Train Themed Birthday Party

This week I am going to tap into the archives of my blog and share some of my favorite posts from the past, as they seem appropriate this week. First, Happy Birthday Andrew! I miss you and love you and wish we were together this year to celebrate your special day.

Welcome to my new readers, thank you for your interest! There are lots of new and great posts in store, starting in July.


As I look back on 2009 with enormous pride and joy, I am grateful for the abundance of professional opportunities I have had in the last twelve months. I also realize while I have offered bits and pieces of some of my most memorable events, I have not thoroughly shared the beautiful images and details of them. As we begin to bid farewell to the year, please join me as I showcase some of the best events I have had the privilege to plan and coordinate in 2009.

Andrew’s Third Birthday Train Party

There was never a question of what the theme of this party would be, as this three year old boy is deeply committed to his train tracks, engines and play regime. While Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite, his mom wanted the party to be personal, creative and thoughtful.


The information on the invitation was thorough, yet presented in a creative verse. This set the tone for the party and gave guests an idea of what to expect.


The wooden train glued to the loot bag was purchased pre-cut at a craft store (they have many other non train options) and gives the bag a clean and natural look. Painting them at the party was an activity on my rain plan alternative in the case of inclement weather. Each bag had a pin stripped conductor hat, a red bandanna, a wooden train whistle (sorry parents!) an individual box of train shaped cookies and candy.


The play list of train themed songs we created for the party was burned to blank CDs for guests to take home. This is an inexpensive favor or filler for any type of party. The CD cover was customized to coordinate with the invites, loot bags and over all concept of the party.


This activity book was made special for Andrew. It featured trains and his birthday. It was filled with pages to color, mazes, puzzles and photos.


I used Martha Stewart's train punch to make the cardboard trains resting on each miniature cupcake. The cupcakes sat on wooden train tracks surrounding the cookie bouquet. They took main stage so no traditional cake was needed. The birthday candles rested in a deep glass of m&m's. Train lollipops and railroad gum adorned the table. When entertaining in a client's home, I try to use their service pieces when it's appropriate. It seems fitting, but in this case the client's beautiful crystal vases would have been a classic contradiction to this casual kid's birthday party. Instead I found Pellegrino bottles in their recycling. The colors coordinated perfectly!


These are Brigadeiros, traditional Brazilian candies. The young guest of honor is half Brazilian so in honoring his culture these were served with dessert. Made with sweetened condensed milk, they are beyond delicious!

The activities were a train pinata, Put the Conductor in the Train Game and swimming.

Good luck planning your next birthday party!


************************************************************************

Thanks to Andrew and his family for allowing me to help them celebrate this special day. Thank you to fabulous Michigan photographer, Jen Kroll for capturing the details of this birthday party.


What are the fondest birthday memories from your childhood?

Creative Children's Birthday Parties

I am delighted to announce my new collaboration with Raandesk Gallery.
Founder, Jessica Porter and I have partnered to bring you art themed birthday parties for children of all ages.

What does this entail?

-Exclusive use of Raandesk Art Gallery conveniently located in Chelsea for two hours of festivities.
-Paper or Online Invites and RSVP management
-Balloons, table decor and personalized Happy Birthday sign with your child's name
-One age appropriate art activity from the list below:

* Full body self-portraits: kids trace themselves onto large rolls of paper (double sided) and draw in their portrait, stuff it, staple it and voila!
* Skateboard painting and decorating: collection of stickers, paints and stencils to put on cutout skate boards made of foam core
* Create your own cartoon character: we bring examples of cartoon characters and the kids take different parts of each one to make their own personal character and name them
* Make puppets and put on a play
* Custom art activity based on your child’s interests and abilities.


+Kids lunch of sandwiches, seasonal pasta or potato salad, chips and beverage (provided by Whole Foods or comparable establishment)

+Personalized birthday cake (or cupcakes) and ice cream
+Paper plates, napkins, cups and serving utensils
+Goodie Bags for each guest
+Music
+Two birthday enthusiasts
+Special gift for the Birthday Child
+Party set up and clean up
+Peace of mind that everything will be taken care of on your child’s special day!

