Category: news

From the beginning proposal to the end “I do’s” here are just of few tips for proper wedding etiquette.

1 – Engagement News – So, who should actually be the first people to know about the big news? Our first bit of advice says, do not broadcast it via social media—at least not yet. If you have children, they should be the first to know. Then parents, family members, and close friends fall next in line. After the important people know, then feel free to blast your exciting proposal all over Facebook, Instagram, and wherever else you wish!

 

2 – Here Comes the Bride and Who? – Tradition says that the bride’s father is supposed to be the one to walk her down the aisle, but that isn’t always possible. So, is it alright to have someone else accompany you? Of course it is! Any person of significance to you is fine to walk you down the aisle.

 

3 – Invitations – Proper wedding etiquette says to send the invitation to your guests well in advance, at least one month—more if you have guests coming from out of town. The last day for guests to RSVP should be set at 15 days before the wedding. Include a pre-stamped envelope which will encourage guests RSVP. Call those who haven’t responded the week before to follow up as to whether or not they will be attending. A new trend is sending out a “Save the Date” reminder after the engagement happens. Many couples do this as a heads up and then send out the formal invitations closer to the big day. You should also be sure to send invitations to guests, even if you know they cannot attend.

 

4 – Do I Have to Have a Cake? – Tradition says yes, but 2014 says no. Many weddings use cupcake towers or candy bars in place of the cake. Whatever you decide to use is fine. Just know that the cutting of the cake or serving of dessert is the traditional symbol to let guests know its alright to leave without being rude, so you may want to let everyone know when the festivities are wrapping up.

 

5 – Who Do I Ask to Be in My Wedding? – This is a tough, tough question–one that has undoubtedly broken a friendship or two. Just remember, regardless of whom you choose to include or not include, you should not feel obligated. In a perfect world, everyone would be able to be a part of your wedding, but we know that isn’t always going to be the case. Ask only those whom you are very close to. It is also a nice gesture to include your fiancé’s siblings or those who you served in their wedding, but you are not required to do so. If in doubt about a person, ask them to be another part of your wedding party like an usher or to oversee the guest book signing.

 

If you are in the process of planning your big day, The Party Place has the essentials you need to host the perfect wedding. Plates, napkins, centerpieces, invitations, flowers, balloons, cake tiers, decorations, cake cutters, mints and more are available in store. Visit The Party Place at 1200 Waldron Road Suite 126 in Fort Smith, Arkansas right next to FFO and in Rogers, Arkansas at ADDRESS and ADDRESS. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com//partyplacefortsmith on Twitter @partyplace_fs Instagram @yourpartplace and Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/thepartyplace/

 

 

If you are hosting a dinner party, whether it be formal or just Christmas dinner with the family, it’s never a bad idea to brush on how to properly setting your dining table. This particular set up is to be used with a main course of fish served with bread, soup, salad, appetizer and dessert.

1 – Appetizers – Even though you have the table set perfectly, you might have to also remind your guests as to which utensil they use to begin eating. They will begin by using the flatwear at the outside left and right, and then work their way in towards the plate as more of the meal is served. Stemwear is placed above the plates and to the right, and the bread and butter plates are above and to the left. The flatwear should line up with the lower rim of the charger, which should be removed after everyone unfolds their napkins and places them on their laps. Napkins should be displayed in napkin rings and placed in the middle of the plate. The water glass should be located above the knife. If you are serving wine, white wine glasses should be to the right of the water glass and red wine stemwear should be at the top center.

2 – Soup – If you are planning on serving soup, it is proper etiquette to serve it in a warm dish on top of a dinner plate. The soup is then eaten with the spoon located at the outer right. After everyone is finished, the bowl and spoon should be removed.

 

3 – Fish – A medium sized plate should be used to serve fish. Use the short, wide fork located the farthest left, and the fish knife at the outside right.

 

4 – Salad – Salad should be served on a medium sized plate and will be eaten with the remaining fork, which should be wider than all other forks, as it can be used for cutting. After everyone is finished with their salads, the salad and bread plates should be removed along with the wine glasses. Now the table is ready to receive dessert.

5 – Dessert – A small plate should be used to serve dessert along with a coffee cup, or teacup, and a spoon, and a cake fork and dessert spoon. These should be placed upon the dessert plate before hand with the fork’s tines facing right and the spoon’s bowl facing left. The water glass should be the only stemwear left on the table.

