7 Unique Last-Minute Father's Day Ideas
Check out these 7 unique last-minute Father’s Day ideas in this latest post and more. LYFETYMES is the #1 Party Planning Website! Check us out for all things party!
7 Unique Last-Minute Father’s Day Ideas
Father's Day is right around the corner; do you have your gift planned yet? If you said no, do not worry we do not judge, and we’re here to help you. With so much going on in the world now, a gift for the man in your life might have been overlooked. It is even more important this year as we face yet another holiday in some degree of quarantine to hold onto those who matter the most. Which is why we came up with some creative and unique ways to celebrate the father figures in your life. So ditch the button-ups and read on for 10 unique gift ideas for the super dads we want to celebrate!
Go DIY for Father’s Day
This is the perfect way to put your heart into dad’s gift and be creative. And who does not love homemade gifts? Dads do a lot of building and repairing so have the little ones build and create something for dad. You know what they say it’s the thought that counts and a DIY gift is sentimental, and dad can hold onto it for a lifetime. So, get crafty and DIY something special this Father’s Day.
Backyard Camping
Want to plan a fun night full of adventure for dad, but are running short of time and money? Consider a backyard campout. Grab your tent from the garage. If you don’t have one ask a friend or family member so you don't have to purchase one. Bring out the s’mores tasting and warm up those vocals for some campfire singalongs. Stargazing and letting dad share his childhood stories is the perfect way to spend some quality time with dad.
Buy a Grill or Grilling Supplies
Every man needs a grill. This is the perfect time to give dad a nice BBQ pit. If he already has a grill maybe it’s time to replace it with one he’s been eyeing or gift dad with some new grilling supplies. Nothing says ‘Grill Master’ like having the latest grilling gadgets and tools. The Back of the Yards Collection by The Spice House is a great gift. It comes with four spice jars that celebrate locals whose families come from Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Dad can add some flavors from all over the world to his favorite dishes.
This grill set by Wüsthof is just what dad needs for a quality grill setup (And it’s on sale right now.) All handles are heat resistant and have hooks that make them easy to store. Make it extra special by engraving it with a sweet Father’s Day message.
DAD’s Old Records
If your dad has a collection of old Vinyl Records in the attic it's time to dust them off and bring them out. If he doesn't already have a record player this is the perfect time to purchase one. Kohl’s has a great collection to choose from like this Victrola Suitcase Turntable Record Player that is currently on sale. Play some records and revisit the memories. Let dad tell you all about his Vinyl record days and don’t forget to take lots of photos or videos of your father and family dancing around the living room to his favorite tracks.
Learn About Your Family History
Nothing shows you care about your dad’s future and past like an Ancestry DNA kit. You can help your father learn more about his origins while also learning about his health. This DNA kit is a great way to get to know your dad. Your dad will love to uncover his ancestry and maybe learn more about his father as well. Ancestry.com is having a Father’s Day Sale on their kits so grab one today and share a unique interactive experience with dad.
A Monthly Membership
One of the best Fathers Day gifts in 2020- a Dollar Shave Club monthly subscription. Every month dad will get a box full of everything he needs to have a clean and sharp shave delivered straight to his door. From super sharp razors to moisturizing shaving creams this gift is the perfect mix of convenience and quality. It will have dad feeling young and hip.
Breakfast In Bed
Start dad’s special day with a great early- morning surprise. We all know mom usually gets the breakfast-in-bed treatment. But that does not mean dad wouldn’t enjoy the same indulging. Everyone loves a good breakfast in bed, especially when eating in your room is normally off-limits. So, let dad relax and make his favorite breakfast food and have your little sous chefs join in on the fun and create cute drawings or a sweet message to accompany dads’ breakfast.
Game Night With a Twist
If your Father is a board game kind of guy or loves to play parlor games such as Charades and Pictionary, then the best way to celebrate Father's day at home is to have a game night where you play all his favorite board games or parlor games. To make it more special, put a twist in every game. For example, you can have prizes that will be beneficial to your dad, or you can make the topics of the charades about your Father.
Father's Day is a time to express your love and let him know that he is appreciated. Recognize his hard work. Express all the things you love about him and things he does for you. That’s why we’ve got you covered with this fun and creative Father's day ideas and things to do with dad.
An Open Letter To Families On Mother's Day
We often scramble to find gifts of appreciation for mom, leading to the usual planned Brunch, Spa Day, or Big Family gathering. Unfortunately, most of those options are off the table at a time where we are reminded why moms are the glue that holds it all together for us. The bright side is this; most only care about the thought you put into how much you appreciate her as a mom
Celebrating Mother’s Day in 2020
Dear Families-
I am providing a clear PSA for your safety amongst COVID-19 knowing we all think it’s about three days earlier of what actually day it is: Mother’s Day is 5/10/20.
We often scramble to find gifts of appreciation for mom, leading to the usual planned Brunch, Spa Day, or Big Family gathering. Unfortunately, most of those options are off the table at a time where we are reminded why moms are the glue that holds it all together for us. The bright side is this; most only care about the thought you put into how much you appreciate her as a mom
Let’s face, it unless you are essential and working out of the home; you should have plenty of time to make this day special. Go on one of your “Important Video Conference Calls” that we are pretty sure you are just having a boss bitch fest with your work buddies or playing video games with kids your kid’s age, who by the way are in the next room playing the same game.
I'm generalizing, but let’s go with it.
Mom, on the other hand, had some new assignments given to them this year, Most moms are now working from home. They went from “working mom” on the go, to work at the home, which for some reason you just work more, in addition, they are now a substitute teacher and tutor, daycare worker; a fight negotiator, and prison warden; an all-day personal chef, trying to transform anything you have in your fridge or cabinet into some kind of edible meal like a contestant in Chopped, rationing food -because all you people do is eat; family disinfector, maid and battling non-stop laundry mountain; psychologist and “feelings” therapist. All the while dealing with her own confused feelings of why she’s not fantasizing of George Clooney or Bard Pitt, but of Gov. Andrew Cuomo or Dr.Anthony Fauci. All of this and trying not to become a day drinker.
Happy F*cking Mother’s Day you one-woman band. There is a reason all you do is add an “o” to her and it spells HERO. Not HIMO.
Not a slight to the dads out there. It’s not your fault, we have enabled you- never knowing the ramifications or completely lacking the physic abilities to predict a global pandemic. We thought we were just making it…easier. You have no idea how to help, by design or not, like a grown child who has moved back with their parents and or at best, a very green intern who has been forced upon us, It was fun to watch you try for about two minutes but we are now over it- the mom, the kids, the dog, the cat,.. everyone. So now that you have has a small look into what motherhood looks like and how we try to hold the family “sh*t” together, let us help you say “Thank You” and win on Mother's Day 2020.
Why is Mother’s Day such a big deal to Mom’s? It’s a Mom's Christmas. It’s a Mom’s Super bowl. It’s the one day to just get a “Thank You” for making us appear like a happy and well adjusted healthy family in public, and not letting us not look like the total sociopaths, that we would look like left to our own druthers, We also go onto self-protection mode by having the lowest of expectations on that day from our loving family.
If you don’t have a ton of cash don’t worry, you can do things that don’t take a ton of money, Mother’s Day is more emotional if anything.
The easiest road to happiness is to simply ask her what she wants-but beware of traps -Moms who don’t want to risk getting another smelly soap, lotion, or candle from Walmart, will flat out tell you what they want (I am that Mom). Most moms will say “Oh nothing honey, don’t worry about it., just another day for me” or the selfless moms will say “Every day is Mother’s Day for me, just as long I have you all of you to love, that’s more than enough for me” or exhausted who are scared they would need to clean everything up “With everything going on we can just do something later on to celebrate Mothers Day”.
Let me translate what that means:
“Oh nothing, don’t worry about it.” -really means- “If you do next to nothing or try to blame COVID-19 as a free pass because you were planning on telling me about a fake trip like flying me to Paris, but can’t leave the US, I will become your worst nightmare.”
“Every day is Mother’s Day for me, just as long I have you all of you to love, that’s more than enough for me”. -really means- “ You life-sucking sob’s - I have sacrificed my youth, mind, body, career, and sanity for you all, the least you could do it pull ONE thing together for someone other than yourself for ONE day a year.”
“With everything going on we can just do something later on to celebrate Mother’s Day.”.-really means- “I have zero faith you can run a bath on your own without the Coast Guard watching over you.”
Harsh? yes. True? Yep. Here are some ideas to treat mom like the Queen she is, just be practical but be thoughtful, above all else. Our panel of moms dreamed up the perfect Mother’s Day.
BUT one ask: Buy local, buy from a small business in your area, extra points buy from a Local Female mom-run a small business. Remember, this state of our lives is not forever and we really need to support our small businesses. So consider purchasing gift cards for products or services for a future date from your local small business owner's mom loves to visit.
Mother's Day Celebration Ideas
COVID-19 Mother’s Day Do’s and Dont’s. Let’ s start with the process of elimination, the don’ts:
Don’ts (only becomes a “do” if she ASKS for it):
Don’t buy Lingerie-it is not a gift, at this point its a job, please do not disguise a gift for you as a gift for her. It would be like buying golf clubs for us.
Don’t buy mom an online cooking class- trust me we are practiced by this point.
Don’t find your inner Gordon Ramsey and plan something that will require mom to clean up- If you cook and destroy the kitchen, clean up your mess.
Don’t take the kids all day and think to raise your voice, letting them cry it out all day or introducing a new line of consequence they have never heard of is helping. If she has to storm in the room and de-escalate a child’s breakdown, you have failed. Do what mom does.
Just Pretend the Queen of England has arrived and your job is to serve her-ALL DAY
DO: hit it early, hit it hard and hit it fast: take her coffee and breakfast, We all love it when the family busts through the door and shouts “Happy Mother’s Day” with gifts and cards in hand, even better with coffee and breakfast. So get in the spirit and make a big deal about it. This is a great idea for our Front Line mommas that are getting up early and going to work. Kids at home should get their butts up and come in with the card, gift, hug, kiss-ready. Have your children-no matter what age- make and write a card, it will mean the world to a mom, let’s shoot for more than a picture or one sentence with “Love, the ingrates”- you need to become a Hallmark Supervisor, oversee this one and make sure they do it right.
DO ALL the Cooking and Cleaning up- no matter if you are ordering food in or cooking-do something that will give her a break and not require her to clean up your “gift.”
DO Clean the house- (yes, this includes the toilets) and attacking and putting a dent in Laundy Mountain.
DO have one Family Sit Down Lunch, Dinner, or socially distanced Picnic.
DO Kid Duty- all day, as mom does it.
DO Mimosas With Moms! A Virtual Happy Hour! Set up a Virtual Party with her closest family and friends as a surprise to catch up and spend quality time together.
