Are you looking for new picnic food ideas for your summer outing? Picnic foods need to be tasty, portable, and resistant to spoiling, and finding recipes that meet these requirements is challenging.

Finger foods are always a good choice for your picnic menu, but may not provide enough variety for more mature tastes. To keep you picnic food ideas fresh and healthy, try out a few of these picnic food ideas for your next summer outing.

Picnic Food Ideas

*Try packing fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole chesses for a fresher picnic menu. You can tuck a small cutting board and a sharp knife to prepare your foods on the spot.

*Avoid packing any picnic foods that contain mayonnaise, eggs, or dairy products to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Meats and fish should also be used with caution. If you include meat on your picnic menu, be sure to keep it cool and out of the sun.

*Instead of coleslaw, try shredded broccoli with carrots and a light salad dressing.

*Mixed nuts make great alternative picnic finger foods.

*Salsa and tortilla chips are safer, and healthier, than dairy-based dips.

*A few alternatives to the traditional sliced bread sandwich are wraps, bread pouches, croissants, bagels, and crackers. You can stuff these sliced bread alternatives with your favorite veggies or sandwich ingredients.

*Summer fruits and vegetables are great picnic items. Zucchini, squash, tomatoes, watermelon, strawberries, peaches, pears, and grapes are perfect for picnic totes.

*For a lighter picnic menu, replace that traditional fried chicken with cold chicken strips tossed in Italian dressing or your favorite barbeque sauce. You can serve the chicken on bread, pita wraps, or over cold pasta.

*Picnic beverages should be refreshing if you plan to spend time in the sun. Be sure to check if alcoholic beverages are prohibited near your chosen picnic destination before packing a bottle of wine or your favorite beer. Always include bottled water for extra hydration during your outdoor activities.

*For a little added twist, include fresh lemon slices, lime wedges, and peppermint sprigs to flavor your iced tea or water.

* Picnic food ideas for a romantic picnic could include finger foods, like whole strawberries, cheese chunks, and sliced French bread. Avoid recipes that call for broccoli, beans, garlic, or onions to reduce unpleasant odors during your romantic picnic. Include your sweetheart’s favorite foods and don’t forget to pack something sweet for dessert.

*For a picnic with kids, pack individual ingredients and allow kids to prepare their own picnic creations. Sandwich ingredients, mix-your-own fruit and veggie salads, individual cold pizzas, and decorated deserts are always a hit with kids.

Creating your own picnic food ideas allows you to incorporate your favorite foods into your picnic menu. Picnic food ideas should be fun, tasty, and easy to transport without spoiling.

Be sure to pack a few plastic bags to cart home the leftovers, and pack a few extra crackers to feed the ducks, birds, and squirrels that are may invite themselves to your picnic.

Coming up with ideas for bridal shower games is one of the major tasks of planning a bridal shower. If you are a bridesmaid looking for ideas for bridal shower games, these game ideas will help you make your loved one’s bridal shower a fun-filled success.

Ideas for Bridal Shower Games: Don’t Say It

This game begins as soon as the guests begin arriving. Each guest is given three decorated clothespins when they arrive. They are instructed to not say the words “wedding” or “bride”. In turn, each guest is to try to get the other guests to say these two forbidden words. When a guest is caught saying wedding or bride, they must give up a clothespin to the person who first calls them on slipping up. The guest with the most pins at the end of the shower wins a prize.

Ideas for Bridal Shower Games: Bridal Bingo

Guests are each given a blank Bingo card before the bride begins opening presents. Each card should have five columns and five rows, for a total of 25 blank squares. Each guest writes in his or her best guesses as to the gifts the bride is likely to receive at the shower. As the bride opens her gifts, guests mark off any that appear on their card. The first person to get five in a row yells out, “BINGO”, and wins a prize.

Ideas for Bridal Shower Games: Guess the Legs

This game is sure to bring a few laughs, but it requires cooperation from a good-natured groom. Before the wedding shower, recruit the groom and four or five other men to visit the shower at a given time. (The game only takes a few minutes of their time, unless they decide to stay for refreshments.)

