5 Ideas for Hen Parties

A hen party is always a blast, especially if you are the hen! We have 5 ideas for hen parties, one or two of which may surprise you.

Butlers in the buff - With their little aprons, there is only one part of the buff butlers that remains covered. You may or may not get a glimpse of their manhood, but that's one thing that you can find some interesting substitutes for! We have Dicky Sipping Straws, which are fast becoming a hen night staple and one of our biggest sellers. Then, at the other end of the scale, we have an inflatable willy! Standing very nearly a metre tall, it's a wee bit larger than the real thing!

A classy ride - How about getting a lift into town from some red hot firemen on board your very own bright red fire engine? Yes please! Available all over the country, often with real firemen doing the driving, it’s a great way to arrive at a party. Usually coming equipped with music and lights, you won't want to get out of your ride! When you do you will be feeling ready for anything, which is where our Dare Check List comes in. This is a list of 10 risqué dares for you to persuade the hen into doing. These include getting her to serenade someone or to kiss the first guy she sees!

Get dancing - A dance class is a great way to get you and your friends relaxed and ready for fun. A company such as The Cheerleading Company will offer all kinds of dance classes, from Dirty Dancing themed parties through to a hilarious '80s dance session, a great Bollywood class and a cheerleading party, obviously. You can complete your dance look with our packs of 100 Glowing Bracelets or 50 Glowing Necklaces, along with a multi-coloured Referee Whistle or Tassel Whistle. We also have a Hen Night Hottie Beads Horn for when you really want to bust some moves and make some noise

Let the club come to you - Rumours is the pocket-sized venue that is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest nightclub. They bring a 1980s-themed party to your hen night, no matter where it is! Taking the discotheque to you means that there is barely a thing that you need to do - except getting dressed up and looking fabulous! No hen night would be complete without wearing something a little silly, so you must get some black garters, a Bride to Be L Plate and a Bride to Be Tiara.

Make your own record - This is another level to karaoke; you can actually record a song in a full recording studio! Available in multiple locations across the country, this involves a full professional mixing desk and microphones. Your producer talks you through the recording process until you and the other hens have a CD of your work to show for it! Once you've finished singing some great songs, you are going to be in the mood to party. Nothing beats a sing-song to get you feeling confident and ready for fun, so don your Devil Horns and Bunny Ears and hit the town in full voice!

Celebrate your child's birthday party on a budget

Even if you are organising a birthday party on a budget, you can still have a colourful and creative party for your kids. It is a lot easier than you think to celebrate your child’s birthday party on a budget. Here we have a few different themes that you may want to consider…

Action packed

Children always enjoy some action and excitement; in fact, sometimes they enjoy it a little too much! If your child and their friends enjoy playing army, then our range of camouflage party gear is perfect for them. Aside from a full range of camo tableware and cutlery, which start from a mere £1.14, we also stock some other fun army-themed gifts such as our pack of eight Army Camp Masks. These are perfect for your little soldiers so they can go into battle with each other! If a room full of battling kids is too much, you can pop the masks into a little camoloot bag along with a slice of birthday cake instead. At only £1.44 for eight, you can kit out the troops no matter how modest your budget.

Pirate adventure

For less than a tenner your little adventurers could be living life on the high-seas with our pirate range of party plates, cutlery, tablecloths and invites. If you want to organise your child's birthday party on a budget, you can get much of our pirate party gear for less than £2 each. This includes Pirate Party Loot Bags, masks, pirate eye patches, balloons, stickers and lots more swashbuckling swag.

Jungle fun

Get wild with our jungle-themed party gear! We have everything you need to decorate the table and serve the food with a wildlife theme, but there is heaps more than that. We have a cool Inflatable Snake for only £1.92, Jungle Party Hats for £1.96, Inflatable Bananas from £2.16 and even Inflatable Monkeys too!

TV favourites

If there is one thing that children are obsessed with it is their beloved characters from TV and movies. We stock official gear for Fireman Sam, Toy Story, Hannah Montana, The Avengers, Spiderman, Peppa Pig and Thomas the Tank Engine along with old Disney favourites Mickey and Minnie Mouse. We even have a range of Justin Bieber party products that are sure to be appreciated by the young ladies in your life! All of these ranges are perfect for the party planner on a budget.