DO have Mom Netflix, Hula, and Bravo - she has earned it- kick it up a notch, turn the bathroom into a spa, start a warm bath or shower, play music, lite a candle, add some flowers, layout a spa mask, a new robe, new slippers- while she is pampering- Make her a “relaxing room”, could be a bedroom- layout some comfy pajamas, remake her bed, fluff her pillows, charge her phone, iPad, or laptop, put her favorite snacks and drink out, give her a bell for the day if she needs anything.
Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day
Honestly- giving gifts from the heart, taking the family duties all day and letting mom chill, is the best gift, anything gift on top of it is gravy. With that said, here are our top favorites:
Get her a gift card to go get spoiled when things open up. Our roots are showing and pretty sure we are going to need a color correction from our botched box job, our nails are a mess thanks to scrubbing and bleaching. Give mom something to look forward to, like putting herself back together and destressing like getting her hair done or to the spa for a Mani and Pedi spa: both safe bets (and much appreciated!).
As mentioned above a Mom Basket filled with items like a Robe, pair of Slippers, Spa Mask, New pair of PJs makes a wonderful gift.
Make or Buy something personalized, framed picture of the family, jewelry with something engraved, anything that can is a keepsake.
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10 Awesome Social Distancing Kid Birthday Party Ideas
When life gives you a global pandemic, you turn your creative caps on. Although we've been stuck at home, the world around us is still moving. Our kids are missing their proms, graduations, and friends from school. Children's birthdays are being canceled. It might not be traditional, but it can still be special.
We all want to make our kids happy and lighten their spirits even in these difficult times. Here are ten ideas to celebrate your Child's Birthday while practicing social distancing.
10 Kid Birthday Party Ideas For Social Distancing
When life gives you a global pandemic, you turn your creative caps on. Although we've been stuck at home, the world around us is still moving. Our kids are missing their proms, graduations, and friends from school. Children's birthdays are being canceled. It might not be traditional, but it can still be special.
We all want to make our kids happy and lighten their spirits even in these difficult times. Here are ten ideas to celebrate your Child's Birthday while practicing social distancing.
Have a Virtual Party!
Virtual parties have been a big talk worldwide recently due to the CoronaVirus. With plenty of streaming platforms to use from, having a Virtual Party can be accessible to anyone anywhere. Platforms like Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, Skype, and more all have unique features for you and your guests to play with. It's essential to do your research before choosing a platform to make sure the platform you select is manageable for all your party guests. You can also check out Lyfetymes Blog to learn how to throw the Ultimate Virtual Party.
2. Virtual Princess/ Character Visit!
You planned a Frozen party or Superhero birthday party for months only for it to be canceled. There's an even better solution. Your kid deserves to have that theme party, and you can turn it up a notch by having a real-life character of choice join in on the fun. So let it go and let Elsa sing and dance at your child's virtual birthday party
3. Birthday TikTok Challenge
I'm sure by now you have all heard of TikTok. Most kids have been spending most of their time at home practicing their TikTok dance moves. Have the birthday kid pick a song on TikTok for everyone to dance to. Have your friends and family send in their dance version to the song. The fun challenge will get everyone excited and moving. You can even create a unique hashtag for the birthday dance. Seeing all your child's friends and family dancing will put a smile on their face.
4. Host a Virtual Movie Night
Invite your child's family and friends for a Movie Night In and include the link to Kast. Kast allows you to video share through your screen. Have your child pick out the movie they want to watch with their friends. Once your invitees download Kast, you can watch the film and have a live chat during it. Netflix also currently added an option to watch movies together and chat from your couches. It will be a virtual slumber party!
5. Drive-By Celebration
Set a time and date for your party guests to line up their cars and drive-by. You can set up a table for gifts and goody bags for your guests to take on their way! Decorate your driveway with balloons, garland, or sidewalk chalk for your guests and your little one to enjoy. To add some extra excitement for the birthday kid, purchase some confetti poppers for them to pop as guests drive by.
6. Decorate the Front Yard
Kids love surprises. Decorating your whole yard will make your kid's birthday! With these excellent birthday signs, surprise the birthday kid as they walk outside in the morning. You might also get some honks and cheers from neighbors passing by. Make your kid like you're throwing a big celebration even though you can't.
7. All Aboard the Party Express- Drive-By
If you don't live in a close neighborhood or don't want to bring the party to your location, you can try this alternative! Let your neighbors, family, and child's friends know that there's a birthday celebration coming up. Ask anyone who wants to join in on the party to put up signs, balloons, or anything else in their yards, driveways, or windows on the day of the birthday party.
Decorate your car with balloons and party decorations and take your children for a drive around the neighborhood to see all the birthday surprises. If you want to set a time, let everyone know so they can stand outside to cheer and sing for the birthday kid as you drive by.
8. Virtual Game Night
Don't let your kids' special day go without any fun games. Many Livestream platforms allow you to share your screen so the kids can play online. If your kids are at writing age, you can download the Mural app and use it as a whiteboard for Hangman and Pictionary. You can also play games like Guess that Song. Or even have the kiddos bust out some dance moves.
9. Birthday Scavenger Hunt
Everyone loves a good scavenger hunt, especially when there are gifts involved. Start your little one's special day with a fun scavenger hunt game around the house. You can create your clues or find some Birthday Scavenger Hunt printables/ ideas at Playtivities.com. Have the clues lead them to special surprises throughout the house.
10. Celebrate at Home- Mail it in
Have an at-home celebration for your child like you usually would, minus all the party guests. Decorate the house with balloons and garlands for your child to wake up to. Give your address to your friends, family, or close neighbors and ask them to mail postcards, birthday cards, letters, or whatever they would like for the birthday kid to open. My favorite kind of gifts are the ones that had much thought put into them, so these will be heartwarming gifts. Plus, your child will feel extra special, seeing what their loved ones took the time to do.
What will be your first Virtual Celebration?
At-Home and Virtual Parties can still be festive and engaging. It does not just have to be a Face-time call, you can make it as memorable as you want and it is important to celebrate those milestones and recognize they have been accomplished. You can plan for free at LYFETYMES or if you don’t have the time or non-technical, check out our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace to find party services such as event planners, photographers, bakers, catering, balloon stylists and more.
How To Host A Virtual Baby Shower
When we think of baby showers, we typically imagine a group of a dozen or so close relatives and friends all gathered together celebrating the approaching bundle of joy!. Although celebrations around the world can be postponed- some things can’t be postponed- like the birth of a baby! Due to Covid-19, your in-person baby shower plans have probably changed or even postponed, but let’s face it, one of the best parts of the baby shower is getting some gifts that you are in dire need of day 1 of the baby’s arrival. We are coming up with solutions to mom’s to be so you can still celebrate the upcoming arrival.
Connecting Family and Friends to celebrate your baby shower.
We’ve collected all of the best ideas to help you plan your online Virtual Baby Shower!
When we think of baby showers, we typically imagine a group of a dozen or so close relatives and friends all gathered together celebrating the approaching bundle of joy! Although celebrations around the world can be postponed- some things can’t be- like the birth of a baby! Due to Covid-19, your in-person baby shower plans have probably changed or even canceled, but let’s face it, one of the best parts of the baby shower is getting some gifts that you are in dire need of day 1 of the baby’s arrival. We are coming up with solutions for mom’s to be so you can still celebrate the upcoming arrival.
Introducing the virtual baby shower. That’s right: virtual. All online, no matter the distance. The concept of virtual baby showers is not new, we have been including our loved ones who can’t be there for some time now by virtually. having them on video chat here and there. The difference is now it is just not Aunt Becky in Georgia, it is pretty much everyone that will need to attend online. So it takes a bit more organization and effort so it’s enjoyable for everyone.
What is a Virtual Baby Shower?
Virtual or online baby showers are generally the same concept and usually will happen before the baby arrives The difference is you will only have one or two people attending in person with you vs. 10 or 20, and more than likely, they are living in the house. Once the baby is born, it is a great time to have Virtual Sip and See, which we will cover in a later post.
We should acknowledge mom-to-be’s feelings now- a virtual shower isn’t going to totally replace the one you have been dreaming and planning since you found out you were expecting. This situation isn’t normal, so if you are feeling a bit down or disappointed—it is ok, that’s normal. It will be different, but that does not mean you can’t celebrate, register, have a theme, open gifts, play games, and everything else you dreamed of!
If you are thinking of taking your baby shower virtual, here’s our expert guidance on how to pull off an amazing and unique virtual baby shower.
Who Hosts a Virtual Baby Shower?
The nice thing about Virtual Showers is the rules are thrown out on hosting. Here are FOUR options
1) The expecting parents to host their own shower. Start planning your shower for free at LYFETYMES, -everything you need in one place to plan any party or shower.
2. You can also have a close friend or family member help you host.
3. But even if your Co-host or Co-Hosts live far away, it’s still totally possible to coordinate via LYFETYMES, since the party is entirely virtual anyway and you can be added as Guest Of Honor.
4. Check out our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace to find party services such as event planning, balloon stylist, photography, catering, and more.
Steps to Hosting a Successful Virtual Baby Shower
Virtual Showers can still be festive and engaging. It does not just have to be a Face-time call, you can make it as memorable as you want, but if you want it to be as successful as possible, then it does require some planning and effort. Here is a quick rundown of how to get it done!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add a virtual party link, so all they have to do click and party with you! Digital invitations are super popular and totally boring. At LYFETYMES, you can create your Shower Website in a few clicks, add links to your registry and personalize with any picture or short video. Guests can RSVP and get all the party details from your site and just simply click on the virtual party link when it is Shower time! We also have Digital Thank you’s you can email once the shower wraps.
Add an easy registry link for guests to send gifts to your door! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly.
Determine where in the house, backyard, or space you will use for the party, a fun backdrop can be great for gift opening, a central focus of the room for photos. Zoom just launched backgrounds you can add to virtual call which is fun or you don’t want to worry about decorating.
Determine Theme and Decor and order to your door ahead of time there are a ton of delivery solutions, like yard signs, food, cake, and balloons that can be dropped outside your door. Tableware isn’t really necessary. Streamers and balloons? Definitely be camera-ready. Check out the best Balloon Bar we have found yet here.
Make an agenda, especially for your video call - make sure you have put some thought into the shower flow- the last thing you want is a boring virtual party with no structure!
Cue The Music! Get in the mood with our favorite Baby Shower Songs here!
Drinks! Check out the Parents 20 Fun Baby Shower Cocktails and Mocktails Recipes.
