Party of the Month: Winter Olympics Party

The Winter Olympics is almost here... time to get ready for an awesome Opening Ceremonies Viewing Party!! Below are some ideas to make a great evening... and be sure to check out my Winter Olympics invitations on my etsy shop -- personalized for your event. I have either a Set of Printed Winter Olympic Party Invitations or Digital Winter Olympic Invitation if you'd prefer to print yourself or send in email! Now on to the ideas...

THE DECORATIONS

Photo Courtesy of HGTV's 2007 Dream Home in Colorado

Give your Space that Cozy Lodge Feel with International Flair

Create your own opening ceremony parade by lining your walls with flags from several nations. No hallway? Hang the flags all around your TV room. There are plenty of places to buy flags online, or to save some money, just pick up a pack of construction paper and make your own. Fortunately, most countries have pretty simple flag designs to recreate!

Flags are great decoration, but also play up on the winter theme by accessorizing your TV room with a winter lodge feel– snowflakes on the windows, cozy throw blankets, candles or a nice warm file will do the trick!

FOOD & DRINK

Photo courtesy of mydinnertable.typepad.com

In keeping with the winter theme, yet having the menu simple for eating in from of the TV, serve some hearty beef stew in mugs. Add a plate or two of cut up veggies, crackers and cheese, and you’re set! If you’re up for it - along with the stew, set up a simple cheese fondue dish. Fondue is such a great winter treat! Have a bowl handy next to the fondue with cut up bread pieces. Many stores now sell pre-made cheese fondue packs, to make it even easier for you!

As for drinks, for the adults, how about an assortment of international beers, or a few bottles of wines from all over. For kids, you can repeat this theme by finding a few different sodas or juices from different countries. Try a store like Cost Plus World Market for a selection of both adult and children beverages.

ART & CRAFT IDEAS

Having kids over to enjoy the games? Pull out a small card table and let them create their own olympic medals. Depending on the age, precut some 3” circles in white cardstock. Punch a hole in the top and lay some red, white or blue ribbon out so they can string them once they are done. Now all you need is a few crayons or markers and let your kids’ imagination soar!

GAME IDEAS

Sometimes folks may need to get a little energy out during all those commercial breaks. Have some games ready to play when the time is right.

Live in snow country? How about a sledding race... or have a snowball contest. Who can throw the farthest? Who can throw with the best panache?

Live in a snowless place? No problem. have a fun skiing relay race. Get out some of your ski gear - 2 hats, 2 pairs of mittens, 2 goggles, 2 jackets, 2 scarves, etc. Set up 2 teams, with one set of clothes for each. Now each team races against each other. The catch-- each participant must put on all the ski gear, run to the next participant, take it all off, and give it to them to put on! Make sure to take pictures of the fun!

ENTERTAINMENT IDEAS

This one is easy -- obviously the entertainment is watching the Olympics on TV. Here's a link to the Winter Olympics Official Website: www.vancouver2010.com.

TREATS & GOODIE BAG IDEAS

To round out the winter theme, serve some tasty hot cocoa and a few chewy brownies. Make sure to include an assortment of “condiments” for your hot cocoa – mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, whipped cream, and colored sugar sprinkles are always festive.

Photo courtesy of blog.thebrideandgroom.com -

Read their full post about a Hot Cocoa Bar!

A goodie bag isn’t necessary, but if you’d like to give a gift, here’s a great book, “The Complete Book of the Winter Olympics, 2010 Edition, by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky.

It is filled with Winter Olympic facts any enthusiast would love!

-----------------------------

Hope you enjoyed these ideas! Have a great party!

Party of the Month: Sugarplum Holiday Dessert Party

I have so many party ideas, that I thought I'd create a monthly blog post called "Party of the Month". Each month I'll be highlighting a bnute productions party kit, and giving ideas for decorations, food, arts and crafts, entertainment, goodie bags and more! I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas as well, so make sure to comment!

The Party - December 2009

Sugarplum Holiday Dessert Party

Whether it be a holiday dessert party or just a holiday sugarfest, your guests will love this party theme. bnute productions offers all the basics you'll need, invitations, banners and more... but below are more ideas to make this a sweet holiday gathering!

Decoration Ideas

Besides a festive personalized Sugarplum Banner, to make this party sparkle, you'll need to create a candy fairy land. Keep your main color palette simple by using lots of turquoise, reds and whites, then add accents here and there of other bright candy colors. Online many candy decorations can be found (i.e., lifesaver garland, large candies, oversized candy canes), but here are some simple directions below to making your own large lollipops like pictured above.

Large Lollipops

An old wrapping paper tube, some color poster board, a ribbon, some glitter and clear cellophane is all you need to make a sparkling oversized lollipop or two. Cut 2 circles from the colored poster board. Add glitter and decorations if desired. Tape or glue each circle to either side of the top end of the wrapping paper tube. Now wrap the lollipop with cellophane and tie with a ribbon.

More Decoration Ideas

With the extra color poster board, make large candy shapes (peppermints, gumdrops, etc.) and add lots of glitter. Then punch a hole in the top, string and hang from the ceiling. Make sure to also scatter filled candy jars throughout the house for easy access to nibbling!

For more Candy Decoration How-To's, see:

HGTV Hard Candy Decorations

How to Make Giant Candy Decoration Ideas

Food & Drink Ideas

The menu for A Sugarplum Dessert Party is a pretty simple... just serve lots and lots of yummy holiday desserts-- cookies, fudge, brownies, cakes, etc. Don't forget to make sure there is lots of jars full of candies too-- chocolates, gumdrops, peppermints, and ribbon candy too! For drinks, offer some hot cocoa, flavored milks (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla), and coffee. Don't forget eggnog-- this is the best (and only) time of year to indulge in this creamy drink!

Art & Craft Ideas

Candy Garland Project

Yes, you can buy candy garland, but why not set up a table and have folks make their own... Making candy garland is simple. Buy several bags of peppermints or candies that have wrappers. Simply staple the wrappers end to end... or for a bit more festivity, tie the ends of 2 candies with ribbon.

Make it easy for your guests and have baskets filled with candies (one color per basket) as well as set out a basket of pre-cut ribbon. The ribbons should be cut to approximately 7" long.

Game Ideas

Candyland

Of course you have to had a Candyland board game set up... Why not a couple games set out.... it's great for kids, and nostalgic for folks who haven't played it in awhile!

Hansel and Gretel Hunt

Another idea... lay out a trail of candy, and at the end, have a prize. You could lay out several trails, each trail using a different candy. Depending on the kids ages, make the trails difficult by making the kids hunt for the candies along the way.

Treats & Goodie Bags

Well, this party is one big treat to begin with, so further explanation isn't necessary... but for a goodie bag, why not give each guest a small cellophane bag, and have them gather candies from your assorted jars around the house to take home.

Another idea... how about a book for each child. "Twas the Night Before Christmas" would be a perfect fit, given the Sugarplum reference in the poem!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Enjoy these ideas, and have a sweet and wonderful party!