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My Parties: How to Style a Frozen Party on a $200 Budget
Sometimes, you want to party small. That's what we did for my niece's 3rd birthday party. (Miss M is technically my great-niece, but that makes me feel super old, so let's just drop the "great," shall we?) Like every other girl her age, Miss M is completely taken with...
Freebie Friday: 12 Free Printable “We’re Out of Candy” Signs for Halloween
The hubs says I have not purchased enough Halloween candy. $35 and 350 pieces of candy later, I guess I'm headed back to WalMart. Otherwise, we'll need one of these free printable "we're out of candy" signs for Halloween. From Kiki and Company via Bombshell Bling Over...
My Parties: How to Host a Witch’s Tea Party
Did you have a favorite Halloween costume as a child? Mine was a witch costume, sewn by my mom. One of my twin girls feels the same way, and has dressed up as a witch for Halloween three times. (I have no sewing skills, but I can shop with the best of them.) Those are...
Tutorial: How to Tie the Perfect Bow
One of the big jumping off points for my Witch's Tea Party was this black and white striped ribbon. I just loved how clean and crisp the pattern is, and wanted to be sure to incorporate lots of bows made from the ribbon. But there is a trick to getting your bows just...
Recipe: Easy Witch’s Stockings Dessert (Layered Chocolate Wafers & Cream)
Of the treats at our Witch's Tea Party, I think the girls were most excited about the Witch's Stockings Dessert. I make variations on this dessert all the time because it's so quick and easy and goooood. (It honestly deserves the extra o's.) If you've ever made Martha...
Tutorial: How to Make a Floral Teapot Centerpiece
When I styled my Vintage Tea Party, one of my absolute favorite elements was the floral teapot centerpiece. I decided to recreate the look for my Witch's Tea Party (featured on Love the Day!) -- but to figure out the DIY version. Enter: the styrofoam ball and a whole...
My Parties: How to Style a Charlie Brown Halloween Party
I think it's fair to say that my love of Charlie Brown has continued unabated since childhood. I got to thinking about poor Charlie Brown on Halloween, his pitiful ghost costume with way too many holes, and how "All I got was a rock." Without a doubt, the round-headed...
How to Plan a Party When You’re Crazy Busy
My family and I are entering what is my insanely busy season at work. I have to say: I truly, deeply dread this season every year. I know that one day, not too far in the future, I'll be in tears, convinced that I won't be able to pull it all off. This also is the...
101: How to Style a Dessert Table {Part 4: Add a Backdrop}
Just like your body has a skeleton, a stunning dessert table backdrop needs some support. So today in Part 4 of The Party Teacher's 101 series: How to Style a Dessert Table, we're talking about adding a backdrop — and the support system and tools you need to do it...
101: How to Style a Dessert Table {Part 3: Embellish Your Table}
Half the fun of the dessert table is dressing it up. Once you choose your menu, serving pieces and arrangement, you can have fun with tablecloths, runners, banners and buntings. We talked about adding non-food items to your dessert table in Step 2: Arrange Your...
Freebie Friday: 70+ Back to School Free Printables
Our back to school will be here in about a week. We've done the clothes shopping, but still have backpacks and school supplies to go. And, I am hoping to squeeze in a first day of school mini party. I'm thinking my chalkboard wall in the basement playroom will be the...
101: How to Style a Dessert Table {Part 2: Arrange Your Treats}
There are TWO dessert tables: the one in your mind, and the one in reality. They don't always match. And there's a really good reason for that: the way you arranged your treats just isn't working. Maybe everything is too spaced out. Or maybe the arrangement lacks...
DIY Shark Party Ideas: How to Make Shark Treats, Shark Soda & Shark Favors
Full disclosure: I freaking LOVE the Sharknado series. It is so exquisitely dumb. So we'll be watching on Wednesday night, and that's why I'm recapping my Shark Week ideas from last year. It's not too late to use any of these free shark printables or whip up my shark...