The Tech- Video Chat Services
There are lots of solutions out there to choose from, we recommend going with a free video service like Zoom, Skype, Facebook messenger rooms, or Google Hangouts. As long as you and your guests have an internet connection and a phone or computer with a webcam, then they can join. These are the top four easiest video solutions we have found:
Zoom: Zoom is free for everyone to use, allows up to 100 connected devices (500 for an extra charge), and doesn’t require you to download an app, though there is an app option. All you need is an internet connection and a web browser (you can use a computer, tablet, or smartphone). The host sets up a virtual room with a unique ID and password, then sends out the information to guests. Guests don’t need an account to gain access to the party. Keep in mind: The free version of Zoom allows up to 40 minutes of meeting time per room; additional time is available for purchase, but you can also close out the room and start a new one, with that said, if some of your guests are not technical, this could prove to be trying exercise. Additionally, Zoom has come under fire lately for privacy concerns, but they claim they’re taking measures to increase security.
Facebook Messenger Rooms- Facebook is launching this feature to compete with Zoom. Messenger Rooms make it easy to spend quality time with friends, loved ones, and people who share your interests. Create a room right from Messenger or Facebook, and invite anyone to join your video call, even if they don’t have a Facebook account. Rooms will soon hold up to 50 people with no time limit. Facebook plans to add ways to create Rooms from Instagram Direct, WhatsApp, and Portal as well. Features will include 14 camera filters and changeable backgrounds.
Google Hangouts: This service only works if you have a Google/Gmail account, which is free and fairly easy to sign up for. Google Hangout video calls allow a maximum of 10 devices, but up to 250 participants if the call is audio/phone only. They just launched the tile view comparable to Zoom and planning on adding noise-canceling features.
Skype: One of the most well known and been around a while. Skype is free to use on any computer, tablet, or mobile device, and it doesn’t require you to download the app if you’re using a computer web browser. The key differences: it allows up to 50 devices, and there’s no password protection.
Gift Opening at a Virtual Baby Shower
So with any Virtual Celebration, we suggest you flip around the traditional agenda! People love to see their gifts opened and you want to keep the shower engaging and not everyone can stay on for over an hour so start your first activity with drinks and gifts! You open the gifts sent to you (because you provided the information on your LYFETYMES Guest Website) on camera for everyone to see. Or you can have guests hold onto their gifts during the shower and open them for you on camera so you can see (then they can send them to you later). Or you can do a combination of both! We are seeing delays in shipping due to Covid-19, so the earlier you plan and get the word out, the better!
Virtual Baby Shower Games
You can still have a ton of fun playing Baby Shower Games with your guests- but keep it simple!
The Price Is Right: Have guests take a moment to fill out a card with their best guesses for the price of each item as they join. Toward the end of the shower go through the list and the person with the closest price of each item scored one point. The guest with the most points won bragging rights! Get copies of the game card that you can download and print for free HERE from https://realhousemoms.com/ Tip: Look up prices ahead of time!
Baby Bingo- Everyone loves bingo—and when it’s baby-themed, it’s even better. Use these printable bingo cards to get the party going when the mom-to-be opens presents. Instructions: Have Guests print out bingo cards ahead of time. Each gift that the mom-to-be opens at the shower becomes a clue for bingo. You can download a free set of 24 Bingo Cards to print HERE.
If you are wanting to be more adventurous, check out our How To Throw A Drive-By Baby Shower article here!
Virtual Happy Hour Cocktail Guide
You're invited to a Virtual Happy Hour!
With the kids being home during this Pandemic, we could all use a break now and then. Take a sip, sit back, and catch up with some of your best friends through Livestream. We have put together some delicious and simple Vocktail -Virtual Cocktail- recipes for a fun night to unwind while practicing social distancing.
The Happy Hour Guide
by Carmen Lopez
You're invited to a Virtual Happy Hour!
With the kids being home during this Pandemic, we could all use a break now and then. Take a sip, sit back, and catch up with some of your best friends through Livestream. We have put together some delicious and simple Vocktail -Virtual Cocktail- recipes for a fun night to unwind while practicing social distancing.
Step One:
Choose your platform. The best part of a virtual party is the guests. Picking a platform that works best for everyone is crucial. With the growing technology, there are plenty of options like Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, and Google Hangouts. Though they all are used for the same thing, each platform has its unique features, so make sure to do your research before going with one.
Step Two:
Now, this is the fun part! Choose your Quarantine Cocktail of choice.
Mango Rita
This Margarita concoction is one of my personal favorites. Super easy to make, and the mango adds the perfect touch. You will need:
Ice
A fresh mango- diced
Mango juice (I use Jumex- Mango Nectar)
Lime juice
Tequila of choice (I used Silver Tequila)
Jalapeno slices – OPTIONAL (if you want to add some spice)
Chili powder and salt for rim
To start, grab a shaker, add the mango slices and jalapenos (optional), add lime juice, and muddle together.
Add ice
Pour in ½- 2 oz. of tequila
Add 3- 4 oz. of mango juice
Add ½ of lime, juiced
Shake it all up
In a plate mix together chili powder and salt for rim
Dress rim on the glass, add some more ice and pour in your mixture.
If you don't want to add the muddled mango and jalapeno(optional) slices, make sure to strain when pouring. You can add diced mango to glass as well as sliced jalapeno slices if desired. If you're a mango lover, this is the perfect drink for you.
White Claw Sangria
By now I'm sure everyone has heard of White Claws. If not, they are flavored Seltzers and millennials drink of choice. It turns out you can make any drink with a White Claw in place of club soda. This Cocktail is excellent for a Virtual Brunch with the usual Brunch squad.
What you'll need:
One bottle of dry white wine (I chose Pinot Grigio)
Apple Cider
A Raspberry White Claw
Raspberries, to taste (you can select a variety of fruits)
Orange Liqueur (Triple Sec, Cointreau)
How to make it:
Combine apple cider, raspberries, Rasberry White Claw, orange liqueur, and a bottle of wine.
You can also add apple slices and a cinnamon stick to garnish.
You can cover it up and refrigerate for 4 hours up to two days to mix to let all the ingredients infuse together.
Serve chilled.
The next three cocktail recipes are courtesy of @JessieJamesDecker on Instagram. Watch her IGTV to see how easy these recipes are to make.
The Quarantini
To create the Quarantini, you will need:
Ice
Your favorite glass
The sparkling water of choice- (The original recipe used La Croix Berry flavored.)
Pedialyte of choice- (the original method used grape flavor.)
One sugar packet (or sugar substitute)
One lemon
Red wine of choice
Now that you have all the ingredients, lets put it together.
Fill glass with ice and red wine.
Add flavored sparkling water.
Top off with Pedialyte
Finish with sugar (or sugar substitute)
Lemon to taste
Mix all together and ta-da!
The Quaranita
To create this Margarita with a twist, you will need:
· Two oranges
· Lime juice
· Salt for the rim
· Tequila of choice (I used Silver tequila)
· Ice
· Two squirts of agave nectar
Now, lets put the mix together. For this Margarita recipe, you will need a shaker.
Fill shaker with ice
Squeeze one orange into shaker
Add four shots of tequila
Add five tablespoons of lime juice
Mix in the Agave (you can always add more to taste)
Shake it all up
With a slice of your second orange rub it around the rim and salt rim
Add a bit more ice to the glass
Pour in the mixture from the shaker and add orange slices to glass for garnish
Beware this drink packs a punch, but tasty. You can always substitute ingredients to your liking.
The Quarantea
What's better than a nice mason jar full of iced sweet Tea on a hot day? Not much, but this twisted tea cocktail is a close second. You will need:
Simple syrup (if Tea is unsweet)
Vodka -of choice
Rum- of choice
Lemon juice
Ice
Iced Tea- of choice- (black iced Tea was used for original recipe)
Lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish
Get your ingredients together, grab your mason jars, and let's get to mixing.
Fill a cup with ice
Add an ounce of Vodka
Add a splash of Rum
Add a splash of Simple Syrup (if Tea is unsweet)
Add a splash of lemon juice
Top it off with Iced Tea
Add your lemon slices and Enjoy!
This Quarantea might be not only your Virtual Cocktail favorite but also your drink of choice for the summer.
Step Three:
Get dressed up to set the party mood. Put on a pair of new clothes that you have bought online during the quarantine. A Virtual Cocktail Party is the perfect excuse to serve some looks online.
Step Four:
Enjoy yourself! You deserve this moment to yourself. Share some laughs and cheers your friends with your Vocktails. If your group is feelings some fun games, check out (Virtual Party Games Blog.) For some fun ideas.
What will be your first Virtual Celebration?
So At-Home and Virtual Parties can still be festive and engaging. It does not just have to be a Face-time call, you can make it as memorable as you want and it is important to celebrate those milestones and recognize they have been accomplished. You can plan for free at LYFETYMES or if you don’t have the time or non-technical, check out the LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace to find party services to help you plan, style, and more for your next event.
7 Must-Try Virtual Party Games
So you've settled on hosting a virtual celebration but have no idea what to do during the live stream? What about a few party games to keep things fun! Check out these five completely VIRTUAL party games with little to no prep work!
7 Must-Try Virtual Party Games
By April Sharer and Carmen Lopez
So you've settled on hosting a virtual celebration but have no idea what to do during the live stream? What about a few party games to keep things fun! Check out these five completely VIRTUAL party games with little to no prep work!
1. Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is the perfect ice breaker for a virtual party! It can be played with any number of people. As the host, ask guests to prepare two truthful statements about themselves and one lie. Each person in the group gets a turn. When it Is your turn, tell the group two things about yourself that are true and one untrue thing (your lie). Be sure not to say both of your truths first and then the lie because that makes it easier to guess. Mix the order up each time it is your turn. Everyone in the group has an opportunity to try to guess which statement was the lie. Once everyone in the group has guessed, the person will reveal what was true and what was false. The person that answered correctly can go next. This game can go around as many times as you would like or so that everyone gets a chance to go once. You might learn some surprising things about your party guests!
2. Charades
Most everyone knows the rules to this game, so little explaining will be necessary! For those that are unsure how to play, virtually Charades requires the player to mime or imitate a specific action or subject that the rest of the team has to figure out. Direct your guest to a word generator for their word. Taking turns, each guest acts out the word from the generator as all other guests shout out their guesses. This tried, and true party game will be a favorite at your virtual celebration!
3. Minute to Win It Challenges
Minute to Win It started as a game show where contestants had to complete a task using household items in less than a minute to move on. It is now becoming a simple but fun party game. As the host, come up with a list of challenges that can be completed with everyday household objects. It might be a good idea to send out a supply list for each guest before the party to help guests prepare. Also, to ensure that everyone can be included in the challenges. Frugal Fun 4 Boys is another great resource.
Man Vs. Clock
In this version, one player will be trying to beat the clock for each challenge you created. They will have to complete that challenge within a minute. It's best for you to keep track of the time on your end. For this game, I recommend choosing a different person for each challenge. You could also divide your guests into teams.
