Party Planning with Patty Sachs

THIS NEWSLETTER IS AN OLD ONE (JULY, 2000) BUT IT HAS SOME GREAT RESOURCES.

Patty Sachs' Party News

ighlights
Party Show News
Resource List
Internet Interests
Inserts: Don’t Wait…Celebrate! Week News
"Picnics With Pizzazz": Guest Article by Phyllis Cambria

Greetings!
First of all, please forgive the lateness of this newsletter--to make up for that I have made it a double issue--twice the content I normally include. And the reason for this delay is?????

I am in the last stages of writing another book, this time a real marathon project. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Throwing A Great Party is the title and I am beginning to think I am a complete idiot for taking on the project. It is a killer. If you have ever taken a look at books in this series you will know what I mean. These books are very, very comprehensive and BIG!
BUT THE GOOD NEWS!
I have a writing partner (or as we call each other, Partyner) on this big project. There is no possible way I could have done it without help from party planner and writer, ,Phyllis Cambria of Party Plans Plus, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is a fabulously creative and knowledgeable expert in the world of parties and events. She writes in a way that complements my sometimes straight- ahead, no frills style. She has a real talent with words. She has written the Guest Article for this issue. We are about 10 days from deadline and right after I finish this newsletter, I am going to dive into the last lap of our big "swim". Glug, Glug, Glug………..
A year ago at this time I was in Minneapolis busily writing articles, columns and Internet content. Party information was flying all over the place. Then came Carly Jade! My fifth granddaughter was born to my baby (youngest) daughter on December 15th.. I journeyed to Houston, TX with plans to help the new mom for the first few months. Well, here it is July and I am still here in the land of Hot and Humid!
I am anxious to share some resources and information I discovered at the Halloween and Party Shows in Chicago and Las Vegas. It is always such a great time to attend these shows, do my speaking gigs and spend time in the Meadowbrook Press Booth, signing books. I love to meet the folks that are mostly e-mail addresses to me, otherwise. I am always honored to hear that so many people have read and enjoyed and best of all, used information from my writings.
I have had so many requests for this newsletter, now that I have promoted it on the Internet, that the circulation is over 2,000. It is traveling all over the world via -mail. Parties are very international, you know.
Party Show News
As usual, the shows were incredible both for learning in the seminars and for finding new party treasures, both to use in your event plans or to sell in your stores. Transworld Exhibits produces both shows and Trisha Drain of Party and Paper Retailer Magazine organizes and produces the seminars, events and demonstrations—all just wonderful. Costumes and Halloween goods are equally important at these shows, so the costume displays and makeup demos are out of this world. I urge you to make your way to one or both of these shows next year. You can get advance information by calling Transworld at: 1-800-323-5462
Keep up with all shows and other vital party news with Party & Paper Retailer, (203) 845-8020 or visit the website www.partypaper.com The name of your party store will be listed on the Internet directory and vendors get a listing in the Annual Source Book. This is all great promotion for you and your business.
Party Discoveries
I suggest faxing for your catalog or information when a toll free number is not listed. Simply use a ½ page Information Request Sheet, devised from your letterhead. The cost of this short fax is about 10 cents. 1/3 the cost of a stamp or phone call. The company will have your correct information and you will have a record of the request. (Mention that you read about them in my newsletter. ) Some of these companies sell only to retailers so if you do not have a resale number, call and get the name of retailer nearest you.

