by Stefanie on March 7, 2010
When: March 7
This weekend host your own star-studded event with help from PartyLand!
DECORATE:
Use silver and gold star cutouts, black, 
gold and silver table covers and napkins. Sprinkle your table with star shaped confetti. Use black, plastic top hats for centerpieces or snack bowls. And don’t forget the red carpet lined with life-size cutouts of Hollywood’s hottest stars to welcome your guests!
GAME:
Hand out ballots before the ceremony begins and tally the scores at the end – give out awards for the most and least correct picks!
FOOD:
Rent PartyLand’s theatre popcorn popper for a sensational snack and aroma at your party!
CLOTHING:
Make everyone a star as they arrive with feather boas, glamorous star-shaped sunglasses, gloves, hats and jewelry from PartyLand!
OSCAR HISTORY:
A lot has changed since the first ceremony took place in 1929. Only 270 people attended and tickets were just $5! That first year, the award recipients were announced to the public three months before the ceremony. For the next decade the results were given in advance to newspapers so they could be published after the awards. But in 1940 the LA Times ignored the restriction and announced the winners just before the event. As a result, the Academy adopted the sealed-envelope system that remains today.
1953: The Academy Awards were first televised.
1966: First Oscar broadcast in color.
2002: First held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, which is still their home today.
by Stefanie on March 4, 2010
When: March 6th
This Saturday throw a quick and easy dinner party and celebrate all those yummy foods and snacks in your freezer!
Don’t think this day is worth Celebrating!? Just imagine how your busy life would be if you didn’t have a frozen dinner to pop into the microwave in between a late day at work and your evening event. You’d have to stop and make a dinner from scratch or eat cereal, again!
Frozen foods first hit store shelves in 1930 in Springfield, Ma. Thanks to the frozen food industry, you can (and should ) celebrate Frozen Food Day in true frozen food manner:
BREAKFAST:
Start your day by popping some frozen sausages in the microwave and a Toaster Strudel in the toaster, then make a delicious frozen fruit smoothie!
LUNCH:
For lunch, select among a wide array of frozen lunches! Check out http://www.frozenlunch.com/ for reviews!
DINNER:
Perhaps the most famous and delicious of frozen dinners come from Stouffers. Lasagna, Mac & Cheese, Spagetti, Pizza and more! So many options so easy love and so easy to prepare!
SNACKS:
No frozen food day is complete without the frozen food fave, ice cream! Also try a giant pretzel or a corn dog!
Origin of National Frozen Food Day:
Congress designated March 6, 1984, as “Frozen Food Day” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation upon this occasion.
In Proclamation #5157, President Ronald Reagan said: “Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 6, 1984, as Frozen Food Day, and I call upon the American people to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
Don’t let Reagan down! Dig into your freezer and celebrate!
by Stefanie on February 25, 2010
When: March 2
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to PartyLand!
You’re off and away!
Grab a red and white striped stovepipe hat, some green food coloring and throw a party for Theodor Seuss Geisel, famed American writer and cartoonist!
Because, “If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.” – Dr. Seuss
EAT: (Would you eat it in a house? Would you eat it with a mouse?)
- One fish, two fish, red, fish, Sweedish Fish!
- Green Eggs & Ham…obviously! What better way to honor Dr. Seuss than a dinner of green eggs and ham!? Scramble a couple eggs, throw in a spoonful of pesto, and fry a few slices of canadian bacon.
READ:
As many Dr. Seuss books as you can!
DO:
- Take a virtual tour of the The Dr. Seuss National Memorial, located in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Instead of Duck, Duck, Goose, play Cat, Cat, Hat!
- Rent PartyLand’s Crazy Hat! Take three tries to toss a beanbag into the top of the “Cat in the Hat’s” hat! This game is a child’s favorite with its fun graphics and Dr. Seuss theme. Medium skill required.
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
by Stefanie on February 19, 2010
This year, make Black History Month come alive for your family or friends by taking a trip to commemorate the significant contributions made to the United States by the African-American community, and to honor the struggles experienced by many black Americans. Any one of these field trip ideas will engage you in history and make everyone eager to learn more.