MINUTE TO WIN IT FOR TEAMS
Split guests into teams. For every game, choose one player from each team to go head to head. For example, one person from each team will be given the list of supplies and game instructions. When you say go, the first players to compete will start the challenge. The first team to complete the challenge receives a point. The guest or team that accomplishes the most challenges wins! These games are fun, inexpensive, and typically hilarious!
4. Thumper
This game will keep you on your toes and get your brain working! Each guest chooses a silly face or hand gesture as their "symbol." The host can choose to be the leader and start the game or pick a guest to lead. Make sure every guest shares their Symbol with the party. The leader then performs their Symbol, immediately followed by the Symbol of another player. This player then performs their own gesture, followed by another player’s gesture. Symbols continue to be passed from guest to guest until someone responds too slowly or misses their cue. To take this up a notch when someone makes a mistake, everyone must drink, and that person then becomes the leader for the next round.
5. Most Likely To
This casual game is fun to play with a group of longtime friends. Take turns creating "Most likely to ________" statements and ask guests to cast their votes using the chat function on the video call. The person with the most votes can take a drink or do a dare. There are no winners or losers in this game, but should definitely be shared laughs! You can have guests download the Most Likely To app on the App Store, or come up with your own. Beware the app is 18+.
6. Spin A Tale
This game promotes creativity and will have guests thinking on their feet. To start the game, make up the first line of a story. Then choose a guest to add a line to your sentence. Members take turns adding to the story until the whole plot develops! Let the story go along on its own route, that is what makes the game fun; you never know what each guest is going to add and where the story will end up.
Here are some ways you can start your tale…
· Today I woke up at 8 a.m. and saw….
· Sofia woke up on the couch this morning and tried to remember how she got there…
· I was supposed to have a virtual meeting today, but…
· When I looked outside my window, I saw…
· Today during quarantine, I started discovered my hidden talent…
7. Online Games
I'm sure you've heard of JackboxTV offering plenty of games to play online. However, besides Drawful2, most of the games have to be purchased to play them. Playingcards.io offers free card games that can be played virtually with your guests. They have also added an online version of Cards Against Humanity.
Feeling overwhelmed with party planning? Check out our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace to take the stress away. Find vendors that offer party planning, decor, catering, photography services, and more.
How To Host An Incredible Graduation Party Quarantine Style
Graduation Party Ideas for Celebrating in 2020! We know this year is going to require us to celebrate creatively. We cover the creative ways to help Celebrate our Graduating Class of 2020!
How to Host a Graduation Party Quarantine Style
by April Sharer and Katie Cunningham
So you set a goal, put in years of work to accomplish it, and now a global pandemic has canceled your moment of recognition? COME ON! You deserve this moment to shine and to celebrate that goal you crushed. You did NOT put in YEARS of all-nighters, stress, and studying to accept your diploma via email and call it good-- you deserve a celebration grad!
Was the Tassel Worth the Hassle?
Unfortunately, this major milestone that so many friends and family look forward to will not happen in the traditional way of years before. Our graduates will not walk across the stage, almost a parent’s visual representation of our children transforming from a child to an adult. The big graduation parties that people travel to will be postponed, or worse canceled
And all that money those seniors dream about envelopes stuffed with cash, like the opening Wedding Scene in the Godfather, are slipping away. Those funds are used for college and to jump-start their adult journey. We are not going to lie to you, it is disappointing for everyone. Thankfully there are still many ways to celebrate our graduates, and even though we may plan a big party later, it’s important to celebrate the moment, the accomplishment, and recognize the graduate!
Let’s walk through some creative ways to Celebrate!
Now introducing the graduating class of 2020! (Quarantine Style)
Make it a Virtual Graduation Party
Virtual parties are all the craze right now. This moment should be shared. It does require some planning and effort to make it great and differentiate between just another Video call. Here is a quick rundown of how to get it done!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add a virtual party link, so all they have to do click and party with you!
Add an easy registry link for guests to send gifts to your door or a cash link to get cash gifts! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly and can be included on your website.
Determine where in the house, backyard, or space you will use for the graduation party, a fun backdrop can be great for gift opening, a central focus of the room for photos. We love balloon decor that spells it out!
Determine Theme and Decor and order to your door ahead of time. There are easy party sets offered here for small parties that ship right to your door, make a few graduation themed treats and stock up on the confetti.
Wear The Cap and Gown, if you have them, if not improvise the walk, diploma, cap, and gown. Go outside and toss that cap while your squad showers you with confetti!
Front yard and Porch Decor, like yard sign decor, or balloon garlands that can be shipped to your door. Most good neighbors will honk for the Graduate if you are telling your neighborhood you are celebrating a graduate via yard sign.
Make a mental agenda, especially for your video call - make sure you have put some thought into the call- the last thing you want is a boring virtual party! Incorporate game activities, have folks dress up in theme costumes, and keep the party moving. You may want to start with cake and gifts.
Make a video memoir for the grad sharing photos and videos from birth- present. Ask your guests to each submit their memories or well-wishes for the grad and incorporate those in the video. This is sure to make the grad feel special and probably on one of the parents’ to-do list for a while! in your virtual party, you can share your screen with the other guests to enjoy!
Don’t make it crazy long. Zoom’s free accounts host parties for up to 40 minutes.
Drive-By or Drive Thru Graduation Party
Drive-By Parties are gaining momentum as a way to get out of the house and social distance safely. It is a great way to feel like you have participated and gone to a party- see each other say hi from a safe distance and show some love!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add your home as the venue, the time it begins, and title it is a “DRIVE-BY GRADUATION PARTY” so everyone knows. You can even add a comment on your website to further explain if needed.
Add registry links in your party for guests to know where to buy gifts your graduate needs so they can drop off and/or a cash link to get cash gifts! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly and can be included on your website, not everyone is going to be able to participate based on location so it’s a great way for them to send gifts they know you need or will love.
Create a “drop-off zone” Determine where guests can safely drop off gifts and decorate the space with balloons so they know where to drop. we have seen a ton of ideas from decorating the trunk of a car, back of a pickup, decked out tables to recycling bins!
Create the appropriate socially distancing space where you will be located, waving from your spot- may be on the porch or lawn chairs from the front yard or window
Don’t forget the Front yard and Porch Decor, yard signs, Garage door signs, decor or balloon garlands-all these can be shipped to your door.
Dress up for your well wishers-Wear The Cap and Gown, if you have them, if not just put on pants, please.
After everyone goes, grab your loot and go inside and celebrate more! Open gifts, have food, decorate inside, record the grad opening gifts to keep for you or share. Shop small themed party sets and awesome balloon garlands offered for small parties right here.
Graduation Party Parade
Similar to a Drive-By Party, this is a bit different. Here are a few differentiators to consider:
The point of the parade is all the participants meet and start following each other at an agreed location (usually not the grads home) and time, so it looks like an actual parade!
Guests pretty much will stay inside a vehicle at all times and may jump out to give a gift quickly and jump back in, so it is helpful to have a close “drop-zone”.to the parade-goers.
It’s a high energy event, expect a ton of honking! It is great fun for guests to decorate vehicles with signs, balloons, and decor- get engaged and have a “Best Decorated Car Float” winner
This is a great idea for teachers and parents who want to celebrate several students with one parade party by visiting multiple grad’s homes.
How will you celebrate your Grad this year?
So Graduation Parties can still be memorable and engaging. Whether you have a small at-home gathering, drive-by parade, or a virtual celebration, throwing a graduation party is no small task. DIY lovers can use our amazing free party planning tools on LYFETYMES or allow our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace for help planning, styling, and more services.
Host an Awesome Drive-By Baby Shower
Honk If You're Having A Baby!
Having a Baby Shower is part of the excitement when becoming new parents. With the Coronavirus and Stay At Home order in place around the world. Many of these special celebrations are being canceled. Unfortunately, pregnancies cannot be rescheduled. These are milestones that need to be celebrated because we will never get them back.
Plan A Drive-By Baby Shower Ideas
by Liz Grisham and Carmen Lopez
Honk If You're Having A Baby!
Having a Baby Shower is part of the excitement when becoming new parents. With the Corona virus and Stay-At-Home order in place around the world, many of these special celebrations are being canceled. Unfortunately, pregnancies cannot be rescheduled. These are milestones that need to be celebrated because we will never get them back.
From drive-by celebrations to virtual ones, people around the world are getting creative on ways to continue the celebrations. Drive-By Baby Showers won't replace traditional ones, but they will make the expecting parents feel loved. Read on to discover how to plan the ultimate Drive-By Baby Shower Parade.
How or Where to Set Up?
Depending on the neighborhood and if you have a driveway available, set a time and date for friends and family to line up their cars and drive by your house. If you are living in an apartment complex, schedule a meet up at an empty parking lot where you can wave at your guests from afar. It could be a church lot or school parking lot. Decorate your driveway or car trunk with balloons and garland. Grab a chair, kick back and be ready to feel the love as friends and family greet you with honks and cheers.
Layout some fun printable games like baby bingo and baby word scramble, and your guests can fill them out or take home to play together virtually through a Livestream. You can find some fun baby shower printables at The Spruce.
We can't forget the gifts, so make sure to set up a spot for guests to drop off gifts.
Expectant mothers are not only anticipating the arrival of their little ones, but they are panicking about being prepared for their little love. The stores are bare, and necessities have become hard to find at times. Help the mom-to-be stock up on essentials such as diapers, wipes, sanitizer, and food, so everyone is staying safe at home
Shower Me With Love Baby Shower Parade
How many can say they've had a parade for their baby shower? Not many!
Getting all loved ones involved by having them decorate their cars for a drive-by parade is an exciting way to celebrate in these crazy times. Your loved ones will be even more excited to drop off their gifts when they get to see the visuals you have been spending hours planning on Pinterest. Get everyone even more involved by holding a fun prize for the winner of the best-decorated car, and it will make their drive-by appearance feel even more special! Gift cards make for good prizes and will be easy to mail out to the winners. They are also a great way to support your local businesses at this time.
How To Plan A Drive-By Baby Shower or Parade
Here is a quick rundown of how to get it done!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It’s a FREE Party Planning and Free Guest Websites for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites or boring e-invitations-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add a virtual party link, so all they have to do click and party with you! Add a Picture or Video to capture guests’ attention!
Title Your Party “Drive-By Baby Shower” Make the location of your party your house and explain in the comments section of your Website guests should drive by the location.
Add an easy registry link for guests to buy gifts to drop off at your door! Including a registry is a great way to get what you want and need.
Have a “Drop Station” and decorate it so they know. Fun to add yard signs, balloons, decorate a porch, add garage door banners, or decorate your front door.
Set up your social distance spot, where you can wave, say hello, and thank them
Get Your Guests involved- have a contest of best-decorated car, sign or custom.
Video yourself opening gifts or host a Virtual Gift Opening Happy Hour so guests can enjoy seeing you open gifts.
