"Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men"

Christmas is one of the most favorite holidays all over the world. The celebration varies from country to country, but the spirit of Christmas is everywhere the same – the spirit of joy, happiness, elated mood. It is this very day, that angels come down from the heavens to wish us health, luck and love. But many centuries ago they came here to praise God.

One of the legends says:
There were two angel friends. One used to sunset pink robes while other used to adorn himself with sky blue robes. They were known for singing sweet duets about glory of God and playing on pure silver trumpets. They often used to lead the orchestra for angels because of their musical abilities. Once, their orchestra leader Temira gave them and other members of the angelic orchestra, exciting news. God had decided to send his Son to live among His people. They had to prepare a musical jubilee in one of the most important events in the history of the world. It just had to be the best and all angels with good voice had to sing and all instruments were to be played for the event. Temira asked his orchestra, whether they knew the importance of the assignment. Trumpeting angel in pink said that he understood that the Lord want them to appear to the shepherds in the hills of Bethlehem, who had never seen an angel in their lives and might get afraid. The trumpeting angel in blue completed the answer by adding that the angels could replace the fear of the shepherds with joy and love for the Christ Child and then, they could announce the arrival of the Savior. Temira smiled and nodded contentedly. All orchestra members felt honored for the opportunity and practiced for perfection in their roles. On the day, Christ was born in the stable at Bethlehem and as planned, the Christmas angels first appeared to the shepherds and the trumpeting angel friends played the first few notes of the glorious concert in the dark night sky. Shepherds looked up to the sky and were shocked, surprise and awed, soon to be filled with amazement and wonder and their hearts brimmed with humility and thankfulness to God for His glory. The angels then gave the shepherds the good tidings of great joy and were joined by many other angels who sang and praise God, filling the skies with the angelic words - "Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men".

This is only a legend, but a very nice one. I wish you angels in your heart and soul, piece and love, care and tender, close and beloved people at your festive table, health and self-confidence, nice presents and more pleasant moments in your life!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Get ready for Christmas beforehand!

Christmas and New Year are those holidays which bring us back to that wonderful time of our childhood, when we believed into Santa Claus and waited for presents with bated breath. Today the reality has changed, we have become parents, but are still looking forward to these holidays and want to make them special for our children, our close people, ourselves. During the whole year we’ve been working our fingers to the bone, but it’s time to relax and enjoy the holidays in full.

Usually people tend to celebrate holidays both: at home and at work. These two “variants” of celebration are the most common nowadays. Traditional office parties are usually held throughout the whole December, depending on the specific character of work at each office. But, as a matter of course, they take place before calendar Christmas and New Year. And this can be easily explained by the fact that people are always busy before holidays – we try to get ready for celebration, to buy presents, think of a menu of our festive table etc. In general, we are getting ready for the second “variant” of celebrating Christmas at home, with close people and relatives. During the working year we are sometimes too busy to pay somebody a visit, but the season of the holidays is an excellent opportunity to say “I miss you”, “I need you” and spend more time with close people.

While planning our Christmas party we have to keep in mind the following things: choosing the date and creating the guest list, sending out the invitations, planning the menu and asking others to bring certain food items or extra silverware, setting a budget that you can commit to, decorating the house and making sure there will be adequate seating. When your holiday is well planned and organized, it greatly reduces the stress of hosting a party and will make it a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved, you included.

One of the most important things is creating Christmas menu – you can combine traditional Christmas dishes with some new ones, which are sure to gain popularity among your guests.

And what’s the most important for these magic winter holidays is the spirit of Christmas and New Year, the spirit of magic and childhood. If you succeed in creating such spirit for your guests and close people, you’ll succeed in the whole matter!!!

Celebrate Christmas with the best New Year tree you ever had!

No one imagines Christmas without a New Year tree. We try to choose the most beautiful Christmas tree, put it in the right place, decorate it and enjoy its looks and original Christmas smell through out the holidays.

But before decorating it, we should take care of the long life of the beautiful Christmas tree. First of all, you’ll need to cut the stump of your tree (fresh cut) and put it into water. In this case it will absorb large amounts of water from the very beginning. For the first week you should refill the amount of water a few times a day!

If you want to prolong the life of your Christmas tree, you may add some mix to the reservoir with water – this is a quart of water with one teaspoon of liquid bleach and half a cup of light corn syrup. You can also keep the needles fresh with the help of a Wilt-resistant spray.

Before starting decorating your tree, think whether your decoration will have any topic, whether it will be formal or informal decoration. Besides, you may choose a particular theme for decoration: western theme, an angel theme, snowflakes theme, a certain color theme etc. will add personal touch to the whole period of holidays.