- Crenshaw Wall, 5100 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site 450 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia
- Apollo Theater 253 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, New York, New York
- Emancipation Park, 3108 Dowling Street, Houston, Texas
- Carter’s Grove Plantation, Route 60 at Pocohontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia
- Underground Railroad Homes, Deacon Joseph Qualis: 6306 8th Avenue; Pastor Deming: 426 Park Avenue; Deacon Smith: 109 Congress Street; John Bullen:6027 7th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Can’t make it to Harlem, NYC to tour the world famous Appollo Theatre? Take a virtual tour here!
Remember these Black History Milestones:
The Black Power Movement of the 1970s emphasized racial pride and the significance of collective cultural values. This prompted the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, to change Negro History Week to Black History Week. In 1976, they extended the week to a month-long observance.
Black History Month is now recognized and widely celebrated by the entire nation on both a scholarly and commercial level. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History continues to promote, preserve and research black history and culture year-round.
Who said it? Play this game and match the person who first said these famous quotes!
“You can’t separate peace from freeedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”
by Stefanie on February 16, 2010
Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through French heritage in 1699. Mardi Gras literally means “Fat Tuesday” and is always on a Tuesday, 47 days before Easter.
BEADS: The tradition of throwing trinkets to the crowds during Mardi Gras parades was initiated in the early 1870’s by the Twelfth Night Revelers. The most popular throws today include beaded necklaces. PartyLand has loads of beautiful beads you can give as favors, use to decorate your home and yourself!
THE KING CAKE: This oval shaped cake, made from rich dough is covered with sugar in the traditional Mardi Gras colors. The colorful toppings represent a crown in honor of the Three Wise Men.
The King Cake tradition is believed to be dated back to Twlefth Century France. A cake was used to celebrate the coming of the Magi bearing gifts for the Christ Child. For this Holy Day, a tiny plastic baby (symbolic of the baby Jesus) is placed inside each King Cake. PartyLand now has a large section of cake decorating supplies!
QUEEN of MARDI GRAS: In 1871, the tradition of choosing the Queen of Mardi Gras was determined by who found the baby Jesus in the cake. Today, it is still a sign of good luck and is customary for the person who discovers the baby to host the King Cake Party next year. Don’t forget to pick up some plastic babies from PartyLand for your King Cake this year!
COLORS: The official colors of Mardi Gras were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. Purple for Justice, Green for faith and Gold for power. Decorating is easy at PartyLand with balloons, streamers, beads, masks and tons more in these colors!
GAME: The King and Queen of Bourbon Street
Place your guests names in two hats; one for men and one for women. Choose a name from each hat and crown the chosen guests as the King and Queen, then seat them in rolling chairs. Parade them around the party throwing beads at the other Mardi Gras guests!
Laissez le bon temps roulette!
(Let the good times roll!)
by Stefanie on February 10, 2010
February 14th, 2010
Based on the cycles of the moon, the Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history! During this time traditions and rituals are very carefully observed in everything from food to clothing.
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which commences on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, and it is a sign of bravery. This courageous and fiery fighter is admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household. These are fire, thieves and ghosts.
How to Celebrate:
- Clean: Days before the CNY sweep away any traces of bad luck by cleaning your home from top to bottom! Open windows and doors to bring in good luck for the new year.
- Decorate: Red is the traditional color because it represents happiness and luck! Decorate your home with flowers, oranges and candy. Live plants symbolize rebirth and new growth and flowers are a symbol of wealth. Bring luck to your Lunar New Year with red paper lanterns, dragons and crepe paper from PartyLand!
- Food: Dinner is a giant feast of seafood and dumplings! The tremendous amount of food prepared symbolizes wealth for the household. Now is the time to eat sweets to ensure yourself a “sweet” year! Don’g forget to grab some fortune cookies from PartyLand for dessert!
