Celebrate the Magic with a Chronicles of Narnia Party

The Chronicles of Narnia are a huge series with kids and teens and with the latest installment in the movie series due out this May, a Chronicles of Narnia Party is sure to be a hit with the younger crowd.

After selecting this theme for your party, choose a slogan to use in your invitations and to use in tying in decorations and favors to your Narnia™ theme.  Try one of the following, or brainstorm with the birthday boy or girl to come up with the perfect slogan for your party:
• ”Enter the Wardrobe…for Madison’s magical Chronicles of Narnia Party!”
• “Some journeys take us far from home…journey to Robb’s birthday party for an icy adventure!”
• “Some adventures lead us to our destiny…and you are destined to party with Taylor!”
• ”Join us as we save Narnia from perpetual darkness…and celebrate Audrey’s birthday!”

Invitations:

Choose the following invitation to let your young guests know that this party will be filled with awe-inspiring fun:
• The movie The Chronicles of Narnia is based on the beloved masterpiece book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, written by C.S. Lewis.  A licensed pattern of party goods for The Chronicles of Narnia is not available yet, but we absolutely love this theme, and believe that many of you will also.  Rather than wait to celebrate Narnia style, we are presenting our Let It Snow Ensemble to use with this theme.  The ensemble contains an invite that is perfect for a party that will take place in a frozen forest in the midst of a hundred years of winter.
• Be sure that the invitation notes that kids should “enter the wardrobe” at the address where the invitation specifies the location of the party. 

Decorating Ideas for a School Reunion

Planning a reunion is an involved task. It takes a great deal of time to locate all your old classmates who have scattered across the globe. Once everyone is assembled though, the hard work pays off. It is fun to reminisce about the old days and catch-up with one another.

Decorating for the big night doesn’t need to be too involved. Remember that everyone is back to see each other, not some decorations. Why not give the reunion team a reminder of the past?
Decorating Ideas:
• Have old pictures from the yearbook blown up to poster size. Mount them on cardboard or foam core and place them around the room. Many copy stores can blow-up black and white and color photos to 11″x17″.
• Take old pictures, sections of the senior pictures from the yearbook work well, and photo copy them. Laminate them and use them for placemats.
• Decorate the room similar to the decorations used at the Senior Prom. Although decorating for the prom probably took a lot of time and energy, for the reunion, scale it down. If your theme was Stairway to Heaven, rent a set of stairs, cover them in white, and place snow batting or clouds at the base. Post a large sign with the theme – Stairway to Heaven.
• Decorate the tables with products from the past. If it is your 20th reunion, select items popular when you were in school. Buttons from political elections, magazines, books, records, you name it, it will get people talking of the good old days.

Activity Ideas:
• If your class voted on each other during the senior year – review the votes and see how everyone faired. Look at Most Likely to Succeed, Most likely to have 20 Kids, etc. If you sense this would hurt someone’s feelings, leave certain votes out. The goal is to have fun, not to make someone feel self-conscious.
• Make charts of the places people have lived since school, the jobs they have held, or the number of children they have.
• Look up old teachers and find out what they are doing. Have guests guess what the teachers are doing now. How many years did they teach? How old are they now?

Decorations for a Baptism Party to Remember

A Baptism is a special time for your family and friends. Celebrate the big event with a party or get-together to recognize the milestone in your loved one’s life.

Start the party by sending out personalized invitations. These cards create a simple, elegant welcome to your event and make great keepsakes. For a baptism party we suggest classic designs like the Imperial Invitation. You can add your own custom wording to the monochrome invitation accented with gold or silver framing and curl of curling ribbon. Don’t forget formal RSVP cards and Thank You Notes.

Use personalized banners to welcome guests to the party or to congratulate the newly-baptized. These vinyl banners are printed on heavy-duty, weather-resistant vinyl and are available in seven different sizes to fit your decorating needs. For this party we suggest the Religious Personalized Banner. You can add your own text to the simple banner printed with a cross logo on it. A Personal Memories Mural is also a great idea for decorating. You can cover an entire wall with a photo from your loved one’s life and add your own wording too.

Decorations for you Baptism party don’t need to be anything extravagant, but some simply lovely decorations will make your party look like the special event it is. Dress up countertops, railings, and doorways with simple garland such as the ivy with roses garland or the pothos garland. For a more sparkling look, try holographic streamers or plastic star bead garland. Hang Streamin’ Swirls from the ceiling or chase lights for a soft glow.

If you’re looking for a bigger shindig, try focal points such as the Classic Fountain or a Premier Chandelier made from gossamer, balloons and twinkle lights. These simple, but large decorations create a stunning setting for your party that isn’t too over the top.

Don’t underestimate the decorating power of balloons. These classic party decorations are great for filling out your other décor. Plus, kids love them. Create balloon bunches of odd numbers and secure them with curling ribbon and balloon weights. Add them to tables, doorways and other areas.

Make your tables a beautiful place to share snacks or a meal with your guests. Use simple centerpieces such as a bronze candelabra or a gazebo candleholder and accent the table with stars and swirls confetti or silk rose petals. Serve your party snacks on plastic tableware in solid coordinating colors. There’s even matching cutlery. Finally, top it off with personalized napkins. You can add your own logo and wording embossed on luncheon or beverage napkins for a fantastic personal touch.

Tell us your Baptism party ideas!

Timetable for Planning a Fantastic Summer Fun Party

Stay organized and prepared with the planning timetable below! You can even print out the list and check off each item as you finish it.

3-4 Weeks Before The Party
• Set budget
• Rent tables and chairs
• Arrange for any special help
• Make a list of your basic supplies and needs
• Send out invitations
• Decide on theme and order decorations

2-3 Weeks Before The Party
• Plan your menu
• Prepare food ahead of time, if possible, and freeze
• Purchase favors and tableware
• Choose music
• Order any flowers
• Determine your event schedule for activities (games, mingling, food) - always have a few extra ideas in your bag

1 week Before The Party
• Finalize the headcount, but be flexible that it may change
• Purchase beverages
• Check camera equipment and purchase film

2-3 Days Before The Party
• Confirm all arrangements
• Purchase any fresh food
• Give helpers a specific task from your list
• Arrange your serving trays and dishes
• Arrange favors
• Decide on what you will wear!
1 Day Before The Party
• Decorate!
• Complete food preparation and pick up ordered food items
• Set tables
• Make room for coats and purses
• Purchase ice

The Day Of The Party
• Put out any outdoor decorations
• Set out bowls of candy and nuts
• Give last-minute instructions to helpers
• Set up the bar
• Prepare any last-minute food
• Put your camera out so you are sure to capture the memories
• Start the music, light candles, set the mood
• Get ready for the event – a bath, glass of wine, exercise – whatever gets you in the right mood
• Relax and enjoy the party!