Sunday, April 2, 2023

6 Top Party Trends for Summer 2023

 As we move into summer party season, it's time to start looking at the latest party trends that are sure to be a hit in the coming year. From new and exciting themes to innovative décor and entertainment options, here are the top party trends for summer 2023:


1-    Sustainable Parties Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important trend in all areas of life, and parties are no exception. In 2023, we can expect to see more people embracing eco-friendly party planning, from using paper-based biodegradable or compostable decorations to serving sustainable food and drinks.

 


2-     Virtual Parties With the rise of technology, virtual parties have become increasingly popular in recent years. This trend is set to continue into 2023, with more people hosting virtual parties to connect with friends and family who are far away. From virtual dance parties to online game nights, there are plenty of ways to make virtual parties just as fun and exciting as in-person events.  Consider sending out matching cupcake wrappers and toppers prior to the event for each guest to decorate their own goodies before the big day.


3-     Unique Themes Tried and true party themes like a “luau beach party” or “princess birthday” are here to stay however, we are seeing more creative and unique themes popping up more regularly. Consider an "80s throwback party," "underwater wonderland," or "enchanted forest" theme.

 


4-     Interactive Entertainment While DJs and live music will always be popular entertainment options, interactive entertainment is set to take center stage in 2023. From virtual reality experiences to escape rooms and interactive performances, guests will be able to immerse themselves in a wide range of fun and engaging activities.

 

5-     Bold Color Schemes This summer we can expect to see more parties embracing bold and bright color schemes, such as neon colors and metallics. These vibrant colors will be used in everything from decorations to food and drinks, creating a fun and exciting atmosphere. 



6-     Creative Food and Drinks Finally, food and drinks will continue to be a key focus of parties this summer. From custom cocktails to gourmet bites and artisanal desserts, guests can expect to indulge in a range of creative and delicious food and drinks at parties throughout the year.  Cupcakes are replacing the standard cake and candy buffets are still a popular favorite. Try swapping out traditional candies for something new!

 

Overall, 2023 is standing tall as a year of creativity, innovation, and sustainability in the world of party planning. Whether you're planning a small gathering or a large event, these trends are sure to inspire you to create a party that is both memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved.




Thursday, September 26, 2019

Let's Celebrate!

Because of your loyal support, Your Little Cupcake is in the TOP 3% of all Etsy shops world wide.  THANK YOU! 

To celebrate, we are giving away a set of toppers and wrappers in your choice of theme.  This will include enough sets to fully decorate one dozen little sweets. 

How do you get in on this grand giveaway? Easy. Like and comment on our TOP 3% Facebook post at https://www.facebook.com/yourlittlecupcake 

A winner will be randomly selected from those comments and likes and will be announced October 1, 2019. 
Don't forget to share our Facebook page and 
Don't forget to Keep Life Sweet!
-Chelsea


Sunday, February 24, 2019

Underwater Marshmallows


One of my favorite party treats are easily these underwater themed, chocolate covered marshmallows. They are so simple to make and always a super hit with the kids. 

 -Skewer the marshmallows with party picks, lollipop sticks, or mini kabob skewers.


-Melt light blue chocolate wafers in the microwave.  I usually do a cup of wafers in 20 second increments, stirring in between. Be sure to follow the directions for the brand of wafers you are using and remember that both the chocolate and bowl will be hot.


-Dip the skewered marshmallows into the melted chocolate and give them a good swirl to drip off any extra chocolate. 


-Place them upright in either crumbled graham crackers or light brown sugar for the sandy bottom. 


-While the chocolate is still slightly melty, add a graham goldfish cracker and a few pearlescent baking sprinkles for bubbles.


-Let dry completely on parchment paper of cookie sheet either on the counter or in fridge if need be.


And done! My older children loved helping with these just remember that the chocolate, and the bowl they are being melted in, will get hot.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Wedding color trend of 2016

Wedding season is just around the corner and although 2016 is sure to delight with an array of unique trends, so far couples seem to be opting for near traditional color palettes. Take a look at this palette that has been making trends for years and will sure to be back on the scene in 2016.

Photo from OneFabDay.com

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

5 Delicious Cupcake Outfits

 With Valentine’s Day just around the corner it is time to start thinking about adding a little something sweet to your family’s lives. Check out these great ideas for gussying up some simple cupcakes.
These wrappers add to the sweetness of any cupcake. They can come in any combination of colors you would like.

You're a HOOT Valentine!

Hugs and kisses wrappers add simple pizzazz.

By far one of the most popular Valentine's Day themed toppers, these hearts can come in any color you would like.

 I love using these Alice in Wonderland inspired wrappers for Valentine's day. Customize both the inner and outer colors to create something unique.

Check out all of our Valentine's and Heart options at Your Little Cupcake

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Party Planning Made Easy

Growing up, one of my favorite days of the year was always my birthday. The thought of a day made especially for me gave me so much joy and excitement; feelings I have cherished ever since. But as I have grown older the excitement isn't quite the same. I am not unique in this sense; most children get excited by the thought of their birthday, while many adults think of it as just another day. What better way to foster this youthful excitement than a party just for them?