Visit The Party Place at 1200 Waldron Road Suite 126 in Fort Smith, Arkansas right next to FFO and in Rogers, Arkansas at ADDRESS and ADDRESS. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyplacefortsmith on Twitter @partyplace_fs Instagram @yourpartyplace and Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/thepartyplace/

 

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It’s Summer time, and you know what that means: party time! A luau is one of the best kind of parties you can throw–whether it be a small inside get together or an extravagant poolside bash! The luau theme works perfect for not only adults, but children too! No matter what the occasion is, The Party Place, located in Fort Smith and Rogers Arkansas, has a wide variety of luau accessories to help you plan out the perfect party for great prices!

 

 Here’s a list of the essential decor of any great luau party, which you can find at The Party Place:

 

• Coconut Bras – The great thing about coconut bras is that they are a fun thing for both women and men! Get the party started by putting a coconut bra on every one—especially that one guy who you know secretly wants to wear one, but is to manly to ask!
• Grass Skirts – Nothing says it’s time to dance like dawning a grass skirt! It’s a fun way to get people in the spirit of a luau!
• Tiki Décor – What is a luau without tiki décor? Use any of The Party Place’s tiki themed décor to create a number of designs! Make a tiki bar for your guests to get their drinks at. Create a grand entrance for your guests to walk through, and much more!
• Coconut Cups – A drink never tasted better than it will when your guests drink out of one of our fun coconut cups! See below for a few drink recipes that are sure to quench even the toughest critic’s thirst.
• Leis – Greet your guest as they come in the door with a lei! It’s a Hawaiian tradition and now it can be your tradition!
• Palm Tree ANYTHING – Enough said there.
• Tropical Themed Plates – Serve the scrumptious food you have prepared on any of The Party Place’s tropical themed plates for a full effect!
• Tropical Tablecloths – We have tablecloths as well as grass table liners that really help tie the theme together!
• Bright Flowers – Use any of The Party Place’s bright flowers to create amazing centerpieces or to give out for the ladies to put in their hair!
• Tropical Table Arrangements – The easiest way to add a finishing touch to any table
• Tropical Themed Games – Watch your guests have the time of their life as they play a tropical themed game! More ideas for games are listed below!
• Parrot Décor – What is a luau without a parrot? This décor is a must have!
• And more!

Now that we’ve covered the must have decorations, let’s get to the rest of the party!

Any good luau has to have great food, fun games, perfect music, and of course the perfect drinks! The Party Place has complied a list below of some of our favorite luau food ideas, games, music, and drink recipes that can be used for both children and adults! 

 

Luau Food Ideas:

 

Absolutely Amazing Mahi 

•              
3/4 pound sashimi grade tuna steak, diced
•             
1/2 cup diced cucumber
•             
1 avocados – peeled, pitted and diced
•             
1/4 cup chopped green onion
•             
1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
•             
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
•             
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
•             
2 teaspoons sesame oil
•             
1/2 cup soy sauce

 Directions –  In a medium bowl, combine the tuna, cucumber, avocado, green onion, red pepper flakes and sesame seeds. Pour in the lemon juice, sesame oil and soy sauce, and stir carefully to blend so as not to mash the avocado. Place this bowl into a larger bowl that has been filled with ice. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, but no longer – the terrific freshness of the fish will be lost.

Once chilled, remove the bowl from the ice, and invert onto a serving plate. Serve with toasted bread or your favorite crackers.

 

Tropical Salad with Pineapple Vinaigrette        

•     
6 slices bacon
•             
1/4 cup pineapple juice
•             
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
•             
1/4 cup olive oil
•             
freshly ground black pepper to taste
•             
salt to taste
•             
1 (10 ounce) package chopped romaine lettuce
•             
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
•             
1/2 cup chopped and toasted macadamia nuts
•             
3 green onions, chopped
•             
1/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Directions – Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain, crumble, and set aside. Combine pineapple juice, red wine vinegar, oil, pepper and salt in a lidded jar or cruet. Cover and shake well. Toss lettuce, pineapple, macadamia nuts, green onions and bacon together in a large bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Garnish with toasted coconut. 

 

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

•  
3 tablespoons soy sauce
•  
3 tablespoons brown sugar
•  
2 tablespoons sherry
•  1 tablespoon sesame oil
•  
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
•  
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
•  
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into 2 inch pieces
•  
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
•  skewers

Directions – In a shallow glass dish, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder. Stir the chicken pieces and pineapple into the marinade until well coated. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken and pineapple alternately onto skewers. Grill 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until chicken juices run clear.