When everything is clear with the theme, we may start decorating! The best variant is to start with Christmas lights, garlands, and only in the end – ornaments. Before putting Christmas lights on the tree, check whether they work, otherwise you’ll have to do everything from the very beginning. Start off with the two sets of lights: first one that is shorter and then one that is longer. Wind the short string of lights around the trunk of your Christmas tree. With the longer string of lights, start from the top of the tree and wind down the tree in a spiral. If you want to have more lights, remember to arrange them from the top to the bottom and from the innermost to the outmost.

Decorating your tree with ornaments, choose them of different color, size and form – your Christmas tree won’t look monotonous and bore you and your guests. Place ornaments also inside your tree to give an impression of depth.

If you have small children, choose ornaments more carefully and see to it, that your children cannot reach them and hurt themselves or swallow some small parts of ornaments!

Here are some decorating ideas you may use. Don’t forget to involve your children into the process of decorating a New Year tree – make it your tradition!

Toy Christmas tree decorating ideas: you can decorate your tree with all kinds of toys. Your toys may be quite different or correspond to one theme, depending on your and your children’s desire. Use wire and ribbons to hang the toys onto the branches.

Snowflake Christmas tree decorating ideas: make all kinds of snowflakes on your own, decorate them with glue and glitter and your Christmas tree will acquire an unforgettable look!

Christmas Cookie Christmas tree decorating ideas: bake cookies, use your brains and decorate your tree with your own creations. You can put your cookies in clear or colored cellophane or bags, attach the top with ribbon and add to your tree.

The final step in your tree decoration is the top. This is usually something that symbolizes the spirit of Christmas: angels, stars, Santas will do all right. Choose the top, which corresponds your theme and enjoy the holidays!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Everybody likes Christmas. Everybody wants to make it special at the same time remaining faithful to the traditions of the family. But in order your Christmas not to become stale, add some originality to this year celebration!

Why not wearing some original fancy costumes? In this case your Christmas will be more vivid and will look like real fairy tale! You will not be bored sitting at the festive table. Besides, you may try to guess the reason why your sibling has chosen this very costume. It is sure to be very exciting! If you don’t feel like wearing some fancy costumes, you can give preference to purely Christmas costumes. No breaking traditions – no misunderstanding.

If still your tradition of Christmas celebration does not allow you to make a masquerade of it, you may dress the way you wish. In this case you can change the feast table. Lay it in a different way or add something homemade edible party pieces i.e. biscuits and cakes decorated with funny faces in piped cream, label these yummies with each diners name. On the one hand it will be very pleasant for all the members of your family, and on the other – will add more privacy and comfort to your holiday.

It is usually a woman who spends the most of her time in the kitchen preparing those dishes without which we cannot imagine our Christmas. At the same time, she forgets that this is HER Christmas too! All members of the family should mind it too and help their mom and wife to enjoy the holiday and not only cook and clean the table afterwards. See to it, that all of you should enjoy the holiday, otherwise it is not Christmas – it has lost its charm, magic and singularity!

Besides, your family is sure to have some certain traditions of decoration your house before the holidays. Don’t forget to do it this year (if you haven’t done it yet, of course). If children decorate the house and the New Year tree together with their parents, it’s so pleasant and unforgettable!!! These memories will stay with you for years. There’s nothing more valuable in life than the atmosphere of love, tender and care within the family.

For me personally, Christmas and New Year have always been and remain the best and the most expected holidays of the year! Being far from being a child, I get sincere pleasure from all Christmas preparation, from choosing presents for my friends and relatives, from decorating New Year tree, from the whole atmosphere of the holiday!!! What can be more pleasant than getting together on the Christmas Eve and feeling the warmth of the family circle. That’s why I suggest that you should have special Christmas not only this year, but each year! Your family, your children, your close people – these are the most valuable things of your life. Mind it not only when it is Christmas time!

How we once organized Bachelor Party…

A friend of mine made up to get married when it struck him 44! It’s never late to do that, however, and we decided to organize an unforgettable Bachelor Party for him.

Hell Froze Over was the theme of it, ‘cause not every day a 44-year old man gets married for the first time being a convinced bachelor! The invitations were also dedicated to this theme. The key phrase was “Hell Froze Over”! (We also used these words as specific password!)

We decided to organize two tables: the table-ice and the table-fire. The fire table was covered with a red a table cloth. The place settings were set in orange. In each clear glass we used orange and red illuminated light cubes. Imagine, how the the glasses were glowing when the guests arrived! We also used red paper lanterns to lay emphasis on the fire table. As table confetti we used chili peppers. The napkins had the opposite color to the table cloth. For the ice table, we used a light blue tablecloth. the whole combination looked really imazing! We didn't feel sorry for having decorated the party in such a way! Around the table there were glass confetti cubes (blue and white). Each light blue glass had a blue glow stick in it. For the food we had hot wings, chili and Baked Alaska.

The whole picture was really very vivid and was really a sight for sore eyes. If you have good imagination, you can see the vividness of Hell Froze Over! Afterwards we had real show and enjoyed the party immensely! Thanks God, my friend didn’t change his mind to get married after such a party!!! So, the Hell really Froze Over!!!

