Shirley's party advice part 6 - don't be afraid to interrupt us!

[Tinkerisdead]

Okay, this is shirley's party advice part 6. Shirley ducked out a while ago and you'll notice us chatting about all kinds of stuff whilst we wait for party planners to barge in.

So, don't lurk, jump in and chat. We'll give you any advice on parties from costumes to cakes....

No problem im currently planning a nov party, blathers a dec one and nonsense has one in october.

Never too early on this thread.

Costco is the party planners friend & the public can apply for membership now. Find one near you

www.costco.co.uk/

I use them all the time & save so much money buying huge catering multipacks of food & drinks.

Clandestine post from holiday - I don't do spare party bags, except that I do tend to end up making them for non-repliers because I just can't afford to wait until replies are all in.

I did have spare dragons last year - I took great pleasure in presenting one to the (very cute 3yo) wide eyed but definitely not asking /whingeing little brother of one of DD's friends when he came with his mother to pick big screen up. It so made his day .

screen?
Sister.

She also posted 2 to my children. They are very loved :)

Quick my dad is coming in an hour, the graphics designer/typesetter one and he'll be getting the invites for the pizza party started for me.

I need to say siblings not bleedin' welcome as its 12.00 a head and the parents round here are known for "oh i told her to come along anyway and squeeze in at the table" marlarkey. Anyway can i say "please note only named invitees will be provided for" cos that covers the food and the apron/partybag bit?

DW - yes. Wording is perfect. If he had space, I would say "due to limitations by venue, only.....", but otherwise shorter version fine.

DW - I would not be offended by that wording on a party invite

OK then final countdown has begun - need to go shopping for simple party food for 4 year olds... so far...

sandwiches (one each ham or cheese)
crisps (hula hoops & quavers)
sausages
mini scotch eggs
cucumber / carrot sticks (+dip in plastic shot glasses??)
cherry tomatoes
some kind of fruit e.g. skewers
fairy cakes
pirate cupcakes
biscuits they have decorated themselves
cheese straws / cheesy biscuits
orange/apple juice cartons of drink

Am I missing something obvious? Any more inspiration? Don't really want to do hot food e.g. pizza

Jetstar that sounds perfect to me. Its made me really hungry though cos i love party food!!

My pfb has just gone off to school and after five weeks induction sessions, everytime crying and one embarrassing incident where the head and her henchwoman had to wrestle dd into a chair, she went without crying.

I cried.

At least she went without crying DW. She'll be having a lovely day with all of her new friends xx

Hi Ladies. I have been following this thread and would love some help.

My 5 year old wants a Dr who party in a few weeks. We had a dinosaur party last year at home and it was successful (I think), so I am following the same type of set up. About a dozen 4-5 year olds mostly boys.

Planning this is taking my mind off him starting reception in two weeks!

Invitations - ordered from ebay ( wimped out this year)

Food - will be in food boxes. In the garden on picnic blankets if the weather is good. This worked will last year. I have got (Tardis) blue food boxes. If I have time I may print our some Tardis door signs and stick them on.

Will do sandwiches (ham & cheese) 1/2 round, 2 sausages, babybel, bag hula hoops, small bag of biscuits or party rings.

I bought little pots of jelly last year to put in the boxes but these were eaten first so I will serve these after. I was going to do rainbow jellies but I have just had am eureka moment and realised I need the dreaded BLUE JELLY! So I am going to these in shot glasses. Maybe have jelly babies on the top?

Oh and I was thinking about doing <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/026/b/7/adipose_marshmallows_by_holsen08-d5sups7.jpg&imgrefurl=holsen08.deviantart.com/art/Adipose-Marshmallows-350793223&h=683&w=1024&sz=77&tbnid=34vbBCkBtI6YAM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&zoom=1&usg=__a68CoT30hAKNykBs-9S0RFBqwhc=&docid=2xiCUsHNqA8xiM&sa=X&ei=IzYfUo-VAsrB0QXO3YCQDw&ved=0CD4Q9QEwAg&dur=107#imgdii=34vbBCkBtI6YAM%3A%3Br5HmzMh7EHCQVM%3B34vbBCkBtI6YAM%3A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these if I have the time!

Drinks? I bought water in bottles last year but was thinking of just doing plastic cups, lids with straws (names on to prevent mix up) but I can't find any that cheap.

Cake - <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/026/b/7/adipose_marshmallows_by_holsen08-d5sups7.jpg&imgrefurl=holsen08.deviantart.com/art/Adipose-Marshmallows-350793223&h=683&w=1024&sz=77&tbnid=34vbBCkBtI6YAM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&zoom=1&usg=__a68CoT30hAKNykBs-9S0RFBqwhc=&docid=2xiCUsHNqA8xiM&sa=X&ei=IzYfUo-VAsrB0QXO3YCQDw&ved=0CD4Q9QEwAg&dur=107#imgdii=34vbBCkBtI6YAM%3A%3Br5HmzMh7EHCQVM%3B34vbBCkBtI6YAM%3A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tardis cake. Which will be a challenge but I did a 3d dinosaur cake last year which was ok. I also did cupcakes with home made dinosaur toppers. Can't be bothered with the cupcakes so will just do a chocolate tray bake to cut up for cake to take home.

