Once a year, we as moms must come up with the ultimate party theme to get our school-aged kiddos and their friends talking. You have about 6 years to get it right, since these early birthday years are more about the family and friends than they are about your child and his/her friends from school. Don’t get me wrong, those early birthdays are becoming more and more impressive (evident by the over-the-top 1st Birthday CandyLand Party and the internationally-inspired Around the World Birthday Party hosted by your HappyHourMoms Shannon & Toni), but it is more challenging to find age-appropriate birthday party themes when they get to that “easily embarrassed” stage of life. However, one thing is certain when it comes to having little girls…9 times out of 10, they will LOVE being pampered! That’s what makes this Red Carpet Party the perfect party option for your 7-12 year old little diva.

You can get creative with outrageous invites, and offer a grand entrance with the red carpet, and Dadarazzi waiting to snap some great shots. If you are brave and taking on a slumber party, the Red Carpet Party can be turned into a movie premier party with different popcorn recipes and flavor options the kids will love. Have a make-up artist (AKA mommy with a make-up kit) come in and give the girls makeovers, and top it off with some fun and crazy hair bows and clips to give them red carpet up-dos. Add some costume jewelry, hats, gloves, and whatever outrageous accessories you have lying around, and get busy with a silly photo shoot. Not only will the girls have a blast getting made up, but they will love taking silly pictures and creating memorable snapshots for years to come.

When it’s time to wind down, get the little divas in their PJ’s and let them paint one another’s finger/toe nails before the movie starts. (I find it is best to do the painting before the movie, that way they will be sitting still and not messing up those little digits.) Serve up a tasty red-carpet worthy mock-tail and your little ladies will be talking about your first-class event for weeks to come.

Here is e perfect drink recipe for your little ladies:

blissful belini mock-tail recipe

This sparkling drink will tickle your taste buds with a flavor combination most people would never consider. What happens when you mix peach, lemons, and apple cider? Bellini bliss…

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup peach nectar
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• chilled apple cider

Recipe:

Mix peach nectar and lemon juice in glass. Add chilled apple cider to fill glass. Stir.

Serve:

Champagne flute

Photo links:

dessert table, red carpet, girl with red carpet background, red carpet outside, cupcakes, dessert party, red carpet party outdoor, red mocktail, viewing room

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

red carpet birthday party for kids is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Giving is one of the best parts of the holiday season, but it is sometimes difficult to find that perfect gift for your coworkers, teacher, or your child’s teacher. A nice pen is typical and gift cards are always nice (yes we included one in our list!), but sometimes it is nice to get creative. Here are Happy Hour Mom’s top 6 gifts for a coworker or teacher this holiday season.

1) Personalized stationery or note cards are always a great option–especially with the chic modern designs you can readily find online. We pictured a few options from Tiny Prints, but you can find many variations online, and find the perfect style and design to appeal to the taste of the teacher/coworker you have in mind.

2) Next we have an awesome planner from GetButtonedUp.com. We all need planners, but with so many options out there it is sometimes hard to find that perfect organizational schedule book/calendar. GetButtonedUp.com specializes in organization and they have done a wonderful job at creating a near-perfect planner, with all the little extras to keep your life (and mind) on track.

3) Next in line is the Knock Knock Someday Mini Sticky Set–this is a fun organizational tool for labeling quick notes and prioritizing your schedule. While not a necessity, this is one of those fun gifts that is sure to be a hit.

4) So here is the obvious choice…A Starbucks Traveling Mug and Gift Card. Not much to say here, except that it is easily accessible (drive through on your way to school or work for a last-minute pick-up!) and, well, who doesn’t love them some Starbucks?

5) Now, brace yourself for this one, it is our favorite! IdeaPaint has created the most magical paint on the planet. Forget you chalkboard painting craft, this stuff is for the pros. In fact, the Pro kit of IdeaPaint is everything you’ll need to make your walls, tables, doors, and nearly any other surface you can paint, ready for doodling, charting and note-taking. Create nifty white board circles on your office walls, or paint the tables and let the students do their math problems right on their desks. While this one is a tad bit pricey for a coworker/teacher gift, your gift will most certainly be the best of the season!

