasty, and too cute! Perfect to grab and go to fill up those kids and fuel them for their pool fun. Just remember to wait to swim after you eat so you don’t cramp up.

Courtesy of Chelsea Francis

With all this food, I’m getting hungry and totally wanting to throw a pool party. Well, my birthday is this month so maybe I’ll do just that. See you there?

Posted on June 2, 2021June 2, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Donut Miss This Party

Sorry, but you know I had to do it to you… I can never miss the opportunity for a super corny pun. However, I am serious about not missing this holiday. June 4th. Is. National. Donut. Day. You know I love donuts, and I think I have loved donuts literally my entire life. I’m actually being serious about loving donuts my entire life because my mom has told me that when she was pregnant with me she ate a donut or two every single day of the pregnancy. So, as you can tell I was literally born with the love of donuts, and I still hold this love 21 years later. That’s why I will be throwing a donut-themed party for donut day. Honestly, you don’t even have to do it for National Donut Day. Just throw a donut party anytime you want, babe!

Just imagine a whole party filled with donuts of every kind and the cutest decorations. Big yes. Let’s talk about what I’ve got planned for this donut lover’s party.

My color scheme is inspired by the classic chocolate-covered sprinkle donut. I’m going with a nice brown, bubblegum pink, yellow, and blue (for the sprinkles of course).

(Yes, I want all the colors.) Tie it altogether with a white tablecloth and large confetti flakes to really add that fun and sprinkle-y flair!

For extra decor, I’ll be getting some of those super fun donut balloons found here.

If you aren’t as into all the colors as me, you can narrow it down to two of the four I have chosen and just replace the colors you don’t want with the ones you do!

I also love the idea of adding some fun letter balloons in with my donut balloon to get that trendy cool factor on par with all those TikTok kids, you know? See photo below for reference.

Courtesy of Etsy

Lastly, I know I want to have all the donut flavors because… duh. So, I think a huge table filled with donuts is the way to go. Check out this fantastic skewer idea to elegantly and easily display all the donuts. This makes it easy for guests to grab one of each, and it looks nice!

Courtesy of The Modern Silo

So, with that being said, I have got to start buying all my supplies. See you at my donut party!

Posted on May 24, 2021May 24, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Memorial Day Bash

Nothing screams Memorial Day more to me than a BBQ/cookout vibe. Maybe it’s because school is over by Memorial Day and it’s the first hurrah of summer, or perhaps it is something else! No matter the case, Memorial Day calls for a bbq and that is that. BBQs are casual, social, and lots of fun. The food is simple and good and the company is even better! Just get that grill going, and let’s have a party!

For decorations, I like to think patriotic and summer aesthetics fit this holiday the best. So, bring out your American flags and the gingham tablecloths… it is their time to shine!

You can really show your American pride with these serving trays and these USA yard stakes. Oh, and for extra flair, we like to add these little flag picks to our table centerpieces.

Another idea to really elevate your Memorial Day cookout is to do a hot dog and burger bar. This is a great way to make a simple cookout a little more sophisticated and exciting for the partygoers. It’s basically the same thing as a regular cookout, just with all your toppings and extras layed out in a nice and accessible manner for everyone to grab the food!

Courtesy of Everyday Good Thinking

For dessert, why not do ice cream? The weather is getting warmer and so that means ice cream season is upon us (my favorite season tbh). This festive ice cream sandwich is super easy and super fun! Just go buy your favorite ice cream sandwiches (my mom and I live for North Star) and cover the edges in red, white, and blue sprinkles. You’ll want to keep these frozen up until dessert time, so we suggest putting them all on a platter and covering them in cling wrap so they can simply sit in the freezer door.

Courtesy of Involvery

Lastly, let’s not forget about drinks! Again, the weather is getting hotter so you’re gonna want to offer your guests something cool and refreshing. We suggest a nice white wine spritzer with frozen blueberries and strawberries to top it off. This drink is so beautiful guys, and so simple to make! It is a great summer starter drink, and the frozen fruit adds a pretty factor as well a little bit extra summer flavor. Yum!