- Clothing: Wear red to ward off evil spirits. But never black or white, which are associated with mourning. Since 2010 is the year of the tiger, anything tiger themed will also do the trick!
- Activities: After dinner play cards, board games or watch a New Year show. At midnight fireworks should light up the sky.
- Gifts: Bring a bag of oranges when visiting family or friends anytime during the celebration. Oranges are symbols for abundant happiness.
The Big Day: In the ancient custom Hong Bao (Red Packet), married couples give children and unmarried adults money in red envelopes. Then the Festival of Lanterns, a celebration of singing and dancing, marks the end of the New Year. Traditions of CNY may vary but he underlying message is peace and happiness for family and friends.
Gung hay fat choy!
(which means “Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year.”)
by Stefanie on February 3, 2010
Stand up and speak out against heart disease in women by wearing red on Friday, Feb. 5th!
Go Red For Women is a movement passionately dedicated to helping women fight back against heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in America.
Thanks to the participation of millions of people across the country, the color red and the red dress now stand for the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives.
Inspire your friends, family and coworkers to wear red this Feb. 5th and speak up about heart disease — on National Wear Red Day!
Make it fun by passing out funny red wearable items from PartyLand! Red bead necklaces, silly red sunglasses, wigs, hats, ties, clown noses! Just come in to PartyLand and let your imagination go!
by Stefanie on January 27, 2010
When: Tuesday, February 2nd
What: Legend decrees that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, six more weeks of winter weather will befall the world. But if no shadow is apparent we’re in for the delights of an early spring!
Groundhog Day comes once a year and its arrival is eagerly awaited by thousands of famous Phil’s faithful followers. Nowhere in the world is Phil’s prediction more anxiously awaited than in Punxsutawney, PA, the HOME OF THE GROUNDHOG!
But even if you won’t be in Punxsutawney this Feb.2nd you can still celebrate the great American tradition!
What to Wear:
A top hat and a mustache!
What to Do:
Send an Ecard:
Don’t let your friends forget to celebrate!
Trace a friend’s shadow!
Make shadow puppets!
What to Sing:
Groundhog’s Day, I looked around,
Saw my shadow on the ground
Yes I saw my shadow, when I took a peek
That means winter 6 more weeks!
I’m a little groundhog round and plump
Here is my shadow here is my rump
Oh I’m a little groundhog short and plump
I see my shadow I see my rump.
Little groundhog down below,
Underneath the wintry snow.
Come on out and tell us true…
Is Spring coming? Is Winter through?
I’m A Little Groundhog (sung to I’m a Little Teapot)
I’m a little groundhog, furry and brown,
See me pop while I look around,
If I see my shadow, down I’ll go
Six more weeks of winter, oh no!
Mr. Groundhog (sung to Frere Jacques)
Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Groundhog.
Are you there? Are you there?
Will you see your shadow?
We all want to know
On this day, Groundhog Day.
What to Play:
Groundhog Day Trivia:
- All groundhogs have 22 teeth.
- Groundhogs hibernate one to a burrow, with at least two doorways.
- Males emerge earlier than females each spring.
- Groundhogs can lose 50% of their body weight in hibernation.
- They can swim and climb trees.
- Groundhog Day was once celebrated by ancient Celts. It’s halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
Hot Hog
This game is Punxsutawney’s version of “Hot Potato.” Arrange participants in a circle. Give one a stuffed groundhog, or a picture of a groundhog taped to a ball. As the music plays everyone passes the groundhog around the circle. When the music stops the person holding the groundhog is OUT. Play continues until there is only one Groundhog King or Queen left.
Toss the Hog
How do you get that groundhog back in it’s hole? Well, you “TOSS THE ‘HOG!”
You will need one ball decorated as a groundhog (use a coonskin cap from PartyLand pulled over a small playground ball or tape on groundhog features or draw them), a trashcan (decorated as a burrow black or brown construction paper from PartyLand), and a masking tape line on the floor. 