Various ideas for teen parties: for parents and their kids. Part II

I am sure, that variability of Miscellaneous Parties is so great, that it really deserves another article like an addition to the previous one.

Hotel Party.
If you don’t feel like making a considerable turn-out after the celebration and are going to invite many guests, rent several rooms at the hotel. You’ll save time, nerves and energy, but will get enough space to invite as many guests as you like and can organize even a sleepover party if you have such a desire. All the decorations and theme of your party won’t suffer, if you invest enough energy into the proper organization.

Sleepover Party.
If the party doesn’t presuppose many guests, you may organize a sleepover party. Kids usually like such parties, ‘cause they don’t have to hurry home and feel some excitement of spending the night out. Weather permitting, you may have some tents in the yard and enjoy a scout-party. Don’t overindulge in scaring each other; otherwise you are risking remaining in your tent alone!
If you stay in, choose a movie you want to watch or a game you want to play before going to bed.

Spa Party.
No girls will ever refuse having such kind of a party! Endless massage, different masks, manicure, pedicure, hair treatment… The procedure can be endless! Each girl should take care of her appearance since her childhood and she should know how to do it correctly!
After spa procedures, you may organize some competitions and give cosmetic sets as presents.
Spa Parties are an ideal variant for young fashion-conscious women!

Casino Party.
Usually organized for adults, casino party may be adapted for teenagers. Decorations can be the same, ideas for costumes may be taken from the favorite film, and scenario may be formed on the spur of the moment. The thing you should take care of – alcohol. If the party is for kids, see to eat that they don’t drink like in a real casino!

Movie Party.
You are sure to have your favorite film and are eager to watch hundred of times! Why not make it a theme of your party? Let’s take, for instance, Titanic. Touching love story against the background of terrible tragedy will not leave girls indifferent. Your decorations may resemble those of a ship; your costumes can correspond to those times as well as the scenario of your party.
Guys are likely to choose another film for their movie party. It is not that important what film you choose, the most important is that you and your guests enjoy the party and get a number of positive memories!

Of course, it is not the whole list of all possible Miscellaneous Parties. These are just the most popular ones. But it’s up to you to decide what you need and what you want to organize. In any case, your party will be original, unique and is sure to bring you and your guests lots of pleasure and positive emotions!

Various ideas for teen parties: for parents and their kids

It is really sometimes difficult to pick up the right theme for your teen party, especially when you want to do something special of it. Recently Miscellaneous Parties have become rather popular, but it is to be noted that they are also subdivided into several more. Let’s have a closer look at these types for you not to be confused.

The originality and extraordinariness of these parties are all down to your imagination and creativity, there are no unique tips of advice for making a hit. You can take the following information into consideration while organizing a party for your child. By the way, don’t forget to involve him/her into the process of organization, let him/her absorb the feeling of the preparation process, make him/her feel responsible for the success of the party and interested in the very process.

Chocolate party.
It’s easy to guess that this theme is closely connected and presupposes lots of chocolate. Everything’s connected with chocolate: the theme itself, games, competitions, gifts, decorations etc. A nice idea, but be careful, otherwise the guests can overeat and have problems. The best way out is to limit the number of chocolate if you feel that such a danger exists, but don’t want to give up this idea.

Fashion designer party.
This kind of a party is mostly connected with the desire of a child. The main idea here is to organize a fashion show, besides it is desirable that the clothes you are going to demonstrate is unique, I mean, created on your own from some old garments, old loose dresses or faded suit. Otherwise you can use your brains and change typical ideas about clothes: consider jeans to be not jeans, but something else, let’s say skirts or shirts or simply try to have your cake and eat it too while combining incompatible! No one knows how great and unexpected the results can be! Perhaps, you’ve made up your mind as far as your future profession is concerned???

Harry Potter party.
We cannot do without Harry Potter any longer! Everybody is aware of this young magician with a difficult fate, but kind and strong heart. Why not choosing it as a theme of your party???
Start with the invitations. You may subscribe them as follows, “Dear (insert character name)You have been accepted to Hogwarts school of Withcraft and wizardry. Please meet at Platform 9 3\4. If you want to add more excitement to the party, suggest your guests wearing costumes of their favorite character. If you consider yourself to be to “old” for wearing costumes, omit this stage (I wouldn’t advice to do that, however!). Think of creating some magic atmosphere and make your guests feel as if they suddenly found themselves at Hogwarts… All the rest is up to your imagination and fantasy.

Surprise party.
This is the best variant for those who know how to keep secrets and pretend as nothing really happened in order to make a surprise party a surprise. Regarding the personality, the age, character and hobbies of your hero of the occasion, you can organize something to his/her heart’s content. The main idea to keep it in secret, what is not always possible to do with kids! :-)

To be continued...

Organize the 70s Fancy Dress Party instead of your monotonous weekends!