Courtesy of The Rising Spoon

That’s all, my friends! You’re now ready to host a fabulous Memorial Day BBQ with some fun new tricks up your sleeve. Come get all your party supplies at The Party Place. Trust me, we’ve got all the American decor and summer vibes you could want!.

Posted on May 17, 2021May 17, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Game Night Done Right

As this unconventional school year comes to an end, we all deserve a little bit of a celebration. Endless Zoom calls, tricky online classes, and finicky technology has made school a weird experience for everyone. I know that as a college student, I am ready for in person classes. I feel like I am drowning in school work on Zoom without really knowing what the heck is going on! (Mom, if you’re reading this, my grades are still good, but yeah, it has been hard.)

So, I propose a party that is technology free! We need a break from Zoom and everything else since our lives literally are spent staring at a screen all day. Why not have a party that is completely tech free? You may be asking yourself, well, what are we gonna do at this party? How about a super fun game night that is filled with all the old school board games galore.

I LOVE board games and card games. There is just something so fun about getting together with friends or family and getting that competitive spirit for something so simple like Monopoly or Life. I think board games are also a great way to connect with people and just have a lot of fun. We may get competitive, but it is all in good fun. We don’t have to think about the life problems or anything else. We just get to have that kid-spirit once again with all the old school games.

Alright, let’s get down to business. The perfect celebratory game night coming your way…

We like to keep decorations straight forward, simple, and fun around here. There is no need for fuss when you can get the best looking party with just a little pizazz. Party Place has that! Just check out our balloons , table decorations , and other party supplies to get the vibe you want.

Courtesy of DIY Inspired

As for the games, we all probably own a few decks of cards and board game classics just because you know, it was the cool thing to do back in the day! I would do games like Life, Scrabble, Sorry, and all the goodies. Maybe steer clear of Monopoly unless that is all you want to play at your party!

Jenga, Uno, Nertz, and other card games are also great and fun options! Cards Against Humanity and Quiplash are great for older audiences, so if you are having children over, keep it to the kid-friendly classics!

Food is also important! I suggest grab and go food options that allow your players to play while not getting hangry! Adding fun labels that pertain to your game is also a nice touch. Personally, I am in love with the Scrabble Cheez Its! Say less! Give it to me!

Courtesy of DIY Inspired

With little effort that results in tons of fun, what is holding you back on doing a game night? We all need it after the wild year it has been!

Courtesy of Tastefully Simple

Posted on April 27, 2021April 22, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Bubble Party! No, Not that Kind of Bubble!

Guys. Big news. Did you know that April 30th is National Bubble Tea Day?! I KNOW. Please, hold your excitement, I know it is hard! Anyways, what better way to celebrate this fun and random holiday than to throw a bubble tea party!

If you don’t know what bubble tea is, you might recall something called “boba.” It’s the same thing! So, if you hear people referring to bubble tea as boba or vice versa, just know you’re all on the same wavelength. It is a super trendy, tasty, and customizable drink that is loved all across the world. Wonder where you can get some? Here are some local places that sell boba in Fort Smith:

Smiling Cup Boba Tea

Sakuu Asian Bakery and Deli

Asian Cafe

Phở King

For your boba party, you could totally support your local businesses by getting your boba there for the event, or you could even think about asking if you could throw it there!

Another fun idea for a National Bubble Tea Day party would be to make it a boba crawl! You could print out a little checklist (like the one below) with all the places your group will go to and try all the boba! How fun!

Bubble Tea Fort Smith Arkansas Crawl List

After you’ve done the crawl, you’re gonna need a space to chill and drink all the boba you’ve now acquired. As the weather warms up, it is the perfect opportunity to have an outdoor backyard party! Let’s get to decorating.

The focal point of this boba party is obviously boba, but how do you translate that into a decoration? A boba balloon, duh!

As shown in these photos, you can make a huge cup of boba that is just so darn cute!

At Party Place, we have all the supplies you need to make a boba ballon! Check out our balloon section here to look at all the color offerings. You can also talk our balloon experts and talk about how to make your boba balloon the best of the best!

You’ll also want to include some sweet snacks to go along with your boba so check out our partyware here

This is a super simple party idea that packs a big punch! You support the local businesses, your decor is minimal, and we’ve got everything you need! Just get that boba balloon together, some aesthetic plates, napkins, and forks, and you’ve got yourself a boba party.