Hosting a Drive-By Baby Shower probably wasn't what you pictured your celebrations were going to be like, but it's a great way to overcome the circumstances. Nothing will make you feel more showered with love then your friends and family making time and coming out of their shelters to celebrate your growing family.
Need Help Planning a Drive-By Shower or Parade, visit our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace or plan for free at LYFETYMES.com
The At Home & Virtual Quarantine Survival Guide
There are still many ways to still celebrate with your friends and family and put on the best celebration possible in 2020 you can give them while at home during quarantine and engaging in social distancing. Whether it is a Virtual Party, At-Home Party, Drive-by Party, or Hybrid of them all, we have gathered some innovative ways to celebrate the moments that matter most.
How To Celebrate In 2020
by Liz Grisham and Katie Cunningham
Celebrations both large and small have been canceled or postponed that was planned for the Spring and Summer, which are the most popular Seasons for major milestone life events such as Weddings, Showers and Graduations. Not only has this interrupted these important life events friends and family had looked forward to, but the entire event infrastructure we use to help us with these Celebrations mostly made up of small businesses, have been severely impacted.
Many of us have considered canceling a Birthday Party, Baby Shower, Graduation Party, etc that are coming up in the next few weeks or months due to Social Distancing related to COVID-19. This may seem like a realistic approach to celebrating “when this is over” leaving some very disappointed kiddos, graduates, and moms to be, but the Leading Physiological Experts say this does more damage than good.
Take Your Party Medicine
It’s important to revisit why we celebrate milestones in the first place and the positive emotional effects brought forth by continuing it. It is not just important for our children, but there are major benefits that we as adults can benefit from celebrating.
According to social psychology researcher Fred Bryant and others, when we stop to savor the good stuff, we buffer ourselves against the bad and build resilience—and even mini-celebrations can plump up the positive emotions which make it easier to manage the daily challenges that cause major stress. Which is so important for all of us right now.
When we have something to look forward to or look ahead to something worth celebrating, we feel more optimistic, according to research led by Hadassah Littman-Ovadia.
Dr. Allen Schwartz states: In my opinion, as a therapist, mental health worker, and human being, these (Celebrations) things are not only not childish, but are extremely important. These celebrations are markers of achievements in our lives and the celebrations to recognize or remember these events help to reinforce to each of us our significance as unique individuals. Perhaps the most important celebration of all is the birthday because it demarcates our arrival on this earth.
Traditions and celebrations surrounding birthdays are important for other, deeper reasons, too, and are a “special – and necessary – part of childhood,” says Heather Ulrich, Ph.D., child, and family psychologist in Asheville.
“Children come to depend on these events for consistency and continuity in their lives and birthdays, in particular, provide unique benefits for children cognitively, socially and for parent-child relationships,” says Ulrich, who is also an assistant professor of psychology at UNC Asheville and the parent of two girls, ages 4 and 7.
“Celebrating a child’s birthday allows parents to demonstrate the joy and love they have due to the addition of that child to our world (and the family),” says Ulrich. “Sharing special experiences and creating memories enhances the bond and security between parent and child, and increased secure attachment has lasting effects on a child's self-esteem, development, behavior, and emotions.”
Celebrating a child's birthday every year helps them to understand “the growing up process of aging each year and assists them in understanding what each age means and its developmental significance,” says Ulrich. “It’s not the party or elaborate celebration that matters; it’s the focus on the individual child for that day and a focus on their new age and development.”
Neuroscience on https://www.psychologytoday.com/ explains what impacts by having positive celebrations can have on emotions:
Celebration Conversations elevate the level of such “feel good” chemicals like oxytocin and the endorphins—neuropeptides produced in the central nervous system. Their release into our system gives us a sense of well-being.
Serotonin that is boosted by cheering and pleasant conversations is widely known for increasing motivation and can even transform stress into success.
When you celebrate, endorphins are released inside your body and you feel incredible. When you accomplish something and don't take the time to celebrate, you are robbing yourself of an important feeling that reinforces your success.
Conversely, if you fail to celebrate, you are training your brain that what you are doing isn't all that exciting and important. Simply put, the lack of celebration will lead to a feeling of emptiness lower our self-esteem over time.
So What in the Confetti do we do?
There are still many ways to still celebrate with your friends and family and put on the best celebration possible in 2020 you can give them while at home during quarantine and engaging in social distancing. Whether it is a Virtual Party, At-Home Party, Drive-by Party, or Hybrid of them all, we have gathered some innovative ways to celebrate the moments that matter most.
Virtual At-Home Party: Great for Birthdays and Baby Showers
Most commonly, you will physically be with less than 10 people, most likely people that live in your home only, and having friends and family join virtually. You can still decorate, open presents, have party activities, etc. You may want to move things traditionally at the end of a party to the front- So start with singing Happy Birthday, Blowing Out Candles, opening gifts, that way if people cant stay they at least get the big highlight!
Do a Drive-By: Great for Birthday Celebrations
Even though we’re social distancing, that doesn't mean you can't get into your car! Deck out your car with balloons and signs then drive by your friends or family’s house. Tell them to look outside and start singing "Happy Birthday" when they come out to look! The extra thought, time and attention decorating your car will make anyone smile.
Trunk Party! Great for Graduation and Baby Showers
The way this works is you have a specified time and date at your house, you turn your vehicle around or put up a table and friends get out of their car (one at a time) and drop off the gift and set it in the trunk or leave on the table. We have many vendors that offer services that set up some amazing banners and balloon displays in the front yard. You can say hi and wave from a socially safe place.
Virtual Major Moments- Great for Proposals, Gender Reveal, Sip and See’s, and College Admissions
These are intimate feel-good moments that people are going to love to attend. We will celebrate more of them than ever because we want to connect even more with friends and family, as these are the precious memories that will bring smiles. These can last around 15-30 minutes, decorate a cute backdrop and have confetti bomb ready!
Hosting a Successful Virtual Party
At Home & Virtual Parties can be fun, but if you want it to be as successful as possible, then it does require some planning and effort. Here is a quick rundown of how to get it done!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add a virtual party link, so all they have to do click and party with you!
Add an easy registry link for guests to send gifts to your door! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly.
Determine where in the house, backyard, or space you will use for the party, a fun backdrop can be great for gift opening, a central focus of the room for photos.
Determine Theme and Decor and order to your door ahead of time there are a ton of delivery solutions, like yard signs, food, cake, and balloons that can be dropped outside your door. We are obsessing over Hero parties where they dress as our Front line Hero’s reinforcing how critical these roles are in our community.
Make a mental agenda, especially for your video call - make sure you have put some thought into the call- the last thing you want is a boring virtual party!
What will be your first Virtual Celebration?
So At-Home and Virtual Parties can still be festive and engaging. It does not just have to be a Face-time call, you can make it as memorable as you want and it is important to celebrate those milestones and recognize they have been accomplished. You can plan for free at LYFETYMES or if you don’t have the time or non-technical, head to the LYFETYMES Vendors Marketplace to find a party stylist or wholesale goods to help plan and style your entire party at an affordable price.
How to Throw An At-Home Easter Shell-ebration
Throw an Easy At-Home Easter Party In 2020 with LYFETYMES, The All-In-One Party Planner
Throw an Easy At-Home Easter Party In 2020
by Lata Singh and Liz Grisham
You don’t need to bend over backward to throw a great Easter Party!
Here at LYFETYMES, we will be sharing some easy DIY Easter Planning options and services that can help you plan the party, decor, food, activities, Easter Baskets and create a Virtual Party for friends and family to join.
It’s not the size of the Celebration, it’s who you Celebrate with- Get your “Peeps” together!
Although 2020 has put many celebrations on hold or TBD. At LYFETYMES, we are committed to helping friends and family connect and celebrate. Having the ability to maintain those traditions we cherish with the family is important so we are all learning to adapt to how we celebrate because some milestones and Holidays can’t or won’t be rescheduled.
Stay Close, Even When You're Apart
Great news, is you can still throw a great At-Home party or celebration even if it is smaller than a usual gathering. We've made it super easy to create and share Virtual Parties on LYFETYMES, The All-In-One Party Planner, with free Celebration Websites that you can SMS, email, and share on Facebook. Stay connected and get the word out about your Virtual Party on Zoom, or live events on Facebook Live and YouTube Live.
Stay Close, Even When You're Apart
A virtual Easter party is a perfect opportunity to invite family and friends to celebrate, share well wishes and most importantly connect with one another.
Whether you are having a small At-Home Easter Celebration, a virtual party or both, Easter is the perfect excuse to have a party.
Delicious brunch food, Easter-filled baskets, lavish flowers, bright colors, fun crafts and games, and dare we say, undecided weather. As any good planner or mom knows, throwing a celebration to remember isn't as simple as waving your magic wand.
Pulling off an Egg'stra special party requires thoughtful arrangement, some thoughtful food prep, creative decorations and yep, even some crafty party games and activities to keep everyone, including antsy toddlers, entertained! After all, there's so much more to a Hoppy Easter Party than the bunny hop. The Egg'stra Special has distinctive details, like amusing centerpieces, activities that go way beyond color me happy, thoughtful take-home gifts, and elevated table decor.
Is your head Hippity Hoppity yet?
Deep breath—we've got you covered.
Whether you have a small gathering or a big virtual family affair, throwing an Easter party is no small task. You can DIY and plan with our amazing free party planning tools on LYFETYMES or head to the LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace for help planning, and styling your event. For the family & friends that can’t attend in person, LYFETYMES makes it easier to plan your event from curating decor, customizing your party website, and getting all of your virtual party links set up, so you can easily live-stream the kids’ Easter egg hunt and share it later when the day comes!
EGGS-Cellent Easter Decor
Decorations and FUN are key to a viewing party and keeping viewers engaged so they’re not just witnessing the third meltdown over stolen cake. Gorgeous shimmer walls, garland, balloons, and fun activities like watching the kids put together their carrot balloon animals and partaking in the traditional Easter egg hunt will be sure to put a smile on the faces of all your family and friends viewing. One of our party experts’ favorites are the Hoppity Easter Balloon Garland below and can be purchased here.
We also love these small budget-friendly at-home party sets designed by local artists for up to 10 people. We have a number of easy At-Home Party Sets that can be sent directly to your front door.
At- Home Easter Activities
We wanted to share and show some of our favorite indoor and backyard activities for Easter that the kids are sure to enjoy and make great memories.
One of the most popular traditional family Easter activities is the Easter egg hunt. These days, it's the perfect excuse to get outside and use a little creativity! Plot a hunt that’s small-but-spirited for the little ones and if you are having a virtual party, keep your viewers engaged by allowing them to participate as well.
Setting up a kids station to keep the little ones occupied while the adults have a bit of time to catch up, allows you to get some screen time for yourself. Stocking it with activities like Easter arts and crafts and egg painting will keep the little ones busy. Studies show that slime has been linked to stress relief, so why not set up a slime- friendly station where the kids can make their own Easter-inspired slime. Below are some great visual ideas of activities for a fun-filled Easter.
