Ideas To Decorate Using Hawaiin Leis

Hawaiin leis are given and received as a symbol of friendship making them the perfect accessory for any themed party. Leis are available in an assortment of many beautiful colors and flowers making them perfect for creating an authentic tropical luau, but you can also add them to your birthday party, fiesta, anywhere you want a "lei'd back" atmosphere.

Leis are worn to adorn and beautify the wearer but they can also be used to decorate a room ...

• Use them as a centerpiece or scattered around a table.
• Hang them from a door handle or a chandelier.
• Lei flower garlands look great when hung from the ceiling or doorway.
• Hang them from a banister.

Picnic Tableware & Decoration Ideas

Time for a Picnic!

With summer almost here it's time for a picnic. Have it in your backyard, at the park, the pool, the beach, or in the mountains. Here are some ideas for picnic tableware and decorations.

There are a lot of bright and cheery summer time patterns to choose from so choose your theme and go from there.

• Watermelon
• Red and white or blue and white gingham
• Patriotic
• Beach theme
• Pool party
• Luau

Once you've picked your theme choose matching solid color tableware to mix and match napkins and plates.

For the table...

• Use tableclips to hold the tablecover down in case of wind.
• Use a fun centerpiece to match your theme like balloons.
• Line your picnic basket with matching napkins.
• Sprinkle little plastic ants around the table.
• Use matching hard plastic bowls to serve the food

Fun outdoor activities...

• water balloon toss
• treasure hunt
• limbo

Outdoor decorations...

• Lanterns
• Electric lights
• Yard signs and banners

Cello Gift Bags!

You know how you often need just a little gift to give to someone to let them know that you are thinking about them? I like to keep clear cello bags on hand with ribbon and shreds in a few matching colors, so that no matter what comes up I can wrap a quick gift. It's a great way to package fresh baked cookies or homemade candy. Or how about a bag of brightly colored gum balls or gummi bears? Just put some paper shreds in the bottom of the bag,(or not, some things are colorful enough on their own), fill and tie with matching sheer ribbon or a ribbon and wraphia bow.

Another way to "jazz up" your little package even more is to add some metallic decorative garland to your bow. This is a wire garland that comes in pretty colors with stars on it. It looks great twisted around the bag where you tie your bow and then wrap the ends of the wire around your finger to make little "curly-q's".

Baby Shower Tableware Ideas

Baby Shower Tableware

When setting a table for a baby shower I like to first decide the way the meal or appetizers will be served. Sometimes I like my guests to sit down together around the table to eat. But sometimes it's easier to do it buffet style so guests are free to walk around and socialize..

BUFFET STYLE

Here are some tips for a buffet style baby shower setting...

• Choose the colors and theme of your baby shower.
• Choose the space like a counter top or table top to decorate and serve your food from.
• Decide which color or colors you would like as your base or tablecover. You could use placemats, doiles, a tablecover or all three.
• Now decide the order you would like things layed out for guests to gather their plates, cutlery, cups, napkins and food.
• Then place your centerpiece in a place that doesn't interfere with the food and tableware. I like to use balloons tied to a balloon weight as a centerpiece that way the centerpiece won't take up too much room on the table and you'll have more room for the yummy food!
• When laying out the food and tableware it looks great to put things at different heights. For example... Put the stack of napkins on a plastic pedestal tray then the plates on a taller pedestal etc.
• Sprinkle baby shower confetti all over the table (do this before you put the food out so it doesn't get on the food).

TABLE SETTING FOR GUESTS TO DINE TOGETHER

I like to do things basically the same as the buffet style table but it will be a little different because your place settings will need to be put exactly where you want people to sit. Here are some tips and ideas...

• Use paper placemats in your color theme.
• Use cute baby shower place card holders.
• Place a baby shower favor at each place setting. Clear plastic booties or bottles make great candy holders for favors. Tulle favor bags are also perfect.
• Layer the plates at each table. Place a larger, solid colored plate underneath a 7" or 9" patterned plate.
• Put napkins inside of the cups with the napkin showing at the top.
• Don't forget a matching tableskirt!

