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"For~Play": Party Props & Essential Event Decor - a list by tatorandtots
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About this list:
Don't make the mistake of rushing through 1st, 2nd and 3rd base on your Party Prep To Do List. You may get lucky and still score but no one will go home as satisfied as if you'd put a little time and creativity into it. Throwing a spectacular soiree- whether for 2 or 200- is a lot easier and more cost-effective than you might imagine. Really, it's not hard. (...she writes, giving herself little kisses for sneaking in a naughty pun.....) ~~ ~~ ~~Ready? Let's go.
Qualifications:
I've shamelessly done every type of event to come my way.
8" Mirror Ball package with Motor and Pin Spot
First to recommend
Description
I love disco balls for party decor. This is not a secret.
So like the dealer on the street corner trying to entice people into joining my addiction, here I am once again pushing balls.
This time, an all-in-one-package. It has what you need to make your party feel reallllly good. Motor, ball, spot, colored filters.... a nifty set.
Just try it. All the cool kids are doing it.
Updated Jul 2, 2008
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12" Colored Mirror Ball
First to recommend
Description
Awhile ago I mentioned when recommending a disco ball here that they are one of my absolute favorite party props. At the time of that writing, I had three. Now? Five. Different sizes for different applications.
So even if no one else believes me, I'm buyin' what my mouth is sellin'. This one will make #6 and will actually go into my daughter's room. The others I use for events both at home and on the road (that made me sound a bit cooler than I am.... Think social events and fundraisers. I'm not hangin' out on any band party buses. But open to it. lol).
But I digress. As usual. Point is- this is cool. You want it. You will use it. You will take it out of the box, stick it on the ceiling of your garage, order a keg so that you can get away with telling absolutely EVERYONE that you are having "a kegger", throw a yard party and feel really, really cool because everyone will tell you how it is the most awesome thing ever. You will briefly forget that you could technically check "middle-aged" on a survey and not be lying. You will feel young again until you wake up the next morning, hung-over from mixing a single wine cooler with your Lite beer.
But still. For a brief, shining moment (the shine courtesy of aforementioned disco ball of course) you will feel young and cool. How do you think my addiction started? I wasn't born dreaming of disco balls, ya know. I bought one and someone told me I was cool. Doesn't take much, people, not much at all.
Oh. And order the motor and pin spot too. Not mandatory but you'll be glad you did.
Updated Jul 2, 2008
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Heavy Duty Mirror Ball Motor
First to recommend
Description
Move your ball! If you happened to buy a disco/mirror ball and skimped on getting the motor, repent now! For less than $20, you can make that baby spin. Adds quite a bit to the effect.
Updated Jul 2, 2008
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Pin Spot
First to recommend
Description
A basic pin spot for your disco ball or other party lighting needs.
Everyone should have at least one of these. In my opinion, of course.
Updated Jul 2, 2008
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Party Time Checklist Pad
First to recommend
Description
I'm one of those ADD-types who always has a million things kickboxing around in my head. So to corral all those thoughts, I've become a fan of spankin' em into a List. Big fan of Lists.
Add to that the fact that I throw a lot of parties and it's easy to see why I love this product. It cuts down on my "Oh look, there goes a chicken" moments of distraction.
Updated Jan 1, 2008
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Set Of 6 Stencils
3 people recommended this item
Description
sweet looking stencils. You're friends will never know you are part of the "arts and crafts" crowd with this hip babies.
Updated Jul 15, 2008
"for they were whores" Photo Album, Coasters and Card
First to recommend
Description
Great vintage black and white photo cover with caption:
"the gals were left alone whilst gary and ronnie went to the boat show. they loved their husbands...and everyone else's too, for they were whores."
I had the coasters out at a ladies' night and must have written down the web site where I got them a dozen times. Lots of retro stuff, lots of laughs.
Another use? A GREAT hostess gift. Either on the front end- ie your Grand Arrival- or, pardon the phrase, the back end- ie a thank you gift. A few years ago I got into the habit of always taking my digital camera to every single party and forcing myself to snap shots. For all the work people put into getting ready for their shindig, they so rarely remember to take the photos they later would love to have had because they're busy 'hostessing.' So you can imagine how well a sassy little album with party shots is received by them- truly, I have had people basically well up with tears when I give them such a thank you gift.
Don't forget to chronicle your own fabulousness as well! Leave those unwieldy photo albums- the kind your mom filled with photos of your summer vacation road trip to Aunt Betty's in Topeka and used as a step-stool to get to the top shelf- in the cupboard and instead stock up on slim, clever little albums to showcase each individual event you have. Then set them out as eye candy and conversation starters at future events. Your guests are bound to find themselves amongst the pages of prior fetes.....
One last tip- Use a sticker or sharpie on the inside cover of each to write down the web site address of where you- in your immense organizational prowess- have uploaded your images. That'll save you the time of following up on the "Oh, can I can a copy of this???" requests you will surely receive. It's a classy way of saying, "Get it your damn self."
Updated Jul 2, 2008
Lists that feature this:
- Accoutrements for an Early Mid-Life Crisis
- Blah Blah Blah
- Holidays '08: Greetings from the Trailer Park
- Holidays '08: Host and Hostess Gifts
- Holidays '08: Stocking Stuffers for Women
- Holidays '08: The Under $25 List
- Lifestyle Tschotskes
- Pretty on the Outside: Unique Ways to Wrap Gifts
- Trailer Park Couture
Rock Swings- Paul Anka
First to recommend
Description
One of my NEW FAVORITE THINGS! Paul Anka- yes, I know, I too was shocked he made my very elusive NFT list as well- doing covers (and good ones!) of such alternative hits as "Mr. Brightside" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit." When I put the latter on my myspace site as the profile song, the response was outstanding.
Toss this in the CD tray at a party and it's a guaranteed showstopper. Just grab your martini and watch as people's expressions change once they begin to realize they recognize the song he's singing. It's like all brain motion stops for a nanosecond while their minds struggle to absorb the dichotomy. Fabulous.
Check out Paul singing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on YouTube. I don't care what kind of music you usually listen to- hearing Anka croon "Oh no! I know a dirty word!" is titter-worthy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsS811o21-k
Updated Jan 1, 2008
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Inflatable Art Frame
First to recommend
2 people recommended this item
Description
At just $10, it's a great way to display my kids' art work with a little wall flare.
Updated Dec 6, 2007
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Black Bar Glasses
First to recommend
2 people recommended this item
Description
I don't need these. I just really, really want them.
A party prop extraordinaire. Trust me- toss 'em on a table with some disposable cameras. Then brace yourself- men who have had a lot of martinis tend to feel that exposing a nipple is hysterically funny. And like lemmings, once one goes the partial Monty, the others will follow. These encourage such antics. Take it from my experience.... if I ever write a psyche thesis, it will likely be on that phenomenon.
Thank me when you develop the film. Preferably with expensive chocolate bon bons. Unless you get a disturbing number of male nipple shots. In that case, I warned you.
Updated Jul 2, 2008
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