GUIDES FOR BUSY , FABULOUS MOMS MONTCLAIR AND WEST ESSEX EDITION WINTER 2015 / 2016
WINTER ONEDERLAND
PRINCESS, ROCKSTAR, SPA AND ART PARTIES TO REMEMBER!
Y A D H T R I B H S A B
• B I R T H D A Y
B A S H •
JAIME MOLINARO PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALIZES IN CAPTURING IMPORTANT TIMES IN THE LIFE OF YOUR FAMILY. FROM NEWBORNS TO BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND EVERY MILESTONE IN BETWEEN. JAIMEMOLINARO.COM
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Winter ONEderland Party What better way to celebrate your tiny winter baby than with a Winter ONEderland Party? The trick to a memorable birthday party is all in the details. The Winter ONEderland theme is fun, imaginative, easy and super cute. Centerpieces can be snowmen (always on sale after the Christmas rush), bouquets of white balloons, white candles or even simple white flowers with silver accents.
Details are always the fun part. Wrapping a label around a water bottle turns it from a boring bottle to a bottle of "melted snowman". Cake pops can be mini snowglobes, snowman heads, penguins or even plain dipped white chocolate with little snowdrops to decorate them. We've seen some amazing cakes for this theme. From a multi-layer snowman to a frosty mountain complete with a ski bunny, you can get really creative here!
If you want to up the WOW factor, we suggest a "make your own hot chocolate bar". You can prep the mugs or to-go cups with packets of hot chocolate and then have hot milk and hot water on hand. Set up a table complete with jars of marshmallows, caramel, butterscotch chips, peppermint sticks, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and any other delicious toppings you can dream up. Your guests will love it! Happy Birthday, little one!
YOUR CHILD IS THE STAR OF THE BIRTHDAY PARTY! My Gym locations worldwide offer perfectly planned celebrations, created specifically for each birthday child with special song and game requests made prior to the party. Our experienced and lively party specialists will design a unique and personal celebration for your child, jam-packed with exhilarating activities, games, puppets, songs, special rides and more! It will be an occasion long remembered, and we handle everything! cial!, e p s izeduch funast n a g r "O o mad a bl ave s d n a son h dn't h g Myd I coul anythin an ked for re!" h as mo n Smit usa , NJ ---S gston Livin ,
MY GYM OF WEST ORANGE 235 PROSPECT AVE WEST ORANGE, NJ 07052 973-731-2022
FOOD
THE MENU
PLANNING YOUR PARTY MENU TAKES A LOT OF CONSIDERATION! Feeding your guests is a lot of fun if you plan ahead and keep to your menu. Easier said than done, I know. I'm guilty of finding "the cutest snack" on Pinterest hours before one of my kids' parties, and then I'm off to the store to create (probably not well) before the guests arrive. I put a lot of time and thought into my party menus. First, I always feed the families and second, I have a lot of friends who have children with food allergies. When planning my party menu, I always take into account that not everyone wants
pizza (I mean I could eat pizza for three meals a day, but still). Even if I'm serving pizza, I always have a few other options on hand like salad, fruit, pasta or various apps like chips/salsa. If I am going all out with the decorations (always), I will try to make the food easy on myself. Ordering catering instead of cooking (like I used to) have made my life much easier on party days.
Lou's Bagel & Deli offers great kid and adult friendly options such as bagels, sandwiches and salads. I've done trays of chicken parm, penne vodka and sautĂŠed veggies from Michael's in Nutley and also added a bunch of pizzas for the kiddos. I really like easy. When it comes to cake/dessert, I go big or go home. Since I have kids near POSTMODERN Stella and dear to me with nutPAINTING. allergies, alternately paints in I always like to have a nut free oil and watercolor dessert on hand that's as exciting as what the other kids are eating. Another amazing option is to order a cake from The Little Daisy Bake Shop in Montclair. They are a nut free bakery, so no worries about cross contamination. Since I'm big on themes, I like my dessert to match and enhance the theme. I'm really loving the designs from 2 Cake Girls in Nutley. They are creative and delicious and can create absolutely anything. Happy party planning!
The Little Daisy Bake Shop 973-707-2157 2 Cake Girls 973-332-3155
BLE ETTA G R O UNF
s e m e h T y t r a P KE A M TO
WN O R YOU
PART OF YOUR WORLD ON A MAGIC CARPET RIDE IN A TANGLED FROZEN CASTLE
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rincess Parties. They are a right of passage for a little girl. Who hasn't been enchanted by the library and endless supply of dresses in the Beast's Castle? Who hasn't wanted to be part of Ariel's world in that ahhhhmazing treasure trove? From tiaras to magic wands and racks of princess costumes, the themes, favors and menus for a fabulous princess themed party are endless. Having a character come to a birthday party has long been a kiddo and parent favorite too. The new class of princess parties come complete with princess training. Princess providers like Bella Princess in Bloomfield offer their
beautiful location in Bloomfield, NJ for a tea party fit for your tiny princess. They can also send a princess to the location of your choice. If you decide not to invite a royal guest, there are plenty of other fun activities your tiny royal guests can do to keep busy! With a rack of costumes, the littles can transform into their favorite character. Yellow streamers can transform into Rapunzel's golden tresses, and a bag of shimmer snow can serve as Elsa's frozen powers. There are so many great ideas for throwing a royal ball, we will highlight a few of our favorite fancies on the next page.