Soccer Banquet

Soccer season winding down and its time for a banquet? Here are some ideas for decorating to make your banquet special and full of team spirit!

Most of my "soccer decorating" has been done for the high school, end of season soccer banquet, so I'll share some ideas of things that I've done.

A centerpiece idea that I have used is to start with a paper place mat in one of the school colors, use a pair of soccer cleats (de-mudded and free of grass is best! and actually little boy or girl cleats look good too), some of Zurchers pom poms in the school colors, balloons, and there you go! Just arrange the cleats in the center of the place mat (maybe with the heel of one propped up on the center of the other), stick the pom poms in underneath or arranged so that one kind of flows over part of the cleat), attach a bouquet of 3-5 balloons to the place mat under the cleats, or use a matching balloon weight. ( when adjusting the height of the balloons, keep them high enough to be out of peoples line of vision when sitting at the table, but not so high that they don't seem apart of the centerpiece).

I find it easier to rent a helium tank and fill the balloons on site, rather than transporting lots of balloons. Just have your ribbons all cut and ready to attach to the balloons as you fill them. (someone at Zurchers will be happy to show you how to do the "special balloon slip knot"!)

You can add to the decor of the tables by sprinkling metallic confetti in dots or stars around the centerpiece. Foil wrapped chocolate soccer balls can be placed in a plastic "soccer ball" bowl and put on each table, or scatter them with the confetti.

Balloon bouquets in the team colors are great for the awards table and anchored to the floor near the podium.

Hanging foil stars from the ceiling is also a great way to celebrate your "star" soccer team! Use the team colors in varing sizes.

Use solid color tableware and tablecovers in team colors or mix and match with Zurchers "soccer" themed tableware.

I bet with these ideas to get you started and you adding your own personal touch, your soccer banquet decorations will look so good, you'll be asked to do the decorations year after year! (I guess that's a good thing?!?)

These decorating ideas are also great for a soccer player's birthday party. Zurchers has soccer-themed invitations and birthday banners, stickers and favors (including buttermints in wrappers with soccerballs on them), and stickers for loot bags.

Don't forget noisemakers for the playoff games!! Zurchers has cowbells, airhorns, hand clappers and noisemakers sticks. Use them to show your team spirit!

Mexican Fiesta Party Ideas

FIESTA FIESTA!!! A great way to learn about the Mexican culture and party like the best is to throw a Mexican Fiesta! Fiestas are known as the most colorful and exciting parties around so DO IT UP BIG! Here are some ideas...

FLAGS

• 3x5' flags
• 4x6" flags
• Decorate using the colors of the Mexican flag. Red, Green, and White.

CREPE PAPER STREAMERS

• Hang bright and colorful crepe paper streamers from banisters, doorways, chandeleirs, and the ceiling.
• Use red, white, and green crepe paper streamers if you're sticking with the flag colors.

PINATAS

• donkey
• bull
• chili pepper
• star
• sombrero
• cactus
• don't forget a pinata bat and eye mask

BALLOONS

• Use bright colors.
• Use Mexican flag colors... red, green, white.

PATTERNED TABLEWARE

• Serape
• Fiesta Fun
• Fiesta Stripe
• Fiesta Chili Peppers

SOLID COLORED TABLEWARE

• Use solid colored tableware to match the patterned tableware.
• Choose your favorite bright colored tableware to make your own color scheme.
• Use red, white and green solid colored tableware to match the Mexican flag.

ACCESSORIES FOR DECORATING

• chili pepper indoor\outdoor electric lights
• garlands
• centerpieces
• banners
• scene setters

GAMES

• Pinatas
• Pin the Tail on the Donkey

FAVORS

• maracas
• chili pepper shaped votive candles
• sombreros
• fiesta shot glasses

WEARABLES

• sombreros
• grass skirts
• chili pepper necklaces
• mustaches
• wigs
• hair flowers

Scene Setters

What exactly IS a scene setter? Only the VERY BEST way to deck out your party! Make it authentic using Scene Setters! Scene Setters are decorated vinyl made to hang flat on a bare wall. They are available in almost every party theme...