101: How to Style a Dessert Table {Part 1: Choose Your Menu}
A birthday party used to mean cake and ice cream. Now, the dessert table is the norm among party-loving moms. Feeling stumped about how to plan a dessert table? Or maybe you've tried to style one and it didn't look quite right? Styling a dessert table does take some...
Tutorial: How to Make Art Party Watercolor Decorations
When I was planning the mini art party that I shared with you yesterday, I wanted to add a few party printables. But, I also didn't want to spend my mini budget on printables. So, I bought two dollar store sets of watercolors and the girls and I painted our own art...
My Parties: How to Style a Mini Art Party with The Coloring Table
If you like to turn any occasion into a party, then a mini party is a great way to pull off a party faster, with less effort and for less money. How about a mini art party? It works for boys and girls, and is a fun way to spend a summer afternoon. The Party Teacher...
My Parties: How to Plan a Bake Sale in 7 Steps
Last summer, my girls wanted to have a lemonade stand. They've never had one before, and pretty soon, it turned into a summer project -- and morphed into a neon snow cone stand to benefit The Confetti Foundation. We've turned this into an annual event, and I'll share...
Tutorial: How to Make Jolly Rancher Lollipops
This week is all about getting ready for our bake sale to benefit The Confetti Foundation. (Here's why I support them.) And since this is a one-woman-and-twins effort, we have spent a fair amount of time on Pinterest, looking for recipes that are (1) bake sale...
Freebie Friday: 20 Father’s Day Free Printables
Updated April 2024 If you're like me, you're getting a late start on Father's Day planning. (In fact, one of my hub's missions this Saturday will be to pick up his self-chosen gift.) But at least we can pretty up the party with some Father's Day free printables! I've...
New Party Plan: Gardening Party (The Solution for Summer Birthdays)
Summer makes me want to lay around with a cool drink and read. Or, let's be honest: nap. But it seems to have the opposite effect on my kids. They get get a little wilder. Our schedule, despite my best efforts, goes out the door. I forget to make them shower. Or brush...
My Parties: How to Host a Children’s Gardening Party
Buy the Gardening Party Plan Some time last year, my husband was outside washing the van, and my girls went out to watch him, play, and get all wet. They were entertained for hours, and it was all so simple. It reminded me that it really doesn't take a lot to make...
My Father Loved Creme Brulee
My father loved creme brulee. Any type of custard dessert, really. Nilla Wafer banana pudding? Bring it on. Daddy was near impossible to shop for. One year for Christmas, I bought him a cookbook focused on custards and made one of the recipes as my gift. I remember...
Guest Party: How to Host a Mermaids and Mommies Birthday Party for Twins
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Tracy Allen of Sweet Peach Paperie back to the blog, sharing her twin daughters' darling mermaids 5th birthday party! (You can see Tracy's Sea Turtle Twins Birthday Party here.) What did I love about this twins birthday party? It was a...
Tutorial: How to Make Confetti Party Favor Bags
For my daughters' 10th birthday party — we called it the Twins' Top 10 — I went old school with the party favor bags. We decided to have a party favor bar. We stocked it with five of the girls favorite things, and invited our guests to pick and pack their own party...
Tutorial: How to Make a Ribbon Wreath
I tend to think a party is not complete without a rocking front door wreath. Sweet Georgia Sweet makes some of my favorite ribbon wreaths, but this year I didn't have time to order a wreath from Bethany. So I pulled out one of my wreaths from her and studied it until...
Freebie Friday: Kentucky Derby Free Printables
The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, so if you're hosting a viewing party, it's time to pick out your Kentucky Derby free printables. Of course, I've already done that for you. All you have to do is choose your favorites, straighten your hat, and mix up some mint...
Freebie Friday: Cinco de Mayo Free Printables
Updated April 2024 Cinco de Mayo is coming right up, so I've rounded up some free fiesta printables for you! And if you're on the hunt for more Cinco de Mayo party ideas, don't miss my taco wreath (yea, you read that right) and the free Cinco de Mayo printables in my...
