WHERE TO HOST YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY

As a grandparent, I am of the mind-frame that you should spare no expense when it comes to your (grand)child’s birthday party.  However, with tough economic times, many families want to make sure they are planning wisely.  The first question most hosts contemplate – should I host the party at home or at a unique location?

The birthday party business has really grown.  There are a number of creative venues to choose from for a party.  Choices range from indoor inflatable arenas, beauty salons, laser tag facilities, roller or ice skating rinks, bumper cars and video game wonderlands – one of which is complete with pizza and a giant mouse.

Many children want to experience one or all of these options.  However, when you book a birthday party facility, keep one thing in mind:  Most of the kids will not be together.  Unless you book a private facility, the kids are often scattered, gathering only for cake.

As a rule of thumb, I believe that one or two of these parties are plenty in the life of a child.  The truly memorable parties are those that you host at home.  The parties are more intimate and customizable.  You have more control over the flow of the party, and your child’s level of happiness.

Next time you decide to host a party at a facility, check out www.ibirthdayparty.com. When you are ready to host a party at home or a nearby park, browse through Posh Party Box parties that range from the award winning little girls’ tea party, La Tea Da, to our educational Going Green party box.  We will work with customers to customize each party, and make it the posh party your child has always dreamed about!

EDU-PARTIES EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Now that you have decided to host a birthday party at home, there are a myriad of options.   A recent trend –– is to host an edu-party.   Posh Party Box offers many educational parties designed to entertain and inform, ranging from Dinosaur Dig and Young Naturalist to the Mad Scientist.

Much like the Overland Park Arboretum in Kansas City, Missouri, which arranges Posh Party Box parties for its guests, science museums, botanical gardens and parents alike are starting to focus on birthday parties of substance.  Whether the edu-party offers new skills, fun information or inspiring ideas, they can be a catalyst to fun and learning.

Dinosaur Dig

The Dinosaur Dig party transforms each child into a junior paleontologist. The kids learn to excavate dinosaur bones from a clay rock and assemble the skeleton for display.  For a special extra, find a local company that offers dinosaur presentations using museum-quality dinosaur, fossil and mineral specimens.

 

 

 

All About Bugs

The All about Bugs party, where the kids learn how to collect, observe, and identify different insects and plants in nature will inspire and love for nature and its many wonders.  To make the party even more unique, book an expert in reptiles, amphibians and arthropods to make a special presentation at your party.

 

 

 

 

Going Green

With saving our planet a permanently “hot” topic, the Going Greenparty is the perfect way to help kids embrace the idea!  The edu-party focuses on climate change, energy conservation and recycling. The kids will love the party favors and activities -- from the going green cap to the seed paper invitations that can be planted into the ground to grow wildflowers!

 

 

 

Interested in participating in a Posh Party Box party at a science center, museum or arboretum in your area? Be sure to mention our name! We hope to be at a location near you soon.  For our Kansas City fans, book your next birthday party at Overland Park Arboretum!

SUMMER PARTY GADGETS

Movie Projector: ($130; www.sharperimage.com)

Take your films alfresco with this Sharper Image projector. With the built-in volume control, pivoting stand, and illuminated control panel, you won't have to be an IT Club alumna to operate it.

USA Illuminated Flag ($79.95; www.brookstone.com)

The United States Flag Code tells us that you can display the flag during the hours of darkness, as long as it is properly illuminated. Now you can display your flag proudly 24 hours a day with a wireless, flexible gooseneck solar light. It mounts easily on any flagpole up to 3" diameter. Water-resistant aluminum and stainless-steel light also comes with hardware that allows you to attach it to a porch, deck, wall or front door.

Color Changing Sprinklers ($30.95; www.amazon.com)

Sprinklers are always great fun, sure they have their practical uses, but that’s not where their usefulness ends.  On a treacherously hot day you can always go out with the kids and play in the sprinkler, should you not be blessed with a nearby pool.  Of course these sprinklers add a little more fun to the mix, these have bright lights that will change colors throughout the night.

HOW TO HOST A WINE TASTING PARTY

As American’s fascination with wine grows, wine tasting parties have become popular year round!  Whether you host a casual wine tasting or a more serious affair, your guests will leave with new-found knowledge and a better sense of their wine flavor preferences.

Once you’ve made the decision to host a wine tasting party, let the weather and mood help you determine what sort of celebration to plan. For the summertime, lighter wines are best. For cooler months, you can focus on heavier varieties. Are you interested in a casual, fun wine tasting or something more formal and educational?

Once you’ve determined your guest list and theme, send out invitations with details as to whether or not guests should bring wine, and what the parameters are.

The theme usually sets the tone. Here are some themes from which to choose:

• Formal or Casual: A formal wine tasting mirrors a wine room tasting experience as much as possible, from tasting notes to dump buckets.  Casual can be more relaxed.
• Vertical: Focus on one wine varietal – like cab or merlot – from the same producer from several vintages (years).
• Horizontal: Focus on a wine varietal from a single year but from multiple producers.
• Blind Tasting: Bag all the wines so that there is no preconceived notions as to what to expect. If the guests are more knowledgeable, you can take it a step further and ask guests to correctly identify varietal, vintage, appellation (area where wine is grown), etc. Have prizes handy!
• Price Point: Select a wine theme and then let guests know what the price range is.

Remember, when you host the wine tasting, you will need to provide some guidance to guests.

Ask guests to look, swirl, smell and taste the wine and, afterwards, to fill in their tasting cards. If you are unfamiliar with wine tasting, research it on the Internet before hosting your party.  Or, if your budget allows, consider hiring a sommelier!

If the tasting is during meal time be sure to serve a light meal before the tasting, or perhaps appetizers that match with wines being tasted throughout. Dessert at the end of the tasting is a nice touch.

Remember, safety first! When you serve alcohol, designate drivers or call your guests taxi cabs.

Cheers!