v 1 issue 20: Little Miss...

Little Miss...

This issue is for your little miss creative, little miss prepster, little miss girly girl, or any little miss. While this issue is geared towards girls, many products have styles for boys as well.

Cover by Kellie Anderson



1 For little miss sexy mom, Progeny Inc is the sexiest fitting apron we have seen. Progeny Inc. has tweaked the cleverness of June Cleaver's apron by adding lots of pockets to hold the added accessories of a modern day Mom.

2 For little miss creative, Mugwaz do-it-yourself kits are the perfect gift. Choose from flip flops, a belt or a bag and let the decorating begin. We love the idea of their party packs as a great way to entertain a group of girls for a sleepover.

3 For your little miss prepster, the funky lunchbox from Em Tanner Designs is the perfect accessory for school. Personalize with her first and last name or a monogram. Many designs available for both boys and girls.

4 For your little miss girlie girl, choose stylish hair clips from Jen Pezzolla's designs at Sweettaia.com. Hair clips are kept sweet & simple here with satin, stripes, and polka-dots, but no ruffles & no lace. Just right for the girls who like to be girly, but don't want the added frills.

5 For little miss princess, the fill in the blank thank you cards from Doodle Bugs are the perfect way to say thank you. There are several styles available for both boys and girls and we love that they are customized with your child’s name…just fill in the blanks for the recipient.

6 Sassibella has your girlie girls covered with their feminine jewels just for girls. They Ashley bracelet is our favorite pick. $25, Sassibella.com.

7 For little miss prep, the coordinating backpacks, wristlets and wallets at Amies Circle are a fun way to tote around her favorite things. Prices range from just $12 to $25.

8 For any little miss, the Sunset Dip-Dye Dress from Tea is a perfect addition for the soon-needed summer wardrobe. This cotton candy colored sundress keeps your little girl pretty with a lightly ruffled collar and cool with an airy cotton fabric. Available up to size 8.

This Week's Mom Tips

Financial tip:
Take care of your family in case of death. Purchase a term life insurance policy to protect those who rely on you.
Green tip:
Avoid creating trash wherever possible: when ordering food, avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. (ask in advance), buy ice cream in a cone instead of a cup, don't accept "free" promotional products, buy products with the least amount of packaging, etc. Every little bit of trash avoided does make a difference!
Cleaning tip:
Have a coffee stain? Heat the area with a hot wet cloth then dab the area with white vinegar. Rinse well with water and then use a white paper towel to suck up the water. Repeat until the stain is removed. Dry well with a blow dryer or fan.

Time saving tip:
Clean with one product at a time and a roll of paper towels. By doing all the mirrors or dusting at one time and not switching between cleaning products you will actually save time. Switching between tasks can take longer than completing the same task in quick succession.

Recession Proof Party Ideas Part 2
PART TWO: THE CARNIVAL

Some parents spend thousands of dollars on their kids' birthday parties, while a majority spend somewhere between $250 and $750. Are these over the top parties really more fun for the kids than say a party within a smaller budget? Both provide many delights and thrills for the kids.
Lisa broke down the elements of a "Carnival" themed party; one that would cost parents $5000 and one that would cost $250. Now, with the difference in cost, how could these parties be at all similar? Well, take a look. They're definitely more similar than different!
FIRST, LET'S GO OVER THE TOP:
Carnival Party on $5000 for 25 kids
Invitations:
The invitations would be custom-designed by a stationary store and professionally printed ($150) and hand-delivered to each party guest by a professional clown ($150).
Decorations:
Professional balloon arches would greet the guests as they entered the carnival ($200×3). Besides the balloon arches, bunches of helium balloons would decorate the entire party area ($400). A big top tent ($350) would be rented for the entertainment to take place under. The party would have rented tables, linens, and table ware that matched the carnival theme ($500).

Activities:
Upon entering the party, the children would be given a carnival knapsack with a t-shirt and cap with their names monogrammed on each ($15×25). The kids would wear their t-shirts and caps at the party, and the knapsacks will capture their prizes from the carnival games. The knapsack ($10×25) will also hold an empty popcorn box and a string of booth tickets for the games.
Ten professional carnival game booths ($500) would be rented and staffed by professional clowns. Game booths could include: Ring Toss, Duck Pond, Balloon Darts, NBA Hoops, Crazy Ball, Coin Pitch, Tin Can Alley, Plinko, Large Hoopla, and Milk Toss. When the kids win a game, they are given a prize. These can include pencils, bouncing balls, yo-yos, bubbles, plastic sunglasses, etc.

