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Enjoy and Happy Summer!
From the experts at It's My Party Think teamwork: Those reality TV shows aren't far off when it comes to having fun. Create tasks, obstacles, and challenges for your eager guests. Separate the pals into teams of 5 and have them compete against each other with each task. Get 4 cube boxes and write letters on each side of each "block." Have 4 team members each hold one cube, while the 5th team member "records" the words that are created on his or her team's clipboard. The team with the most "recorded" words wins. Working together is a great way to include all the children who come for fun, and show youngsters that they are needed to make the celebration complete. Reward the children with a cake that incorporates each team's colors or insignias. Think community: Show your child's friends how much fun they can have while helping others. Decorate cookies for residents at your local nursing home. Or on the invitation, ask each child to bring 2 small gifts-- one for the birthday child, and one for some more needy children. There are several local shelters or hospitals that would appreciate donations. Let your birthday child choose. Think family: Create tissue flower bouquets for grandparents (Grandparents Day is September 11th), or decorate a July 4th BBQ apron for a great griller. Whatever the craft, older children-- who often have loads of material things-- take extreme pride in giving of themselves. Using a birthday party to help them create a happy memory for your family-- and theirs too, is a gift for everyone! Remember that a birthday, just like the birth it celebrates, offers opportunities beyond your wildest dreams. Get creative and enjoy! Contact Rachel Goldman at It's My Party by phone 914-381-2329, e-mail at Rachel@itsmypartyllc.com, or in person at 114 West Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck.
by Melissa Leonard A Hip Housewarming or Heartfelt Hostess Gift; A Clever Congrats or Brilliant Birthday Present; A Trendy Thank-You Treat: Ideas & Etiquette for All Occasions. How often have you wished that you had spent more time finding that "oh so perfect gift"? You settled for re-gifting a bottle of wine your friends handed you a few weeks ago or for those colonial blue candlesticks your Aunt gave you once-upon-a-time. Inevitably, we attend parties where it seems everyone else brought fun, unusual gifts (gorgeously wrapped in toile tissue tied with strands of raffia) to place at the feet of the hostess or guest-of-honor. Once again we gaze at our jar of gourmet jam with the slightly yellowed label that we snatched from the pantry and threw into a wrinkled re-used gift bag sans tissue paper, and we have to admit, we are uncreative bores. Then we take an oath. Never again will we put ourselves in this awkward position. We swear to collect clever, crafty gifty things from street fairs, vintage shops and upscale boutiques. Then we will allocate a place to tuck away special "finds" so that we always have the absolutely perfect gift ready to select for any occasion. Finding the right gift doesn't have to be as difficult as we make it. Often a simple token of thanks is proper etiquette. Anyway, who really has the time to keep that oath and search out off-the-beaten-path shops and eclectic boutiques! Etiquette is flexible, yet there are guidelines. British author Pamela Glenconner explains: "Giving presents is a talent; to know what a person wants, to know when and how to get it [and] to give it lovingly and well. Unless a character possesses this talent there is no moment more annihilating to ease than that in which a present is received and given". Never question how much another spent on a gift. Whether a gift cost fifty cents or fifty dollars, it is obviously "the thought that counts." As a gracious giver or elated receiver, this is the most important point to remember. We should remember that we are buying something for someone else and ought to consider his or her taste. Ask ourselves, "Will Susie love this Art-Deco item (which we absolutely love because it matches our apartment) even though her house is one hundred percent Pottery Barn-esque?" The bottom line is this: thought is essential. Think of the person and his or her taste, not our own. Whether giving a gift to a hostess we don't know very well, or our Mother-in-Law whom we probably know pretty well, here's a peek at some faux pas and some important "do's" and "don'ts" in the gift-giving arena: Hostess Gifts: Flowers are considered an appropriate hostess gift. If this is what you decide on, send the flowers ahead for two reasons. First, if you bring them when you arrive, your host will feel pressured to put them in a vase so they don't wilt, which will put her behind schedule, making her unable to greet her guest properly. Second, if she receives them a day or a few hours early, she can use them as a centerpiece or decorative display. There is another route you can take, a bit more creative. Bring a small bag filled with a variety of fun items: adorable note cards, soothing bath treats, glass swizzle sticks, mellow candles and tasty snacks. Keep in mind the importance of presentation; put items into a small bag stuffed with coordinating tissue paper, leave just a hint of paper peeking out of the bag and tie a grosgrain