Actually, it is not only this time of the week, when you can allow yourself to organize some kind of a ball. If your imagination is not stale and enables you to create some fine ideas from time to time, you can suggest having such a party at work, at your or your friend’s birthday. You may devote it to some holiday or just make a holiday on your own!

Adults are sure to recall the time of their if not youth (we are still young, of course), then teens. They dance till they are quite exhausted and feel elated despite numerous problems with children, spouses and work. It’s really a fun to get together at such a party, enjoy yourself, feel as if at the first date or at one of the first discos.

If you are going to organize such a party, you do not even have to bother about the theme. If you say “Guys, what about having a kind of the 70s dress party?” everybody will already be in the right mood for the party. Besides, in this case you leave more space for imagination while choosing costumes!

Aha, about costumes… The choice here is endless. You may be Abba, the Pimps; if you are going in a group you have the whole Scooby Doo gang available. Grease 70s costumes with the Pink ladies, Star Wars Storm Troopers and Darth Vader, or if you're going to stand out from the herd, the Rocky Horror Show fancy dress is always available.

If you do not feel like being somebody else, you can simply dress according to the fashion of the 70s. Glitter jackets, platforms, tinsel wigs will do all right.

But you don’t have to think of the theme of the party; do not let other things drift. Invite a good DJ and decide what music your guests will enjoy during the party. Do not turn your great ides of the 70s fancy party into a drinking bout! Make your guests enjoy themselves without alcohol or at least do not make the list of spirits too long! (you know, what I mean, don’t you?J) Recall some funny games from that time and suggest playing some of them! Use your brains and think, what activity you’d like to have or how to make your guests interested. If you do everything sincere, do not hide your feelings and emotions, it is difficult to fail to notice! Good luck and enjoy!

Bachelorette parties the way they should be

I won’t be mistaken if I say that each girl and woman would like to experience all the excitement of a bachelorette party: laugh, joy, happiness, freedom, friends, surrounding you!

These are usually bridesmaids, especially the maid of honor, who initiate this kind of a party. They think about the place (it is usually somebody’s home or a club), scenario of the party and contribute to its cost. They are, generally speaking, engaged in the perfect preparation and duration of the party!

It’s also up to them whether to tell the bride about the bachelorette party or keep it in secret. In any case, there should be some intrigue and excitement for all the guests and especially the bride to have much fun!

The main purpose of a bachelorette party is to relax and spend time with the good friends. Some alcohol drinks are sure to be part and parcel of this celebration. Organizers of the party should think how their guests will get home: whether they go by taxi or someone you trust sees them home. Your bachelorette party doesn’t need any negative consequences, does it? J

Hardly a single bachelorette party can be a success without a stripper! Sometimes there may be even several strippers not only for the bride, but also for her close friends! Bachelorette pasty is a symbolic parting with free life and other men. But it doesn’t mean that all the brides should attack this stripper as their last man but for their husband! Some brides do not like when these men touch them or bother them with some ambiguous suggestions. For them it will be enough to watch and enjoy! The friends are sure to know their bride better, so a stripper should be informed how to behave and how not to behave!

Besides, the bride usually gets some presents at the party. And as a rule these presents are somewhat sexy or even naughty. But here again you should take into consideration the personality of the bride, her taste, the broom’s opinion. In the long run these presents are for him and for their first night! If the couple is rather conservative, give preference to some candles, massage oil and other knick-knacks to add more romance to their first night. If you know your friend as a person who is not afraid of experimenting and is rather liberated, you can be more creative with the sexual presents including some sex-toys they both are sure to appreciate!

Regard each point you are planning for the bachelorette party, do everything thoroughly and enjoy the results of your work! If everything’s done in a good way, not only the bride, but also all the other guests will get million of positive emotions and unforgettable memories!

Adult party ideas: Make your casino night a “hit”!

It’s an open secret, that casino night parties are very popular among adults. There is a rich variety of possible casino night parties organization and it’s up to your creativity and quick wit, whether it will be a success. If you are going to invite many guests and spend a large sum of money, you don’t need to bother about organization of the party – you can simply hire the company, which will do all the work for you.

If you are planning your casino party within budget, this article will provide you with some tips of advice, which can help you in this matter.
First of all, choose a place for the party. Consider the number of guests and the theme – see to it, that there’s enough place and space for everybody! A home bar area, a den or simply a family room will do all right. If you invite a certain number of guests, mind, that some may not come or will have to go earlier, that’s why invite more people. You’ll get more fun and no one will get offended!

Secondly, think of the invitations. Shops suggest all kinds of invitations for any occasion; you may choose some of them and add some personal touch to them, for instance, put a card or a poker chip inside – the theme of your party is clear and individuality is not forgotten!

Encourage your guests coming in corresponding costumes! Imagine: all men are wearing suits or even better – tuxedos and women are dresses like representatives of ruling elite or something of the kind. Or another variant: some men are wheeler-dealers with their women and others – respectful gentlemen in the money. Your party becomes a kind of a fancy ball and all your guests enjoy it immensely!