Now let’s get comfy and grab some wine! Whether you prefer the Innovative digital party planning tools on LYFETYMES or prefer to collaborate 1:1 with your Hostessy party expert, we are here every step of the way to help organize everything you need, making preparing for Easter stress-free!
How To Throw The Ultimate At-Home Mother's Day Bash
How to plan an amazing Mother’s Day in 2020
How To Celebrate Mother’s Day 2020
by Liz Grisham
New Ways To Celebrate Mom’s
2020 sure has a way of making us think outside the box! Here at LYFETYMES we have come up with some exciting, creative ways you can still celebrate Mother’s Day with all the #momboss’s out there.
So kick back, relax, and enjoy all those hilarious Cardi Corona videos while we take care of some innovative ideas to still celebrate mom if celebrating from home.
We often scramble to find gifts or appreciation for mom and usually can get her out to a planned Friends Brunch, Spa Day, or big family gathering celebrating several moms. Unfortunately, most of those options are off the table at the time where we are reminded why moms are the glue that holds it all together for us. But the bright side is this; mom only cares about the thought you put into how you celebrate her.
Mimosas With Moms! A Virtual Happy Hour!
First, Let’s discuss the most important thing all hard working mama’s need right about now. The bubbly!
A mimosa bar is perfect for your Mother’s Day celebration and is perfectly acceptable before noon (some little light-hearted emoji face to enhance the haha?) Whether your taste buds become electrified at the drop of Prosecco or some vintage Dom Perignon be fully stocked with the bubbly without even leaving lockdown.
A DIY mimosa bar complete with all the makings for the perfect mimosa is perfect to get the celebration rolling. Be sure to stock up on plenty of chilled and bubbly sparkling wine, juices and fruits.
Now is the time to be adventurous with your taste buds since the options on the shelves are thin. Apart from the traditional OJ, pick up some other flavors such as Pomegranate, Pineapple and Mango juice to keep the options rolling. Mimosa’s are not complete if they’re not served with some delicious fresh fruit like raspberries and blackberries.
Mimosas are best served chilled, without ice so you’ll want to be sure your champagne is kept cold. Using a carafe and a beverage tub will do the trick along with some champagne flutes that will round up the essentials. Add a beautiful balloon garland and you have a celebration space for some great photos.
I would bet that the majority of us moms pretty much know the basics of making a great mimosa, so let me get down to how you can experience Mother’s day safely with your squad.
Livestream The Party
Invite Mom’s close friends and family to a live stream party, so they can have a mimosa and catch up! The goal is to have this organized ahead of time and surprise mom! Nothing stops you from decorating a space as her backdrop with pictures, decor or “I love You Mom” signs to show off a bit. And please, take the kid’s in the other room and really give her some time and space to enjoy herself. You can purchase adult and kid’s size here. Be sure to adorn mom with an adorable crown for her virtual party!
A beautiful Mother’s Day Brunch
After wowing mom with such a thoughtful virtual party, it is a perfect time to move to a wonderful brunch. Good news, GrubHub, etc exists so you don’t have to go far to get her favorite meal. Decorate it easily with our beautiful party sets to transform your table setting.
Gifts
Remember, this state of our lives is not forever and we really need to support our small businesses. So consider purchasing gift cards for products or services for a future date from your local small business owner's mom loves to visit.
Head to LYFETYMES to begin planning the ultimate mother’s day event. LYFETYMES makes party planning easier from creating your customizable party website, keeping track of your RSVP’s, Creating and adding your gift registry or cash fund link for your guests to easily access, to sending out your invitation via SMS, and more.
For help planning and styling your Mother’s Day event check out the LYFETYMES Vendors Marketplace to find everything you need.
Times are uncertain but one thing we can always count on is our loved ones to come together when we need them the most. With decor to drool for, sharing memories, laughs, and love all come together seamlessly for an unforgettable Mother’s Day.
2020 Party Trends By Top Party Planners
Looking for inspiration before you plan your next party? Check out this awesome list of the best party and event trends for 2020! Party planning tips and inspiration!
At LYFETYMES, you could say we love all things parties. And you'd be right. We love collaborating with the latest and greatest party planners and stylists on the hottest trends in 2020!
Cake and Confetti
Meredith Timms Staggers is the face behind Cake and Confetti predicts Unconventional Parties as major trends. A Star Wars Baby Shower? YEEEESSS!
Roz Schlumpf of Poptarts and Peonies predicts Charcuterie Boards and Dessert Boards will be a major trend in 2020.
Fun and Confetti
Party Stylist and Decor Maveens Myri and Isabel of Fun and Confetti predict Fringe as a trendsetter in 2020!
Coterie Party
Coterie Party is an amazing, innovative Party Supplier founded by Sara and Linden who are Expert Party Stylists. 2020 Party Trend Prediction From Celebrity Party Stylist & Co-Founder Sara Raffa, @coterieparty “Party favors have changed a lot over the years and I think we'll see this continue into 2020. In the past, kids used to get a bag filled with a bunch of candy and random toys that they'll play with once and then never touch again. We're seeing more and more parents buy one bigger and more practical item to give to the kids, like a fun personalized lunchbox or a favorite book. Similarly, for adult parties, hosts tend to prioritize practicality and sometimes even chose to skip the gift altogether. We see hosts choosing to donate to a charity in lieu of party favors, or just skip them altogether. At my wedding, for example, I skipped the favor that most people would've tossed when they had to travel home the next day, and instead put the money I saved to create really fun and delicious welcome bags that people could enjoy leading up to our wedding.
Glamfetti
Tiffany From Glamfetti predicts Balloon Garlands will continue to be huge but adding dimension to a garland will be all the rage and more acceptable in wedding adorned with Greenery .
Birds Party
Prediction from Celebration Expert & Party Stylist Bird @birdsparty
Grazing Tables and we agree and love it! It’s an innovative buffet with a new twist and wow factor.
Blissed Events
Metallics and pampas are on Blissed Events Event and Party Stylist Elizabeth’s radar for 2020!
Just Add Confetti
The party animal in all of us will continue from prehistoric, to farm to safari!
LYFETYMES
LYFETYMES predicts PERSONALIZED NEON signs will be huge in 2020, especially at the milestone events.
LYFETYMES Party Planning Site
We also floral will continue to be a huge trend and be incorporated into backdrops, balloon garlands, and decor.
Go to LYFETYMES to plan your next big bash for free!
Fun Easter Party Ideas for 2021
Looking for easy and unique Easter party ideas? We've rounded up nine tips to make your Easter party fun without breaking the bank! Keep the kids busy this Easter while you celebrate with the grownups.
Looking for some fun and easy Easter party ideas? We've rounded up 9 unique easter party tips that will get your creative wheels turning! From DIY decorations to fun Easter activities, these are the best ways to celebrate Easter.
Fun and Unique Easter Party Ideas
Virtual Easter Bunny Party
Grab your Bunny Ears and join us for our Interactive Easter Hippity Hoppity Eggstravaganza with the real Easter Bunny and BFF Chick-A-Dee! In this LIVE 20-minute virtual experience, the Easter Bunny and Chick-A-Dee will sing, read, dance, and perform to bring Easter Magic to your home! A non-scary way to see the Easter Bunny and it’s affordable - Price is per screen or device so anyone in your household can attend the Easter performance and make life long memories in the comfort of your home! Boom your visit here!
Easter Centerpieces
Wow your guests with DIY low-cost centerpieces that even the Easter bunny is sure to love. Use carrots, Peeps, chocolate eggs or even the cheap plastic eggs to decorate. One idea we love is to use artificial grass strips and then sprinkle the eggs throughout.
Or, just fill a glass bowl with Easter candy for a super simple centerpiece.
Easter Egg Cookie Decorating
What's an Easter party without awesome desserts? It's such a great activity for all ages! Much like many families bake and decorate cookies during the Christmas holidays, Easter egg cookies are just as fun! It keeps the little ones busy and also serves as a great parting gift. Easily whip up adorable egg-shaped cookies with this cookie cutter set.
Easter Egg Basket Decorating
This is a great DIY project to keep kids busy while creating something unique that they can use! Baskets don’t need to be fancy or heavy duty (especially since most eggs are plastic with lightweight coins or candy inside).
You can use white paper bags and set up all the trimmings to decorate. Once again corral the kids and keep them busy, And it's an adorable keepsake for parents of an art craft created by their kids!
Easter Egg Golden Ticket Game
Here's an Easter activity that's fun for both kids and adults! Fill one of the plastic eggs with a golden ticket and the child who finds it wins a prize. Have a special prize for kids (candy would be a popular choice!) or a nice bottle of wine for the adults to win.
Whoever finds the golden ticket wins the prize!
Easter Egg Relay Race
We love this idea to reduce the frustration (and panic!) of not finding eggs in a big group of egg hunters! Instead of every man for himself, why not split the kids into teams (evenly matched of course) and have a member from each team search for an egg. Once they've found an egg, they come back and tag the next teammate — just like a traditional relay race!
The kids still have the fun of an Easter egg hunt, but less pressure!
Toddler's First Easter Egg Hunt
I think we can all agree that a toddler's first Easter egg hunt is probably more for the parents than the kids! Because they're kind of clueless as to what they're supposed to do, parents usually end up leading the child to find the egg.
Here's a solution: if you have a younger kids, tie a balloon to the eggs so they little ones can have fun “hunting” and easily identify their target. They'll probably still think they're "balloon hunting", but they'll have a blast, and parents can get their Easter photo opps ;)
Easter Egg Decorating
What would Easter be without some Easter egg decorating? Buy a kit to dye eggs, or (for a less messy option) let the kids hand decorate them with markers, stickers, and more! This inexpensive and festive activity will build memories for years!
Easter Themed Coloring Pages and Word Searches
A quiet way to corral the kids while you entertain is with Easter themed coloring pages and word searches. You can make a custom word search here! And there are plenty of free printable coloring page sites that you can find with a simple google search. Here's one for Easter themed coloring pages.
Are you inspired to start planning your Easter party? These 9 fun and unique Easter party ideas are easy and won't break the bank--bonus: they'll keep the kids occupied and having fun!
Need help planning an Easter party? Whether you have a simple party or a big family get together, planning an Easter party is no small task. But your new best friend, LYFETYMES, is here to help! We all know party planning is more than décor and invitations: plan any party, bunnies or not, for FREE at LYFETYMES.
LYFETYMES: Why it's The New Way to Plan a Party in 2020
LYFETYMES is your #1 party planning website and is the NEW WAY to plan a party! Our founder shares why she came up with LYFETYMES today on the blog.
Here’s a little backstory of why LYFTYMES was created.