Please contact me for availability and with questions.
tammy@tammygolson.com 917.860.3312

Katie Brown, Meijers and Trains

During a recent trip to Michigan to help my dear friend plan her son's birthday party, I had time to shop at Meijers. It's a grocery store with a large Walmart/Target aspect to it. I had the luxury of walking the aisles (if you know me, this truly is a luxury) and discovered an amazing line of outdoor table top and entertaining items by none other than the fabulous Katie Brown! I've been a healthy fan of Katie's for over a decade, she creates entertaining books and television programs I love, use and reference often.


(This was my first Kate Brown book, it's an excellent source of innovation.)

My friend is truly open to and supportive of my party planning ideas and business. Last year we got an inexpensive glass beverage server at a popular discount store, that shall remain nameless. It leaked before the party started and we couldn't use it to serve lemonade. I think (hope) she took it back without problem. Katie Brown has a bigger and better glass beverage server, perfect for summertime refreshments! I did not think my friend would go for it the second year in a row. To my delight the purchase was not vetoed, instead the four gallon glass beverage dispenser was a huge hit! The four year old birthday boy-- loved it, because he could serve himself when thirsty. (cute photograph to come!)



This wooden runner was the other piece I simple could not resist and know I'll use again and again. I wasn't exactly sure how and if it would tie into the *recycled train themed party, but it was an excellent accent to the food table I had covered in lime green wrapping paper.


*When throwing a kid's party or entertaining casually outside, in lieu of the inexpensive uber-thin tablecloths that look like inexpensive uber-thin tablecloths consider:

-pretty wrapping paper by the roll
-craft brown paper offers a neutral foundation
-shelf paper works well as a runner
-fabric stores are an excellent source for table inspiration.


Katie Brown has a workshop in Red Hook, Brooklyn which is very close to where I reside. I have been very curious by the discrete sign on the workshop door as I've passed it in a car, but I've been unable to obtain more information about it. Thanks to twitter, as I returned to New York, I found out her workshop is now open to the public and her merchandise is on sale. I can't wait to check it out. Who is going to come with me? Hours are: M-F 9-6pm


*Why was the party recycled trains? Because it was the guest of honor's second train party consecutively on his request, of course. After much effort to tempt him with puppies, dinosaurs and construction themed birthday parties, we (his mom and I) decided to applaud his passion and his perseverance. While we recycled some ideas that worked well last year, we introduced new trains, colors and ideas to give the party an original look.

Party Etiquette

It's party season or at least I have been invited to my share of events lately. The lovely shower I attended last Saturday was the inspiration behind this post.

Ten tips on how to be a good guest:

1. Haven't gotten your spring pedicure yet? Tuck a pair of socks in your bag. If the hostess prefers you to leave your shoes at the door, you won't be uncomfortable to obey. (Elise, I forgot to return your socks, I am sorry, they are going to be washed and returned, I promise--with the internet as my witness!)

2. Confirm the address and directions before you leave the house. Don't rely on your memory or hand held device to get you where you are going. Apparently evite and the iPhone aren't compatible. I tried to click on the link and got an error message. Fortunately, my dear friend was available to hack into my gmail account (thanks Gabrielle!) and retrieved the information for me. This technical difficulty delayed my arrival.

3. Sometimes it's not what you give, but how you give it. My friend is having twin girls (how lucky is she!) I found adorable dresses with matching hats and shoes but instead of wrapping them in a box and tying it with a ribbon, I was inspired by the season. I got two Easter baskets. I filled them with pink grass, candy eggs, and put pink m&m's and pacifiers in plastic eggs and jelly beans in clear plastic baby bottles. The gift was complete with chick peeps. In the card, I wrote that I was looking forward to meeting her baby chicks!