Blindfold the bride and have the men enter the room with their pants rolled up to their ankles. The blindfolded bride must feel each set of legs to determine which ones belong to her beloved.
If she’s successful and can pick out her groom, reward her with a prize, if not, the prize goes home with the groom.

Ideas for Bridal Shower Games: What’s Inside

This game begins by passing out a page listing items that may be found in a woman’s purse. Each item is given a point value with the rarest items earning more points. Each woman rummages through her purse in search of items on the list.

The final question can be used as a tiebreaker, or just for fun. Ask the guests who believes they have the most unusual item in their purse. The bride votes for the most unusual item and awards an extra 10 points to the owner.

Ideas for bridal shower games are abundant, but not all games are appropriate for every bridal shower. Consider the guests who will be attending and avoid any games that may be considered offensive.

Company Party planners like us have seen all kinds of corporate events and parties.

Just as celebrating a holiday, birthday, anniversary, or hosting a family gathering is important to the health and growth of your family; it is equally as important to the well being of your company.
In today’s world it is hard to find quality employees, hard working staff members, and people who you can trust to make a commitment to your business in the manner which you know it requires. When you finally do find the people you need – it is in your best interest to make them feel appreciated.

Maintaining employee relations and encouraging quality extracurricular interaction among staff can produce bonds which will ultimately build your business. Taking the time to pull people aside and saying a heartfelt “Thank You for a Job Well done” has immeasurable effects on company moral, employee loyalty, and the longevity of your company.

Hosting a company event or celebration is a great way to nurture the relationships which keep your company going. Giving back to those who have given their time and commitment to the company encourages people to continue the commitments they have made. It is also a great way to find new people to continue a companies growth.

When your employees talk about the good things your company does for them- it often creates a desire in other people to work for your company!

The bottom line is that creating memories which your staff will remember for years to come will instill a sense of pride which will translate into a commitment to your company which can be attained no other way. Creating memories of a happy workplace creates discussion, interaction, and makes your company a desirable place to work which in turn brings you higher quality workers.

Adult party game ideas can be difficult to find. Run an Internet search, and you might get results for X-rated parties and other unmentionable games. If you are looking for good, clean adult party game ideas, look no further.

Ideas for Adult Party Games

*Casino night is a great theme for any adult party. You can rent casino games, slot machines, and even have your own party money printed.

*The Mardi Gras party is a favorite for adult party themes. Guests can come in full costume and dance the night away.

*A Luau party is another fun adult party theme perfect for those warm summer nights. Even if you do not have a beach nearby, you can create a Luau in your own backyard with a bonfire, good food, relaxed attire, and some inexpensive leis.

*Select your favorite old movie and throw a party centered on your favorite characters and scenes.

* Do you have a favorite decade? Are you an eighties child, or a sixties groupie? You can throw an adult party themed to match your favorite time period.

Adult Party Game Ideas

Try out a few of these adult party games on your guests to liven up your party.

*The Irish Drinking Song Game- Have guests write and sing lyrics to an Irish drinking song. (This game is similar to the skits presented on Whose Line Is It Anyways.)

* Apple Bob- Guests compete to pull out apples floating in a tub of water using only their teeth.

* Belly Dancing Competition- Girls judge the guys and vice versa!

*Blind Volleyball- This game is played like a traditional game of volleyball except a sheet is used instead of a net so players cannot see the other team.

* Egg Breakers- Provide guests with cartons of eggs- some are hard-boiled, some are not. Eggs must be broken over your head. The guest who finds the most hard-boiled eggs wins.

* Diaper Race- Guests race to see who can diaper a baby doll first, using only one hand.

*Worthless Junk Auction- Raffle off your worthless junk to the highest bidder with a special prize hidden with one piece of junk.

*Board Game Mania- Present your guests with fun board games like Cranium Cadoo, Cranium, and Checkers.

*Crazy Put Put- Create a haphazard mini-golf course in your backyard and give guests plastic kid’s golf clubs to put with.