Tutorial: How to Customize Plates to Match Your Party
One of my favorite decorative touches from my girls' Favorite Things Party were our custom dessert plates. If you haven't seen these before, they are totally cool and pretty low-cost. Create UR Plate sends you either glass or plastic plates (your choice) and you pick...
My Parties: Twins Top Ten Birthday Party (a Favorite Things Party)
My twins are now ten, which is just crazy to think about. I'm ready to shrink them back to three! But they are pretty darn excited about being double-digits and I guess I don't have much choice in the matter. We've always done joint birthday parties for the girls....
Double the Fun Parties Is Now The Party Teacher!
At the end of 2014, I realized I had to do something that I really Did. Not. Want. To. Do. I had to change the Double the Fun Parties name. (It's a long story about a trademark lawyer who dropped the ball and doesn't really matter any more.) The only thing to do was...
Tutorial: How to add sprinkles to your drink bottles
Adding sprinkles to your drink bottles is fun way to elevate your party table. It's inexpensive and takes zero skill — which also makes it one of my favorite party moves. This trick works for any glass or plastic bottle. All you need are sprinkles and light Karo...
My Parties: How to Style a Haunted Halloween Candy Table
This Halloween, I think my girls are finally too old to trick-or-treat. (Cue the mom tears.) But I thought it might be fun for the girls to celebrate Halloween with their friends. And we know that kids love candy at every age! So I set up a little Halloween candy...
Tutorial: How to make shark cupcakes
After I made my Shark Candy Kababs to celebrate Shark Week, I still had a ton of gummy sharks and sour belts left over. Apparently, I can’t throw anything away, and have no fondant or cupcake frosting skills, but fortunately, inspiration hit and I decided to turn my...
Tutorial: How to Make Shark Candy Kabobs
Candy kabobs are a great treat for any party -- and one that you can easily make yourself. I made these for Shark Week, because Shark Week is awesome, but you could make them for any theme just by matching your party colors. Here's how to make shark candy kabobs....
Tutorial: How to make grazing boxes
I made grazing boxes for the first time for my daughters' Sweet 16. It was easy and fun, if you’ve never tried it. We served an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, and veggies, plus water and bottled rose lemonade. Grazing boxes are a great choice if...
My Parties: Boho Picnic Party Sweet 16 For Twins
Like so many of you, we’ve now faced the “birthday in a pandemic” dilemma. My twins were turning 16 and all they wanted was a small party with friends. The girls and I planned their party together and came up with this boho picnic sweet 16 birthday party. We had a...
Party Plan Club: Introducing the 2021 Party Plan Themes
So yes, it's March. And the 2021 Party Plan Club launched in January. But, you know, pandemic. Soooo, introducing the 2021 Party Plans! If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out this page all about the Party Plan Club. Here's the short version: The Party...
How to Make Individual Valentine’s Candy Boards
Valentine's and Mardi Gras fall right before my twins' birthday, so because I'm busy planning their birthday party, I tend to skip those holidays, or throw something together for our family at the last minute. But this year, we were scouting Sprouts for the grazing...
Gender Reveal Party Sticker Kit Giveaway!
The Party Teacher received product and compensation for this review, but all opinions are my own. I only introduce companies and products to you that I believe in. I get asked fairly often to do product reviews, and I usually say no. I have to feel confident the item...
My Parties: “Ring Out Wild Bells” New Year’s Eve Party + Free Printables
Like everyone else, I cannot wait for this year to end. I wish that at the stroke of midnight, everything would be magically better. Even though I know that can't happen, I still want to celebrate. This seems like the perfect year to re-create a New Year's Eve...
Jennifer Needham
Founder of The Party Teacher I am an Atlanta-based wife, mom and children’s party planner. Between my twin girls, and a full-time job, I am always busy, but party planning is one thing I always seem to be able to find time for. At The Party Teacher, I teach other busy moms how to fit party planning into their lives, so they never miss an opportunity to celebrate special moments with their kids. My blog is your go-to source for party planning tips, party tutorials, recipes and birthday party plans.
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