Great Sites--not in any particular order….
Monogrammed Bathroom Tissue, The ultimate gift for the person who has almost everything, in silver gray or accent gold, two elegant rolls in a clear plastic gift box. Ph/Fax: Marc Polis, 609-823-7661
And while you have him on the line ask him about his Year 2000 goods. Hats, shirts and accessories ideal for graduations, anniversaries, promotional items. Another innovation is the Bibkin, a clip gizmo turns a napkin into a bib, makes a neat favor.
Slam Bam Fun Merchandise Catalog is the best place to find those little, bitty trinkets and decorations that are so good for trims on invitations, name tags, place cards and other party favor items—especially themes. The selection is vast. Fax: (718) 802-1697
Neon Twisting Ballon Kit is the latest in party favorites. CTI Industries Corp also features jumbo sized balloon palm trees, fish and parrots for your island theme parties. Steve Frank, ctifrank@aol.com or (800) 284-5605 for brochures
Tapper Candies, Inc. makes fantastic goody bag stuff in all the licensed styles, even coming out with Harry Potter items. Candy novelties like cameras, watches, bugs . Get the catalog, it will give you brilliant ideas. Julie Post-Smith fax: (216) 825-1010 or postsmith@aol.com
FunDimension has created plastic character party utensils for holidays and themes. Ideal for the party and for the favors. Plates and utensil sets, too. Ph: (801) 595-1762 Fax: (801) 595-1784
Over The Hill party goods galore, all in good fun. A must-have catalog. Design Sense of Atlanta. (800) 872-4042
Top Foods, Inc. makes Topees, candy toppings for baked goods in every imaginable shape. Sprinkle on for themes and holidays, etc. Visit www.topfoodsinc.com or call (877) 428-9867
Link-O-Loon Party Balloons, the latest in easy balloon decorating. High quality, time and money saving, easy to learn and professional results. www.balloonlink.com fax: +61 3 9870 4511
Susan A Designs continues to add exceptional designs for computer generated theme invitations, announcements, notes, and even sign in boards. Get the latest catalog at www.susan.net or call for it (888) 478-7262
Wrapper Works has a very complete line of candy overwraps for your special events. These popular party favors can be very profitable for party retailers or party planners. (800) 604-9634 fax (888) 639-8862
Ballooner centerpiece weights and Keepsake Frames are easy and quick bases for table decorations and floor arrangements. Visit website Www.ballooner.com fax : (916) 688-0338
RC Company, novelty lights for every occasion. Candle luminarias in dozens of styles to match themes, light strings as well. The biggest selection anywhere. The now have Neon shapes to light up your party. www.lumunarias.com fax (800) 466-1199
Edible CakeTops by Mary will add the custom to your party cake! Photos, drawings, e-mail her for ordering information mlweeg@aol.com. or call her at 913-829-6636
Horrorfind.com is the place to search for items related to horror movies, haunted houses and other scary things! Look to sell your products or to find what you need to spook your guests and customers.
Boo! Scared Ya! Sounds Abound on All Hallow’s Eve is a spooky, scary tape of sound effects and dramatizations for your Halloween Horrorifics. Written and recorded by professional actors and musicians. For your party hosts, costume, gift, rental or internet store. Www://doglake.com/jmj.html Phyllis Cambria (954) 974-7907
PartyTeam, an alliance of Party Professionals is a free listing on the Internet for you and your business. It is a source for party consumers, to find you, too. Fax (805) 371-9131 www.partyteam.net
M&N International, a catalog for all sorts of party goods at great prices. Add it to your collection, by phone: (800) 479-2043 or fax (800) party-on
Fun Express from Oriental Trading. (800) 228-0122 For case lots. Www.funexpress.com
Colorco Graphic Lettering makes stickers and letters in glittery patterns for a special touch on name tags, place cards, invitations or decorations. Styles for holidays or themes Rob Baxter (800) 683-3331
Per Favore Imports is still my pick hit for the Tulle Favor maker and supplies. The selection is the best and the price is most reasonable. To have for your own use or to rent out to party hosts. www.perfavore.com fax: (510) 352-1048
The Industrious Cottage has hand-painted glasses for special occasions. In addition, they do custom embroidery for coasters, napkins and table mats to commemorate all your milestone celebrations. Visit www.theartcollective.com and click on Gail Williams to see the possibilities. (770) 813-8996
Sonni, this is a repeat but I just love these hats for elegant party ladies The designs are just exquisite for cocktail and costume hats. Every party girl should own one or two. Another potential fund raising concept. Phone (510) 268-08097 or fax (510) 268-8097 for their brochure
Need a small gift to include in a corporate gift basket or to include at each place setting? Give your attendees their very own PANIC button. Bright red computer key, imprinted with "PANIC", double backed adhesive allows you to place it on any object that brings you frustration. Bulk discounts available. Www.panicbuttons.com Silvana Clark silvanac@msn.com, 360-734-9506
Let Me Hear From You!
Got a new product or service? E-mail me for inclusion in the next newsletter. I'm partysachs@prodigy.net
Super Party and Event Sites for You
Follow the link to a page of fabulous party and event sites: Enter Here
Party and Event Publications
Festivities Publications puts out the Gift Basket Review as well as producing Jubilee, the party show. Http://www.festivies-pub.com
Event Solutions Magazine is always filled with great information for event and party planners. They also produce Event Solutions Expo 2000 August 23rd-25th, Atlanta, GA www.event-solutions.com or call (480) 990-1101 Ext. 1066