Bella Princess offers incredible Fairy Tale Parties as well as other magical events. They hold Royal Monthly Balls, which are open to the public and allow parents and their children a chance to meet and interact with multiple fairytale characters in themed setting. Other offers include Royal Summer Camp which is perfectly themed in a Princess in Training style.
Bella Princess 98 Broad Street Bloomfield, NJ 07003
UNFORGETTABLE PARTY THEMES
princess party
THE FANCIES
THE FOOD
THE FAVORS
Grab a travel clothing rack and fill it with tutus and princess dressup costumes.
Be sure to have enough dinglehoppers (forks) on hand and label them as such. Make magic fruit wands using a star shaped cookie cutter on watermelon or pineapple and then fill a skewer with grapes and strawberries. Have a bowl of UNpoisoned apples to snack on. Heart and crown shaped cookie cutters are perfect for making royal sandwiches or quesadillas.
Every tiny princess needs a crown and a wand. We like making the wands from star shaped cookies and letting the princesses decorate them. Necklace kits, princess dressup shoes and storybooks are also fan favorites!
Decorate with tons of balloons. If you are outside, have an automatic bubble blower going. Be sure to set up a royal photo booth to capture royal photos of all of your tiny royal visitors. Tulle and white lights can make for a gorgeous backdrop. Don't forget the props - pink lips and crowns are perfect!
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For a sweet treat, we love the princess cupcake dress by 2 Cake Girls in Nutley. It's beautiful enough to be a decoration AND tastes amazing. Bonus!!
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Visit us on Pinterest and find our Princess Party board for original links and more fun ideas. Cake by 2 Cake Girls, Nutley, NJ.
BIRTHDAY BASH
rockstar party
UNFORGETTABLE PARTY THEMES
THE FANCIES Pin the bandana on Springsteen, name that tune, freeze dance and musical chairs will keep those rockers busy and having fun! Bring Preschool of Rock in to play an amazing show where your kiddos get to participate, try out a fun instrument and demonstrate their fine rock and roll skills while you have a few minutes to act like the paparazzi. Decorate with headshots of famous rockers. And have plenty bandanas, boas and personalized VIP backstage passes ready for your guests.
THE FOOD
THE FAVORS
We think rock and roll themed dishes work best here. Think along the lines of "The Boss Buffalo Wings" and "Elvis Penne". It's a fun way to get creative and give those little rockers a fun lunch. Being a star is exhausting, you know!
What could be more fun than instruments as favors at a rockstar party? Blow up guitars, rocker sunglasses and harmonicas are topping our lists. Steer clear of drums, recorders and anything that will drive the other Moms crazy... noise karma is a beast.
Every rock star needs their cake. We love The Little Daisy Bake Shop's Rock Star cake decorated with enough instruments to start a band! Guitar cookies are also a fun idea and can double as your favor. Let the little rockers decorate their own and you have yourself a triple threat.
Visit us on Pinterest and find our Rockstar Party board for original links and more fun ideas. Cake by The Little Daisy Bake Shop, Montclair, NJ.
BIRTHDAY BASH
artist party
UNFORGETTABLE PARTY THEMES
THE FANCIES
THE FOOD
Decor for an art party is as fun as ROYGBIV! Decorating with the colors of the rainbow will set the mood for these tiny Picassos to create create create!
Since art can and will be messy, we suggest quick and easy food. For a fun and artistic twist on serving pizza, try a "make your own pizza" station. Order personal pizzas from your favorite spot and then let the artists top it with the colors of the rainbow! Broccoli, pepperoni, peppers, olives and pineapple are a fun start.
Colorful aprons are also a great a functional decoration. Grab them in the rainbow colors and decorate the place settings with them. They can also go home with the artists as their favor.
Tiny artists deserve tiny paint palette cupcakes. We are crushing on the delicious paint cakes by 2 Cake Girls in Nutley!
THE FAVORS Let's leave the candy at the store. Art parties are wonderful because the kids get to MAKE their own favors. Whether they are painting a ceramic piece of their choosing, or following an art instructors directions to create a masterpiece, they leave with something really cool they will want to show off for quite a while.
If you are feeling extra hostess with the mostess, a small bag of art supplies such as crayons, watercolors and markers will fit the bill here!
Visit us on Pinterest and find our Artist Party board for original links and more fun ideas. Cupcakes by 2 Cake Girls, Nutley, NJ.
BIRTHDAY BASH
spa party
UNFORGETTABLE PARTY THEMES
THE FANCIES
THE FOOD
THE FAVORS
First, pick an itinerary. The kids can enjoy mini manicures and pedicures. Little glamour up-do's are also popular and fun. Be sure to have a Photo Booth and some glam black sunglasses for the little stars to pose with.
This is the perfect party for light bites. The kids will be busy with their services and getting all glammed up. We suggest a few trays of finger sandwiches or bagels from Lou's Bagels in West Caldwell.
You can go easy on yourself with this one - the activity IS the favor! But if you are an overachiever, a goody bag with nail polish and some nail art stickers will go a long way. Flip flops for each kiddo to keep are also a fun addition.
Photo Booth tip: Take streamers and tie a knot at top to form a design. Hang them together for a colorful and fun backdrop.
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Tiny veggie and dip cups with cukes and carrots are also a win here. For dessert - go with a custom Doughnut Tower from The Montclair Bread Co.
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Visit us on Pinterest and find our Spa Party board for original links and more fun ideas. Doughnut tower by The Montclair Bread Company, Montclair, NJ.
BIRTHDAY BASH
BIRTHDAY BASH
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