Personalized Party Planning for the Bachelorette

Bachelorette Parties

As unique as each bride is, so too are the bachelorette and bridal shower parties that will suit her particular personality. With that in mind, if you’re tasked with planning the bachelorette party, the type of bachelorette party supplies you’ll need will be different depending upon what type of gal she is.

The market seems pretty saturated with bachelorette party supplies targeted toward a more risque audience, however, if you aren't looking to put on that kind of event – because let’s face it, a lot of ladies might find being the guest of honour at an event filled with male body parts kind of embarrassing – you’ll likely have to get a little more creative.

Start by thinking about what kind of event will suit your bride best. Is she a bit of a diva? Was she born to shop? Does she love the outdoors? What are her favourite colours? Start with her interests and then let that be your guide to planning an event that will truly leave her feeling honoured.

Just because a party supply hasn't been designated as being specifically intended for a bachelorette party doesn't mean you can’t use it for that purpose. Too often we focus on using supplies that have a statement about the type or focus of event emblazoned across them – though there is really no need to stick to what’s been pre-determined as appropriate for any time of event. If it suits your event, then it’s right for the job.

Many bachelorette parties are also shifting toward activity-based events. This could be a scavenger hunt, a spa party, cooking classes, wine tastings or even camping trips. This is not to say that the classic night out on the town or hitting the clubs to send your bride off into her married life has gone the way of the dinosaur – anything but. But the truth of the matter is that this type of event just doesn't suit everyone. And if you’re not sure what your bride-to-be wants for her bachelorette party, there’s really no harm in asking her.

In some cases, the type of bachelorette party supplies you’ll need will really be determined by the event itself. A spa party or camping trip will call for a unique type of supplies all together. In addition to the specialty supplies needed to accommodate activity-based parties, you can then fill in the gaps with more conventional or personalized party supplies, like disposable plates or hats in her favorite colors, or perhaps napkins that feature a particular character or image that she favors.

Another angle you could take for a bachelorette party would be to focus on a destination – especially if a destination is set for the honeymoon or perhaps even the wedding itself. You can get the group warmed up for Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico or just about any place by creating a night inspired by that exotic destination.

When planning a bachelorette party for a special friend in your life, don’t let convention guide you. Put all that knowledge of your friend’s personality to work and use your creativity to create a special event that will be a great lead up to a very special wedding.

Learning to Let Go, One Birthday Party at a Time

Party Time!

The first few times a child attends a birthday without having their parent along can be nerve-wracking for both the child and the parent. This practice usually starts when children are somewhere between 5 and 8 years old, but, the exact age depends on many factors including the child themselves, whether they have an older sibling attending the party and how well they know the child who is having the birthday.

It is nice if the host has made it clear on the invitation as to whether parents are required or even welcome to stay. My children have attended birthdays where the host specifically stated that at least one parent should be in attendance. We have received other invitations that had a time for drop off and a time for pick up making it clear they were prepared to have the children there without their parents.

Good communication and a smooth arrival set the tone for any successful event. Here are our top 3 tips for hosts and for guests to help get everything off to a great start.

TOP 3 TIPS FOR THE HOST

1.     Plan it out

Imagine yourself as a person arriving at the party. You will likely have a gift in hand and may have a coat and shoes that need to be removed. Have the closet cleared out with plenty of extra hangers, mats or trays for wet footwear and a table nearby or a plan for where the presents will go.

2.      Come right in

Whish Keep Calm

Help your guests make a smooth transition into the party by gently directing them to an activity that will put them at ease. For children we suggest having some sort of activity set up that is easy for kids to join in on as they arrive. If the party is outdoors or in a hall you might have a bunch of gymnasium balls available to play with. If the party is at your home we suggest setting up a table with building block toys or crayons and paper. Ideally arrange this in a room that is fairly close to the door so your young guests can engage in a familiar activity while getting their bearings. Help put the adult guests at ease be making an introduction to someone who has already arrived, getting them a drink or even asking them to help with the children’s welcome activity.

3.     Focus on Fun

Sure you might have been up until the wee hours of the morning putting the finishing touches on the cake and maybe you just swept everything off the top of your desk and crammed it into a drawer; but once the first guest arrives it’s time to take a deep breath and put your focus on your guests and having a great time. Don’t sweat the imperfections or apologize for what might not have been done.   If you seem nervous or flustered people will feel like their presence is an imposition. Just keep moving forward, roll with the punches and set the tone for fun.  Entertaining young children can be quite unpredictable so having a few trusted, level-headed friends on hand can make all the difference.