Football crazy

Bring a big match atmosphere to your kid's party with our football party supplies. You can get your hands on tableware, loot bags, invitations and hats in either Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea's colours. All these items are on sale for less than £3 per pack, so you can easily kit out your little team's party for a lot less than a ticket to the match!

If the Premiership teams listed aren't to the taste of your boys and girls, we have some general football-themed party accessories that should hit the spot instead. These include Football Player Cutouts, a table cover, banners and more.

5 Great Ways to Celebrate St Patrick's Day

St Patrick's day is a much-loved opportunity to celebrate Ireland, the country of which Patrick is the patron saint. Typically, this celebration is characterised by shamrocks, Guinness, leprechauns and people generally letting their hair down and having a good time. If you want to get in on the fun, here are five fun ways to celebrate St Patrick's day with your friends or family.

1. Go Green

Green, the colour of the shamrock that St Patrick used to represent the holy trinity, is the colour traditionally associated with St Patrick's day. Wearing green is a great way to visually acknowledge St Patrick's day, and is a statement that you can make as bold or as subtle as you like. From slipping on a green t-shirt to donning a shocking green wig, dressing up is all part of the fun on St Patrick's day. If you're planning a party, spruce up the house with some green balloons and ribbons to create a celebratory atmosphere.

2. Enjoy Traditional Irish Food and Drink

Guinness and Irish whiskey will probably be top of your list of party essentials, but if you're looking to give your gathering a more authentic touch, consider serving some good old-fashioned Irish grub. Bangers and mash is a simple yet authentic dish, but if you're looking to challenge yourself, you could also whip up some potato pancakes or bake some Irish soda bread. Serve food on St Patrick's Day disposable plates to save on washing up.

3. Attend a Parade

Many cities hold parades in honour of St Patrick. London is of course a great place to go for big celebrations, but cities such as Birmingham and Nottingham have also been getting in on the fun recently. Look for local listings of parades and other celebrations to mark St Patrick's Day in your local area. Attending a public parade is a great way to immerse yourself in a carnival atmosphere that is sure to put a smile on your face and a jig in your step.

4. Celebrate Irish Music

Traditional Irish folk music ranges from haunting ballads to lively jigs that make you glad to be alive. Why not host an Irish music party to bring the old traditions of folk music to life? You can get everyone involved by printing off copies of the words so all your guests can sing along, or search online for videos of simple Irish dancing steps and host your own Irish dancing class.

5. Visit Ireland

Of course, the ultimate St Patrick's Day experience can only be found in Dublin. If you prepare well in advance, you could pick up some cheap flights for you and a bunch of friends to visit the Irish capital for the official St Patrick's Festival. Here you can listen to open-air musical performances, watch street theatre, visit the funfair, or simply relax with a pint of Guinness at the Beer Village. If you've ever wanted to visit Dublin, there is no more exciting time to do so than St Patrick's Day

Face your fears this Halloween

 With Halloween fast approaching it is a chance for you to get inventive and creative.  But if you are on a budget, or simply haven’t got the time, there are a few great ways to get yourself or your children Halloween ready!

Here at Party House we have everything from hats and head ware to cut-out masks and face paint.  All you need to be ready for the most frightening night of the year in minutes.  So, if you are running out of time, or need a few creative Halloween costume ideas, here are a few that won’t take long, or break the bank.

If you only want to purchase one thing then a set of face paints will go a long way.  At only £6.49 for our family face paint kit you will be able to get the whole family ready.  It is hypoallergenic so it is ideal for children with sensitive skin and it will wash off in seconds with some soap and water

Batman

All you need to do is outline a bat around the eyes and you have a Batman face! Simply add a cloak and your child is ready to go!

Joker

Or what about Batman’s nemesis? The Joker is always a great choice for face painting as it is instantly recognisable and it doesn’t require a steady hand.  A face painted white, smudged red on the lips and black around the eyes...simple!