BALLOONS & Parties Magazine is still chock full of great ideas for the party professional. Full color and going out to over 50 countries for 15 years, makes this magazine a true professionals choice for independent news, tips, trends and great ideas. Call 201-441-4224 or subscribe and/or advertise on-line at www.balloonsandparties.com
The All Star Revue - 2000 (3rd Annual ASR!)
will be held November 16-19 at the Headquarters Plaza Hotel in Morristown, NJ with a full trade show (called Vendor Village), 12 rounds of classes featuring over 25 world class instructors, 8 meals included, snacks, parties and so much more all for an "Early Bird" special price of just $369.00! - WOW!! November 19 is a special "Sunday With A Twist" seminar series day featuring twisting and non-round classes with a smaller vendor table-top trade show and lunch is also included. For more details call 888-833-STAR. We are currently putting together a web site, but it is not "up" just yet.
New Books!
Robin Kring has written a new book Happy Anniversary released by Meadowbrook Press. Inventive and meaningful theme plans for each anniversary from # 1 to #50. As usual Robin comes through with creativity + for all hosts of these special times. Find at the book store.
A Gala! Is by Patti Coons, event planner of the first degree. It is The Special Event Planner for Professionals and Volunteers, 120 page guide to planning from black-tie dinners to church bake sales. Bookstore, to order.
Guest Article
To introduce you to my new writing partner I am thrilled to present an article that was published in The Dollar Stretcher Http://www.stretcher.com
I know you will enjoy it and understand exactly why I am so happy to be working with her in writing projects. Heeeeeeeeerrrre’s Phyllis!
PICNICS WITH PIZZAZZ (c1999) by Phyllis Cambria
It’s getting warmer, so it’s time to start thinking about eating outdoors and enjoying the great weather. Dining al fresco is great, but face it, it’s not without its share of dining and decorating dilemmas.

Here are some ideas that will help you put together picnics with pizzazz...on a budget.

Keep It Cool
Need a quick, inexpensive and disposable cooler? Try this:
*Clean and refill recycled soda or water bottles, fill three-quarters of the way with water or your favorite non-carbonated beverage, reseal and freeze.
*Then, triple layer large, brown grocery bags. Put the frozen bottles in the bag along with the food you’re trying to keep cool.
*Finally, line the inside of the bag with paper towels tucked around the food and against the bag’s interior.
The frozen bottles will keep your food cool. As the ice in the bottles melts, it will provide a chilly beverage. The condensation from the bottles will moisten the paper towels, providing a damp towelette for sticky fingers and faces. Just put your trash into the bag and dispose. No clean up!
Want to keep your mayonnaise-based salads chilled and fresh? Try this:
*Nest a slightly smaller plastic bowl into a larger one.
*Put some heavy soup cans into the smaller bowl. Fill the space between the two bowls with water. Freeze.
*Then remove the cans and fill the interior bowl with your favorite salad. The ice will keep the dressing chilled to avoid spoilage.
Do you love the taste of cold, fried chicken, but don’t know how to keep it chilled for long? This is an idea you should like:
*Cook, drain and chill your chicken as usual.
*Fill a plastic storage bag with ice cubes, remove the excess air, and seal it tightly.
*Nestle the bag into a large basket or bowl.
*Cover with a clean kitchen towel or brightly-colored cotton napkin.
*Place the poultry on top of the cloth, and you can enjoy chilly chicken for hours.
If you’re making a fruit punch and want to keep it chilled, but non-diluted, all you have to do is freeze some of the punch liquid in ice cube trays. What do you do with an alcohol-based punch? Alcohol doesn’t freeze. This idea will keep your punch cool but potent...and beautiful.
*Take a tall water tumbler, preferably one with a heavy base, that will sit inside your punch bowl.
*Fill the tumbler with fresh, frozen strawberries. Add sugar.
*Insert the glass into the center of your punch bowl and fill with your favorite beverage, keeping the liquid below the top of the filled glass.
The frozen strawberries will help to keep the punch cold, and the sugar will add needed weight to keep the glass from toppling.
Note: After you have finished the punch, reserve the strawberry-infused sugar. Use in your favorite beverage or sprinkle on toast or pound cake for an added treat. The thawed strawberries can top ice cream or cake, or can be used to make fresh preserves.
If you don’t have a tumbler that’s big enough, or you have an oversized punch bowl, freeze tangerines or other small citrus fruits. Place in an appropriately-sized vase and set inside the punch bowl. You may add flowers and chilled water for a very unusual and double-duty centerpiece.

