The Great Outdoors: Tips for Planning Your Outdoor Party

Photo: AZ.gov

Winter in the Desert What do you do when your winter days are sunny and 70°? Plan an outdoor party, of course! Whether it’s a birthday party, a family reunion, a scouting event, or just a group of friends getting together, there’s nothing like spending time with friends and family in the great outdoors.

Location, location, location Now that you’ve decided to have an outdoor party, where should you have it? Backyard parties are lots of fun, economical, and very convenient. Parks are another great option, with lots of room for games and running around. Phoenix, AZ has lots of excellent parks, many with reservable ramadas. For large, corporate events, check out The Farm at South Mountain with its “dazzling 12 acre property that features multiple spaces to accommodate any group or any type of occasion.” Community centers and apartment club houses are also great options; many of which offer access to indoor and outdoor common areas.

Weather I may be biased, but I think Phoenix and surrounding areas have the best winter weather in the nation. Hands down. But for those questionable winter days, it’s best to check the weather forecast and have a backup plan. You may want to bring along an awning or tent or choose a location with easy access to an indoor area.

Food There are lots of great options when choosing food for your party. You may want to keep it simple and bring take-out items such as pizza or chicken. Barbecue is another great option as most any park has grills and barbecue food items are extensive enough to satisfy most anyone, even vegetarians. Finger foods and little sandwiches are great for younger guests and easy to clean up. Potlucks are a great way to have a variety of food with everyone pitching in to bring their favorite dish while minimizing the work for the party host. For parties with a theme, guests can bring a theme-based item. And for dessert, cupcakes are an easy, convenient alternative to cake.

Entertainment Outdoor parties are great for games that involve lots of running around and teamwork. Volleyball and kickball are fun activities for any age and easy enough to coordinate. For a creative activity, pottery painting is a great way to go and your friends at VanGo Pottery™ would love to help you plan your party! Other ideas include carnival games (don’t forget the prizes!), scavenger hunts, water balloon toss, and all the old favorites such as relay races, touch football, and tag.

Whatever your reason for having a party, remember, it’s all about spending time with friends and making memories. Whether you have a huge family reunion or a small gathering with friends, be sure to keep the planning, preparation, and price within your comfort zone. That way, you can be sure to enjoy the party as much as your guests.

Planning a Baby Shower: Skip the Games

Baby showers are a great way to honor and support Moms-to-be. But planning a shower can become overwhelming—deciding on location, theme, food, party favors, and games—turning an otherwise happy occasion into a daunting task. Before you know it, you are wishing you had never volunteered to host the shower.

A successful baby shower comes down to thoughtful planning and organization. You want the party to be fun and memorable and part of this involves coming up with fun baby shower games. But let’s face it, sometimes the usual shower games are not so fun and often are the dreaded part of the festivities.

Why not skip the games and do something fun and functional for the mom-to-be: pottery painting. Pottery painting is a lot of fun and a great way to bond with friends and family. And with the help of the staff at VanGo Pottery, your baby shower can be a memorable occasion that guests will be talking about for a long time.

You and your guests can paint a variety of items using colors and themes chosen by the mom to be. And with the guest of honor’s help, each piece will be a gift she and baby can use and treasure for years to come.

For the nursery, guests can paint items such as picture frames, light switch covers, tissue box covers, trinket boxes, piggy banks, and decorative tiles and plaques. For the kitchen, guests can paint matching plates, cups, and bowls as well as serving dishes and trays. Or how about a special tea set for mom to drink her favorite tea during those rare quiet times after baby is born. The possibilities are endless!

Here’s how it works: Contact VanGo Pottery (http://www.VanGoPottery.com) to discuss ideas and themes. The guest of honor can select pieces and colors ahead of time. We will come to your location and provide pottery, paints, brushes, and design tools. We will stay for up to 2 hours, providing assistance as needed and clean-up afterward. We then take the painted pieces back to our studio where we glaze and fire them, making them shiny, food-safe, and ready for delivery in about a week.

So put away the diaper pins and tape measure and call VanGo Pottery: 602.468.3136. Pottery painting is a great alternative to the usual party games and much more fun than guessing mommy’s tummy size. Less embarrassing, too.

Photos courtesy of http://www.ilovetocreate.com/.