Mummy

All you need is a toilet roll and some face paint.  Draw a few white strips across the face and outline them in black.  You can even draw some teeth over the mouth area to make it look extra scary.  Finish off by wrapping the toilet roll from head to toe and your mummy is ready to look alive.

Skull face

This is a great last minute Halloween idea as all it requires is a black t-shirt and trousers and black and white face paint.  Paint the face white and add black around the eyes and eye sockets, on the nose, over the mouth and on the cheeks.  If you want to be extra creative you can add some smudges to highlight the scary shadows of the face and even some fake teeth over the lips.

Witch way?

A witch is another classic.  A green face with a blackened out tooth and some black lipstick will have you or your little one looking frightful in no time.  Why not add one of our witches hats to complete the look? Starting at only £2.48 they really are a bargain.

If creativity is not your strong point then we have a great selection of costumes and accessories at extremely low prices.  Why not check out our range to gain some inspiration?

Remember, it only takes a few little things to make your Halloween outfit come to life.  A black outfit with a mask will instantly transform you.  Or maybe a little face paint?  Or even a hat? Here at Party House we have all the Halloween supplies you need to transform yourself into the wicked witch of the east, a very scary vampire or even a mad dentist. Go on, see for yourself.

A super sweet 16th

Turning 16 is a key milestone in any teenagers life.  It is that point between being a child and turning towards adult-hood.  That is why a sweet 16th birthday party really should be a cause for celebration.

Whether it is your 16th birthday party you are planning, or a friends or family members, you will want to make it extra special.  But deciding on the right style or theme for a 16th birthday party can be tricky.  Teenage boys and girls have very different tastes.  Choosing the right kind of party style is essential for any teenager.

To help you along the way here are a few great ideas from us at Party House:

VIP party

If you want a really lavish sweet 16th birthday party then a VIP party is the way forward.  Make the 16-year-old-to-be the star of the show.  A true VIP party needs all kinds of unique party decorations to make it a night to remember.  Here at Party House we have everything you could possibly think of, plus so much more:

• Awards night invitations and seals at only £3.30 per pack of 8
• Awards night door covers
• VIP bunting and tape
• Clapper board and film strip confetti
• Awards
• Gold star name places
• Hollywood sign cut-outs
• Movie set cut-outs

And these are only to get you started.  There are plenty more party decorations to help give the glitz and glamour you need. 

Ask every guest to come as their favourite Hollywood star.  Encourage everyone to get dressed up and give prizes for the ‘best-celebrity couple’, ‘best look-alike’ or ‘best dressed’.

Let the mocktails flow and the atmosphere grow as you celebrate a sweet 16th in style, Hollywood style.

Black and silver

What about a black and silver event? The dress code can be black with a hint of silver.  Here you can simply head to our site and find plenty of black and silver balloons, banners, bunting and even confetti, all in keeping with the black and silver theme.  It will allow the 16 year-olds to feel well and truly grown up. 

Rock star

How about a good old-fashioned rock star party? Ask each guest to come as a rock star, provide plenty of inflatable guitars, only £2.40, and crack out the Guitar Hero.  We have rock ‘n’ roll cut-outs, ceiling decor and even fake plastic records.  When it comes to music simply borrow their iPod and you will have an instant playlist!

Boys and girls

Then there are the different party ideas for boys and girls.  16 year-old boys may prefer a more action-related party.  Perhaps a super heroes theme or maybe even a zombie party? If that is the case then we have plenty of masks, cut-outs and fake blood and gore to get the party underway.

For the girls it may be the case that a sweet 16th is the chance for all her closest friends to get together, have some fun and relax.  If so, we have balloons, cups, plates, goody bags and everything you could need to make a 16th birthday party as fuss-free as possible! Just remember to bake those all-important cupcakes.

Don’t forget the mocktails.  To make the party as grown-up as it can be why not make some fantastic mocktails served in our very own party cups?

Here are two recipes to get you started:

Apple berry smoothie

• 1 cup of berries (Strawberries, raspberries)
• 2 apples

Simply cut up, blend and serve over crushed ice

Margarita Mocktail

• 1/4 cup of sour drink mix
• Splash of lime juice
• Hint of lemon juice

Add all the ingredients to a blender and serve over crushed ice.  You can rim the margarita glasses with salt and add some lime to the side for an extra kick!