Have the contestants line up at the indicated spot. Each contestant gets three chances to send the ‘hog home! Sort players into categories according to their success (0, 1, 2, or 3 ‘hogs in the can). Have students with the highest numbers of successful throws continue competing until there is a winner. Vary the distance, number of throws, etc. to make the game more or less difficult. The prize could be a groundhog cookie, a pencil, or they can keep the “hog” ball and hat.
More Fun Groundhog Activities:
Color Phil, Phil’s Wordsearch, Phil’s Maze
And don’t let February 2nd pass by without watching Groundhog Day
the movie!
by Stefanie on January 13, 2010
Dear Stefanie @ PartyLand,
My BFF’s birthday is coming up and I want to kick it old school and throw her a theme party based on her favorite TV show. Only trouble is, party supplies for this TV show don’t exist! Can you help us come up with creative ideas for food, drinks and decorations for the rockinest 30 Rock party ever!?
Thanks a bunch, Peachy
Dear Peachy,
Making the party all about your BFF and her interests is a good start to a successful bday party. Luckily I’m also a 30 Rock fan and can help you plan the best party since Prince Gerhardt Messerschmit Ramenstein Von Hap’s 25th!
INVITES
Take a page from Kenneth’s party book and pass out paper pink cupcake cards to all the guests. Or find a cupcake evite. Tell your friends to “Get in touch with your inner Liz Lemon and come wolf down a teamster sub with the most vaguely ethnic swan in the city!”
FOOD!
Food is what Liz Lemon loves most, so make it count!
Hot Dogs served in a cardboard box. “I’m buying ALL the hot dogs!”
Dunkin Donuts and skim milk. “I’ll have a dozen donuts to stay and a skim milk.”
Sabor De Soledad (make your own by printing the logo and taping it onto generic cheese puffs!)
Diet Sabor De Soledad (carrots)
Sylvia’s cornbread!
Teamster Subs
Mozzarella Sticks “I already have a drink, do you think he’d buy me mozzarella sticks?”
Grapes “What else, what else is on my mindgrapes?”
Cornbread so good you’ll want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.
A giant shrimp made out of shrimp diving into a bowl of shrimp.
Lemon Head candy
Oxygen hors d’œuvres “I ate way too much oxygen.”
General Rule: Anything bad for you would be Liz approved.
DRINKS
Anything Lemon flavored in honor of the leading lady: Lemonade, Lemon Drop Martinis, Lemon Sparkling Water, etc.
Rootbeer Floats “You look happy! Did someone just have a rootbeer float?”
Pinot Grigio (Liz’s wine of choice)
Setting the Mood:
Recreate a memorable set or take pieces from many sets and combine them. Put a
KAT
COUR
SUC
on the wall like the one Kenneth had to clean in Brian Williams’ dressing room.
Look thru magazines and cut out 30 Rock ads, any pictures or articles about the actors, even guest stars and hang them all over the party room. Don’t forget to stick a big portrait of Jack Donaghy on the front of your microwave!
Make quote posters for your favorite characters. Check mine out HERE.
Put papers around the room and write along the top, “What’s your favorite 30 Rock quote?”
Have a rubber chicken floating around the party for guests to pose with. “Put the chicken closer to your mouth.” And of course, “Birth a chicken on the toilet.”
You may want to microwave a bowl of maple syrup for that suspicious maple syrup smell in your apartment building. Put up a sign that says, “Ignore the maple syrup smell. Our neighbors are not terrorists. They just like waffles!”
What should you do? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO-OOOO?
Besides the obvious of having 30 Rock playing at the party, you could also have some show-inspired activities:
Play poker
Have a “Page Off” with NBC trivia
A Teamster Sub Wolfing Contest
Play a round of Gold Case
30 Rock trivia would be fun, and probably an easy win for the birthday girl
A “Who Said That?” Quote Game
Karaoke is a favorite activity of Jenna’s and Liz’s (when she’s drunk). “When I’m here, you should be here. Not up here, here is embarrassing.”
