Planning a Picture Perfect Baby Shower

Welcome to Baby Showers 101! If you think baby showers have to be planned around tacky party games like guess the poop, then think again! There is absolutely nothing wrong with games at a shower or event, but many soon-to-be-moms and their hosts are taking a more sophisticated and fun approach to planning baby showers and leaving the games behind. Showers these days let the mommy-to-be spend more time socializing and, of course, include many presents to shower mom and baby as the main focus of the party. Here are a few ideas and planning tips we have to help you throw a great baby shower!

1. Have a “Baby-que”~This low key backyard bbq is a great idea for a couples shower. Throw on some hamburgers and hotdogs, throw some bottled beverages into a galvanized party tub, make some virgin daiquiris for the expectant mom. Throw on your favorite tunes, hang up some party laterns or string some lights, and have some fun. This is a more low key kind of party, but a guaranteed good time and a great way to include men at the event.

2. Talk it up~Be sure to ask the mom-to-be about a guest list. If she is having more than one shower you may be planning for a small gathering vs. a larger one if your shower will be her only one.

3. Choose great invitations~Part of party planning fun is choosing a great invitation. If you are crafty, you can make invitations with scrapbook supplies. Other hosts will opt to order invitations in bulk. We love printed invites for guests because they give a nice clean look. Don’t forget to include all the details and a map/address to the event. Do some research online. We’ve found some of the best deals are online and not a your local shops. Order invitations 8 weeks in advance and be sure to send them out no later than 6-4 weeks in advance.

4. Plan the party schedule~Most showers will only last 1.5-2 hours so keeping time is important. As the host, greet guests as they arrive and allow 30-45 minutes for mingling and eating. At about 30-45 minutes into the party, cut the cake with the mother to be (or serve cupcakes, depending on what you choose). Then delve into the presents. If you have alot of guests this part could take up to 30 minutes or more. After presents are opened, usually there is more time for socializing and eating. Be sure to help the mommy get all her loot to the car before she leaves.

5. Decorating~Rather than picking a theme, we suggest choosing a few colors to work around. For boys we like brown/baby blue, brown/blue/mint green/orange/white, or red/yellow/blue/green. For girls we think pinks, greens and yellows are a good fit. You can always add jungle animals as a center piece or cake topper for a litte more fun, but finding paper products to coordinate with a color scheme will be easier to find. You can always jazz things up a bit with stripes, dots, paper lanters, pictures of the mommy-to-be, etc.

Toddler and Schoolage Birthday Party Ideas: UPDATED

Guess what Moms? Our party idea list has been expanded! Check out a few of our newest ideas for great kid birthday parties. Don’t worry all of our original ideas can be found here.

Still planning for infants? Don’t miss our birthday party ideas for babies click here!

A HARD KNOCK LIFE PARTY

If you love the movie classic Annie, this party is perfect you! First pick movie themed invitations. A lot of party stores are carrying these now so they are easy to find. Be sure to tell the guests in the invite to dress the part as an orphan. This does not require buying anything new, just get creative! Suggest wearing button-down shirts, cardigans over a sundress, boots, and do a little “dirty” makeup to make your guest extra scruffy. You’ll want your little darling to be the star, Annie, so save that part or her. Serve popcorn in classic containers (also available at many party supply stores) and have a showing of Annie playing for your guests. The kids will have fun dancing to the songs, especially “A Hard Knock Life”. Serve cake and juice boxes, open presents, and your classic Annie party is complete!

A DAY AT THE ZOO

What child, especially toddlers, doesn’t love animals? A day with their friends at the zoo would be a perfect way to spend a birthday. Many zoos offer birthday party packages that include cake, drinks, and zoo passes for you and your guests. This idea is a little pricey but, if you can afford it, it makes for a very memorable party. But, what if you want to do the zoo on a budget? This is a great theme for an at home party too (or even a party that can be held a local park). To plan a zoo party at home, get crafty. Create a game of “pin the nose on the lion” and provide bowls of peanuts in the shell for guests to snack on. Fill cute treat bags or boxes with zoo themed favors. We love, love, love the treat box we have pictured (find it at birthdaydirect.com). For added fun, send your little explorers on a safari hunt. This can be done through a scavenger hunt (don’t forget to let the adults help if it’s a toddler party). The objective can be to find the lost tiger, lion, etc. and the winner will get to keep their new stuffed animal treasure! Facepaint tiger whiskers on the girls and zebra stripes on the boys. If the neat freak in you doesn’t like the mess of facepainting, check party stores for animal masks that the guests can color on their own. The party animals will all love getting wild with your little one at this party!