Happy 16th birthday party, from all at Party House! 

Don’t let your anniversary go unnoticed

Here at Party House we are firm believers in there always being an excuse to celebrate.  And what better excuse than your wedding anniversary!

A chance to show your wife or husband how much they mean or to celebrate the marriage of your parents in true style, an anniversary party is most certainly the way forward.  But where to start?

Venue

Well, first things first, you will need a venue.  Perhaps you plan to hire a hall, a place with sentimental value or maybe you want a smaller party at home?  Either way you will need to choose a venue.  Consider the kind of party you want, large, small, area for food and dancing? That way you will choose the right place for your guests. 

Party decorations

Once you have the venue chosen you can then go about choosing the party decorations. 

Whether you are planning it for yourself or for family members you will need plenty of party supplies and that is where we come in.  We stock a wide range of party supplies perfect for anniversary parties .  From embossed confetti at only £1.20 a pack to inflatable champagne bottles that will really add some bubbles to your event.

Our party decorations mean that your venue will be instantly transformed.  With a few balloons, some anniversary banners, confetti for the table and even some pink champagne glass bubbles, you will really give your party the sophisticated theme you were after.

Food and entertainment

An anniversary party is a chance for people who don’t get together often to have a really great time.  When it comes to food we often find that for an event like this a simple buffet goes down a treat.  But the real party piece is in fact the cake.  An anniversary cake with plenty of candles is the real show-stopper.  Here at Party House we have hundreds of candles, from silver spiral candles to number candles, and all at really low prices.

As for entertainment, chances are you will want something low key to enable everyone to have a chance to chat and catch up.  Maybe some background music or if you fancy going all out then a band will soon have everyone on the dance floor.

And when it comes to speeches don’t forget the party poppers.  Party poppers really give that element of excitement to an event and are ideal at anniversary parties.  From black and silver party poppers to packs of over 70 party poppers, you certainly won’t go short.

So, as you celebrate in style we just have one last thing to say, ‘congratulations’! 

Planning a children's party for 0-4 year olds.

Planning a children's party for the 0-4 age group might be one of the first children's parties you have held. Whether you are becoming a pro at hosting children's parties, or this is your first one, we have plenty of great party ideas and party supplies to help. If you are planning a boys birthday party you may want to opt for something like a Fireman Sam theme.

 

If that is the case then we have plenty of Fireman Sam related products to help. From Fireman Sam plates and napkins to Fireman Sam cups and even party hats. Perhaps your little girl is desperate for a Peppa Pig themed birthday party? All it takes is a quick trip to our Peppa Pig section, a few clicks on your computer, and you have the makings of a perfect children's party. We even have specific party supplies for a 1st birthday party for girls and for boys.

 

A 1st birthday party is what memories are made of and are usually a great family affair. So having the right party supplies will be one less thing for you to worry about.

 

From pirates and dinosaurs to Mickey Mouse and Thomas the Tank Engine, we have it covered. All you need to do is provide the food and some entertainment and you have the perfect childrenÕs party for ages 0-4. And when it comes to ideas, we can even help you with that. Check out our regular blog for greatparty ideas, games, food and decorations.

 

Spooktacular ideas for Halloween

Spooktacular ideas for Halloween

There is one thing that your Halloween party should be full of and that is frightful fun.  One of the best ways to really get your Halloween party started is some ghoulish games and some ghastly treats.  Here at Party House we have some tricks, and treats, in store for you.

Halloween party games can really get everyone involved.  So, whether you are hosting a kids party or fancy a more sophisticated adults Halloween party, we have just the trick!

Apple bobbing

This is a great kids game that gives them a chance to get messy.  Grab a few buckets and fill them with homemade gunge and let the little monsters go apple bobbing.  If you want to make this a bit more grown-up then why not create an alcoholic punch for the adults? And remember, hands MUST remain behind backs, no cheating.

Pass the pumpkin

Our inflatable pumpkin beer cooler is ideal for this.  Simply fill it up with goodies, play the music and pass it around.  When the music stops, the person holding the pumpkin can take a treat from the pumpkin. Whoever is left with the pumpkin and the rest of the treats at the end can take it home.