Posted on April 1, 2021March 31, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Bunny Brunch: An Easter Celebration!

I think Easter has some of the cutest decorations out of all the holidays in the year. It is like the ultimate way of saying spring has sprung! The pastels! The eggs! The bunnies! The flowers! Just thinking about it makes you smile, and I mean seriously, how could you not? Bunnies are certifiably one of the cutest animals. Sorry, but it is the truth, and I only speak facts. Regardless of your opinion on a bunny’s cuteness level, we can all agree that it is time for me to talk about this Easter brunch. So, let’s get started.

When I plan a themed brunch, I love to take a more sophisticated but still cute spin on my theme. For example, i would invest in more elegant plates and napkins that still fit my theme. These Golden Easter Napkins and Golden Easter Dessert Plates are perfect options for putting a little more of an elegant flair on your Bunny Brunch but still also being very fitting for the theme. Going along with this little golden theme, these Metallic Gold Easter Eggs are perfect for table decorations like in the photo below.

Metallic Gold Easter Eggs — *Courtesy of MarthaStewart.co*

Now that we have an idea for our table decor, let’s think about food (the best part).

These Hashbrown Egg Nests from Feel Good Foodie are truly calling my name. They are easy, festive, and can be made in under thirty minutes.

Now, I love savory food like hashbrowns, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t also have a sweet tooth. These Cinnamon Bun Palmiers are just the thing to satisfy my cravings, plus they are also an under thirty-minute recipe with little involvement, and you can even shape them to look like little bunny ears. You can find the recipe here on Brit + Co.

Back on the savory foods, these cornmeal biscuits are something you do not want to exclude from your Bunny Brunch. They are like the perfect combination of cornbread and a buttermilk biscuit with a bit of a spicy quick. Um, say less? I am already obsessed. They are perfectly soft with a flaky exterior, okay, my mouth is drooling, that’s all.

Alright. I am starving now, but at least now we have a good start on how to wow our crowds at this Easter Brunch.

Stop by The Party Place to get all your supplies for your Bunny Brunch or call ahead for easy shopping! The best part about it is that this is all lowkey and very easy to do, even the cooking! So, no need to feel rushed around this Easter. Just sit back, relax, and eat all the cornmeal biscuits, hashbrowns, and cinnamon buns you can!

Posted on March 15, 2021March 15, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

St. Paddy’s Day in the (Home) Pub

Alright, folks. I don’t know about you, but when I think about St. Patrick’s Day, I immediately think about going to a pub. More specifically, I think about going to a pub where there is lots of beer being poured, green everything everywhere, and singing karaoke. Perhaps, I am just thinking back to past experiences or things I have seen in movies, but that truly is what I think about when it comes to this iconic and very green holiday. Therefore, we are gonna talk about how you can host your own little St. Paddy’s Day fun in your at-home pub (complete with a karaoke machine).

So, let’s get your home looking like an Irish pub! You’ll need a place to host, and you could totally do it anywhere in your house, but with the warmer weather, you could even think about making it an outdoor, patio-style pub!

The Party Place has tons of options to get that pub vibe with signs, decorating kits, and even some accessories for your guests/”customers.” Here are the top 5 decoration picks from me to decorate your pub!

Next, let’s talk about food. Pub food. We all love it, you know you do. It is also a relatively easy type of food to make, especially for larger quantities so there is another plus. You do not have to worry about giving people a four-course meal, instead, think about side dishes and snacks that can be made in large quantities and still be pretty filling. For example, a pub snack mix might be one of the best options for a St. Paddy’s Day Pub Party. You can find very recipes on Pinterest and Google, but no matter which one you choose, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You can find one of our favs here.

Next, consider putting out french fries, hushpuppies, fried pickles, buffalo wings, or anything else that is easy to grab and reminiscent of the days we could all just enjoy ourselves at the pub on a Saturday night. If you don’t feel up to making all the food, we suggest getting a local restaurant to make it for you. Just place an order a few days ahead, and get it going! You’ll be supporting small businesses, and who doesn’t love that?