TAKE A TUMBLE

Is your little one an aspiring gymnastics star? A party at your local gymnastics studio is a great way to celebrate another milestone. It is good gender neutral them and good way for all your party guests to get their wiggles out. This party is super easy to plan because there is minimal planning involved. Find some cute invitations (lots of variations are offered at many paper product vendors online) and then let your guests have fun tumbling around. After they’ve all had their fill of jumping and tumbling, open presents, and eat cake with your guests. For favors keep it simple. We love the idea of making ribbon dancers for guests. Just hit up your local craft store for 12″ wooden sticks and colorul ribbon. Cut the ribbon into 3 ft. long pieces and hot glue one end to the top of the wooden stick-VOILA! Instant ribbon dancer! We love this party idea because it is great for a boy or girl! Who wouldn’t love to rough and tumble with their friends for their birthday?!

ICE SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!

This delicious idea is a wonderful party theme for spring and summer parties. We think it’s most ideal for ages 3-7. You can host it at home or once again take it to your local park and keep the mess out of your house. You can buy invitaions, but if you want to be thrifty, search clip art through your word processing program and print out an ice cream cone with one or two scoops on top. You can type your details on top of the scoops before you print. We like “I scream, you scream, {Child’s name here} scream’s for ice cream!”. For party favors buy cone shaped party hats and cover them in brown paper. Use pink blown up balloons for girls and white blown up balloons for boys. Turn the party hats upside down to make a cone and place your balloon scoop on top (keep in place with tape). Write party guests names on the cone. The kids are sure to love their own personal “ice cream cone”. Don’t forget to give the guest of honor extra scoops (3 scoops for 3rd birthday and so on).  For fun, have an ice cream relay. Three teams will compete: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. You can pair up the kids and let a few compete at a time. The winners can go make their sundaes/cones first. Have an ice cream station set up on a table and be sure to include bowls filled with all the toppings-sprinkles, M&M’s, nuts, syrups, etc. Wind down the guests with a story that goes along with the theme. We like Curious George Goes to the Ice Cream Shop!

St. Patrick’s Day Simple

Keep it Irish easy this St. Patrick’s Day with these simple green crafting and cooking ideas.

Super Simple Shepards Pie

Prep Time: 10 min

Ready in: 30 min.

What you need:
1 lb. ground beef
8 med. green onions (about 1 cup)
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 can mexi-corn mix, drained
1 can (4 oz.) green chillies, undrained
1 package of instant mashed potatoes
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup corn chips

Fix it fast:
1. Cook ground beef and onions in a 10 in. skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until beef is brown. Drain well.
2. Stir in barbeque sauce, 3/4 cup of corn and chilies. Heat to a boil, then reduce heat to stay warm.
3. Cook potatoes according to package (you’ll need milk, butter, and water) and stir in remaining onion and corn. Let stand at least 5 min.
4. Spoon potatoes onto center of beef mixture, leaving 2 1/2- to 3-inch rim around edge of skillet; sprinkle cheese over potatoes and beef mixture. Cover and let stand about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle corn chips around edge of skillet.

Easy No Bake Cookies

Get your kids in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with these super fast no-bake treats. Just pick up a package of soft-baked sugar cookies and press out shamrocks with a  cookie cutter. Add a bit of color by pressing green sprinkles onto the cookies, and you’re done! Or grab some premade sugar cookie mix, roll out the dough, bake and ice together!

Cereal Rainbow

For this super easy craft all you need is a box of Fruit Loops, glue and construction. Then, let your child get to work on the colors of the rainbow by making a rainbow with the colored loops!

Throw a Party

Feelin’ lucky? Then throw a super fun party for this holiday. For decorations make some four leaf clovers. All you need a green construction paper, glue, and glitter (or another add ons you’d like). Cut the construction paper into into four small hearts and a stem and arrange into a clover. Then add on your in, glitter, etc.

For decor use different shades of green balloons and maybe some gold or yellow too. Hang some rainbow streamer and use fun green or gold paper products to serve up your treats. As a party craft for the kids, make rainbow mobiles. All you’ll need are wire hangers, multi-colored construction paper, markers or crayons, glue and yarn. Make the rainbow as your “anchor” then hang different charms from your rainbow with the yarn (think Lucky Charms marshmellow shapes).

Serve up the greens: For food think greens and yellows-celery, cucumbers, and green pepper served with dip. For a sweet treat whip up some cupcakes (according to package) and just add a few drops of green food coloring for a fun baked treat. Add green food coloring to white icing to top the cupcakes or use white icing with green or rainbow sprinkles.

New Year’s Eve for Kids

Spending this New Year’s Eve at home with the family? Ringing in the New Year with your precious gems is a great way to spend the holiday. Not sure what to do till the stroke of 12? SharpMoms has you covered!