Mummified

This is a great game and can be played by both adults and kids alike.  Our 85’ rolls of crepe paper are perfect for this game.  As they come in black and orange you can have two teams.  The aim is to get your mummy covered from head to toe in crepe paper the fastest.  Which ever teams wins gets a treat.

After all gruesome game playing why not make a stop for some refreshments.  Our Halloween themed table decorations are just the trick (get it?) from Halloween paper cups to table covers and even our Halloween cupcake stand!

When it comes to Halloween food you can let your imagination run wild.  Whether you opt for simplicity such as orange and black, you can incorporate iced cakes, orange jelly and plenty of ‘finger’ food. 

If you want to be more creative you can have Halloween shaped biscuits, butternut squash soup, hot blood soup (tomato) and of course, some great Halloween themed cocktails.

Some of our favourite Halloween drinks are:

The Halloween Punch

• 500ml cranberry juice
• 1.5 litres of lemonade
• 3 limes
• lots of worm shaped sweets

Wicked Whiskey Sour

• 50ml smoky whisky
• 25ml lemon juice
• 2 tsp vanilla syrup
• 1 free-range egg white
• 2 dashes of whisky bitters

 

These drinks always go down a treat at a more grown-up Halloween party.

So, why not make this year’s Halloween party your best ever? Oh, and don’t forget your pumpkin.  And if carving your own pumpkins seems like a lot of work why not opt for our inflatable option?  It has a much friendlier face too!

 

 

Throwing a birthday party for the over 50’s

When you reach a certain age you may often find that a party to celebrate is the only way to go. Why shouldn’t you? Age is just a number, right?

Planning a birthday party for the over 50’s doesn’t have to be all tea and cake, but it can be if that is what you fancy. It is your birthday after all. So, if you are planning to throw a birthday party for someone over 50 here are some great ideas.

A birthday is a celebration and when you reach certain milestones in life it is all the more reason to celebrate. A birthday party is not complete without the essential party supplies. Big birthday balloons with the appropriate age always go down well. Alongside that there are the numbered candles, napkins and confetti, all the makings of a great celebration. 60’s and 70’s themed party The decade parties are always a great way to celebrate a birthday.

So if you are looking for some birthday party ideas look no further than a 60’s and 70’s party. Request that everyone comes in fancy dress, whether an original outfit or a hired outfit! You can have a prize for the best dressed too. With lots of classic 60’s and 70’s music, a few retro dance moves and plenty of flower power or disco fever, you will have the over 50’s dancing into the night.

If you are hosting an 80th, 90th or even a 100th birthday party then a traditional afternoon tea is the perfect party idea. Bunting, china, cake and cucumber sandwiches, it really makes for a relaxing birthday party. Here at Party House we have plenty of themed tableware to decorate your tea table. Don’t forget the lashings of tea.

What better way to celebrate a birthday than to throw a surprise birthday party. By the time you are over 50 you will have so many great friends and family with which to share your birthday. A surprise birthday party is a memory in the making. A chance to get everyone together and to join in the celebrations. You will need plenty of birthday party supplies such as banners, confetti and other party decorations, all of which can be found here!

No birthday party is complete without party poppers, no matter what age you are. Why not check out our great range of party supplies. Remember, every birthday is a time for celebration, whether you are 16, 35 or 95!

Why not go to town and make it a birthday event to remember?

Face Painting Ideas

Face Painting Ideas

Face painting is all about fun and has become an essential part of any children’s party. It is a great way of keeping your kids entertained but can be difficult due to limited ideas and options of what to paint.  But fear not, here at Party House we have an array of face painting ideas which we are positive will keep your children entertained whatever their interests are.

When it comes to painting the faces of little girls, well known favourites such as butterflies and rainbows will always be a popular choice.  Take a look below for some examples...

Boys seem to love anything super hero related, so Spiderman and Batman will always be well sought after.

Seasonal face painting is also very popular, from Halloween to Christmas and Easter we have options here for you.

 

We hope this have given you some inspiration, and look out for our upcoming Adult Face Painting Ideas Blog. Happy Painting!!