Party planning can be very time consuming if you let it and throwing a party can be very expensive if you don't spend sufficient effort planning ahead of time. I like to start several months before, but in reality a few weeks would be just fine.


Where to start?

Having a preset budget is very important to planning a successful party. Your budget will help determine the length of the guest list, the venue, the food, and many other details for your event. I have seen, and thrown, some very successful parties on very low budgets and have also seen parties being thrown with unlimited budgets that were complete flops. The budget does not make or break a party.


Choosing a venue

Traditionally a child's birthday party was always held in the home, but it has become more and more common for business to offer party packages where they supply the venue, entertainment, and sometimes even food. These packages are often more expensive than having an at-home party but they do take much of the work out of planning. Do a search for local trampoline parks, swimming pools, movie theaters, and even zoos to find businesses that offer these services in your area. Be sure not to choose something too far away so you don't put your guests in a situation where they have to drive a long distance to get to the party.
  
Choose a date

At the beginning of my party planning I like to pick two or three dates that I feel will work best for the party. I find the most convenient day for us, and our guests, always seem to be Saturday as to not interrupt the work week or Sunday church services. I rarely choose an exact date until a few weeks before the event, when I create the invitations. This allows for input and flexibility for the guests. (Especially those special friends who are willing to help with setup and tear down). If you are having a party at a business you might be very limited with the dates available. Some places book up very quickly, especially seasonal locales. Be sure to plan several weeks ahead and be flexible.

How big do you want your party to be?

Some adults are very comfortable entertaining a large group of people while others prefer to celebrate with just a few close friends. This is the same with children. Some children will love the idea of inviting their whole class, while others will prefer to have just their close friends. Too many people can be very overwhelming for both the children and adults involved. This is where a preset budget really comes in handy: more people means more mouths to feed, more minds to entertain, and more money spent. Sit down with your child and start a list of who they would like to come. Give them a set number of people they can invite and stick to it. If you are purchasing a party package at a business, the number of people attending might be designated by them already so be sure to do your research first.

For us, this is where we spend most of our budget. We like to invite their whole class and we always encourage parents AND siblings to stay. We hosted over seventy kiddos, parents, and younger siblings in our home for a seventh birthday- and it rocked! My children are very close in age and often have the same group of friends who have same aged siblings. This is a very important thing for our family but may not be right for you and your child.

Choosing a theme

Choosing a theme is very important not only because it ties the party together but also because it will give you a basic guideline and makes planning much easier for you. For a first or second birthday you will likely be in charge of this task, but allowing an older child to help pick out the theme of their special day will enrich the experience for them that much more. A good technique is to make a list of three or four themes that you prefer then allow the child to pick from that list. This will ensure that you don't end up planning a party around a pink and teal zebra from outer space and it gives the child a sense of participation and empowerment. The theme can be a character or activity that your child loves or even just a trio of their favorite colors.
Need some theme ideas? Check out my Etsy shop! Your Little Cupcake

Sending out invites

I make my own invites with the help of the birthday child. I like the invites to reflect the theme of the party as well as my child's personality. If making the invites isn't your cup of tea there are many websites like mine that will customize your invites for you. When giving out invites be sure to allow at least a week prior to the event for the guests to receive them, and R.S.V.P. Don't forget: if you are putting them in the mail you will need to leave an extra few days for the shipping time as well. We like to give out our invites two weeks before hand.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Food
Decorations
Games
Favor Bags
Helpful Gnomes, or other friends

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Macaroni Garlands


The other day my 5 year old was asked by another parent if her favorite part of Christmas was getting presents. My daughter looked at her and said gifts are okay but my favorite part is baking cookies and doing Christmas crafts. It is little moments like that, that reassure me that I am doing something right.


 Here is a great traditional craft to do with your kids, both young and old.


1 box of any tube pasta
Food coloring of your choice
Water

Mixing bowls
Cookie sheets

Ribbon, string, or yarn

 

Divide the pasta into separate bowls. We chose to do red and green for our Christmas garlands. Add a little bit of water to each bowl. We used about a teaspoon for half of the box. Add food coloring until you get your desired color and mix well. Be careful, I ended up splashing the water and food coloring up my whole arm because I was over eager.

Once the pasta is completely covered spread it out on a cookie sheet in a single layer and leave it to dry at least a few hours, overnight is even better. If you are in a hurry you can put the cookie sheets into the oven at the lowest sitting for a few minutes be sure to watch them closely and don’t leave them unattended.

 Once dry, let your little ones at it. Use either heavy plastic needles or just tape the end of your yarn for easier stringing. Be sure to help them tie a knot on the first piece on so they don’t just fall off the other end.

The best part about this project is that if you have any leftover noodles just toss them into a pot of boiling water and you will have a fun and festive lunch.