Think of a couple of your experienced friends who can be dealers or somebody else depending on your theme. All your guests should get an equal amount of play money to play and get much pleasure. It is desirable that the most “successful” player should get a present in the end!

Plan how you’ll serve food. It’s better to have buffet or organize a kind of a bar, having invited a professional barman! Besides, do not forget about musical accompaniment. Choose some corresponding tune as a sound track of your party and some other nice songs, which correspond to the theme and occasion!

These seem to be the most important tips of advice. As you see, organizing such a party demands good preparation, but if you have a strong desire and a couple of assistants, everything can be done quickly, properly, with enthusiasm and make your casino night a real event!

Personal approach to your child’s party

We have already discussed how to entertain children during the party and this is very important. At the same time, there should be some other mechanisms and your own personal tricks which will make the children’s party unforgettable and the guest of honor grateful to you for this extraordinary party!

Start with the invitations and see to it that they should reflect party theme! It is even better to create invitations on your own, involving your child in this mysterious action. In such a way they’ll be more personal, reflect your mood and will sat your guests to the positive expectations! Taking into account, that this time our guests are children, decorate your invitations and add them some unusual design.

Choose a tune or soundtrack, which will correspond to the theme of your party. It is not difficult to find anything connected with beautiful girls, football or basketball etc. But this soundtrack will add your child’s party more grandeur and your guests more impressions and memories for the future! Don’t forget to give each your guest-child a copy of it – what if they want to remember this great holidayJ?

Another nice project – making pictures with the guests. You may do it in such a way: each guest should pose with the guest of the honor at the beginning of the party. And while your guests are entertaining themselves, you can print the pictures and put them in a frame! The frames may (it is even desirable) correspond to the party theme. When going home each of your guests will take his/her picture!

It is nice when you have some decorations connected with the theme – it will make your guests feel more at ease and enjoy themselves in full!

Don’t forget to say Thank You, but do it in your own personal way. Again it may be a note with the words of gratitude for having come to the party and presented the guest of honor with such a lovely thing!!! (It is essential to mention that you really like the present!)

Party ideas for kids

If you are organizing a party for children, it is desirable, that you should think of a couple of games to entertain your little guests. In this case they won’t have time to set your house on fire or break your favorite vase. On the other hand, suggesting the children interesting activity, you can also entertain yourself. Here are some games, which may be of good avail for organizing a party for children.

Truth or Do Balloon Stomp: this is a traditional and well-known game with an unusual twist. Prepare a bundle of balloons with Do or Truth questions or commands. If a kid gets a Do command, he/she has to do some activity, for instance, sing a song, dance as a crazy monkey or show an angry camel. While preparing cards with the tasks, take into consideration the age of children. Truth command presupposes a sincere answer to some question, like telling the most embarrassing moment. Choose the questions thoroughly in order not to make children flush!

It’s a matter of common knowledge, that all kids adore acting like detectives or spies. Give hem such an opportunity! Before the party think of some treasure and the place where you can hide it. Print some clues, which will help the children in their search. The first such clue should be read or told to the children, all the rest they are going to find by themselves. They are sure to enjoy this game and may have a rest for a while, unless they search for the treasure in your room, of course.

Charades: a well-known old game that will never lose its popularity. What you have to do is to get ready with some charades to act out and think how the game itself will take place. If you are entertaining younger kids, choose some easy words, they are sure to understand, to show and to guess. If the children are older, you may go ahead with more difficult tasks, add different categories (Movie Titles, Sayings, Poems, Songs etc.) from which the children will choose the task and complete it. They may be also divided into several groups; this division will add some competitiveness to the game.

Pass It On: arrange the children in a circle and let one of the kids begin the game, saying “My name is Mary, and I like ice cream”. The kid, who stands next to Mary, continues, “Mary likes ice cream. And my name is Jim, and I like pizza very much!” and the game continues in such a way. This game is a very nice solution to make children get acquainted with each other and develop their memory and speech skills. It can easily be played over and over again by changing the fact to be shared, such as favorite candy, cartoons, books, animals, games, etc. Don’t forget to reward the winner!

As you see, it’s possible to organize the party for the children not only remarkable for them, but also with some educational motives. Such games will encourage teamwork, develop feelings of friendship and partnership and will simply make the party outstanding and unforgettable!

Choosing your Halloween Costume at the last minute

You haven’t still bought your Halloween costume? It’s time you did it. But don’t be in a hurry and do not buy the first costume you see. Otherwise you are risking staying at home because your costume doesn’t suite you or wearing something different you find in your wardrobe.
There are still some important things you should mind while buying or hiring your costume.