• After a family dinner your kids will be eager for some finger foods to munch on while waiting on the ball to drop. Keep it simple with popcorn, fruit cups, and everyone’s favorite flavor of ice cream.
• Sparkling cider in goblets will also make your little ones feel extra special while Mom and Dad sip on champagne.
• Next up, party favors. Don’t waste your money on fancy 2010 hats. Buy some plain gold and silver paper party hats and bust out the craft box. Your kids will have way more fun donning their own party creations!
• Don’t forget dancing! Every New Year’s Eve there are programs on with lots of music and entertainment acts. Watch them with your kids and encourage them to dance the night away!

Make this New Year’s Eve one to Remember!

Hosting a party? We’re all about making your planning a little easier. Here are some SharpMom tips for party success!

1. If you’re hosting a dinner party, make your life easier by cooking one pot meals (see soup recipe below) or an easy casserole. You might want to try our Ham and Bean Bake. Doing an easy main dish will not only save you time, but save your sanity as well!

2. Let your guests make their own drinks and a do it yourself cocktail bar. If you don’t have a bar area already, set up a small card table with a nice tablecloth-Voila! Instant bar! Set out some champagne cocktail and bloody mary supplies. Don’t forget a fun party tub full of your favorite brews as well as a few bottles of Merlot for those non-champagne drinkers.

3. Don’t get rid of all your wreaths and garland just yet! Use that holiday decor for wishing posts. Fill a hurricaine candle holder with slips of white paper and pens and let your guests fill in their wishes for the coming year. Clip them to the wreaths for all the party guests to read throughout the evening!

4. Don’t forget the finger foods! What is a New Year’s Eve party without a table full of appetizers? Order up some sushi from your favorite sushi bar in town and don’t forget the cheese and veggie trays! For more appetizer ideas click here.

ONE POT RECIPE: Black-Eyed Pea Soup

This is a one pot meal that is sure to please the party goers (or your family, if you are spending a low-key New Year’s at home)!

What you need:

Fix it fast:

Women’s Game Night-Do it up Right!

Every Mom, working or not, needs a little break from the daily routine. SharpMoms thinks spending some time with girlfriends is a great way to unwind. Rather than meeting for the traditional dinner date with friends, try planning a monthly game night with your gal pals. This idea is fun, cheap, and a great way to spend time gossiping and catching up with your best girls. Not sure where to start? Here are some tips:

Game night should be stress-free and kid-free! Plan a simple menu of appetizers and drinks. Perhaps ask each friend to bring an appetizer or drink of choice. Plan on getting a sitter for your kids and your friend’s kids as well. Maybe there is an older teenager in the group that can watch the younger children, or, better yet, corale the husbands into watching the kids!

Game Options:

1. Bunco is always a great game choice. It is mindless, easy to play, and fun.
2. Relive your childhood with a night of Twister. Everyone will get a good laugh!
3. Find your inner “man” and play a few rounds of poker.
4. Who’s the best liar in the group? A good game of Bull Shit should help you figure it out! The object of the game is to discard all the cards from your hand.
5. Stay traditional and play a round of Monopoly or LIFE.
6. Apples to Apples is a great, fun game. It works best if you know at least a little about all the players. The object of the game is to guess which one player will choose from a list of options.

Adult Age Party Ideas

Here are ideas for parties that will satisfy the young, as well as the young at heart!

MEXICAN AND MARGARITAS

This party theme is great way to celebrate a birthday, retirement or anniversary. Load up on chips, salsa, taco fixings and margarita mix. Invite guests to wear sombreros and join the food and fun.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE PARTY

This theme is geared more towards that 40 or 50 year old you may know. Decorate with pictures documenting the honoree’s life. Showcase awards and trophies. Play games from the high school era and you can even ask guests to dress like they were in the birthday person’s high school class.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT

Does your birthday guy or gal have an absolute favorite restaurant? Maybe it is a swanky restaurant that requires an excuse to get all dressed up. It could be a small cafe down the street. Whatever the place may be, a friendly birthday get together is a great way to commemorate a milestone 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday. This kind of party can be as big or as small as you like. For a more intimate event, invite close friends to join you for a night out of the town. For larger parties, reserve a few tables, bring some decorations, place cards, framed pictures of the birthday person, and encourage guests to bring a small birthday treat for the honoree. Sharp Moms likes this theme because it leaves the mess and cleaning up out of the house and at the restaurant!

DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES

What is your favorite era? The 50s, 60s or 70s? This party theme can be used for any kind of celebration. Your guests can dress according to the decade and join your honoree for a night of dancing, food, and laughs.