I volunteered to plan my close friend’s baby shower; I figured I'd crush it. I’ve been the right-hand gal supporting huge corporate organizations in many roles for years. If I could do that, how hard could it be?
So when it came time to start planning, I started with what everyone does. I pulled out my laptop and entered:
"How to plan a baby shower."
"Tools to plan a baby shower."
"I need help planning a baby shower."
I kept getting printable checklists, helpful blogs, and great articles. There were plenty of pictures and inspiration, but I could not find an end-to-end website for all things party outside of weddings.
I went through the same thing planning my niece's graduation party (and let me promise you one thing, you do not want to screw up a teenage girl’s party). I was running around like a crazy person, trying to divide and conquer with co-hosts, worried sick it wouldn’t be the guest of honor’s vision, or I would forget something important.
I was so stressed over it and a full-time job working mom with little time.
I love to celebrate life’s milestones or just throw a party on the weekend, just because. My fondest memories are from these moments, and I hope there are many more.
But as I sat at my computer and thought of everything that needed to be done for my friend’s baby shower, I knew it should not be full of pain points—a baby shower should be full of joy and most of all, fun!
That's why I decided enough was enough, and LYFETYMES was created.
LYFETYMES is a free, fun, DIY website that is easy to use for any celebration or party. It's like having a personal party planner. It’s great for baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers, graduation parties, holiday get-togethers, or ANY occasion. LYFETYMES has you covered, no matter what you are celebrating!
When you join our party, you will have access to powerful tools like:
Celebration Dashboard
Easily to read dashboards to keep track of important information and updates, including countdown clocks.
Free Sharable Party Website to share celebration details with guests and gather RSVPS
Invitation Station
Build easy email, mailing and texting lists(coming next month), import previous guest lists or from your contacts, send invites and track RSVPs and the numbers of attendees. Great for Save the Dates & Thank You notes. Email & message co-Hosts and guests party updates.
Inspiration Boards
Upload and share your favorite pictures to capture or inspire your vision for decor, cakes, themes, etc.
Vendor & Venues
Your “party motherboard” of all the things you may need for a party all in one place!
Registry & Gift Board
Create wish lists or add registry URL’s that can be shared with guests or begin a new registry with your favorite store.
Planning & Tools
Interactive checklists, add and track to-do’s, assign tasks and due dates. Assign your celebration a budget and track spending.
Food, Drink & Dessert Center
It’s the center of every celebration! You can order catering, book a restaurant, order food delivery or DIY grocery lists – it’s all in one place!
Decoration Center
Browse decorations based on the occasion, purchase from top suppliers or get inspiration for your celebration!
Include the Guest of Honor
Are you hosting for someone? Maybe graduation or baby or bridal shower? No problem, with LYFETYMES you can send your guest of honor a link to help personalize the celebration with a limited view (so you don’t give all the details away!) to help with invites or provide registry information or theme favorites.
Guest View
Guests will be able to view invitation details, mapping directions, gift, and registry information and send the host or co-host questions.
We know that not every day is a party, but it’s still important to remember someone's birthday, anniversary, or any special day. To keep you organized so that you never forget one of these special days, we created LYFEMINDERS: Lyfe’s little reminders - you pick the day, and we will send you a reminder so you can send your love.
You can even plan multiple celebrations at the same time and access past celebrations to reuse tools and information like past invite lists to make LYFE easier!
LYFETYMES has also personalized the experience for all party goers including:
Star of the Show (Guest of Honor)
Hostess with the Mostess (Host & Co-Hosts)
LYFE of the Party (Guests)
We can't wait to start celebrating with you. Come for the party, and stay for a LYFETYME!
Check out our website at www.lyfetymes.com and start planning in 30 seconds and follow us on social media for the best tips, inspiration, and trends.
Unforgettable and Unique Bridal Shower Themes for 2020
We rounded up the BEST bridal shower theme ideas to get you inspired to plan her big celebration! Whether she's modern, boho, or traditional-you're covered!
Bridal showers are an important event leading up to any wedding. There are a lot of moving parts in this celebration! Today we've rounded up the most current trends we're seeing in bridal shower themes to get your creative juices flowing!
With the right theme (ideally one the bride is head over heels for), all the other details will start to fall into place, from finding the right decor ideas or picking the perfect bridal shower dessert to match the vibe.
Whether the bride-to-be is always ready for brunch or has a long-standing traditional style, you'll find the idea to match her every pre-wedding dreams in this unique list of bridal shower themes.
Unique Bridal Shower Themes
Make a Special Bride to Be Cocktail
Have some fun and create a special cocktail name in the bride's honor! Or, make her favorite drink and put it on the menu for all of the guests to enjoy! Check out LYFETYMES Pinterest Board here for ideas!
Spa Day Bridal Shower
If the hustle and bustle of wedding planning have your bride completely worn down, one fun bridal shower alternative is to pack her and her guests off to a day at the spa. The pampering possibilities are endless and she'll end the day completely relaxed and ready to keep planning that dream day.
Garden Party Shower
If there's one bridal shower theme that will always sound like a perfect fit, it's a garden-inspired shower. There's just something about floral displays and overflowing arrangements that shouts "wedding!" This shower theme is a great one to make co-ed and get the groom in on the party.
Extend this theme to your pre-wedding event with the help of a flower-packed setting and you're well on your way to an unforgettable garden party. Click here for inspiration.
With a wedding in the works, sometimes it's best to stick to a bridal shower idea the bride already has on her brain—like a flower arranging class. Even if she's not even thinking about hand-making her own wedding arrangements, learning how to create her own centerpiece (or flower crown) may be the perfect way to unwind and still acknowledge the upcoming celebration.
Race and Brunch Bridal Theme
Is she a runner or biker? Have everyone sign up for a local race followed by a brunch to celebrate the bride. This is a fun bonding experience because you'll be working towards a shared goal AND there's brunch. So...
Tea Party Bridal Theme
Let the sweetest bite-sized delicacies tempt guests at an afternoon tea style shower. Tea sandwiches, towers of handheld desserts, and, of course, the tea itself will ensure your event goes off without a hitch. A theme shower is especially suitable for brides who have already accumulated many of the housewares that tend to be given as gifts at traditional showers. For awesome Tea Party Ideas, click here!
Kentucky Derby Themed Bridal Shower
Look no further than this particular bridal shower theme for an idea that's worthy of the Triple Crown. You'll definitely impress the bride to be and all her favorite ladies with a celebration packed with mint juleps, Southern snacks, and all the best hat fashion.
Sweet Treats Brunch Bridal Shower
If the bride considers brunch the most important meal of the day, your theme decision is simple. Pile plates high with her favorite flavors of donuts, or feel free to get extra creative with a waffle or pancake cake. Just don't forget the mimosas! Check out our brunch inspirations here.
Candy-Themed Bridal Shower
Plan a shower that is sweet like candy -- just like Darcy Miller did for bride-to-be Dylan Lauren, owner of Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City. "This theme is so much fun and perfect for Dylan," Darcy says. "But, really, who doesn't like candy?" Inspire your sweet tooth here!
Co-Ed Formal Bridal Shower Theme
Include the groom and his beaus in this formal affair--black tie optional, but encouraged. A decadent evening out to celebrate their upcoming nuptials is the best way to kick off all of the celebrating!
Or, if that's too formal for the couple, rent a room at their favorite restaurant or have everyone meet at the bar for a casual couples night out bridal shower theme.
Sports Bridal Shower Theme
Is the bride-to-be a big sports fan? Rent a suite at a local ballpark and cater the event with high end beer and party food. Have a blast doing something fun while celebrating the bride before her big day.
We're talking everything from guest lists and invitations to food and drinks, entertainment, and even items like party favors. Fortunately, LYFETYMES makes coordinating the perfect bridal shower infinitely easier, no matter which theme the bride chooses!
For some more amazing ideas check out our Bridal Shower Inspiration Board here.
And be sure to save this pin for later!
Fun Party Planning Trends in 2020
Check out the latest party planning trends for 2020 in our latest post! Balloonscapes and more! LYFETYMES is the #1 party planning website—check us out for all things party!!
Who doesn’t love a good party? There are so many cool party planning trends that we’re spotting in 2020 and you know we love to share all things party! We’ve rounded up the top party planning trends for 2020 below.
LYFETYMES Best Party Planning Trends 2020
Balloonscapes
Balloons have come a long way…they can add great color, and an overarching balloon installation is a fantastic way to compliment the theme of a party and fill up the room at a low cost to bring even more joy to a party. By using different sizes and colors and even incorporating some flower elements you can transform your balloons into the centerpiece of any celebration! There are plenty of online tutorials and examples of balloon garlands you can create on your own!
Trendy Cake for Parties
Let them eat cake? Trendy drip cakes, cupcake towers, donuts, cake pops, and more are taking on an architectural theme. Higher and more creative options are popping up at baby showers, graduation parties, and holiday celebrations!
Dessert options have evolved and are more innovative to reflect the tone of the party. Instead of going the normal sheet cake route, there are creative and delicious options for every celebration. We are seeing pie bars, cannoli pyramids, and ice cream stations. Just have fun!
Bonus: you don’t have to break the bank! Talk to your neighborhood grocery store bakery to talk trendy cake options. They’ll love having something different to create and you can save money.
Cake & Cupcake Toppers
Speaking of creative dessert and cake ideas, many people are using cake toppers to elevate classic cakes. Cake toppers are a party planning trend that will allow you to bring some personality into your party. They can be funny, milestone specific, personalized, and more! Cake and cupcake toppers can be anything you can dream up.
Not only do they look great on cakes but they look adorable on cupcakes also. Fun for all ages!
Food bar
This is a fun creative way to feed the hungry gang! Everything can go into this category. If you are having a shower with a brunch menu, for example, try a parfait bar with fruit and granola. For drinks, create a mimosa bar where the guests can add fruit or fruit juice of their choice.
Food bars are a trend that has staying power because they’re so convenient to implement and they are crowd pleasers. They also help you deliver healthy options like fruit and salad bars!
Other Ideas:
Taco and Nacho Bar
Hamburger Bar
Pancake Bar
Biscuit & Bagel Bar
Shellfish Bar
Coffee/Hot Chocolate Bar
Backdrops for Photo and Selfie Stations
A party trend in 2020 is creating a photo station with a backdrop for selfies or group photos. These are widely popular and are an inexpensive feature to plan for your party.
This can be extravagant backdrop with flowers or lights or as simple as a homemade decorated picture frame that people can hold up to frame their face!
People love to take pictures, it’s a fun activity to have at any celebration and a great memory of your event!