ribbon or bundle of raffia into a bow around the handles. One of the best hostess gifts I received was a beautifully wrapped bag containing a colorful mug and a selection of tea bags and chocolate from a specialty store. If you bring wine to your host or hostess, they are not expected to open and serve it. Your host has already chosen the appropriate wine for the meal, so it is considered improper to hint or beg for your carefully selected gift to be served. Buy yourself a bottle and throw your own soiree. Barbeques: Attending a BBQ? Spice up the night by bringing a gift of unique sauces, barbeque mitts or tools, margarita mix and accessories, or even sporting equipment. Croquet anyone? Housewarming Gifts: It is proper etiquette to give the new homeowner a thoughtful gift. The appropriate time to give is either when you first visit or else have something delivered to the new house once the owners have settled in. Something permanent is appropriate. Frames or prints (remember their taste, not necessarily something matching your décor), coasters, a classy leather address book, personalized address labels (often an overlooked yet much appreciated choice) or even a one-year subscription to the local paper. How about a couple of mugs, gourmet coffee, scones and the subscription tucked in; for reading the morning paper over coffee and nibble. Consider a bucket of popcorn and favorite videos or DVDs, a Single Malt Scotch and olives, or a garden bucket with seeds or bulbs and quality tools. Gifts for your Assistant: Your assistant takes care of you uncomplainingly day in and day out. It's time to show him/her your appreciation. Who among us can't use a little friendly incentive to keep up the good work! Whether for the holidays, a project successfully completed or for simple gratitude, there are a few possibilities. Etiquette dictates that executives should give assistants candy, perfume, (or cologne/aftershave) or simple jewelry. I find these run-of-the-mill selections boring and not very thoughtful. A gift certificate is always appreciated; find out where they like to shop, or where they would if they could afford to. If in doubt, a day of beauty at the spa or an American Express gift certificate would please anyone. Consider a basket of luxury products maybe from Caswell & Massey or a gourmet coffee shop, or even goodies from Harry & David. A wonderful gift I received from my boss years ago was personalized stationery on quality stock. Consider giving a lovely journal, embossed, that would last for years. If you are looking to buy a gift for a client, confirm the company gift policy; is there a policy limiting or prohibiting gifts? In this case, something simple to convey your message of thanks will suffice. For an important female client, a classic, tasteful bag, a Coach accessory or a Tiffany key chain would be well received. Mother-in-Laws: We all want to please our Mother-in-Law, so what to buy can be a daunting and difficult task. Again, you want it to reflect her style and décor. Timeless gifts ensure success; silver, for example. Sterling silver napkin rings are classic and can always be used at a family gathering. A pair of elegant slippers would make her think of you each time she slipped her feet into them. Tickets for a show indicate you understand her appreciation for the Arts and that she deserves a special day to relax. A unique gift is a "conference call". When children are scattered across the country or around the world, a planned conference call so family members can speak will be remembered for a lifetime. A sure-fire, win-win gift for any Mother-in- Law is a beautifully framed portrait of you and her darling son (or of her grandchildren) which she can display for all to admire. Birthdays: The appropriateness of the birthday present you give a friend rests entirely on the relationship. If you are extremely close, the nature of the gift would be different that what you give an acquaintance. You never want to give a lavish gift that obligates your friend to reciprocate when your birthday rolls around. It can be possible for you and your friend to agree to exchange gifts on birthdays only, so you can spend what you wish rather than feeling stretched during the holidays. No matter what the relationship, any homemade item, baked, crocheted or hammered, is always a personal touch. Our New Baby Has Arrived! Oh, the joy of a new baby! Before sleep deprivation takes over, every proud parent relishes in telling all their friends about their new adorable addition. Traditionally, the man will hand out cigars to friends and colleagues upon the arrival of their new bundle of joy, but there are other fun alternatives like 'It's a boy' and 'It's a Girl' lip balm! A delicious alternative are gourmet lollipops, whether chocolate or sugar, it's a tasty treat. For the sports lovers out there, blue or pink baseballs will pitch the message. Whether a trendy thank-you, a heartfelt hostess, hip housewarming, a clever congrats or a brilliant birthday, by keeping the guidelines of proper etiquette in mind, we are better able to choose an 'appropriate' gift for friends, family and business colleagues. With this in mind and with a touch of creativeness, thoughtfulness and imagination, the gifts we give will have greater meaning.
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