Lastly, let’s get to the karaoke part. There is truly nothing like a good karaoke night at a pub. I love karaoke as a social activity more than anything else, yet I never want to sing. I just like to cheer everyone else on and see how the night progresses, like whether or not the singers get better, worse, or stay the same as the night goes on. When I used to go on cruises with my family, I would drag everyone to the karaoke club every night after dinner. Still my favorite thing, and I cannot wait to do it again. Anyways, how fun would it be to dust off that old karaoke machine and get your pub truly pumping. You can sing those classics like Bohemian Rhapsody or Don’t Stop Believin’ to your heart’s desire. No one can stop you either, because it is YOUR pub! Now, go get your supplies and get ready for the most fun St. Patrick’s Day you’ve had yet!

Posted on March 2, 2021March 2, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

A Dr. Seuss Worthy Birthday

When I was a kid, when we got to read Dr. Seuss in class, it was really something special. Not to mention the absolute whimsy and wonderfulness that overtook the classroom any time we had a little Dr. Seuss celebration for the author’s birthday! Dr. Seuss still remains a big influence in children’s lives, giving them the opportunity to be whacky, creative, and gives a new perspective to everyday things. I love it, and with Dr. Seuss’s birthday upcoming, how about a little inspiration to do a Dr. Seuss party theme for your little one! There are so many classic books to choose from, but we’ll be taking the timeless tale, The Cat in the Hat, for the basis of our birthday bash decor.

The Cat in the Hat is probably the most famous work by Dr. Seuss. It is loveable, recognizable, and perfect for anyone and everyone! One of the greatest things about a classic party theme like this is that it can be easily recognizable simply through the color palette! The Cat in the Hat is simple enough with a lovely four-color palette of blue, red, white, and back! Decorations are easy peasy when you’ve got such a distinctive color palette! We’ve got lots of great options to get your whole house or party venue looking like it came out of a Dr. Seuss book!

Here are some of my favorite decorations:

You can never go wrong with streamers so we’ve got a whole slew of those to choose from. These are great because you can easily decorate an entire space with a few rolls of crepe streamers and a pack of tape. You can twist all the colors together to make a really fabulous and cohesive look as well as create so many interesting things! Oh the places you’ll go with a pack of streamers! (Yes, that was a Dr. Seuss pun, I couldn’t help it!)

Blue Streamers

Red Streamers

White Streamers

Oh, and just for fun, these shiny red ceiling streamers would totally just bring the whole streamer vibe together. You can find those here.

There are also plenty of Dr. Seuss themed plates, signs, cups, and so much more available on the website here for all the little details that truly matter!

Another good idea to add that whimsy and over-the-top whacky feel that is oh-so Dr. Seuss would be to add a huge variety of balloons, and perhaps even a balloon arch! Here is one of my fav balloon ideas that is just perfect for The Cat in the Hat vibe.

This balloon game is super cute, easy to play, and perfect for the kids! Pop the balloon and win a prize!

There is so much you can do with a Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat birthday! With a great color palette, it is super easy to get some supplies and really amp up the food to go with the theme! Think about things like a red punch and blue chocolate covered strawberries, pretzels, and any other goodies that can be dipped in chocolate (my ideal party food). Here are a few of my favorite pieces of party inspiration for a great Dr. Seuss birthday.

Cat in the hat candy bar — Courtesy of Catch My Party

Cat in the Hat dessert table — Courtesy of Amy Atlas Events

Posted on February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Will You Accept This Rose?

Well, the holiday of love has come and gone, and you’re either feeling lovey-dovey or sad because you’re single. This is not to bring your spirits down, I am simply just speaking the truth. Not gonna lie, I might be a tad bit of the second option at the moment. Anyhow, the point is that we’re all still thinking about love. Now, what better way to celebrate (or cry) about love than to throw a Bachelor watch party?

By now, we’ve gotten to know our guy, Matt James, a little bit better, as well as the women on the show this season, so this means it is the perfect time to throw a Bachelor watch party. It’s simple really… get a few rose petals sprinkled on the ground, some delicious snacks, and of course, some type of game to keep track of the oh-so-many times something dramatic happens. We’ll come back to the game in a second.