What to Wear:
First of all, wear a bra. Now, there are so many options you’ll have to decide whether to have guests come dressed as their favorite 30 Rock character, or the most obscure 30 Rock character they can think of, or their favorite character in their favorite 30 Rock moment or have them wear tuxes because the party’s probably after 6 p.m., and you’re not farmers. Just don’t let anyone wear flip flops, ever, it’s gross.
Have fun brushing up on your 30 Rock references and preparing yourself for a Whirl of Wind Birthday Extravaganza! And make sure the birthday girl thanks everyone… “Thank you! Thank you all dear friends. FOR COMING TO MY BIRTHDAY!”
by Stefanie on June 2, 2009
The Cub Scouts are going camping! In the backyard, in a tent or under the stars. Camp at a nearby Scout camp, state park, or even spend the night in the local museum. Camping doesn’t always have to be overnight; day camp is fun too! Get everyone outdoors and discover what the ‘outing’ in Scouting is all about!
Décor Ideas for “A Camping We Will Go”:
- Make a nature scene by decorating with all your potted plants and flowers!
- Set-up tents in the backyard or living room. Have older kids set-up the tents themselves for a learning activity.
- Make a large wooden sign at the entrance to the “Camp Site” and have other signs pointing the way to the toilets and showers, picnic area and wildlife trail.
- Place tiki torches around the edges of the camp.
- Use glow in the dark bugs and stars.
- Use plastic tableware or tin plates and cups. Provide bug stickers for each Scout to personalize his own plate and mug so they don’t get mixed-up.
- If you are ‘Camping’ inside, disperse natural objects around the room, such as rocks, sticks, leaves (real or silk), plants, pine cones, etc.
Camp Food Faves
- Nuts, dried fruit and trail mix are the epitome of camp cuisine!
- Bug Juice: Lemonade colored green with a plastic bug floating on the top.
- Roasted Marshmallows: Place a marshmallow on the end of a wooden skewer (soak for one hour in water beforehand as it stops them burning) and hold a few inches about the campfire flame until the marshmallow starts to melt. Remove from the flame and allow cooling.
- Campsite Cake: Use 1 cake mix to make a square or rectangular cake. Cover with green frosting to resemble grass and decorate with a small plastic camping set and trees or plastic bugs.
- S’mores: Don’t go camping without them! Melted chocolate and marshmallows between gram crackers.
Indoor & Outdoor Camping Activities
Pack it Up:
Whether you go camping or just pretend to, ask your scouts to pack their backpack with everything they think they’ll need for an overnighter – and a few random things for fun.
Before the meeting, make a list of items you think they will bring – and some items you don’t think anyone would bring. (Compass, Toilet Paper, Chapstick, Licorice, Sunglasses, Flip Flops, Floss, Hand Sanitizer, Note from Parent, 2 Dimes, etc.)
Have everyone sit with their backpacks at an equal distance away from you. (More fun outdoors where the distance can be longer.) Then yell out an item from the list. Whoever has the item and brings it to you first wins that round. Keep going and adding up points for the win!
Nighttime Star Gazing:
Get away from the city lights where it’s easier to see planets and constellations.
Personalized Walking Sticks:
Buy some cheap wooden dowels from a hardware store and provide the Scouts with paints, glue and stickers to personalize their own walking stick. Once they are dry try them out on a hike!
Campfire Sing-Along:
Warm up your vocal cords, get out the guitar (if you have one) and sing to your hearts content. If you have any portable musical instruments let the Scouts use them or make their own from tin cans and sticks.
Sparklers:
Always popular at a campsite, especially when it is dark!
Trash Scavenger Hunt:
A great camping that helps the environment too! Have the Scouts collect various items and whoever gets the most from the list wins.
Camping Favors and Prizes:
Glow in the Dark Bugs
Paper Lanterns
Anything that glows in the dark
Compass Clips
Bug Nets
Large Beam Flashlight Key Chains Water Canteen
Mini sparklers
Mini Battery-Powered Fans
Bug Stickers and Temperary Tattoos
Extra Things to Work on:
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
Map and Compass Belt Loop and Pin
Astronomy Belt Loop and Pin