 

Luau Drink Ideas:

 

 The Perfect Mai Tai – For Adults 

•             
2 cups light rum
•             
1 cup dark rum
•             
1 cup 151 proof rum
•             
1 cup orange curacao (orange flavored liqueur)
•             
1 cup almond flavored syrup
•             
1 cup simple syrup
•             
10 limes, juiced
•             
1/2 gallon fresh orange juice 

Directions – In a large jar or drink cooler, combine the light rum, dark rum, 151 rum, orange liqueur, almond syrup, simple syrup, and lime juice. Stir and top off with orange juice. Do not use grenadine if you want the true Mai Tai! Serve in 8 to 12 ounce glasses with ice.

 Lava Lava: Blend Ingredients and Drizzle Grenadine on whipped cream 

• 1 oz. Vodka
• 1 oz. Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
• Dash of Vanilla Ice Cream
• Half a Banana

 

Hawaiian Margarita: Blend Ingredients and Rim with Red Li Hing Mui Powder 

• 1 ½ oz. Jose Cuervo Tequila
• 1 oz. Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Concentrate
• 3 Wedges of Pineapple 

Haupia: Blend Ingredients 

• 1 ¼ oz. White Crème de Cacao
• 1 ¼ oz. Malibu Rum
• 1 oz. Coco Lopez Syrup
• 1 oz. Smoothie Mix

 

Luau Music List: 

• Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett
• Cheeseburger in Paradise Jimmy Buffett
• Brown Eyed Girl Jimmy Buffett
• Reggae no Luau Tribo De Jah
• Iko Iko Drew’s Famous Luau Dance Party Favorites
• Luau Cha Cha Cha Annette Funicello
• Hawaiian Breeze Drew’s Famous Authentic Luau Aloha Party
• Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini Brian Hyland
• Feeling Hot Hot Hot The Ollè`s
• Tropical Dream Drew’s Famous Authentic Luau Aloha Party 
• Maui Magic Drew’s Famous Authentic Luau Aloha Party 
• Volcano Surfing Drew’s Famous Authentic Luau Aloha Party 
• Luau Hula Music Island
• Surfing USA The Beach Boys 
• Cha Cha Slide Dj Casper

Luau Game Ideas: 

PASS THE COCONUT

Like the popular game of “hot potato,” but using a coconut, have everyone sit in a circle. Play Hawaiian music or strum an ukulele while participants pass a coconut around. Stop the music and whoever is holding the coconut is “out.” Continue until there is one person left.

ʻULU MAIKA

Similar to lawn bowling, ʻulu maika is a traditional ancient Hawaiian game that requires concentration and coordination. Place two wooden or metal stakes in the ground, 6 inches apart and about 15 feet away from where the players are standing. The goal  is to roll your stone smoothly between the two stakes.

KONANE

The Hawaiian version of checkers, Konane requires two players to play. Using a wooden board (or cardboard) with 64 impressions, fill each impression with alternating black and white stones. Opponents take turns jumping over each otherʼs pieces – up, down, left or right – and removing them from the board. The person with the last jump is the winner. 

HULA HOOP ʻTIL YOU DROP

Line everyone up and see who can go the longest or do the most hoops in a timed contest. For an even more challenging competition, double or triple up hula-hoops on the final two participants. 

HAWAIIAN PICTIONARY

Make a list of Hawaiian places or things and write each one down on a sheet of paper, then mix them in a hat or bag. Each team assigns an artist who pulls a sheet out and draws clues for their team members to guess. They have two minutes to guess correctly or the opposing team has a chance to steal. Play up to 10 points. 

HAWAIIAN LIMBO

How low can your guests go? Using a broom or any long stick, have two people on opposite ends hold the stick up at various heights, starting from high and ending with low. Play your favorite Hawaiian music while participants try their luck at this back-bending classic.

 

No matter how big your party is or what season, you can’t go wrong with a luau. Use these ideas or search for your own to make you luau unforgettable! The Party Place has everything you need to create the perfect luau get together, and leave your guests waiting for the next one!

 

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Visit The Party Place at 1200 Waldron Road Suite 126 in Fort Smith, Arkansas right next to FFO and in Rogers, Arkansas at ADDRESS and ADDRESS. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyplacefortsmith on Twitter @partyplace_fs Instagram @yourpartyplace and Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/thepartyplace/