Confetti Fair 2022 Christmas Mini Mag

XMAS ISSUE!

credits

Photo credits, top; Concept, styling, balloons + tableware @indulgence_table; Styling, white draping, artificial floral arrangements, black metal backdrop, plinth + venue @style_your_events; Photography, @knphoto_graphy; Fresh pine, ivy + hypericum berries table garland @thehappylittleflower_co

Photo credits, bottom; Photography, @momentsbymichellee; Styling + hire. @ luxe_soirees_noosa; Sweets and Cookies @sweetpcakesandcookies; Catering @penfoldscatering;

Photo credits, next page; Cake topper @studiot55, balloons @events_by_vg

And so another year of parties comes to an end!

As the Christmas and summer holiday season approaches, we are delighted to bring you our latest issue.

Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of festive ideas, including parties, products and planning tips that will inspire you and help you make the most of this special time of year.

Whether you’re planning a holiday party, looking for a cute gift, or just want browse decor trends, we’ve got you covered. From traditional favorites to creative twists on old classics, we’ve got something for everyone.

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Best regards,

LUXE MODERN

FEATURE PARTY LAVISH CHRISTMAS

Black might not be the most traditional Christmas colour, but this luxe and lavish decor look truly creates a modern, timeless and transformative festive experience for your Christmas parties! It’s a huge statement that’s bound to have your guests wowed!

Opposite; Cake by @galvinchidesserts, photo by @knphoto_graphy

Create a magical space and be inspired by this modern Christmas party setup by Indulgence Table.

A dedicated festive decorated space is truly a beautiful way to celebrate the season of joy and love! Using bold black, this event truly makes an impact.

The modern twist on a Lambeth style cake design is a complementary choice for any event and will surely have guests talking! In this set up we chose an allblack buttercream finish with black glitter cherries.

The white draping and gorgeous white artificial floral arrangements with the pop of black from the metal backdrop, invite your eyes to the spectacular cake on display at the head of the table.

A Christmas tree stands in the corner of the room with dark forest green pine needles adding to the classy mood in the regal room. Its decorations consist of a diverse range of luxurious black baubles that are compatible with the colour theme of this setup. The tree is also decorated with black leaves and satin ribbons to further enhance the grandeur of this festive party.

A variety of luxurious cushions, designer books and gift boxes are on display under the tree, producing a mood that screams lavish and chic!

The greenery garland made of fresh pine, ivy and hypericum berries set on the dining table, adds a touch of traditional Christmas spirit with a trendy modern outlook.

A floating balloon garland with ribbons that highlight the elegant features of the colour scheme creates an aesthetically pleasing table experience for your guests.

The inviting table decorations are set up in a dignified fashion, corresponding with the black tiffany chairs and tableware that includes a Christmas tree cookie on the black plate, and gorgeous forest green serviettes.

The table setup is topped off by a fragrant, delicious scent that drifts from the elegant gold candle stands and black ribbed soy candles.

A stunningly luxurious way to celebrate.H

A beautiful runner featuring natural elements does not always have to feature florals. Greenery does not often get the attention that it deserves despite its ability to add texture, interest and beautiful shapes.

Do not be afraid to go full monochrome for an event. It makes a huge impact and may even simplify your planning process. Make an even bigger statement by using an unexpected monochrome scheme for traditional celebrations .

FOLLOW INDULGENCE TABLE

NOW TRENDING:

NEUTRAL

Switch up your Christmas party look with an unexpected combo. Neutral hues, natural textures and maximum impact! Flip the page to browse neutral Christmas picnic inspiration and products!

Opposite: Pampas Christmas tree by @elarievents

A SANDY WHITE CHRISTMAS PICNIC

The perfect Christmas party for those who crave a white Christmas but dislike the cold! This pretty-as-a-picture summer Christmas picnic has us absolutely charmed with its perfect neutral hued touches, sandy white shores and delicious treats. Submitted by Sweet P Cakes and Cookies and styled by Luxe Soirees Noosa.