Adult party game ideas are nearly endless. If you have a favorite party game from childhood, go ahead and present it to your guests. Chances are good that they loved the same games and will play along too. Don’t forget to throw in a few motivational prizes to get the games going!

Choosing the perfect event location is one of the biggest steps in planning an event such as a wedding, birthday party, prom, or corporate event. Selecting the wrong location can ruin your event and finding the perfect event location helps all those other details fall into place more easily.

In order to evaluate an event location properly, you must have a list of your required needs for your event.

Evaluating Your Needs for Choosing the Perfect Event Location

Different types of events call for different types of facilities. Review this checklist to determine your needs for choosing the perfect event location.

*How many guests are you expecting?

*Will you need audio/visual equipment for your event?

*Are the meeting facilities located within a reasonable travelling distance?

*Is the facility within city limits and subject to any special ordinances, such as low-level noise after 9 PM or a curfew?

*Is the facility available on your desired date and for the duration of your event?

* Is on-site parking available?

What to Ask When Reviewing an Event Location

It is best to evaluate each possible event location in person. Call to schedule a walk through with a facility employee and prepare a list of questions to take with you.

Things to Look for When Visiting an Event Location

*Is the overall condition of the building in good repair (I.E. no peeling paint, no sagging roofs, all handrails are secure)?

*Is there adequate guest parking?

*Are heating and cooling provided for the rooms you will require?

*How many bathrooms are available for guest use?

*How noisy is the surrounding area?

*Is there a kitchen available on site?

* Does the facility provide enough seating options for all of your guests?

*Are there enough outlets in the room to meet your needs?

* Is there any evidence of insect or rodent infestation on the grounds?

*Is the surrounding area visually appealing?

Things to Ask When Evaluating an Event Location

*Is audio/visual equipment provided? If so, what is the rental charge and requirements for use?

*Is on-site catering available?

*Does the facility offer staffing for assistance with the event?

*Are parking and direction signs allowed?

*Can banners or ceiling decorations be hung?

* Are there any limitations for open flames such as candles?

*Can the room’s layout and lighting be adjusted if necessary?

*What services does the facility offer?

*Is alcohol allowed on site?

*Does the facility offer a guarantee?

* What payment options are available?

*Will you need to sign a contract to secure the event location?

*What are the terms of renting the event location?

Never select an event location without viewing it in person. Choosing the perfect event location takes planning and leg work for the event coordinator. The perfect location for your event meets all of your needs, provides a visually appealing atmosphere, and includes a friendly support staff at a reasonable price.

Party games and party favors for your child’s birthday party should be fun and reflective of your child’s tastes. Selecting party games and party favors is easy if you select a theme for your birthday party. Themes for children’s birthday parties are numerous. The best way to select a winning theme is to let your child help you choose.

Selecting a Party Theme for Party Games and Party Favors

Popular children’s birthday party themes are most often centered on an item children enjoy such as, tractors, princesses, horses, trains, or a cartoon or storybook character. You can also select your child’s favorite color, movie, animal, or song as a birthday party theme. Another fun idea for both boys and girls is to throw a scavenger hunt birthday party.

Ideas for Party Games for Your Child’s Birthday Party

Children love to sing and dance. Party games that incorporate silliness, free movement, or singing are always a hit. The freeze game can be played to your child’s favorite song. Start the music and children are allowed to dance any way they choose as long as the music continues.

Stop the music and anyone caught moving has to sit down. The classic Red Light, Green Light is a game children can play on their own. Even a simple game of tag can become a child’s birthday party game.

Ideas for Party Favors for Your Child’s Birthday Party

Party favors for children’s birthday parties come in two categories, expensive and inexpensive. Some ideas for inexpensive party favors are McDonald’s gift certificates, homemade cookies, helium balloons, coloring books, and candy.

More expensive party favors can also double as party games. Children love crafts. Several craft ideas can be used as birthday party favors and serve as a game during the party. One great idea is to purchase picture frame decorating kits.