Having the basics taken care of and some extra strategies in place are the keys to helping a party go smoothly. One great recommendation for parties where children are being dropped off is to have a Party Sign-In Sheet (see below) at the door. You can tell at a glance who has and has not yet arrived but also makes sure you have contact numbers and allergy or special concerns information at your fingertips. We recommend filling in any information you have in advance to keep things running smoothly. Your advanced preparation will also reassure the parents that you got their note about Johnny’s peanut allergy and have likely taken that into account when preparing the food.

TOP 3 TIPS FOR GUESTS

Being a guest has its own set of rules. Being mindful of your role will make it easier for the host to be at their best.

1.     Arrive on time

Children’s parties often have games and activities planned.  It is easier for the host if everyone arrives on time but it is also easier for the guests. Think about how you feel showing up at a meeting that has already begun. So if the invitation says 2:00 you should arrive between 2:00 and 2:10. Arriving early is not a good idea as the host may still be taking care of the few last minute touches.

2.     Be Prepared

Set your child up for success by making sure they are well rested, fed and have used the bathroom. Even though they will likely be offered some sort of snack at a party it is a good idea to give your child something to eat in advance so they can still be at their best even if the snack is served near the end of the party, is something they don’t care for, or if they are simply too excited to eat.  Help prepare your child by discussing likely scenarios such as what to do if you need to go to the bathroom or who to ask if you need something.

3.     It’s All About Trust

If you are dropping your child off at the party you have decided that you trust your host and your child to be alright in your absence. Even if you are having some separation anxiety, do your best to put on a brave face. If you show your child that you are worried they are more likely to be nervous. Of course if you really don’t feel that your child will be safe or be able to handle the situation find a way to stay and help. I have “volunteered” to help out more than once, particularly in a busy public place, where I did not feel that there were enough helpers to supervise.

Your children are children today, but, bit by bit you are helping them to become adults. The experience they gain attending parties on their own and learning to interact in different social situations is an important part of that journey.

Birthday Party Sign in Sheet

Click Here to Download

Article Source : http://www.whish.ca/blog/95-learning-to-let-go-one-birthday-party-at-a-time?ModPageSpeed=off

Helpful Hints for Your Holiday Bakeshop

Cookies in Packaging

Holiday baking is one of those highly anticipated signs that the Christmas season is upon us. There's often so much tradition behind those baked items that help to give the holiday season a truly festive feel. Somehow a Christmas Party without shortbread cookies, mince tarts, hot cinnamon rolls and other fresh-baked goods just wouldn't seem quite right.

You're bound to serve a wide range of baked delights to the many folks who drop in throughout the season, as well as on Christmas day for both brunch and dinner. Add to that the fact that the holidays are the time of year when you're most likely see bake sales popping up, or you may even give home-baked goodies as gifts throughout the season. Considering all that, there's certainly no shortage of baking to be done.

You can save yourself a lot of time by baking many of these items in advance. Many baked goods freeze especially well, though the key to keeping them fresh is in the packaging. Even in the freezer, food can absorb tastes and odors from other foods. If your chest freezer is filled primarily with baking, you need not worry as much, though if your freezer section is home to a wide range of foods that'll be near your baked goods, you will want to take extra care to make sure that everything is sealed up tight.

You can freeze many of your baked foods already packaged and ready to go. If you plan to give baked goods as gifts throughout the season, you can package them up in festive form so that you can simply grab them from the freezer as you need them.

You can package cookies in festive-themed food-safe cello bags, or pile them up on colorful plates with holiday designs. Cupcakes (both mini and regular sized) can be packaged in clear clamshell-style containers that will not only keep your cupcakes standing upright in the freezer, but will also provide an attractive gift presentation after you've wrapped the container up with a bow. Loaves or small cakes can be baked in single-use card-stock loaf pans, or you can also find inexpensive multi-use metal or ceramic loaf pans at craft or kitchen stores so that the recipient will have an item to hold onto long after the baking is gone.

If you've been asked to donate items for a bake sale, you can use similar tactics, or you can wrap items up in smaller, single servings by using food-safe cello wrap. Cello wrap is often available in a wide range of colors and prints so that you can continue the holiday theme right through into the packaging.

Cupcakes in Packaging

Part of what makes baked goods such a special holiday gift item is the aspect of sharing – not only the idea of sharing food but also sharing traditions. Food is such an important aspect of the holiday celebrations. Sharing home-baked items is a gift of time and caring, but also a sharing of family history. Most families have a number of highly coveted holiday recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. These recipes help us to remember home if we're celebrating the season somewhere far away, and they also help us to remember loved ones after they're gone by letting us feel as though our loved ones are still part of each year's Christmas traditions. By sharing home-baked delights with friends and family members, you share these memories with a whole new set of people, making them a part of the tradition, too.