• Luau
• Casino/poker night
• Western
• Fiesta
• Patriotic
• Disco
• 50/60's party
• Disney's Cars
• Disney Princesses
• Mardi Gras
• Hollywood

Scene setters are available in 3 different sizes and are made to overlap each other to get the look you want.

STEPS TO USING SCENE SETTERS

1. Choose your party theme

2. Choose the space you will be decorating.

gymnasium

school classroom

garage

any large room with blank walls to cover

3. ROOM ROLLS 4'x50' roll made to hang first. Just hang the room roll around the room as flat as possible. Looks best from the ground up.

4. GIANT DECORATIONS includes two giant 3"x5" decorations. Hang these in the desired area over the room roll.

5. BORDER ROLLS 18"X50' border roll used to hang at the base or the top of the room roll for a finished look.

WOW!!! You are finished! AND it looks AMAZING!

tips: make sure to lay the scene setters on the wall as flat and straight as possible and secure them tightly using staples or tape. you can also cut out the giant decorations so you can't see the clear plastic surrounding the decoration.

Simply a Simple Birthday Party

I'm going to give you party tips and ideas as I live my life and come accross parties and celebrations. Some of my ideas I've tried, while others are just new ideas that I want to share with you. Then there's always the parties I attend where I had nothing to do with the planning but I'll be happy to share with you other people's ideas cuz, hey, I'll admit, other people know what they're doing too!

Today I'm planning my mom's 50th birthday. Unfortunately my mom is out of town BUT that won't stop me from making it special when she returns. I've chosen not to do anything big I mean the guest list will consist of just immediate family since she's arriving late in the evening. We'll just have a light dessert like cupcakes.

I had a personalized banner made for her in her favorite colors lime green and aqua blue. I decided to stick with that color scheme since it's A. perfect for spring and B. She'll be thrilled! So the banner will be hung on the front of the house for all to see that she's 50 (hopefully I won't get in trouble for this one hehe).

I chose blue, green and yellow butterfly mylars and will put them in bouquets with matching colors to put on the porch near the banner and on the mailbox to catch passerby's attention. YEP, everyone will know she's getting up there in age.

Yellow dragonly printed luminaires will line the path to the front door to create a magical, warm spring mood.

Big blue, lime green, and yellow lanterns will be hung along the porch.

I just know she's going to love this birthday even in it's simplicity.

Choose Balloons! Decorating, Gift Giving etc.

A few of my favorite things... Balloons, balloons, balloons! Why? Cuz a party isn't a party without the balloons. BUT, balloons aren't JUST for parties. I like to give them as gifts, congratulations, get well wishes, thank yous, or just to brighten someone's day. You can't get more BRIGHT than a balloon bouquet.

DECORATE WITH BALLOONS

• Balloon arches
• Balloon bouquets...

- Centerpieces for weddings, birthdays, ANY event or just for fun!

- Tape or secure them to the ends of a stage

- Tape or secure a huge bouquet to the floor in an entry way

or anywhere.

• Float them in a pool using just air.

Balloons can be elegant or fun but, one thing is always certain they are sure to brighten any occasion and everyone's mood.

GIFT GIVING...

• Congratulations

-arrival of a brand new baby tip: you can't take latex balloons into the hospital, just mylar

- a new job or promotion

- anniversaries

• Birthday

- childs birthday

- adult birthday

• Goodbye
• Retirement
• Thank you
• Get well
• Good luck
• You're appreciated
• To cheer you

BALLOONS VS. FLOWERS

Why balloons are better (in my opinion of course)...

• NO water required.
• Balloons make a statement and show your personal style. You can't miss a bouquet of balloons when trying to find the birthday party at a restaurant.
• Flowers usually wilt and die quickly but, mylar balloons, or latex balloons with hi float, can last much longer.
• Balloons are usually much less expensive.
• Balloons add much more color cuz they're BIGGER!
• Balloons take up more space so it's easier to get the look you want with less.