6) The Bi-Silque Double Photo Frame Cork Board is just what it says–a great addition to the office or classroom decor, with the display of two frame-worthy pics and an organizational aspect that every teacher/employee can appreciate.

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

hhm holiday gift guide | 6 gifts for a teacher or co-worker is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

The holidays are full of joy, happiness, and PARTIES! There is always that one special holiday party that you look forward to every year, and what better way to guarantee next year’s invite, than to bring an unforgettable hostess gift–or maybe you are like the majority and want to surprise your friend/family member with an amazing hostess gift just to show your appreciation–after all, that is what the season is all about, right? Regardless of your motive behind the gift, you won’t go wrong with these fun, party-friendly hostess gift options.

Every party host has table-tops to protect, so the coasters are always a safe bet. You know the host, so find a fun design that will suit his/her taste. And we all know that wine is a party staple, so showing up with your (or the hosts’) favorite glass of wine in this super modern Actual Wine Pocket, will be sure to put a smile on the recipients face.  Sticking with the wine theme, these Jingle Bell Wine Charms are perfect for the season, and a fun way to keep track of the party-goer’s wine glasses. If your host spends a lot of his/her time in the kitchen, they will surely love the Personalized Recipe Gift Set with Embosser–really, everyone should have one. These are a great way to keep track of family recipes, and pass them on from generation to generation. The Slate Cheese Serving Board is a great way to label your cheeses, and besides, who isn’t loving chalkboard everything these days?! One of my personal faves is the Nudo Italia flavored olive oils, with incredible flavors, strait from the Italian Countryside.Last, but certainly not least, find a fun board game that all of the guests can enjoy. This last one is certainly for the “fun crowd,” so you will know when the time is right to pull out the games for just the right hostess.

We’d love to hear what your favorite go-to gift is during the holiday season…

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

are you the perfect holiday party guest? 7 gifts your hostess will love… is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Thanksgiving is a day for all to think about the many things in their life they are thankful for. Food, family and fun can only be best brought together with those finest details that make each holiday that much more special. When you plan your Thanksgiving recipes this year don’t forget to go the extra mile with custom Thanksgiving toothpick flags, printable partyware by Paper and Cake,  or festive wall art. If you are like me, then you’ll have family members that offer up rave reviews for those special additions and some that deem it wasted effort. Do what makes you happy. I find pleasure in making Thanksgiving an extra special holiday each year. Plus, with free Thankgiving Printables it really only takes the amount of time to hit the “print” button.

Thanksgiving Printables

Thanksgiving Freebies and Printables from Lee Lou

Paper Cake Giving Thanks

Handmade Thanksgiving Fall Printables 

I am Thankful for Printables

Retro Folk Thanksgiving Kit

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

top 5 free (or almost free!) thanksgiving printables is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Yo Gabba Gabba! can be fun for kids of all ages. How else would you celebrate Memorex’s 50^th Birthday, YGG and your mother in law’s birthday that happens to fall on 9/11? The 4 grandsons, who LOVE Yo Gabba Gabba! started the party off with surprising their grandma (Noni) at the door. Although she may not have known who Muno, Brobee, Plex and Foofa were, she sure does now. We started by dancing, singing, and playing with balloons while jamming to the Memorex Party Cube. The perfect scenario for 4 kids under 6 and a grandma who loves to see her grandson’s smiling faces. (right?)

After the boys were nice and wound up we ate a super yummy dinner that consisted of pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans and homemade chips whipped up by my BIL. Then it was time for round 2. We sat everyone down on the couch to sit back, relax and watch The Birthday Boogie DVD until the total chaos hit. Within minutes, all 4 boys (including the twin 2 year olds) were up and down showing us their favorite dance moves that they learned from Yo Gabba Gabba! Dane spun like Brobee, Carter jumped liked Muno and the twins showed us their rendition of dances all their favorite characters.

Could you even believe that these boys were having so much fun that we actually had to continually remind them there was cake? What kid doesn’t go crazy for cake?

After the balloons started to pop, one of the toddlers began to cry, the cake was gone and The Birthday Boogie DVD was over we all knew it was time to pack up the party. I’m not sure who had more fun. Was it grandma who was able to witness the true joy of her grandsons? Or, was it her new friends Yo Gabba Gabba!? I think it was a combination of both as we turned an otherwise 9/11 birthday into a new tradition.

