Source: Better Homes and Gardens 
The candies at the bottom add color and texture beneath the frosted fish.
FishBowl Cake - Great for Mermaid and Under the Sea Parties!
Unique Centerpiece Ideas
Use a pedestal-style cake platter as a centerpiece to display a combination of flowers and fruits. For example, pears and apples blend beautifully with a mixture of white flowers. Around the base of the pedestal, tie a flowing streamer of gossamer or wired organza ribbon. The fruit can easily be added with toothpicks to a block, cone, or sphere of floral foam.
Place tall topiaries in hand-painted or sponged flowerpots. Fill the topiaries with sugared or fresh fruit, dried or wild flowers, or lemon leaves. Twist gossamer streamers from the top of the topiary to the base, and allow the streamers to flow 10-15″ down the table. Fill crystal or glass bowls with colorful glass ornaments to match your wedding colors. Place the bowl on a bed or shredded paper or confetti in complementary colors. (Read on …)
Backwards Party Theme Ideas
A great theme for children 4 and up…
Make your own Thank You Notes (as Invitations) using nice card stock paper and either markers or your computer and printer. Write the party information backwards! Your guests will have to hold the invitation up to a mirror to read it and be sure to let them know to wear their clothes backwards! The birthday child will want to be sure to wear his/her clothes backwards too.
Greet your Guests at the door with “Goodbye, thanks for coming” Instead of thank you Notes, send out the “Invitations”.
Decorating with Gossamer
Gossamer (Gossamer Fabric) is an extremely light, non-woven “fabric” that is used to create wonderful ceilings and walls, to create amazing bows, and to wrap with. Gossamer drapes and swags beautifully and is a decorating must-have for creating a number of different stunning looks. Gossamer comes in a wide array of colors, patterns, and metallics, and in widths and lengths to suit any party decorating need!
Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
Chocolate Pecan Pie
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups pecan halves
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell, homemade or frozen
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a double boiler melt chocolate and margarine. Let cool slightly. Beat eggs lightly in medium bowl. Add sugar, corn syrup, chocolate mixture, and vanilla; stir until well blended. Mix in pecans.
Set pie shell on heavy-duty baking sheet and pour in filling. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until knife inserted midway between center and rim comes out clean.
Cool pie on wire rack to room temperature before cutting.
Save Money on Black Friday!
It seems everyone will be shopping this Friday. The malls and stores will be packed. Sales will be huge. Will you be there? Or are you like me and you prefer to do your gift shopping online?
The stores are geared up for their big sales just in time to save you money on your holiday gift shopping. So, why not do it from home, in your PJs, while eating a leftover Turkey sandwich?
We have put together a huge list of stores offering free shipping, discounts and even free gifts with purchase - you WILL save money with your holiday shopping this year… without fighting the huge crowds!
Visit our Coupon and Black Friday sales page - Click here!
Happy Shopping… and saving!
Kim
ReasonToParty
Because Every Day is a Reason To Party!
Great Holiday Beverages
Eggnog
Cranberry Cocktail- cranberry juice mixed with sprite and/or vodka. (Add a swizzle stick filled with fresh cranberries as garnish.)
Hot Chocolate - serve with peppermint stick or candy cane swizzle sticks and whipped cream topping
Hot buttered rum - 1 jigger of rum, 1-tsp. sugar, 1/2-cup butter, and 4 cloves. Fill mugs with boiling water, add other ingredients, and a cinnamon stick swizzle.
Mimosas - Champagne and fresh orange juice. Pour over crushed ice.
Wassail - a Christmas tradition for many
Warm apple cider - even more festive if you and your family pick it up from a local farm together.
Coffee Bar - set out a few flavored liqueurs, brandy, whipped cream, or grated chocolate
Holiday Punch - non-alcoholic so all guests can enjoy. Consider making an ice ring with fruit added for color (or use any festive holiday mold) to add to the punch bowl.
Serve your family’s favorite drinks in cheerful holiday glassware!
Basics of Planning a Child’s Party
The Numbers Game
A good guide to the number of guests is the age of the child, i.e. ten guests for a ten year old. In terms of helpers, aim for a children-to-adult ratio of 4:1 for children under five. One adult to every seven for children six to ten years of age. Once they’re over this age, they’ll want far less adult involvement.
Sending out the invitations
Personalized invitations are great fun to make and allow the host to get involved from the start. If you don’t already have a greetings card package on your PC, you can find a number of great greeting card sites online, including HP’s print project site where there are invitations ready to be printed. As well as showing the time and date of the party, you’ll need to include your address (or the party venue, if different), details of any special themes such as fancy dress and, perhaps most important of all, the time at which you’d like parents to collect their little darlings.
Party Planning Timetable
4 weeks ahead of your party
Work with the guest of honor and decide on a theme
Make a guest list.
Decide on a date and time for your party.
Order your party supplies, decorations, favors, piñatas, and activities.
Book entertainment, rent party room, etc.