Party Planning Has Gone Digital in 2020 with LYFETYMES
LYFETYMES is a free digital party planner with tools and checklists for party planning. We help solve the all those pain points with planning a celebration, party or any occasion. LYFETYMES is an all in one place to plan any occasion. It’s perfect for Birthday parties, Graduation parties, Bridal showers, Baby Showers, Gender Reveal Parties, Engagement Parties, Holiday parties like Thanksgiving, New Years, Easter, July 4th, Anniversary Celebrations, Superbowl parties or ANY occasion, LYFETYMES is the #1 party planning site.
LYFETYMES Digital Party Planning
We created LYFETYMES for busy parents, one place where they could manage and plan important moments and celebrations like Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Graduations, Holidays, etc. As moms ourselves, we spend hours and days planning, we get it. We want to be able to save moms all over the world hours and days of stressful planning.
Another reason was to create a place to share tutorials, DIY Ideas, and support women and build a community of sharing. And we wanted it to be free.
Planning Has Never Been Easier
To us, planning a party is more than décor, that's why we created a Platform and Marketplace that is one-stop and will help you plan from ideation to memories. When you join our party, you will have free access to planning tools where you will be able to start planning in 30 seconds. Anyone that is the family or friend designated “Party Planner” knows there are many verticals to plan for.
Party Planning for The Future
Party Planning for birthdays, baby showers and Holidays. Plan any party for free. All in one party planner. Free event planning for any party. Easy party planning tools and checklists.
Create Personalized Party Websites to text email your guests who can RSVP and get party details. LYFETYMES just launched where you can send a video, not just a picture, and we think it will really knock your guest's socks off!
Celebration Dashboard-Easily to read dashboards to keep track of valuable information and updates, including countdown clocks.
Invitation Station- Build easy email, mailing and texting lists, import previous guest lists or from your contacts, send invites, and track RSVPs. Save the Dates & Thank You notes.
Inspiration Boards-Upload and share your favorite pictures to capture or inspire your vision for decor, cakes, themes, etc.
Vendor & Venues- Your "Party Motherboard" of all the things you may need for a party all in one place!
Registry & Gift Board- Create wishlist’s or add registry URL's that can be shared with guests or begin a new registry with your favorite store.
Planning & Tools- Interactive checklists, add and track to-do's, assign tasks, and due dates. Assign your celebration a budget and track spending.
Food, Drink & Dessert Center- It's the center of every celebration! You can order catering, book a restaurant, order food delivery or DIY grocery lists – it's all in one place!
Decoration Center- Browse decorations based on the occasion, purchase from top suppliers, or get inspiration for your celebration!
Hostess With The Mostess
Are you hosting for someone? Maybe a graduation party or baby or bridal shower? With LYFETYMES, you can send your Guest Of Honor a link to help personalize the celebration with a limited view (so you don't give all the details away!). That way, they can help with invites or provide registry information or theme favorites.
We know that not every day is a party, but it's still important to remember someone's birthday, anniversary, or any special day. To keep all those dates organized, we created LYFEMINDERS: You pick the day, and we will send you a reminder so you can send your love.
You can even plan multiple celebrations at the same time and access past parties to reuse tools and information like previous invite lists to make LYFE easier!
To Infinity and Beyond!
As we grow LYFETYMES, we will continue to share party ideas via our blog. So you can bring a party together quickly with the latest insights around themes when it comes to décor, food, games and activities, and everything party. Hopefully, make some friends, collaborate, and have some laughs along the way!
LYFETYMES Your Celebration Platform and Marketplace
We are committed to eliminating the pain points in planning celebrations and the stress that comes with it. We want to enable you to spend more time with your family and friends enjoying the moment and less time sweating over the details.
Here at LYFETYMES, we want to hear from you as far as the information you want to learn about. With the holidays fast approaching we will have a ton to share with each other, and we can’t wait to start Celebrating all of the milestones in LYFE with you.
Please feel free to reach out to us directly at katie@lyfetymes.com if you have feedback, ideas, or just want to connect. We have BIG things coming for the rest of the year and can't wait to share them.
Keep Partying,
Katie Founder & CEO LYFETYMES
"PUT YOUR FOOT IN IT" Southern-Style Peach-Braised Turkey With Cranberry Relish
The BEST Thanksgiving Turkey recipe that packs all of the flavor and juiciness you expect from the perfect Thanksgiving turkey. A whole roasted turkey is the centerpiece of almost every Thanksgiving table, but this year you can riff on the tradition with a new flavorful recipe. More Holiday ideas at lyfetymes.com
NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 2 pounds of stuffing in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add enough turkey to top the stuffing. Spoon 1 tablespoon of cranberry sauce on top of the turkey. Stir in 2 cups of pumpkin puree, 4 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice mix, 1 cup grated cheese and 2 cups of cranberry relish. Spread the stuffing evenly over the turkey. Bake for 1 hour or until turkey is cooked through and the stuffing is nicely browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before carving. Serve with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and sweet potatoes.
DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Invert the turkey onto a sheet of foil. Carefully transfer the stuffing to the bottom of the turkey cavity (keep some of the stuffing for stuffing the dish again later). Spoon enough cranberry sauce over the turkey to cover the stuffing.
Place some eggs and a few orange rinds in the cavity.
For best results, make a couple of batches of stuffing, then eat each batch before the turkey is done.
DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Invert the turkey onto a rack in a roasting pan and bring the chicken roasting pan to a simmer over medium-high heat. Season the thighs and drumsticks on all sides with coarse salt. Remove the meat from the bones and flatten it out. If any fat coats the bone, you’ll need to cook it off. Pour enough cranberry sauce over the drumsticks to cover them. Set the rack and roasting pan back in the oven for 45 minutes.
While the thighs and drumsticks are cooking, make some mashed potatoes. Bring water to a boil and add 1 cup of butter and 3 ounces of salt. When the butter melts, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of water, 6 tablespoons of flour and a 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir the mixture constantly for 6 minutes. The mashed potatoes will be very thick and put a noticeable strain on the bottom of the turkey. Remove the sauce from the chicken, reserving 3 tablespoons for later.
After the potatoes are cooked, lift the sides of the skin off the bones. Carefully open the roast and remove it from the roasting pan. Transfer it to a serving platter. Cover the bones with foil. Place the broth from the chicken over the bones. Cover the roasting pan with foil. Roast the turkey for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and gently brush the turkey with the broth. Cover the roast with foil again.
The turkey will be done when the meat will pull away from the bone, not stick. Let it rest on a flat sheet of foil for about 20 minutes before carving.
5 Tips For Throwing The Best Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving is traditionally a day for friends and families to get together for a special meal. The holiday is usually celebrated with a turkey dinner although, everyone has their own traditions. Thanksgiving and cakes and desserts, autumn decorations, Thanksgiving dinner foods, and favors. See more Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving ideas at LYFETYMES.com
When I think of Thanksgiving, I sometimes wonder why I would want to get my head into this time-out from the rest of the world. I suppose it is because I like feeding people — cooking is my favorite thing to do. I think of all of the smells that go into making the meal, seeing all of the cooking happen is really exciting and if a part of me is lucky enough to be a host on Thanksgiving, I’m sure a part of me wants to become more like Martha Stewart as I try to impress the guests with my “gourmet dishes”.
Just like holiday dishes, Thanksgiving planning can often be overwhelming. There are so many options, there are so many activities to do, and even if you have a specific plan, it can still seem like there is always room for revision. The best way to tackle this stressful week of Thanksgiving preparations and have it go as smoothly as possible by being organized. Need help planning? Christmas has come early….
TIP #1- HAVE A PLAN
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Tip #2 - COUNT MOUTHS- How Many People Are Your Feeding?
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If your Thanksgiving plans have not yet been finalized, don’t fear — there are some simple ways to get started and prevent the holidays from becoming a high-stress mess. This Thanksgiving season, start with the most important thing — Guests! Create a Thanksgiving guest list in LYFETYMES and folks can RSVP on your personalized website to get an accurate count of who and how many people are coming.
TIP #3 MAKE YOUR FOOD MENU & BUDGET
Remember to keep those already invited in mind when you plan your Thanksgiving menu. It can be tempting to let your family dictate what you serve and what you don’t, but it is far better to have a plan in place and then listen to the suggestions that your family gives you. Don’t underestimate the ability of your family to make your life easy by sharing what they like to eat and bring and enjoy the things that you don’t normally order from your favorite store. You can build your menu and budget in LYFETYMES and email to yourself or assign tasks to other hosts or guests.
After deciding on the menu, you can set up your kitchen and make as many of the preparations day before. I like to prepare all of my vegetables at the same time and then cut, slice, and boil them all at the same time. This will ensure that I get all of my time-consuming cutting done before I go to bed.
TIP #4 DECORATING CAN BE EASY
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If you are looking for Thanksgiving decorations visit LYFETYMES for our amazing party sets, that will handle all the decor, delivered in one box to your door and you can set up in minutes, Don’t forget about decorations for the kitchen, roll out some butcher paper and write what your dishes are and it looks great and easy clean up. You can buy inexpensive versions of all of the bowls you would use for the hostess gift, your platters, and napkins. One great idea is to download free Thanksgiving printables (we will have on our Pinterest Page) to add some extra “wow: factors. Follow us for the latest party ideas and trends at https://www.pinterest.com/lyfetymes/
TIP #5 ENJOY THE DAY- IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE PERFECT
By the time the big day comes around, your guests will be ready to enjoy a great meal, there will be plenty of decorations out and ready to be used, and you will have a less chaotic feeling to you. Of course, the recipes can change each day and even the food can change from week to week, but by laying things out and doing some necessary things early on, you can focus on what is important — making sure that the food tastes great and is served the way you want it.
We make a big thing about the concept of doing “what you love” at any time. By deciding ahead of time what you want to have the guests eat and use as decorations, you ensure that your Thanksgiving week will be exciting, fun, and enjoyable. By using LYFETYMES the needs of your family and sharing those with your guests, you can ensure that everyone is happy. This will be one of the best and easiest preparations you have ever made. It is important that you enjoy yourself on Thanksgiving, but more important is not to overdo the food. Create a delicious feast, which everyone will enjoy while keeping the stress of the day down.
Halloween Printable's So Easy They Will Freak You Out.
Looking for free Halloween party printables? LYFETYMES free party printables for you to download and use.
Download the files, print them out, cut them out, and make your party extra fun
LYFETYMES is the #1 Fastest Growing Party Platform around. Use it to plan any party or shower for free. We will start to include free printables for you also. Here is the light launch for Halloween. Follow us for more especially around the Holidays!
Free Halloween Printable Wine Labels To Get The Party Started! Here are 14 Labels To Choose From! Click below to grab them from LYFETYMES.
If you are having a fun Bar Area or Cart- here are some fun printables to stick on or hang around a bottle. You can also use for cookies or candy bag tags or stickers.
Halloween Printable For Drinks or Food
Banner Time
We made three printable banners for you to enjoy. For best results print on card stock. Click Here for the Ghost Banner. Print as many ghosts as you want.