Weather, feelings of comfort and safety

Do you know where the party is going to take place? How many people will be there? You say, it makes no difference? I’d object. If you choose a costume of yeti and come to the party with lots of people, you’ll feel very uncomfortable and hot. In half an hour you’ll have to get rid of your costume and spoil the whole impression of yourself. Be more practical and consider all pros and cons of your costume.

Don’t forget to dress-up according to the weather. If your costume is rather skimpy, look for some mantlet or cloak that will correspond to your image and which you can take off if necessary.

You are fond of fancy details, trains, long sleeves and all kinds of decorations? See to it that they don’t prevent you from dancing, communicating with other guests, paralyse your movements or simply lead to injuring yourself or somebody of the guests.

Size

The majority of adult Halloween costumes are one-size-fits. They are made of elastic and extra fabric to fit a range of sizes. But these sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacture, that’s why don’t be lazy and try it on. There are also some costumes that come in different sizes - small, medium, large, etc.

If you need something larger, look for the full-cut or plus size costumes. If your size is between large and extra large, think if you're going to wear a layer under the costume. Check the store's size charts. Most plus size costumes will fit a size extra large through 3X.

If you are small and slim, look for teen or youth sizes, which go in the size 2 to 6 range for women and 36-38 for men.

Mind, that some costumes need additional accessories like wigs. See to it, that your costume is complete.

Price

You are looking for the costume you’ll wear only once and don’t want to spend much money? You may find exactly what you need at the sales for about 50 dollars.
If you don’t mind spending several hundred dollars, you may find something of better quality and design. Such costumes will serve you better, but mind that you don’t concentrate on its price and are afraid to move in it.

Party itself

Think it over where you going to celebrate Halloween. If you will be among children, your costume shouldn’t be too scary, otherwise small kids may be frightened.

If it is going to be some official celebration, don’t dress-up too vulgar and flashy. It is not always good to be flaring.

If, on the other hand, you are going to celebrate Halloween with your friends, people who know you and whom you know quite well, there’s no need to be shy. You may wear the skimpiest costume, relax and enjoy yourself!!!

Remember to have fun and enjoy the time spent with your family and friends. Mind that Halloween can also be scary for some children and pets, in this case funny happy costumes will probably be the best way to go. Halloween wakes the child in all of us, so carve pumpkins, tell funny stories, have parties and dress-up in funny costumes!
Happy Halloween!

What else You should know about Halloween Costumes…

If you want to choose something special for Halloween 2007, don’t take your time and start thinking your costume over, until it is too late.
Let’s go step by step and find out what you should do and what you shouldn’t do to look great at the party.

1. Choose your theme
The choice of your costume is likely to depend on what kind of a party it is going to be (do you have to go with the children or is this party only for adults?). Possible themes are Science Fiction, Classic Halloween, TV Characters, Cartoon/Superheroes, Famous People, Screen Gems, Movie Monsters, Historical Figures etc. If it something of a family party, your costumes may be those of "Adams Family", "Three Stooges", "Fantastic Four", "Teenage Mutant Turtles" the "Beverly Hillbillies" or well known Harry Potter with all his friends and teachers. Your children will enjoy this choice immensely!
If you are going to visit party for adults only, you may choose something more sexy, spooky and creative.

2. Specify your theme
After you’ve decided what theme this Halloween is dedicated to, try to specify it by finding out who you want to look like. Carey Grant? Marilyn Monroe? Audrey Hepburn? Frank Sinatra? I’m sure there’s a character or two you have always been dreaming of looking like. Why not doing this this very year?

3. Put your ideas into life
It turns out to quite easy to choose a costume of Elvis Presley, but you are risking appearing in the same costumes with your friend, boss or father in law. If you don’t want to find yourself in the center of such an unpleasant situation and be addresses as one of Elvises, use your brains and add some creativity into your costume. Let’s say, choose another color of your costume.

If nothing comes to your mind, return to step one, and choose another theme, in which you are sure to find something original and surprise your friends!

And now, let’s go shopping and choose the best Halloween costume…

Getting ready for Halloween

The second autumn month is almost over – it means that Halloween is right around the corner. But it managed to come so quickly that we are not quite ready for it. Besides, all these endless problems don’t leave us any chance to concentrate on the holiday. But don’t lose your heart. There are still several days left. And if you have desire, there’s nothing simpler as to meet and to celebrate it properly.

If you are going to organize Halloween party at home, you should first of all think of the theme of your party. Any Halloween party is unlikely to be interesting without costumes. After you’ve made up your mind with a theme, tell it your guests and warn them about costumes. If you feel like renting or purchasing the costumes, consult with your guests first. If your theme doesn’t demand luxury evening dresses or something like that, you can create costumes by yourself. It is sure to bring you even more fun! Besides, you can get rid of some useless things making them parts of your Halloween image!

When everything is clear with the theme, distribute the roles. Your guests may become gypsies, cowboys, celebrities, aliens or counts and countesses depending on how creative you are! It is desirable that atmosphere in the house and some necessary things should correspond to the chosen theme. It will make the celebration more vivid and bright!

