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Back to School Party Ideas for Your Kids

school

Perhaps your kids are devastated with summer coming to a close, and maybe you’re excited about getting the kids out of your hair for a little bit. Regardless of how you feel about the end of summer, celebrate the start of a new school year with a party for your kids. This will get them excited about starting a new school year, and it is a great way for them to make new friends and rekindle their school friendships before the homework starts rolling in.

We have three back to school party theme ideas for you, and you can decide which one speaks to you the most!

  1. Keeping it Simple

You can totally just go with a classic back to school party for a simple and effective theme. Personally, I am a sucker for the classics, so this is a great option! I love this simplistic yet adorable party from Momo Party. By doing a mini balloon arch and adding in some comically big school supplies, they’ve been able to make a simple and cute back to school party that gets right to the point. I think another aspect that makes this theme successful is by keeping the palette limited and running with the school supplies for your main form of decoration.

keeping it simple
Courtesy of Momo Party
  1. Too Cool for School

For the kids that don’t vibe with school that much, this is a great way to play it cool with them while also motivating them for the school year. Throw them a party that lets them know just how cool they really are! Lots of kids use emojis like it is their own language, so try to keep up with the latest trends to really get their approval. For this party, I imagine that one emoji with sunglasses as a focal point for decoration. Host the party with ease by including your kids’ favorite foods and activities so they feel like summer will never end!

Check out all of our emoji party products here.

emoji party
Courtesy of Rebecca’s Parties
  1. Kindergarten Kickoff

Maybe this is the first time your kid is going to big kid school! This one is a little different than the others because they are technically going to school for the first time, but it still is a fun idea! This is a great way to invite all the neighborhood kids so everyone can make friends before the first day. It can be intimidating not knowing anyone, so get that out of the way with a kindergarten kickoff.

I suggest going with primary colors and alphabet balloons to signify all the wonderful and new things your kids will be learning this year. These are some formative years, so let’s celebrate them!

kindergarten kick off
Courtesy of Satsuma Designs

Remember to tag us in all your parties @the.partyplace on Instagram!

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How to Throw an End of Summer Picnic Bash

Girls with kindergarten teacher
picnic header
Courtesy of Picnic Thyme

With the end of summer coming sooner than we want, it’s time we throw a party that will end the summer with a big bang! Picnics are one of the most summery things I can think of, and there is no better way to celebrate than with a huge picnic.

Picnics are super on-trend as well right now, and I think that there are so many great ways you can decorate for a picnic to pick any kind of vibe you’re going for. Personally, I am a huge fan of the cottage core and flowy vibe that just gives me total Secret Garden vibes. Like hello, is that not everyone’s dream to have their own dreamy picnic?

Anyways, picnics are great too because the food is easy to make since it needs to be picnic basket portable! You also can break out all the fun patterned quilt blankets your grandmother gave you 10 years ago, and they’ll be perfect!

Since we’re going for a dreamy, cottage vibe for this picnic, we should think about a color palette. Pastels, florals, and fruit are perfect to start with when planning your picnic bash.

My picks from the Party Place: these lemonade plates, fresh mint plastic cups, and these floral cupcake picks.

Also, for seating, think about different cushions you can use for extra comfort, but if you don’t have any, blankets are also perfectly fine!

picnic party

Courtesy of Dream and Party LLC

We love the way this pastel and floral setup uses both the cushions and blankets for the picnic bash.

It’s also a great way to utilize wood pallets for a tabletop to eat on, but it is not necessary to throw a good picnic. Go to your local wood supplier or home improvement store to inquire about free wood pallets for all your outdoor party needs.