Teen Party Ideas

A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

This can be held at home or you can have your teen meet up with friends at the theater. For at home parties, you will need lots of popcorn and popcorn bags. If serving dinner, we like to keep it simple…order up pizza or if you are feeling like a true Sharp Mom, buy ingredients to have the party guests make pizzas to cook up and eat at the party. Let your child choose the featured presentation. Sharp Mom’s thinks this theme is a great party idea for sleep over events. In that case watch one-or a ton-of movies!

SWIM PARTY

Swimming parties are always fun for middle and high school age children. If you don’t have a pool, check about reserving your neighborhood clubhouse or the local community  or county club pool. Most places will lease their pools out for the day for a minimal fee. Sharp Mom’s likes a laua theme for this party with vibrant colors and a lot of beach balls!

DINNER PARTY

This party is geared more for the sweet 16 girl in your life. She can invite a small group of close friends to meet up at her favorite restaurant and enjoy an evening of good food and gossip!

Toddler/Schoolage Birthday Party Ideas

TRIKE-A-THON

If you have the space or a park near by, this is a wonderful party idea. Invite your guests to bring their trike and join the fun! For the color scheme go wild with lots of bright colors. Decorate with balloons and streamers. Cupcakes or a cake decorated with colorful sprinkles and icing with be a big hit. And don’t forget the main event: A trike-a-thon race between your little one and all their friends! This is sure to be the highlight of the party for the kids attending. Don’t forget to have treats on hand for the winners. You can race as many times as your little one desires and the party can be spent outside riding trikes after you open presents and eat cake.

PIRATE PARTY

Arrrrrr! This party is sure to be a favorite. While it is geared more for the little boy in your life, girls make good pirates too! For this party, Sharp Mom’s like a black, brown, red, and yellow color scheme. Those are some really good base colors to work with. A ship? A pirate face? A map? Talk to your local baker about these ideas as cakes for your party. We like what Sharp Mom Lacy from Indiana did: a treasure hunt for all her pirates attending the party. For little ones, you can read the clues aloud and help them find the hidden treasure chest (filled with enough treats to satisfy all the party guests!). Older children can read the clues together or on their own and find the hidden treasure. Sharp Mom’s also likes the idea of a pinata for this party. Treasures are hidden in those too, right?

CANDYLAND THEME

Yum, yum. Get ready for loads of sugar and lots of fun! You will need to load up on all kinds of candies–m&m’s, twizzlers, gummies and large swirly lollipops, just to name a few. You can use different sized jars or bowls as candy dispensers. Finger foods and a colorful cake with ice cream on the side will make this party even sweeter. For fun, party guests can play Candyland the game or even better, you can make a life-size candyland out of colored construction paper. If an at home candy party is a little too much for you, check your area for venues. There are many places that offer parties that are geared towards candy and a sweet time!

PARTY FOR A PRINCESS

Dust off your crown… This party will be your little girl’s dream! Enjoy an enchanted afternoon with your little girl and all her friends! Invite the party guests to wear their favorite princess attire and join your little princess for a party they will never forget! Let your little girl and her guests play their hearts away while you serve up sweet treats and “tea”. There are endless ideas for a cake design from a castle, to a princess, crown, or frog. We like pink, purple, and green as the color scheme. We also like the idea of a little game of pin the crown on the princess.

Infant Birthday Party Ideas

CUPCAKE THEME FIRST BIRTHDAY

Everybody’s little baby is as sweet as a cupcake and a cupcake themed first birthday is a great way to celebrate such a precious milestone. All you need to do is pick two to three colors to work with. Sharp Mom’s likes pink, green, and yellow for girls and blue, yellow, and green for boys. Then check with your local party supply store for plates, cups, cutlery, and balloons to match your color scheme. For food plan on cupcakes with icing and sprinkles to match your colors. Depending on your party time, you may want to opt for finger foods in lieu of lunch or dinner foods. We like what Sharp Mom Melanie from Tennessee did for her little girl’s first birthday: cupcakes, sandwiches, veggie and fruit trays. Her party was a lunchtime event so more food choices were needed. For treat bags, the sky’s the limit! Keep in mind the age range of the children that will be attending. Depending on this, you can fill your bags with age appropriate items. Every child loves stickers and bubbles and these things always make for a great treat!

LITTLE LADY FIRST BIRTHDAY

What does one sweet little girl need on her birthday? Lots of ladybugs to help celebrate the day. This theme is especially cute for the spring or early summer birthdays you might be celebrating. Red and black will be the party colors. Many ladybug supplies and party decor can be found at party stores and online. Work the food around your party time. If you are throwing your party outdoors, you can host a bbq lunch or dinner for your party guests.One year olds and toddlers love outdoor play. Outdoor slides, ball pits and bubbles would be an added treat for your party guests. Check with your local bakery about ladybug cupcakes or a ladybug shaped cake. All these things will add to your little ones special day.