The main idea of the holiday is to have fun, relax and play the field. Give your guests such an opportunity! All adults are kids in their souls and will be happy to wear costumes and act like saloon girls, favorite character from the history or gypsy baron. Play charades in costume, sing karaoke, dance on small shits of paper and do everything to your heart’s content. Have a good rest during the party, give way to your emotions and you’ll see that life is quite a nice thing!!!

Two important Roles in one Host

While arranging a party we have not only to prepare everything perfectly well, we should also be well aware of two roles we play.The first one is that of a host - a person, who serves food, drinks and entertains the guests.The second is also important, it is the so called social role, that presupposes our ability to make our guests mingling and having good time. If we manage to cope with these roles all right, our party is likely to be successful.But it's true that it is not always easy to keep your eye on everything and everybody during the party. Still, where there is a will, there is a way. Mind some sure tips that will help you to be and to feel the real host of the party.

1. Don't invite all your guests for the same time. Mind your strategy: let your first guests arrive at 8.00, next at 8.15, next at 8.30 and so on. By doing it in such a way, you will be able to take your time and communicate with your guests group by group introducing them to each other, letting them find common ground, common topics for discussion and leaving them talking to each other. Clever move, isn't it?

2. Think your menu over. If you don't want to spend the whole party in the kitchen, giving your dishes a slow stir or tasting them from time to time, arrange your cooking procedure in the correct order and enjoy the time with the rest of your guests.

3. Arrange your party in one room (unless it is as small as a cellar). This will allow you to communicate with your guests, having only to pop out from time to time to complete your duties of a host. And your guests will not suffer blistered feet or losing their way walking from the bathroom to the patio.

4. Leave the washing up for tomorrow. I mean it!!! And the saying "Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today" doesn't suit here. You want to be regarded as a good and cordial host, don't you? Then stay with your guests and don't worry - everything is good in it's own time!

5. Develop an ordinary murder mystery game adding some specific elements e.g. Super Secrets. The main idea lies in the fact that these Super Secrets specify people with which they share gossip, secrets and other fun information. Fully involved into the game for the sake of the game, your guests will communicateand and give you an opportunity to leave for a short while to the kitchen.

Make these easy tips of advice your own system of organizing great parties and enjoy them with your guests!

Making a surprise party a surprise…

Perhaps, it’s familiar to many of us when having put much effort into organizing a secret party our guest of honour turns out to have known about everything before… Thus, it is not a secret any more and the effect is not that one you expected.

More guests you invite, more chances that the secret will be revealed before the appropriate time. It doesn’t mean that you should invite very few people – it will hardly be interesting. Invite your guests in person, desirable without any invitation cards. If you do consider them to be important send them via email only. In case the invitation is written on a card, it is sure to meet the guest of honour’s eye. And this doesn’t correspond to our plans!

Speaking with one of the potential guests, remember to say the word-combination “secret party” for at least three times. Having heard the necessary words the person is sure to remember them unconsciously and you’ll rid yourself of unnecessary warring.

In every party there are always some late-comers. And it goes without saying, that if such a guest enters the house together with the guest of honour, nothing good will come out of it. Ask them to come an hour before the appointed time. Not half an hour, not a quarter of an hour, but only the whole hour will be enough to get together, park somewhere nearby and arrange everything properly!

Another problem is that there are such people who cannot keep their tongue between their teeth. If you invite some of such chatterboxes do it a couple of days before the party and don’t give many details! Tell only time, date and place. More details – more space for gossip.

And don’t be too nervous; avoid making a fuss of the whole business. Everything is going to be fine – you did your best! And if even something goes wrong, don’t take it too close to your heart – your guest of honour (unless snobbish and egoistic) will evaluate your desire to make a holiday for him/her!

The Art of Toasting

Proposing a good, bright and remarkable toast is a kind of art and not everyone masters it in full. Have you ever wondered why some people always become the cream of the show taking part in different celebrations and others feel like fish out of water unable to say the so called high-sounding words? One means hear this very art of toasting somebody. It doesn’t matter what kind of occasion it is. If you master the art of toasting, you are likely to become the life and sole of any party you are invited for.

Let’s move forward and learn several tips of advice which are sure to be of good avail to you.

1. Be aware of the occasion, memorable event and, of course, guest of honor. Before leaving for the party, think over what good and pleasant you can say to the point.

2.Don’t make your toast too long unless you want to read the guests to sleep. Be short, exact and don’t take your time! In the long run, guests’ mouths may become dry!!!

3.Try to find a good quote and rid oneself of searching for necessary words that refuse coming to your mind. Recite it properly, with good sincere feeling, say “Cheers!” and drink!

4.If a very important event is in store for you, get ready with your toast as good as possible. Write it down and practice at home before the mirror. Don’t be afraid to look funny – it’s OK at home, and much more unpleasant at the party itself in front of the audience!