You can also do something as simple as a white sheet for your picnic and really invest your time in the food and candles. For example, the photo below is a very elegant picnic party that doesn’t break the bank with lots of seating or decoration. Simply buy some dinnerware and candles and you’ll be on your way to the prettiest picnic!

picnic 2

Courtesy of TikTok

Backyard picnic bashes are also an optimal time to do an outdoor movie screening, so get those projectors out and show a classic fan-favorite film! This is the perfect time to show your kids all those great 80s classic movies like The Breakfast Club or Pretty in Pink! With a picnic bash to signify the end of the summer, the options are endless! You can customize the decorations and food to your preferences while always being able to stay within the theme. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your friends and family while doing all the trendy party themes! Maybe your kid will film a TikTok and go viral, who knows!

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Fireworks Fourth of July

independence day

Honestly, I love fireworks. Maybe it is a cliche to love fireworks on the 4th of July, but I don’t care. They are beautiful and magical, and that is all that matters to me. Anyways, I think fireworks are the epitome of the 4th of July. When I think of the 4th, besides American flags, I just think about fireworks! So, I want to talk about how to decorate for a firework-themed 4th of July party!

The Party Place has the perfect decorations for a firework party… including everything from napkins to tablescape decorations. Plus, the 4th of July is an easy party to put together. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of the outdoors and its natural beauty. All you need are a few table decorations and a photo opp area to get that patriotic pizazz!

Speaking of napkins, I just love these! They are explosive in design and color, literally! They have fireworks printed on them from edge to edge and I love it.

firework napkin

I love patterned napkins paired with solid color plates, so I would opt for red or white plates to tie in the other colors in these otherwise blue napkins. Therefore, you’re sticking within your theme, but you’re also allowing the napkins to shine since they have the firework design on them.

That being said, I am not opposed to matching patterned firework cups. These are too cute to pass up and would look great with those red plates we mentioned earlier.

Firework cup

For table decor, I would go with simple candle votives, and bigger vases or baskets filled with sparklers and confetti poppers to get that firework feeling even on the table. Pair it with a few shiny tassel accessories and it will be the cutest table set up you’ve ever seen. You could even add a few bigger confetti poppers for the older guests, such as these Patriotic Confetti Cannons.

Now, for the big guns! A patriotic balloon arch is the perfect way to be trendy, fun, and have a finished looking party without tons of work. I love this one because it has red, white, and blue balloons as well as some spectacular firework-feeling silver balloons I am obsessed with, truly.

red, white and blue balloon arch

The Party Place has every balloon imaginable so show them this photo, and they can help you find exactly what you need. I also love that this arch includes some fun patriotic garland, and The Party Place offers several different options such as the one found here.

With this, you’ll have the cutest spot to take photos this 4th of July! Oh, and don’t forget to tag us in all your photos on Instagram @the_partyplace so we can see all of your cute parties and celebrations this 4th!

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Fun in the Sun: Summer Birthday Ideas

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!

Beach theme party

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.

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.

Beach birthday cake

Courtesy of The Little Epicurean

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

Pool Jello Cups

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.

Crab sandwiches

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?

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Donut Miss This Party

donuts

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.

donut balloons

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!

donut stand

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!

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Memorial Day Bash

Memorial Day BBQ 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!

bbq cookout

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!

hot dog bar

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.

ice cream sammy

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!

wine spritzer

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!.

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Game Night Done Right

uno

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.

DIY Inspired Game Night

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!

DIY Inspired Game Night

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!

Tastefully Simple Game Night

Courtesy of Tastefully Simple

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Bubble Party! No, Not that Kind of Bubble!

Boba drinking glass

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!

Diy Boba Balloon decoration
Boba balloon
Photos Courtesy of Etsy

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.

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Bunny Brunch: An Easter Celebration!

Bunny Brunch

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.

Cinnamon Bun Palmiers
Courtesy of 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!

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St. Paddy’s Day in the (Home) Pub

St Patrick's Day 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!

  1. Metallic St. Patrick’s Day Beer and Shamrocks Banner
  2. Beer Mug Cutout Metal Hanging Sign
  3. St. Patrick’s Day Bar Decorating Kit
liquid luck
  1. St. Patrick’s Day Plastic Mini Top Hat
  2. Green and Gold St. Patrick’s Day Balloons

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?

karaoke

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!