How about keeping yourself cool in the sweltering summer heat?
*Take a small, plastic spray bottle, fill almost to the top with water. *If you want, you may add a couple of drops of your favorite cologne. Chill until it’s partially frozen.
Carry it with you, and whenever you start to feel as if you’re wilting, spray yourself with a light mist. The evaporation process of the water (and alcohol in the cologne) will help you to feel cool and fresh. There are expensive "personal air conditioners" on the market that work on the same principle.
Beat the Barbecue Blahs
Even kids can get tired of dull dogs and ho-hum hamburgers. Here are some ideas to perk up these picnic staples.
*Take a hot dog, cut slices three-quarters of the way through the dog at half-inch intervals. Grill as usual.
*Then fill the slits with their favorite ketchup, mustard and/or relish.
You’ve turned ordinary frankfurters into slithery snakes any kid will love!
*Instead of taking your chopped chuck and making boring burgers on buns, form the ground beef into half-inch thick ovals. Grill and season to taste. *Serve on split, toasted hard rolls. *Top with roasted onions and peppers, spread with steak sauce and you have a steakburger that will have them asking for seconds.
Have extra or overcooked burgers? Try this for a one-dish Mexican treat.
*Crumble the slightly re-heated hamburger into a mixture of your favorite salsa tossed into shredded lettuce, sliced olives and corn chips for a tangy taco salad.
Candlelight and Cocktails
The best part of a long, hot, summer day, is the cool relief of sipping a beverage outdoors in the evening. The gentle breeze is welcome, but makes it difficult to keep candles lit.
You can use hurricane globes to block the breeze, but they can be expensive and cumbersome. Try luminaries. You can make your own by using ordinary sandwich bags and a hole punch.
*In the top half of a paper bag, use a stencil or free-form a design. Emboss the design with a hand-held punch.
*Fill a bag halfway with sand (or kitty litter).
*Nestle a votive candle or short, used candle in the sand, light and enjoy. Note: You don’t want to emboss the pattern all the way through the bag’s length or the sand will seep out the holes causing a mess.
Or, try your hand at making a Mexican-style tin lantern.
*Clean large empty soup or vegetable cans. *Soak off the label.
*Then use a metal punch and hammer to create patterns in the can. (Be sure the can is wide. The patterns from using the hole punch will make the inside of the can ragged and you don’t want to cut yourself when placing the candle inside. You can try the same thing with old, metal sand buckets.
*If you want to make individual ones from soda cans, paint first with a heat-resistant product suitable for painting barbecue grills.
To give the impression of fireflies and provide a soft glow, tuck white, twinkling Christmas lights into the bushes surrounding your patio as well.

Dining outdoors is a wonderful treat after the winter doldrums. There’s no reason it can’t be imaginative, tasty and cost-conscious as well.
Thank you, Pard Phyllis!

Announcing!
The Complete Idiot's Guide to
Throwing a Great Party,
300 pages jam-packed with party plans, tips, resources for the novice or pro. Check it out here.
More Party Planning Information
Phyllis and I have been writing Fun and Frugal Party Plans. Of the series of twelve, the first three are now for sale at http://buy.at/partybooks

You will also find my other books, reports, and The Disk Deal, for the person considering a party or event planning career. It’s a treasure of information, related to both getting started in the business and planning the events. Take a look at what it includes at: http://www.pattysachs.com/diskdeal.htm

I welcome your comments, suggestions and resource tips.

Patty Sachs, Celebration Expert

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