Holiday Baking Packaging

Original Post Source : http://www.whish.ca/blog/88-helpful-hints-for-your-holiday-bakeshop?ModPageSpeed=off

Thanksgiving Sundae

Thanksgiving Sundae

Thanksgiving has come and gone and many of us are either enjoying or enduring the last few days of turkey leftovers. I remember as a child feeling like the turkey leftovers went on forever. My mom had a few signature dishes for taking care of them, some of which I liked a lot more than others.

By day three it was getting harder and harder for her to “sell” turkey for dinner, but I have a feeling that if she had presented us with this fun twist on turkey we would have dug in with gusto. We suggest serving this unusual sundae with a crisp salad and some crusty rolls.

THANKSGIVING SUNDAE

125 mL / 1/2 cup Chopped Cooked Turkey

75 mL / 1/3 cup Gravy

45 mL / 3 Tbsp. Cranberry Sauce

1 large scoop Stuffing

1 large scoop Mashed Potato

Fresh Sage Leaves, for garnish (optional)

Heat turkey, gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes in separate bowls in microwave until hot. Scatter 30 mL (2 Tbsp.) turkey in bottom of heat resistant parfait glass. Pour 30 mL (2 Tbsp.) gravy over top. Spoon 30 mL (2 Tbsp.) cranberry sauce over gravy.

Top with stuffing, remaining turkey and mashed potato. Pour remaining gravy and cranberry sauce over potato. Garnish with sage leaves if desired. Makes 1 sundae.

A self-clearing ice cream scoop is a very versatile tool. I use it to portion batter for cupcakes and muffins, to scoop cookie dough, and of course ice cream.  It also makes portioning potatoes or other mashed foods quick and easy when plating dinner for a crowd. Just be cautious if the food you are trying to scoop is too dense or stiff because it may damage the scoop.  

ORIGINAL POST SOURCE: http://www.whish.ca/blog/76-thanksgiving-sundae?ModPageSpeed=off

A Month of Sundaes - Triple Chocolate Sundae

Triple Chocolate Sundae

The Whish Month of Sundaes is about to get a whole lot more serious – in fact, some might even say it's about to become (dare we say) romantic. This sinfully sweet sundae celebrates chocolate in a dessert that's meant to be shared with a loved one, making this our official “Triple-Chocolate Sundae of Love.”

Chocolate is often regarded as one of the most sensual foods in existence as it has been shown to release endorphins similar to those experienced when a person falls in love. And there's a whole lot to love when it comes to this sundae. It combines three types of chocolate (dark, milk and white) in a sundae that's far too decadent to keep to yourself.

This impressive dessert is easy enough for anyone to make, even with its homemade chocolate sauces. So if you're all thumbs in the kitchen, fear not. This special sundae is sure to impress your special someone.

Just grab a couple of spoons, snuggle up close to your sweetheart and prepare to fall in love with chocolate all over again.

WHITE CHOCOLATE SAUCE

100g Good Quality White Chocolate 

125 mL / 1/2 cup Whipping Cream

1 Strip of Orange Peel about 1 inch wide by 2 inches long

1.25 mL / 1/8 tsp. Vanilla

Combine all 4 ingredients in small saucepan. Heat and stir until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature. Remove and discard orange peel. Makes about 330 mL / 3/4 cup White Chocolate Sauce.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE SAUCE                       

Dark Chocolate Chunks

100 g  chopped dark chocolate

125 mL / 1/2 cup evaporated milk

15 mL / 1 tbsp. Granulated Sugar

1/4 tsp. Vanilla

Combine all 4 ingredients in small saucepan. Heat and stir until smooth. Makes about 330 mL / 3/4 cup Hot Fudge Sauce.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE SUNDAE

1 Scoop White Chocolate Ice Cream

1 Scoop Dark Chocolate Ice Cream

1 Scoop Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

3 two-bite Brownines, Cut into quarters

45 mL / 3 tbsp. Hot Fudge Sauce

45 mL / 3 tbsp. White Chocolate Sauce

Chopped chocolate bars and grated chocolate for garnish as desired. 

Place ice cream scoops in chilled sundae boat. Arrange brownie pieces around ice cream. Pour sauces over ice cream and brownies. Sprinkle with chopped and/or grated chocolate. Serves 2. 

Breyers Triple Chocolate Ice Cream

We loved the idea of having three different types of chocolate ice cream and were pleased to discover that Breyers makes a triple chocolate variety so we could get all three in one package. 

Making Chocolate Curls:  There are a number of methods that Birthday Party Suppliers pastry chefs use to create those large flamboyant chocolate curls that involve using scrapers or large knives to scrape chocolate off of 5 kg blocks of chocolate or chocolate that has been spread thinly over a marble slab, but for quick home use I find that using a vegetable peeler along the side of a good quality chocolate bar gives me sweet little curls that look great sprinkled on desserts. For best results use a sharp peeler and make sure the chocolate is not too cold.

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