Dear Mrs. Party,
I'm having a party and I need advice. My sister and I share a room and she won't clean it up. How can I get her to clean up the room?
Anonymous
Your sister probably does not even notice or care about the mess. She
would have to be embarrassed by a friend, boyfriend, or relative before she
would clean the room. You and your parents will only irritate her and
could cause the reverse affect.
Many times a messy room is because of too much stuff and no
where to put it. So tell your sister that it is time to help out the local
Goodwill, Church or other charity. Get a bunch of boxes and put all the
clothes that haven't been worn in a year in them. Then donate them.
Get shoe boxes and started sorting the little junk and organize! Pencils
in one, Jewelry in another, Hair clips in another, etc. Make it a positive
team project, it is time to help out others!
Anyone else who has ideas,
and I'll post them.
Mrs. Party... Gail
Mrs. Party,
We are throwing an 80th birthday party for my aunt.
Do you have any suggestions for theme, party favors, etc.
Selina
Hi Selina,
There are lots of unique and fun themes to choose from
depending on the personality of your Aunt. Some ideas include Luau,
Western, Casino, Safari, Music, or Black Light (very unique). Favors can
be funny like canes with horns to serious where you take a picture of each guest
with your Aunt. Then give each guest a frame and the picture. Have
fun!
Mrs. Party... Gail
Hello Mrs. Party...
I am hosting a luncheon gift opening party for our
newlywed friends after their wedding this April. There will be about 40
people, a lot of them kids. Any ideas how to keep the children entertained
while the couple opens their numerous presents? I would like to keep it in the
wedding theme. The kids will range in age from 2-15!!! Anything special I can
do for the couple? This catered luncheon is our gift to them...any ideas of a
something special that can be included in the luncheon? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
KS
Hi KS,
Having a kids party entertainer is a wonderful way to keep the kids
occupied. Some theme activities include Pin the veil on the bride (like
pin the tail on the donkey). Coloring placemats - get 11" x 17"
paper and have an outline of a bride and groom that the kids can color in.
Also, check out bridal
shower games
for 100's of fun games.
For
the couple, some ideas include putting a picture of the bride and groom on a
poster and have the guests each sign it. Another idea is have a empty
photo album. Let the guests bring a photo to be placed in the album as
they enter the party. You can even let each guest decorate one page.
Give the album to the newlyweds as a gift from everyone. This was be
cherished forever.
If the
couple has a ton of gifts to open, make sure the gift opening moves quickly so
the guests don't get bored. Serving dessert at the same time might be
nice.
Mrs. Party... Gail
Hi Mrs. Party,
I am having a swimming birthday party for my daughter Reagan in March, should
I plan games or is the swimming enough? Also, I'm not sure about what
to provide for treat bags do you have any suggestions? I plan on inviting 30
kids.
Vicki
Hi Vicki,
I setup 3 games at my son's pool and it was like pulling teeth to get the kids
out of the pool to play them. But I would do it again, keeping the games
optional. Have them at the pool area. Water balloon toss, Pin the
fin on the fish, and ring toss are fun easy games. Only the water balloon
toss requires everyone at the same time.
For the treat bags, keep away from candy and junk toys. A great value and
a favor that lasts forever are the personalized water bottles at personalized
party favors
They have a huge selection of personalized items that cost less then it would to
put together treat bags and they are much nicer.
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino
Dear Mrs. Party,
I am throwing a 25th anniversary
party for my parents...got any ideas for me?
Brittany
Dear Brittany,
A
fun idea/party favor/name plate is to gather pictures that has each guest in it
along with your parents. Put the pictures in individual silver frames
around the tables to be used as place cards. Check
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino
Dear Mrs. Party,
My daughter will be turning 1 in late March. We want to make her first birthday special but don't know what to do. We have very little family in the area - actually just us and her grandparents. We thought about inviting some other little girls that are between 9 months and 15 months. If we do this, we are not sure of what type of activites and food to have because of their short attention span and their different appetites. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
K.G.
Hi K.G.,
A one year old party is really for the adults.
Have guests over that your daughter enjoys (but INCLUDE relatives.)
I had a formal holiday party this year yet served chicken fingers, Mac n' Cheese, and brownies for the kids. It was a hit.
If it is a lunch, finger sandwiches (no crust - some just jelly and some just peanut
butter) or pizza is yummy.
Activities can include.
- Which baby can through the baby bottle the farthest.
- Crawling race and walking race.
- Which baby can get the most food on their face. (Mini cupcakes with chocolate frosting are great for this.)
Have an awesome event!
Mrs. Party... Gail Leino
Dear Mrs.
Party,
We're having a 8 year old cooking party. Do you have any suggestions?
Suzi
Hi Suzi,
Preparation and organization is the key to
success. Make sure EVERYTHING is well setup ahead of time. Step
through the party in your mind prior to the event to ensure that you haven't
missed anything.
No bake items and sweets are always a favorite.
Pre setup ginger bread houses and cookie decorating are fun. Also, make
your own pizza is yummy fun!
Mrs. Party ... Gail Leino
Dear Mrs.
Party,
We're having a birthday party at the park for my son. Some of the parents
have asked to bring siblings. I said yes since it's a large area.
Should I
have both food and party favors for the siblings? We are really on a
budget.
D.N. Houston, TX.
Dear D.N.,
Yes, have food and party favors for everyone. My 3 year old always cries
in the car after a party that my son went to and has a party favor that he won't
give her. Always think of the guests. Babysitters are costly and
parties should be the more the merrier. So I'm glad you are letting the
siblings come.
There is a way to do this inexpensively.
If you have personalized party favors for the invitee, then just have goody bags
for the extra kids. As for the food, kids don't eat that much, so having a
little extra like a pizza should be within the budget.
Mrs. Party ... Gail Leino
Dear Mrs.
Party,
I put R.S.V.P. with a date on invitations to a party. Not everyone has
replied by the date. Should I call them or assume they are not coming.
K.Q. Chicago, IL.
Dear K.Q.,
Give them a friendly call just in case they never received the invitation.
Sometimes I get an invitation that says, "R.S.V.P. Regrets Only."
I disagree with this, since there is a chance that someone accidentally may not
have received the invitation.
Mrs. Party ... Gail Leino
Dear Mrs. Party,
Do you think it's okay to serve beer to the adults at my preschooler's birthday
party?
R.B., NY, NY
Dear R.B.,
I don't see why not. (If any readers feel strongly against it, I'd like to
hear from you.) Make sure, of course that there are non alcoholic choices.
Mrs. Party ...
REBUTTAL:
I totally disagree with serving alcohol at a
preschoolers birthday party. This is a party for the children, not the
adults. The party will only be for a few hours at most anyways.
Why would you serve alcohol anyways if some of those parents will be driving
children home. Use some common sense Mrs. Party...Let the children
have their day. J.S.
Dear JS & R.B.,
I should explain my feelings farther because sometimes I do agree with JS.
At a summer birthday pool party where both the mom and dad are there, then it
would be okay. But, if only one adult (designated driver) is there, then,
no they should not have a drink. Many kids parties have turned into big
family events. But if it is just a 2 hour party just for the kids, then it
is not necessary to serve an alcoholic drink.
Dear Mrs. Party,
My 6 year old son is having a party and inviting all the boys in the first
grade. There is one mother, which I can't stand, whose son caused my son
to get stitches when playing soccer. Her kid is rough. Do you think
it is okay not to invite her son to the party?
L.P., Seattle, WA
Dear L.P.,
No. You should not exclude one child. If you do, you will be the
_itch. Kids forgive and forget much sooner then adults. Accidents happen
when kids play sports.
Mrs. Party ...