Oh was she every happy! Thanks Memorex and Yo Gabba Gabba!

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

yo gabba gabba & memorex’s 50th birthday! is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

What has 9 eyes, comes in 5 different colors, loves to sing, dance and put smiles on kids’ faces?? Yo Gabba Gabba with Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Toodee and Plex, of course! Grab your family and join in the fun and festivities while  Yo Gabba Gabba celebrates Memorex’s 50th Birthday Bash on Ustream. Friday, September 9th through Friday, September 16th YOU will be able to tune in and participate in the virtual party. Ustream offers the amazing abilities of chatting with your favorite YGG characters and submit questions, while taking a quick break from the dance party. The stream will last 20 minutes and be on a continual loop for one week. This way there is plenty of time for you and the kids to take a break from the day and have some real fun!

Stay tuned for an exciting giveaway from Memorex for total family fun!

Highlights include:

• Chat live with Leslie and all of your Yo Gabba Gabba! friends
• Dance along to your favorite Yo Gabba Gabba! songs
• Win cool Memorex products
• Watch clips of the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Tour
• Help Memorex celebrate its 50th birthday

Live video by Ustream

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

Memorex and Yo Gabba Gabba! “It’s Time to Dance! Virtual Birthday Party” is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Party Box Design is being uber generous this Easter season. Creating and cooking an Easter menu is hard enough, yet we all love the adorable fine details. Check invites and favors off your list, and instead, download these amazing FREE PRINTABLES from Party Box Design. Plus see her adorable new site design.

Easter Favor Box

Easter Invitation

Easter Cupcake Toppers

Easter Party Tags

{Personal Use Only}

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

party box design | free easter printables is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

As I browsed the Internet for fun Valentine’s Day inspiration, I found a fabulous party site, OneCharmingParty.com. Since these ladies had so many fabulous heart-day ideas, I thought I would share a sneak peek of my faves for all of you to enjoy. Make sure to follow the links to find more details and instructions on how to complete these projects at home.

Get in the spirit of pink with these delicious Valentine-tinted Rice Krispie treats. And don’t stop there–serve Kool-aid or juice to stay with your pink theme and add a label to a basic paper cup for that added personal touch. Sometimes it is all about the little things…

Aren’t these homemade necklaces adorable? Affordable, fun, and yummy! Don’t be fooled by the bead-like appearance, these necklaces are made of gumballs. They make the perfect party favors for your party-goers or personalized Valentines.

Get romantical with this fun lovey-dovey pizza. Serve it for your holiday party, or make it for your One and Only–either way it is sure to put a smile on the face of those enjoying it. Who wouldn’t love a pizza sprinkled with pepperoni hearts?

Make sure you check out OneCharmingParty.com for more details on these holiday tips and ideas!

Photos by Sara Westbrook.

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

valentine’s day party ideas courtesy of onecharmingparty.com is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be orange and brown table with millions of crazy kids hopped up on pecan pie wearing homemade Turkey hats. Although we love the traditional customs every other year we can entertain with a modern, chic look. (Hey, a girl can dream, right?) Our fellow OS and blogging pal, Kelly of The Party Dress is notorious for amping up her holiday repertoire with the utmost in style and class for a Thanksgiving feast.
Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to gather friends and family to toast the start of the holiday season. We suggest hosting a cocktail party the night before, as to not conflict with family dinners. It’s the perfect occasion to visit with friends arriving from out of town, neighbors who want to pop in for a quick glass of champagne or family who is gathering for the big day. WH Hostess has designed a collection of items perfect to suit your holiday needs. From invitations to gift tags, cupcake toppers to wine bottle labels, placecards to menu cards, we have the items you crave for your holiday parties. And we show you how to use them!

This month, our party-planning blog, The Party Dress, will provide countless ideas for hosting Thanksgiving cocktail parties, dinner parties and a girl’s day out shopping party! First up is our interpretation of a “Champagne & Sweets” cocktail party…..with amazing details you just can’t miss.

Toni Danielson

Toni Danielson, ad agency working mom of a big brown-eyed little man, wife to an amazing husband, Digital Media Lover. Blogger. Infographic-obsessed. Expat. Happy Hour Mom. BBall Wife. Not all in that order. Join me in my journey to become the ultimate Happy Hour Mom!