First and foremost, a watch party doesn’t need a lot to be great, you just need great company! However, to really add a little spice to your watch party to make it unforgettable, add little decorations that add to the corniness of the show. (trust me, your friends will think it is the cutest thing ever.) Rose petals are a surefire way to get that vibe of “looking for love on reality tv.” They are a great space filler without being too work-intensive, heck you could just throw them on a table or the ground, and they look great!

bachelor party image the blue eyed dove — Courtesy of The Blue-Eyed Dove

Next, we need the snacks. I suggest finger foods that people can munch on all night long. It could be as simple as chips and dip, pretzels, and something sweet like cookies. Again, think simple! This doesn’t need to be a big ordeal, people are always satisfied with a plate full of Oreos and chips, I mean… who isn’t. Anyways, the real fun is in the game you come up with to play during the show!

You can find tons of different game cards and rules on Pinterest, so I will be sharing one of my favorite ideas with you. The best one has to be a drinking game for every time a contestant does something. You don’t have to use alcohol if that’s not your thing, feel free to sub with a fun punch, sodas, or anything else you’d like! Nothing can’t be more fun than laughing and being with friends at tacky reality TV!

The Bachelor Drinking Game: Water Edition

Cheers, to love!

Posted on February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 by empadmin — Leave a comment

Mushy Gushy Valentine’s Day Fun

I don’t know about you guys, but I love Valentine’s Day, like, I really love it. You may be thinking to yourself, oh so she must be in a relationship or something. No. I am not, and in fact, I have never been in one on Valentine’s Day! It is a crazy thing to love a holiday about love and have never been in love. It’s ironic, but kind of iconic, don’t you think? Either way, I love a good Valentine’s Day party. I throw one every year! Even if my “party” consists of 5 people, we still have a really good time. I love my friends, and I make sure to show them that with my fab Valentine’s (or Palentine’s) Day fun. Anyways, let’s talk about how to throw a chill but super fun Valentine’s Day party for all your pals.

I love to do a simple party that consists of a drinks (you know I love a festive punch or cocktail, Pinterest is my go-to for recipes), lots of sweets, and of course, decorations!

I think my favorite part of Valentine’s Day decorations is simply the cheesy, mushy gushiness of them. Bright red and pink hearts with over the top fonts and cheesy love puns for days? Yes, that is perfect to me. Lucky for you, we have a wide variety of the cheesiest decorations you’ve ever seen! When decorating for a Valentine’s Day party, I always say more is more. Give me all the hearts! To save you the time and probably me from embarrassment, I will only show you my top three decorations I will be investing in this year.

These White Heart-Shaped Doilies

I love, love, love doilies. Yes, the three “loves” were completely necessary to convey my opinion on them. These are perfect for easy table decorations, hanging on the wall, or even for under cookies or other sweets. They are great for lining trays with treats for added Valentine’s Day fun.

White heart-shaped doilies Valentine's Day Party Supplies

Heart Garland

Honestly, give me any festive garland, and I will be all over it. It always adds the best little touch of fun. It can really bring a tablescape together, or honestly the whole room! It is super cute, cheap, and easy to use! A perfect option for anyone.

Heart Garland Valentine's Day Party Supplies

Red Heart-Shaped Balloons

Okay, who doesn’t love a good balloon? Festive, fun, and they get the point across. That is a good decoration. Plus, if you don’t have a ton of money to spend on decorations, balloons are great for filling up a space and adding lots of festive fun into the room. These balloons are perfect for Valentine’s Day, and they just scream “mushy gushy love day” to me. Again, I really love this holiday, sue me!

Red Heart Shaped Balloons Valentine's Day Party Supplies

I could absolutely go on, but I promise you I would keep it limited to three! My next word of advice would be to get some really fabulous Valentine’s Day plates, which we have many options of, and really just go to town on your food options!

Word of advice: keep it simple. You don’t have to feed these people dinner! Valentine’s Day is about the sweet indulgence so go for chocolate, cookies, brownies, you know the drill! My favorite way to make any dessert more festive is to add holiday-specific sprinkles (heart sprinkles I am looking at you!). Get some drinks for your guests, tack up those decorations, and wowza you’ve got one heck of a Valentine’s Day party! I’m excited just thinking about it.