A bouncing carnival inflatable ($200) and dunking tank ($150) would be additional fun activities.

Under the big top, an additional clown ($150) would entertain kids with her routine, along with a juggler ($150) and a stilt-walker ($150).
Food:
A hot dog vendor ($150), Sno-Cone Machine ($150), and popcorn vendor ($150) would all be available for the kids to use their tickets to buy their birthday lunch. The kids will be able to enjoy their food at the party tables. A fancy cake ($75) would be made for the party by a professional bakery. An ice cream sundae cart ($150) would be available to accompany the cake.
Goody Bags:
Kids would take home the monogrammed knapsack filled with prizes from the games, the t-shirt, cap, a fancy, over-sized lollipop ($5 x 25), and their own mini-clown costume, with a red nose, clown collar, and face makeup ($5 x 25).

NOW, LET'S SPEND $25 PER KID ATTENDING:
Carnival Party on $250 for 25 kids

Invitations:
The invitation would be hand-made by printing carnival tickets off of the computer with all pertinent details. These invitations can either be hand-delivered by your child at school and/or mailed to the guests ($10).
Decorations:
Purchase a helium balloon tank ($30) and blow up balloons ($20) on your own for the party. Make one large balloon arch on your own, and/or have balloons located all over the carnival party area. A few carnival Mylar balloons would be a very special decoration to attach to the birthday kid's chair.

Purchase streamers ($10) in an array of bright, primary colors and have them bunched heavily together from the ceiling, when the kids enter the carnival they can walk through the streamers to the fun.

For the big top, hang a very large sheet over four standing poles to create the affect.

Purchase primary colors of table ware and set the table. Over the party table, hang a mock trapeze ($3) with a stuffed Monkey ($2) on it for added décor.

Activities:

Upon entering the party, hire a favorite babysitter who is creative with paint ($40) to be on hand to paint little carnival animals on the guests' faces.

From there, the kids would receive an empty popcorn box and a string of tickets to use at the different activity booths.

Turn very large appliance boxes into carnival booths for the activities. Ask for parent volunteers to run the various booths, and hand out prizes. The prizes ($25) can be little toys found at a Dollar Store, i.e. spinning tops, bouncy balls, plastic animals, Pop Rock candy, etc. At the booths, the following activities could be organized using stuff that you have around the house:

* Fishing Game: Mock up a fishing pole with a paper clip on the end and have the kids throw the line over the box where the adult clips on a prize that the kids reel in.
* Hula Hoop Throw: Have the kids throw a ball through hula hoops to win a prize.
* Have a wading pool on hand with little Rubber Ducky toys floating. Little ones can pick up a rubber ducky, look for a number on the bottom, and receive a prize that correlates to the number.
* Balloon Darts: Blow up balloons and have them taped to a cardboard box. Have kids throw darts to see how many they can break. Make sure to have additional balloons as each one ones pop away.
* Guess the number of marbles in a jar.
* Enjoy a Water Balloon Toss. Have kids pair off in two's and start to throw water balloons to one another. After each successful toss, have them take one step back and continue with the toss. The last team still throwing the water balloon wins.
Under the big top, have an additional adult volunteer or the babysitter you hired for face painting, entertain kids with a silly routine.
Food:
Have a traditional BBQ with hot dogs and hamburgers ($40), and put out bowls of peanuts and popcorn. Have Cracker Jack boxes, animal crackers, and cotton candy bags lining the party table for additional treats ($10).
Make a carnival birthday cake yourself or a batch of cupcakes that the kids can decorate as an additional activity ($10). You could also host the kids making sundaes by providing three flavors of ice cream, chocolate sauce, peanuts, and cherries as another party activity.

Goody Bags:
Kids can take home a bright-colored cup filled with the prizes they won from the games, as well as extra boxes of Cracker Jacks and animal crackers ($2). Make sure to put the kids' names on the cups as a personal touch.

Where are the savings? (Money Saving Tips for Throwing Kids' Parties)
1. Make your own invitations, decorations, and games/activities.
2. Hire a babysitter or ask family and friends to provide the entertainment.
3. Make your own food and birthday cake.
4. Keep the cost of prizes and goodies reasonable.
5. Keep the number of your guests within reason.

These tips work for any theme for your kids' next party. Your kids will enjoy their parties regardless of the amount of time or the money you have to spend!
For more of Lisa Kothari's party etiquette advice, check out her recently-released Dear Peppers and Pollywogs...What Parents Want to Know About Planning Their Kids' Parties, available at www.Amazon.com for $9.95. Also be sure to visit Lisa's website at www.PeppersPollywogs.com before you plan your next celebration!