    

thanksgiving cocktail party‏ | the party dress is a post from: Happy Hour Mom

Tis’ the season…for weddings! At the beginning of October, three of my college pals got married on the same day. This meant a ton of planning, parties, and presents for these three lucky ladies. This also meant that there were many a brides maid needing to make sure their bride was feeling special on such a wonderful occasion. One of the most exciting aspects of being the Maid of Honor is helping to plan the Bridal Shower, but it can also be a lot of work if you aren’t prepared. Here are 10 tips on planning and executing a Bridal Shower for the bride and her besties to remember…

10. Ditch the typical morning/afternoon shower, and go for evening glamor. While  there is nothing wrong with your typical shower, it is time to get creative and spoil your bride. Select a theme that will leave the soon-to-be Mrs. feel super special. Head to her favorite restaurant and treat her like a queen!

9. Who said you can’t have a themed shower? While you want to stay away from the Super-Themey-Theme parties, there is nothing wrong with staying true to a concept. We opted for a glammed out evening–the Happy Hour Bridal Soiree. Selecting a nice restaurant and adding your special touch with personalized seating tags and drink menus is a great way to make it all about your bride. Adding fun facts about your bride to the menus will be great convo starters over appetizers and cocktails.

8. Start it off with a great invite. You will set the bar with the invitations, so you want to make sure to find the perfect invite for your Happy Hour Soiree. We love the templates and ease of customization at Purpletrail.com. I created these bridal shower invitations at Purpletrail.com in only minutes. Check out some of the great bridal shower options on their site, it may even help you to come up with a killer theme.

7. Destination Shower. Make a weekend out of it. Head to a B&B for some R&R, enjoy Yoga on the beach, or enjoy a weekend on the slopes. Pack your weekend with mani/pedis, massage therapy, and a slumber party with the girls. This Bridal Shower/Bachelorette weekend sounds like the perfect excuse to find a fiance!

6. Make it a couples thing. Your bride is about to be a married woman, she you might as well get used to the couples thing. Pair up with some of her favorite couples for a fun afternoon barbecue or night on the town. This is great for those who find themselves hanging out with the couples more than they do with their pals. There is nothing wrong with sticking together.

5. Get a lesson or two. Opt for an afternoon of learning. Plan a cooking class for the ladies, or make an afternoon for crafting. There is nothing wrong with cocktails and floral arrangements or favors. Use this time to get help from the bride’s best pals to prepare the bouquets or favors–plus, most pals will be thrilled to have a hand in the wedding.

4. Put together a personal gift for the bride. Reach out the friends of the bride and have each design a scrapbook page. Throw them into a bound book for a wonderful collection of memories that the bride will cherish for years to come.

3. Charity event. Get the ladies together and get involved in a cause that the bride is passionate about. Sign up for a charitable event/walk/run, and enjoy the day with pals. This is perfect for the bride who is involved with a specific cause. Get each of the ladies a shirt for the charity and be sure to bedazzle the bride’s shirt just enough to help her feel special. Enjoy a picnic/lunch and bring the perfect cupcakes to top off the day.

2. The perfect bridal shower favor. Pick a favor for your ladies that will coincide with the parties theme. For the Happy Hour Bridal Soiree you may find a set of personalized shot glasses or fun Martini glasses. For the ladies on the go, you will love CitySlips. For less than $30, these fold-up ballet slippers are perfect to carry in your purse or small bag, and will be great for the wedding reception. So while all of the bride’s pals can enjoy them, they will be great for the wedding party as well. (BUY CitySlips for the wedding party and favors with HHM on Opensky TODAY.)

1. Have fun. Remember, this is all about the bride. Enjoy the party, pamper your bride and make it a stress-free day. There are bound to be bumps in the road, but do your best to resolve the issue and move on. Make the last days and weeks of the single life her best yet.

image credit: Purpletrail.com Invitation, and HappyHourMom.com

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disclosure:
This post was part of a campaign from Brandfluential.  I received a gift card in exchange for my candid opinions.
You can read more about Happy Hour Mom’s Policy Disclosure {HERE}.

Shannon Hughes

Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?

    

10 tips on planning an awesome bridal shower is a post from: Happy Hour Mom