NEUTRAL XMAS MOODBOARD

This page, clockwise from top left; brown mini fir trees; gift wrapping with neutral hues; pampas grass Christmas tree by @daydreaminghues beige hue tartan pattern; Melamine cake stand in Latte colour; @favorlaneparty

This page, clockwise from top left; White & confetti balloon garland from @lovelyoccasions; Ginger Ray Christmas wooden gingerbread men confetti gingerray.co.uk; Neutral Christmas pattern; Macrame chandelier from @favorlaneparty; Toulouse grey tablecloth from weavergreen.com.au

PARTY CAKES DO’S & DON’TS PLANNING

WITH AMBER COMADIRA-SMITH FROM CAKE WITH AMBER

It’s an exciting rush diving into party planning for your own celebration! However taking that extra leap to create your own cakewhether that be for a birthday or even an engagement - can be a little overwhelming!

Let me help you feel more confident in the kitchen. Here are some big cake do’s and don’ts to ensure your celebration cake is a big success!

DON’T: Leave your baking to the last minute – you’ll be in a rush, cut corners and you ultimately won’t be happy with the finished product.

DO: Make your cake and icings in advance to save on time leading up to the party. Simply pop it in the freezer and defrost the day before. So many cake decorators freeze their cakes and icings, so ignore those freezer-naysayers! Would you believe me if I told you it actually makes the cake more moist?

DON’T: Bake from scratch if you aren’t confident with baking. It’s stressful!

DO: Take advantage of packet mixes or pre-made cakes - this saves you time and the headache of trying to bake that perfect cake. I promise that your guests won’t think any less of you!

DON’T: Decorate with warm or room temperature cake, as it’s very fragile. The cake will be very soft, which means it’s tricky to handle and prone to cake breakage. Additionally, placing icing on a warm cake is a recipe for disaster!

DO: Decorate with chilled cakes for stability and less crumbs in your icing. For chilled cake layers, pop your cakes in the fridge for at least two hours before decorating.

DON’T: Stack domed cake layers on top of each other - the cake will be uneven, unstable and inevitably start to lean.

DO: Trim your cake layers flat before stacking and icing your cake.

DON’T: Place your cake in direct sunlight or in a hot space – we don’t want all of your hard work melting away and falling apart!

DO: Keep your cake in a cool (and in some cases, dry) climate. If the party is outdoors, place the cake outside just before guests arrive. If it’s sunny outside, make sure you keep your cake in a shaded area.

I hope these cake-tips help you to sweeten your skills so you can create the perfect cake for your next party! H

Amber helps cake lovers and decorators (just like you) to create AMAZING cakes with confidence, that spark your creativity!

PLANNING

8 questions you should ask your cake decorator

WITH AMBER COMADIRA-SMITH FROM CAKE WITH AMBER

So you’ve chosen a theme for your next party, now you’re ready to order your cake. Every project, whether it’s for work, or home, needs clarity to ensure positive outcomes and a cake is no different. Amber of Cake With Amber gives us a list of essential questions to ask your cake decorator to help avoid disappointment and ensure your cake design is a success!

DO YOU SPECIALISE IN A PARTICULAR STYLE OF CAKE?

Decorators can specialise in so many different type of cakes, including buttercream, fondant, wedding or children’s cakes. It’s important to clarify what type of cake your cake decorator specialises in, so that you know if they can create the cake you want. You don’t want to accidentally ask a person who specialises in children’s cakes to create your wedding cake, because the details and the and the finishes, won’t be the same as those for wedding cakes.

ARE YOU LICENSED?

It is important to ask if your cake decorator is licensed and registered with the local council. What this means is that your cake decorator is then legally allowed to make and sell cakes from their premises as per food safety regulations.

HOW DO YOU PRICE YOUR CAKES?

There are many different variables that come into pricing cakes, but it mainly comes down to two different components. First is the number of guests that will be attending the event, because that determines how many slices you’ll need. Secondly, the complexity of your design and your request. And naturally that comes with a lot of different variables depending what you want. So from there, they’ll be able to determine a price for you.

WHAT SIZE AND SHAPE DO YOU RECOMMEND?