These can be foam, wooden, or ceramic. Children decorate their frame at the party and get their picture taken with the guest of honor before leaving. You can then mail the picture with the Thank You card for each guest to put in his or her frame as a memento of the event.

Another make-and-take craft idea is personalized t-shirts. You can prepare t-shirts in advance with an iron on design commemorating the event, than allow each child to sign each other’s shirts. You can also provide fabric paints, markers, and stamps for children to create their own shirt.

Selecting party games and party favors for your child’s birthday party is easy once you determine your budget and select a party theme. Fun birthday party games and party favors are a terrific way to make your child’s birthday party a success.

During the dog days of summer, water fun is a popular relief from the intense heat and humidity, but one often overlooked source of summer water fun is waterslide party rentals. Waterslides make a terrific addition to nearly any summer party or event.

Birthday parties, fundraisers, block parties, wedding receptions, graduation parties, family reunions, and friendly get-togethers are all fun events that are terrific opportunities for waterslide party rentals.

Waterslide Party Rentals

Waterslide party rentals are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Some waterslides have the option of dry play in addition to wet sliding, and some include obstacle courses and specially created themes such pirate ships, haunted houses, and castles. This makes renting a waterslide perfect for themed parties.

Waterslide party rentals add fun and interest to any summer event. Waterslides are ideal for children’s gatherings, but even adults with a sense of adventure enjoy waterslide parties. The older adults at your party will enjoy watching younger guests frolic and play on waterslide party rentals.

Summer Water Fun: Waterslide Party Rental Themes

Creating a summer water fun theme for your party is a great way to make your party planning easy. Water games like water balloon relays and tosses, squirt gun fights, and sprinkler relay races all add to a summer water fun theme. You can take your summer water fun theme a step farther by selecting a specific color or character to use throughout your party decorations. A True Blue Summer, Sizzling Red -Hot Summer Fun, Fruity Festival, Come to the Circus, Wet N Wild Festivities, and Sliding Through Summer are all possible themes for your summer water fun party.

Summer Water Fun: Waterslide Party Rentals Menu

No summer water fun party would be complete without an assortment of summer foods. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, and baked beans are summer party staples. Macaroni salad, potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, and vegetable salad all make great side dishes for your summer water fun party. You can also serve a variety of summer fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes, and raspberries. Ice cream, popsicles, or snow cones make the perfect dessert at a waterslide party, and flavored waters carry out your water fun theme.

Waterslide Party Rentals Planning

When planning your summer waterslide party, you may want to gather a few extra supplies such as sunscreen, towels, fun sunglasses, and first aid kits. Pass out funky and fun sunglasses to your guests and ask everyone to apply sunscreen generously to avoid any party related injuries.

Waterslide party rentals are a fun and festive way to celebrate the joys of summer while seeking relief from the blistering heat. Call your local waterslide rental company today to reserve your waterslides and get started planning your summer water fun party.

Tents, tables, and chairs are a necessity for summer weddings and events like graduation parties, anniversaries, birthday parties, and family reunions. However, before you place your order for tents, tables, and chairs for your summer event, there are a few things you should know as a renter.

Things to Consider Before Renting Tents, Tables, and Chairs for Summer Events

One of the first things to consider before placing an order for tents, tables, and chairs for your summer event is where your event will take place. Is the venue outside or inside? How many square feet are available for seating? Does the rental hall have any restrictions about setting up equipment in the facility?

The answers to these questions will impact the types of tents, tables, and chairs you will need.

Another obvious factor in determining which tents, tables, and chairs you will be renting is the expected guest count. Be sure to include enough seating for the bridal party, ushers, and unexpected guests at weddings. Most weddings have a few uninvited guests who decide to tag along with someone on the guest list and it would be awkward to have guests standing throughout the entire wedding reception for lack of seating.

If you plan to use clip on table skirting for your summer event, make sure your selected tables are compatible with this type of decoration. You will also need exact tale measurements before selecting tablecloths for your event. It is also helpful to know how many tables will be delivered before making or ordering table centerpieces.