5.Enjoy what you are saying! Your words should come from your heart. If you say one thing and think in a different way, your toast is doomed to failure. It is also true about quotations. If you choose one you don’t like, even the best recital will not hide your negligence.

6.Don’t forget about toasting etiquette. The subject of the toast usually remains seated and… doesn’t drink. Only then he/she stands up and proposes a toast of “thanks” in response.

Not at all difficult! Some practice is needed, of course, but you won’t have to wait long to see the results. Follow these 6 steps and your toasts will be evaluated and you won’t feel ashamed and confounded when asked to propose a toast! Good luck and Cheers!!!

The Birthday Party within a Budget

You are planning a birthday party, want to make it outstanding and great and at the same time remain within a budget? This article provides you with some of the ideas how to satisfy the members of your family and not overspend.

Depending on whose birthday it is, the party ideas may vary from an intimate picnic in the wild only for close people up to a grandiose holiday in the yard with decorations and clowns for children.

If you organize a party in the backyard, use your brains and involve your fantasy while decorating the place and making children help you if necessary. Suggest their playing scavenger hunt and don’t forget to look for some prize for the winners! Back a cake on your own or order pizza served with koolaid. Invite your friends who know a couple of magic tricks and won’t be against wearing a costume. In this case all the participants of the celebration will enjoy it immensely!

If you don’t feel like preparing everything on your own, have a party at McDonald’s. The package includes party for ten children, complete with cake, sundaes, decorations, goodie bags and a gift for your kid – all for $70. For $110 you can treat ten children to two slices of pizza, unlimited pop, birthday cake, a performance and 20 game tokens at Chuck E. Cheese. Besides, your child is sure to get a balloon, a collector's cup, a crown and cotton candy, while the establishment takes care of cleaning and planning. Not quite bad, I’d say.

For adults the choice of party ideas is also rich. You may organize your party at one of the family-restaurants. Let’s regard an intimate party for 8-10 people in a friendly and cosy atmosphere – for $20 you’ll get a wine celebration kit with name badges, pens, wine comment cards, decorations, a celebration guide and wine bags.
Movies nights and game nights are also a good idea for active rest.

If you live within a budget and cannot afford to spend much money on different types of celebrations, you shouldn’t be down in the mouth! The main thing is to have a desire to arrange a holiday for the person you love. It may even be a frugal dinner, but cooked with so much love and care that is sure to overcome all grand parties with salute and invited pop-stars!

Food and Drinks for corporate parties 2007

How to make each celebration more interesting than the previous one? How to astonish your colleagues? While organizing an outstanding corporate party! Not the last part in this business is devoted to serving and choosing refreshments.
According to Louis Gervais, Five Diamond Executive Chef and owner of Vancouver catering company Louis Gervais Fine Foods this holiday season will provide us with creative serving ideas and diminutive food favorites.

At the most outstanding corporate and private events guests may be offered a teeny duck shepherd’s pie with marbled yam soufflé, a tiny tortiere pie - a traditional French Canadian festive favourite or mini Christmas puddings, cooked in brandy and set on fire. The successful party is guaranteed! Don’t forget to think it over how you’ll offer your dish and how you’ll decorate it. If your refreshments look delicious, your guests are likely to expect them to be delicious! Don’t live up to their expectations!!!

Speaking about cocktails, try to add something original into your favourite ones. One new ingredient is likely to add some extraordinary taste to your cocktail and excitement to your guests. If you want to taste something new, the modern menu this year suggests a Christmas Cosmopolitan using rosemary infused vodka, a sprig of rosemary for garnish and frozen cranberries. It tastes really out of this world!!!

Don’t forget that your creativity and desire are very important here. Use your brains, combine your granny’s recipes with the latest culinary trends and go forward! You are sure to win this game!!!

Organizing a party...

Hello, everybody. I’m glad to have an opportunity to communicate with you on account of organizing different types of parties and holidays and simply making your life brighter, full of content and rich in unforgettable events.
First let me introduce myself. My name is Alex Loudermilk; I’m engaged in the sphere of organizing different types of celebrations. I’m fully devoted to my job, because it gives me an excellent chance to add to our monotonous life some bright moments and trigger off positive emotions. I consider my job to be well-done, when people are satisfied with their holiday or party, feel elated and are sure to remember this day at least for some period of time. This is one of the reasons why I’ve made up my mind to open this blog: I can work only in one place at a time, but with the help of this blog I’ll be able to give you some pieces of advice as far as organizing different types of celebrations is concerned. I’ll try to provide you with tips of advice how to make extraordinary fancy dresses or masquerades for your children or for yourself, how to enjoy the dull party or propose a good toast. I’ll acquaint you with the latest trends in arranging a special party without spending much time and money. A bit of your fantasy and creativity and my hints will make your party great. I’m also ready to answer your questions and listen to your suggestions. I hope to have feedback and organize useful and interesting communication!