Fun To Be One- Cake Ideas!!!

His mommy made this Baby's 1st Birthday a party to remember by using two Wilton round cake pans, two different sizes of cupcake pans and cupcake holders. She cooked the cakes then added the Wilton frosting and decor. She added some cute little candies from the grocery store for the caterpillars eyes and mouth.

Talk about cute!!! I was able to attend this baby boy's fete and what a celebration!! The best part... watching him ATTEMPT to eat all of the yummy cakes! And of course indulging myself ;)

There were bright, lime green chinese take out boxes for guests to take a cupcake home on the way out. She had thought of everything even a personalized banner with the baby's name and First Birthday in the exact bright colors of the party.

How To Brighten A Black And White Party

Spice your party up by adding accents of bright colors to a black and white pattern tableware. So you have your heart set on a black and white pattern but are worried it will be too boring?! You can still use that pattern by adding some solid color tableware.

Color choices... Just about anything bright and cheery...

Apple Red
Orange Peel
Sunshine Yellow
Bright Pink
Lime Green
Carribean Blue
Royal Blue
New Purple

All of these colors look great with black and white by themselves or mix it up by using a combination of color such as Sunshine Yellow, Orange Peel, and Apple Red to make it extra colorful.

Pirate Pinatas

Ahoy Matey!!

Having a pirate party? Why not add a pinata to make your party more festive and fun?! At Zurchers we carry several different pirate pinatas that go along with the pirate theme. Why not choose one or one of each to enhance your decorating and add fun, entertainment and excitement to your party?!?

Fill your pinatas with all kinds of pirate booty..."gold" coins, candy and prizes...your pirate pinatas are sure to be a hit!

Twisty Balloons

What's more fun than twisty balloon figures?! At Zurchers, we sell twisty balloons in bags of 100, in 3 different color assortments. And the great thing is, we also sell a book, called "Balloon Magic", that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make many different balloon figures and a balloon pump to help you blow up your balloons.

Learn the art of making fun, colorful twisty balloon figures and you'll be the life of the party where ever you go.

Balloon figures are perfect as:
Party favors
Decorations
Storytelling props
Teaching aids

Fun Pinata Ideas

Pinatas have been around since before the 14th century and are still an entertaining activity for young and adult partygoers today. Pinatas come in many different shapes... there's one for almost EVERY party theme!

The most common use for pinatas is a party game. Fill your pinata with fun toys and candy and take turns swinging at it with a pinata stick or bat until the candy and toys fall to the floor for everyone to grab.

Pinatas also make great decoration... Use them as centerpieces or place them anywhere to add bright color and fun to your party.

Pinata Accessories...

• Pinata Bats
• Masks/blindfolds

Use pinatas at your...

LUAU PARTY

• Fill a luau pinata with toy sunglasses and shell necklaces.
• Use a palm tree pinata for a centerpiece.

CASINO OR POKER PARTY

• Fill a jackpot pinata with plastic or chocolate gold coins or poker chips.
• Use jackpot pinatas all around the room for decoration.

Because there is such a wide variety of pinatas to match all of our party themes the possibilities are endless!

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".

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
  

Birthday Party in a Box!

Over the years, some of my children have been far away from home on their birthdays, so I would send them a birthday party in a box.

Here's an idea for sending a birthday party to a loved one far away...

I would choose some "Happy Birthday" paper plates, napkins and cups (so many fun patterns to choose from. View Birthday Patterns). I'd include birthday candles and Wilton cake decorations for their cake(I also send a cake mix and a can of frosting in their favorite flavors). A Happy Birthday Banner, a special hat for the birthday person and an inflated Mylar birthday balloon (they last for days) go into the box.

As you look around Zurchers, you'll find so many possibilities of things you can add to your box. You can personalize the party to "just fit" the person you are sending it to!

Easy Gift Wrapping

I'm so excited because I've recently discovered the simplest, best looking way to prepare a gift for any occassion!

I start by choosing a white box to fit the gift I'm giving. You can use any color of box just make sure it is nice looking and that it matches the ribbon you choose because the box will show.

Then I choose the best color of simply sheer ribbon for the occassion. Sometimes I choose two colors like at Christmas time I would maybe use a red and a gold.

-simply sheer ribbon comes in all colors
-7/8 in x 25 yds.

Next I choose a great color of wraphia to match like gold or oatmeal to match the red and gold simply sheer ribbon.

-wraphia is available in all colors
-100 yds. long

Then I match all my ribbons up and tie them around the box then twist them into a t to go around the other way. The simply sheer ribbon is sheer (hence the name) ha ha so it looks great overlapping just make sure it's laying flat.

Tie a simple bow (like you'd tie your shoe)at the top using all of the ribbons. Last cut the ribbon ends together so they all match up nicely and evenly for a fantastic finished look!

Perfect Princess Party Ideas

Princess parties are always a huge hit for little princesses and their prince and princess friends, I'm going to help you to make your princess party the very best. Here are some tips...