Games. Pin the plunger on the dalek?
Pass the dalek instead of pass the parcel. Was thinking of having the sweets in the middle and the child holding the dalek when the music stops will have sweets. Prize for the last one with the dalek.
If you can think of any other games I would be very grateful.

Decorations - Now how do i make cheap Dr Who decorations? I have found some paper chains with Bow Ties etc. which I can do but can you help with some other easy ideas? I was thinking maybe Pom Poms (Blue) or even the dreaded bunting - please bear in mind that I don't have a sewing machine, much time or a creative bone in my body!!

Party Bags - I am doing cellophane cones with jelly babies, jammy dodgers and alien goodies (Dr who branded stuff is too expensive).

So does that sound OK? Any tips or ideas would be welcome. I would appreciate some ideas on what to do when they arrive, activities etc. How will I keep 12 or so boys entertained for 2 hours!

Sorry for the epic post!

Hi abu
I must confess to knowing jack all about Dr Who so I am afraid I am of no Eli whatsoever!
I love the little marshmallow things even though I don't understand the reference but I'd be too lazy busy to make them! And the pass the dalek is a good idea.
Really monotonous, but how about some printables for them to colour when they arrive?

How easy would it be to get supplies and to make his pen/screwdriver thingy? Then they could all be on a Dr Who mission throughout the party, each game serving as a quest for them to fulfil?
At my superhero party, the DC went outside for a while (could be whilst they eat?) and we hid some black balloons. When they came back in we explained that a villain had hidden some bombs and we had to save the party by finding them immediately! The DC who found a balloon got a prize and they all loved it! Could you tweak that to your theme?

No help whatsoever!!!

Where can I get a lovely christening dress from?

Hi nonsensetalker, thanks for that! I think colouring pages will be a good idea. I have seen an idea how to make sonic screwdrivers here. Now is it me or do they look like something else.... Anyway I don't think I would have time. Might ask my Dh though.

I was thinking I may serve some sprinkle lollies (ice) at the same time as the jelly shots and call them sonic lollies!

The balloon game sound fab. I could definitely tweak. (could have white balloons & pretend they are Ood brains...).

What sort of christening dress are you after?

Rather you than me on the sonic screwdriver craft!! I was thinking chopsticks, glue, tissue paper.... way out of my depth obviously!!

Not sure really. It's why I'm finding it so hard I think.

I've got to go on the school run but i can help with lots of this. I'll be back later!

I just typed loads and lost it all!

Christening dresses first. Not sure on your budget so i'll give you options. As you may remember i had my wedding dress turned into a gown from my wedding dress, that was about 120.00 if you wanted to create an heirloom piece.

If your looking to buy an heirloom type gown these have loads here

For my daughters to change into i got a lovely cotton dress with angel sleeves from verbaudet really cheap and actually i think I liked it better! similar to this but mine was plainer like this

If you type gowns into ebay you'll get a ton of chinese import options, full gown style for about 30 quid. It depends where you stand on chinese labour etc but i had one of these dresses like a bridesmaid one for my older daughter and the quality was fantastic and it cost me 28.00!

Then of course you have the standard offerings from matalan, bhs, next etc all like party dresses.

hello again clever party people
I am being VERY lame but have scrapped idea of outdoor party in favour of soemthing indoor

Hence hawaii theme is out and just planning on drinks and finger style food.

Will be about 30 weeks preggers so want to make life easy as poss - thinking possibly disposable wooden cutlery and plates and renting glasses
50 people inside my house (!) buffet style
Thoughts??

Dr who party all sounds brilliant! Im not a fan of dr who so i cant help as much with themed ideas.

Cups, ive used these in the past for cheaps 9oz paper cups fit with lids/straws blue cups and lids/straws

Or these dr who cups

For Dr Who decorations do a blue/black and white theme and you'll get things far cheaper than dr who themed stuff. Tissue pom poms are very easy but bunting can be made easily with paper! Just cut your triangles out, punch two holes in the top with a hole punch and thread. You could print bow tie motifs/tardis whatever with ease.

Twinteresting: 30 weeks preggers. Can you do a bring a dish style do? Rather than an actual buffet which requires lots of prep for individual dishes. Can you consider a hot buffet using slow cookers? We discussed this with nonsense further up the thread but ideas. Chilli bar, big vats of chilli, nachos, jacket potatoes etc. curry bar, big slow cookers of curries with poppadoms, naan, chutneys etc, another great one is the pork shoulders cook them for hours then shred into bbq sauce for pulled pork with wedges, coleslaw, tortillas etc etc or keep them plain or cook in cider for hog roast style pork serve with rolls, stuffibg, apple sauce etc.

If you can borrow slow cookers then the food cooks itself whilst the guests help themselves. Minimum work for you maximum kudos for providing decent grub!

Its the day of the party. Prep is all done (I hope) But I have been ill for the past 2 days and still feel rough today so it might be a toned down version of games I had planned since I am the party host unfortunately. Lets hope the children enjoy it anyway!