If you are ordering a tent for a special summer event, you should know that event tents come in many different colors. The classic red and white striped event tent may not be what you had in mind for your sunset summer wedding, so be sure to ask your rentals service representative what colors are available for your selected event date.

Be sure to ask your rental provider if the set up and tear down of tents, tables, and chairs is included in the rental contract or if you will be responsible for these duties. You may also want to ask if you are responsible for the cleaning and inspection of tents, tables, and chairs prior to return to the rental facility. Failure to follow your rental agreement may cost you your security deposit or incur extra charges o cover the rental agency’s cost of fulfilling your end of the agreement.

This guide to renting tents, tables, and chairs for your summer wedding or special event is not all-inclusive. It is imperative that you read, understand and follow the renter’s agreement provided by the rental agency to ensure a positive renting experience.

Sumo Suits… People love these things.

Just yesterday we brought 2 suits and a padded sumo wrestling mat to a local corporate event in Beaverton, Oregon. Like any typical event, we showed up with the suits and the client was thrilled to see us- and even more excited to see the huge padded suits that she had arranged for her co-workers to climb inside.

The sumo game is a great ice breaker for any special event. We have used this game for all kinds of corporate meetings and events as well as for church youth groups, carnivals, and countless other gatherings.

What You Need to Know Before Booking a Clown

Hiring birthday party clowns is a sure-fire way to make your child’s birthday party a huge success. Children love the slapstick antics and colorful images of birthday party clowns, and adding a lively circus theme to your child’s birthday party extends the fun.

Types of Birthday Party Clowns

There are different types of birthday party clowns to choose from for your child’s special day. One of the most popular types of birthday party clowns is the traditional birthday clown. This colorfully dressed happy character makes balloon animals, sings Happy Birthday, and provides goofy entertainment for your young party guests.

Another type of birthday party clown is the circus clown. This professional birthday party clown performs a comedy act and also offers fun, age-appropriate entertainment for your party guests. A circus birthday party clown may perform daring feats such as juggling objects of various weights and sizes (like a bowling ball and a few oranges), tell interactive stories, or even bring along a few kid-friendly animals like bunnies and frogs.

Some other types of birthday party clowns, like the sad clown and the scary clown, may be more appropriate for the teenager’s birthday party. These types of clowns appeal to a more mature audience but can scare smaller children.

What to Expect From a Birthday Party Clown

When you hire birthday party clowns for your child’s party, it is important to know precisely what you are getting for your money. Be sure to ask the booking agent what you can expect from your birthday party clowns. Will they work the crowd together or separately? What games and activities will they provide? How long will each clown perform? Prepare a list of questions before calling the booking agent.

Most birthday party clowns provide children’s activities such as making balloon animals, face painting, sleight of hand tricks, storytelling, water balloon toss games, relay races, fun clown dances, and question and answer type games. If there are any specific activities that you would like at your child’s birthday party, be sure to mention this to the booking agent before hiring your birthday party clowns.

Special Consideration for Hiring Birthday Party Clowns

If you know that your special birthday boy or girl scares easily, it is a good idea to mention this to the birthday party clowns before the party begins. Mention any particular fears your child has and also inform your clowns of any special needs guests that will be attending the party. This will help your birthday party run smoothly and will help you avoid upsetting your child or other party guests.

If you have any religious considerations that might conflict with the birthday party clowns’ routine, be sure to discuss this with the booking agent early on. Some entertainers may incorporate concepts from various religious teachings into their act that may be offensive or inappropriate for your little one’s birthday party. Most birthday clowns provide a clean, inoffensive routine, but it is best to ask in advance to avoid problems.

It is also a good idea to ask if your birthday party clowns will need any special props or a certain amount of space to perform their acts. If your birthday party clowns perform an acrobatic routine and your party is being held in a restaurant, the routine will have to be altered to fit the space or the location may need to be changed to accommodate the needs of the birthday party clowns.

Hiring birthday party clowns for your child’s party entertainment is a terrific way to provide fun, safe activities for your guests and make your child’s birthday party a success.