Once the cake decorator determines how many people, what the event is for and the design that you need, they’ll be able to come up with a few different options for you. It’s important to bring up your vision. A cake decorator can offer options based on the shape and the size tiers that you would like for your event. For example, if you want three tiers but don’t have enough guests, a fake display can be used instead of real cake, so you’re not actually left with all the leftovers.

WHAT FLAVOURS DO YOU OFFER?

Each decorator should have their own specialised list of cake flavors and fillings However, if you have your heart set on a specific flavor, make it known so you can determine if they’ll be able to do this for you. It’s also really important to note that if your guests have any dietary requirements, like intolerances or allergies, to make note of that with the cake decorator and see if there’s actually something that they can accommodate as well.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

This is such an important question to ask more than ever, especially with Covid when events can be cancelled unexpectedly at the last minute. You need to know if you still need to fork out the full payment for your cake, or if it can be rescheduled for another time, or if you’ll just lose the deposit. It’s important to get this in writing and maybe even sign a contract as well. That might seem excessive, but it’s better to be covered, just in case.

CAN YOU RECREATE A CAKE I FOUND ONLINE?

People don’t realise this is a loaded question because many cake decorators will not replicate someone else’s cake design. That comes down to two factors. The first is design ownership. It really is frowned upon to steal someone else’s idea. There is some gray area that comes with this, for instance, cake trends. The second issue is copyright. This mainly pertains to children’s cakes where Marvel superheroes or Disney themes are popular. But those are actually copyright and if a decorator is caught using this type of imagery, they can be sued. Either way, don’t fret because your cake decorator will still be able to create an amazing cake for you based on the inspiration and theme of your event.

CAN YOU HELP OFFER ME SOME DESIGN INSPO?

This was my favourite question to get as a decorator because that meant I could put my creative cap on and really work with the client in producing an original design for their event! It was actually an honor to be asked these questions. So, don’t hesitate to say, here’s my budget, please give me some options. Just be prepared to maybe share a Pinterest board and maybe have more of an in-depth chat. H

xmas CAKes we love

on trend right now

Opposite page, clockwise from top left; Mini poinsetta cake, from @blueribboncakes; Eurasian Sugee cake from @desbakesndecorates; Mini black forest cake, from @cupcamyia; Pink rosette cake from @blueribboncakes; Christmas tree cake from @desbakesndecorates

This page, clockwise from top left; White lambeth Christmas cake @takemehome_cake; Mossy rock cake @violetandsalt; red piped Christmas cake @takemehome_cake; Christmas cartoon cake; @baskilicious; Checkerboard cake, @cakestop1; Christmas cartoon cake; @kesornkakery

XMAS STUFF WE LOVE

Opposite page, anti-clockwise from top right; Bonbons in contemporary colours, bonbons in traditional colours, mini Christmas trees from @the.raspberry.room; Most Wonderful Time greeting card, Oh Xmas Tree sprinkles from @lovelyoccasions; Elf balloon tree @beautyandtheballoons

This page, clockwise from top left; Neonimo 6 pack Sassy Christmas gift coasters from neonimo.co.uk; Aisle Studio Ho Ho Ho Christmas card from topdrawer.co.uk; Silver Iridescent balloon from balloonies.com.au; Pink balloon tree, @thegorgeoussociety; Santa’s Favourite party crown, @party.on.top; Luxury velvet Christmas cracker set from sundaysdaughter.com

PARTY & event SUPPLIERS

Iglooze

Plushplay

Sydney

Canberra

Katie J Design & Events

Colourfully Baking

Perth

Emmie’s

Face Painting

& Balloon Twisting

Newcastle

Experienced entertainers offering unique and quality designs for parties and more. Face Painting facebook.com/emmiesfacepaintingandballoontwisting

Sweet Sienna Event Styling

Perth

Des Bakes & Decorates

Sydney

Passionate and creative stylist delivering amazing custom events. Event Styling facebook.com/sweetsiennaeventstyling @sweetsiennaeventstyling

Passionate baker and stylist offering a range of uniquely designed baked goods. Desserts desbakesndecorates.com.au @desbakesndecorates

Prop My Party

Sydney

Unique props and prop set hire for parties, gatherings and events. Event Hire propmypartyhire.com.au @prop_my_party