First... choose your theme. Fairy-tale Princesses is the most popular because it includes six princesses. Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Jasmine.

Second... Pick your favorite colors from that pattern to bring out. Most princess themes come in very girlie colors like pastel pink and lavender. Try adding different shades of pink and purple. solid colored plates, cups or napkins are a great way to bring these colors in and a great way to save money. Latex balloon bouquets are a fantastic way to add color and we carry princess mylars to match (mylar balloons are not on our website but please call me for choices and prices). Solid colored tulle spools are a great to drape from banisters or chandeliers or to tie a bow to each chair.

Third... choose your accessories. There are endless accessories and favors to go with the princess theme such as centerpieces, invitations, thank yous, plates, cups napkins etc.

Don't forget the wearable accessories...

tiaras

feather boas

rings

fake eyelashes

hair glitter

Fourth... choose the space you are going to decorate. Scene setters are large sheets of decorated plastic to cover large walls like a gymnasium, garage, classroom or any other room. Scene setters are a very inexpensive way to cover a large area (scene setters are not on our website so call me for description and prices).

Fifth... Activities are a very important part of a party. Kiss the Frog is a fun game for children. Its played like Pin the Tail on the Donkey but instead you pin the kiss to the frog.We also carry pinatas and pinata fillers.

Sixth... Favors are a necessity. Organza favor pouches come in girlie colors and are the perfect size at 3"x 4" to hold any princess party candies like m&ms, or jelly beans. Rings for their little fingers are another idea. There are many other favor choices with the birthday Fairy-tale Princess theme.

When little princes are invited to the party they won't feel left out... crowns and swords are a great way for them to feel included. A dragon pinata will really catch their attention.

How to Create A Great Tablesetting at A LOW Price

First Choose Your Party's Theme

1. Baby Shower


2. Bridal Shower


3. Casino Night


4. Mardi Gras


5. Children's Birthday

....Just to name a few.

That is the first step! After you've chosen your party's theme you need to pick your favorite pattern within the theme. The next step is when you start to save money. Look at your pattern and choose the color you most want to stand out. Then use that color to choose solid color tableware. By mixing and matching solid color tableware with your pattern you will be able to emphasize certain colors and make your table look great... all while saving money!

Benefits of the mix-and-match

Solid colored tableware is less expensive then patterns and will prevent your table from looking too busy or chaotic.

Example:

Rather than using the your pattern for your tablecover, cups, plates, napkins, and centerpiece mix it up by using a solid colored tablecover and tableskirt with a solid colored placemat. Then bring the pattern in with your plates and napkins or the other way around.

This simple technique will look great and save you a lot of money.

How to Decorate With Streamers!

Streamers are an awesome and inexpensive way to decorate. Hopefully I will be able to give you some new and creative ideas that will help you make your next party a little more original.

Types of Streamers

• 81' Crepe Paper Streamers


• 500' Crepe Paper Streamer


• Shiny Streamers 60'


• Foil Crepe Streamer 60'

Ways to Decorate Using Streamers

The classic is the Crepe Paper streamer. These are great because you can cover a large amount of area and add a lot of color without spending a lot of money. My favorite thing to do with these is put two colors together and twist the streamers before I hang them. This is an easy way to set your party apart from the others. This adds a 3-dimensional look and allows you to see both colors from all angles.

Choose a focal point in the room. Then take multiple streamers and attach them to that point. Take each streamer and connect it to random places in your room. This is a great way to draw attention to an object or even the birthday person (you can even try making the birthday chair the focal point). Using this technique is also great for pinata parties. Hanging your pinata from the focal point is a great way of making your pinata seem larger and more exciting.

Places to Hang Streamers

• From your banister


• From your chandelier


• From wall-to-wall


• From the special guest of honor's chair


• Over a door way

Bithday Balloons

When I go to a birthday dinner at a restaraunt or at a friends house I never forget a bouquet of balloons to go along with my gift. Its easy to tell who the birthday girl or boy is when you tie a bouquet of balloons to their chair. Make it extra special by choosing a cute shaped mylar like a butterfly or a flower to go along with the latex balloons. I also like to take a bithday girl tiara to make it extra special for the birthday girl. These extra touches are great for pictures and help make the event unforgettable.

*note* Zurchers may not have all balloon selections online. Visit our contact us page to purchase specialty balloons.

Brighten Your Table with Tablecovers & Tableskirts

An easy way to brighten your party is by using solid colored tablecovers. When most people choose their tablecover they immediatley pick the color they want and call it good. A great way to set your table apart is to stick with your basic white tablecover and add a colored tableskirt. This looks best when you put the tablecover on the table after the tableskirt so it lays on top. peach tableware is a great color to choose for the Easter Season. Your table will really stand out when you match your napkins, plates, and cutlery with your tableskirt. Add an extra flare to your table by gathering the hanging part of your tablecover and pinning it up along the edge of your table.