Ideas To Add Detail To Your Tablesetting

So, you've picked out your party theme and color scheme. How bout some finishing touches for your tablesetting?! Here are some ideas ...

• Layer plates by placing a small patterned 7" plate on top of a solid colored 9" or 10" plate. This adds color and really makes the top plate stand out.
• Unfold a napkin and bunch it up to put inside a cup. This is done by gathering up the once folded end so that the top fluffs out like a flower. Then place the bottom in the cup so fluffed part of the napkin is coming out of the top of the cup.
• Use paper placemats. Placemats also help to add color and make the place setting stand out.
• Did you remember a centerpiece? I love to use balloons as my centerpiece. Just make sure they are tied high enough so that guests can still see each other and chat across the table.

Types of Tableware

• Baby Shower Tableware
• Theme Party Tableware
• Solid Color Tableware
• Clear Tableware
  

Graduation Luau Party

It's graduation time and with the weather so nice I really think a luau is a MUST for the graduation party. Have the party at a pool and invite your friends and everyone you know (cuz they all want to celebrate and congratulate you cuz, well YOU DESERVE IT). Or have the party in the back yard.

LUAU PARTY IDEAS

• Line the driveway or path to the party with tiki torches or luminaires

• Float flowers in the pool

• Decorate the serving table with a bright, luau pattern. Then add luau centerpieces like shells or candles. Balloons always make a great centerpiece.

• Make sure every guest gets a lei and don't forget the grass skirts!

• Hang lanterns all over.

• What's a luau without the Limbo Game. Don't forget the Limbo music!

Authentic luau music will set the mood for FUN!

Your party will be the kick off for the summer so make it BIG!

Personalized Graduation Banner

Custom Graduation Banners!!

What better way to congratulate your graduate than with a personalized banner. I use outdoor vinyl so I can hang the banner outside from a porch or garage door for all to see! Make it HUGE! Glossy paper can also be used for banners to hang indoors.

Indoor banners start at $16.97. Add a picture of the graduate or a logo for just $9.97.

Have your banner decorated with the graduates school colors. Add a graduation cap or diploma. Stars look great too! CONGRATS GRADUATE!!!

*Different Zurchers locations carry different banner makers. Contact me for the above listed banner ideas.

Tips and Ideas For Decorating With Tulle

Tulle brings a soft, elegant feel to any party.

Comes in three sizes...
10 yds x 54" - (avail. in pink, blue, white, ivory) Use to drape around a doorway. Tie around the back of chairs to make a big bow in back.
Hang or drape it from the ceiling. Tie to banisters to make a bunting look.

9" tulle circles - Use for favors at any party. Place candy in the middle then tie a bow using ribbon to tie it in place.


6" x 25 yds tulle spools - Tie bows on a chandelier or banister. Use to tie around a gift. Drape from chandeliers.

Extravagant Baby Showers At A Low Cost

Welcome the brand new baby boy or girl in style!

Start with a personalized printed shower invitation.

Hint: When choosing an invitation for a baby or bridal shower I also look at wedding invitations because sometimes the colors I'm looking for are on a wedding invitation.


Lately I've been going with the latest trend "brown". The color brown is perfect for baby showers when used with pink OR blue. For example I like to use either pink or blue polka dot napkins and plates with a brown tablecover.

I love to use tulle whenever possible. A large spool 10 yds x 54" is great to drape frome doorways or to tie a big bow around the back of a chair. Use the smaller tulle spools to tie bows on the banister. Tulle circles can be used for favors.

Great favor ideas..
Make a candy favor using clear fillable baby bottles. Then tie a bow around the top of each with simply sheer ribbon.
Tulle 9" circles are also great to fill with candy. Just wrap the tulle around the candy and tie a bow with simply sheer ribbon.
3x4" favor pouches make a great favor holder.

Games...
Baby Shower Bingo
Baby Trivia...cards with questions to break the ice at any baby shower.
Baby Shower Game Books... contain all you need to to get your baby shower off to a fast and funny start!