4. I am invited to my friend's sister's husband's retirement party. It's fancy, I am excited to wear a dress and not be working. I love a party and they are a great family. I admittedly don't know the guest of honor well enough to personalize a gift for him. I was going to bake him cookies and wrap them in a lovely box. My friend tells me he is not into sweets. (I clearly don't understand, but...) Instead a mutual friend said she was going to bring wine. You can certainly personalize it with a wine bag, wrapping paper or a custom label... instead I am going to get lottery tickets, just a few to wrap around the wine bottle.

5. RSVP. My mom recently told me that she let my cousin know on the day-of that she wasn't coming to her daughter's birthday party. I sarcastically said that, that was kind of her to let her know, as now she can plan her food purchasing and preparing accordingly. Many people do put much thought into making sure they have enough seats, plates, food, party favors, goody bags, space, etc. The courtesy of a reply can save your hostess time, money and effort.

6.) Someone recently asked me, do I need to bring a gift? NEED to? no. But if you're stumped, gift cards, a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of liquor or chocolates are perfectly acceptable last minute and little effort gifts that are often appreciated.

7.) The only blackberries (or iPhones) at the party should be in the fruit salad or on top of the cupcakes. There are of course exceptions, depending on the circumstances.

8.) One of the lovely things I took from this shower, was from the gift giving. The hosts had each guest take the gift she brought and hand it to the guest of honor. After the mom-to-be opened it, the host photographed the mom-to-be with her friend and the gift. How nice is this for thank you card writing time! I love this modern twist on the hand written list of gifts received and who gave them.

9.) In New York it's common to have a doorman. Know the hosts last name or the apartment number. Hosts: Is the name the doorman knows you buy the same name on the invitation? Be sure to let your doorman know you're expecting company.

10.) Growing up in my family, parties were always a more the merrier, casual type of affair. We overcooked and rarely started gatherings on time. When I first moved to New York, I was invited to an engagement party, and that in itself should have made me take notice (engagement parties are less common in Wisconsin) Because the party was outside of the city and I wasn't yet comfortable navigating the outer boroughs, I brought a friend. The hosts were gracious and my guest and I had a great time, but it was a seated dinner and initially I was embarrassed for not having realized this. Check with the host before bringing uninvited guests.


Do you have a stash of gifts to pull from when you need something in a crunch? What has been your favorite gift recently? What was the worst gift you remember getting? What are your party pet peeves?

Happy April Fool's Day! Did anyone get you good this year?


Photo credit: Elan Artists

Best Kid's Party of 2009

As I look back on 2009 with enormous pride and joy, I am grateful for the abundance of professional opportunities I have had in the last twelve months. I also realize while I have offered bits and pieces of some of my most memorable events, I have not thoroughly shared the beautiful images and details of them. As we begin to bid farewell to the year, please join me as I showcase some of the best events I have had the privilege to plan and coordinate in 2009.

Andrew’s Third Birthday Train Party

There was never a question of what the theme of this party would be, as this three year old boy is deeply committed to his train tracks, engines and play regime. While Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite, his mom wanted the party to be personal, creative and thoughtful.


The information on the invitation was thorough, yet presented in a creative verse. This set the tone for the party and gave guests an idea of what to expect.


The wooden train glued to the loot bag was purchased pre-cut at a craft store (they have many other non train options) and gives the bag a clean and natural look. Painting them at the party was an activity on my rain plan alternative in the case of inclement weather. Each bag had a pin stripped conductor hat, a red bandanna, a wooden train whistle (sorry parents!) an individual box of train shaped cookies and candy.


The play list of train themed songs we created for the party was burned to blank CDs for guests to take home. This is an inexpensive favor or filler for any type of party. The CD cover was customized to coordinate with the invites, loot bags and over all concept of the party.


This activity book was made special for Andrew. It featured trains and his birthday. It was filled with pages to color, mazes, puzzles and photos.


I used Martha Stewart's train punch to make the cardboard trains resting on each miniature cupcake. The cupcakes sat on wooden train tracks surrounding the cookie bouquet. They took main stage so no traditional cake was needed. The birthday candles rested in a deep glass of m&m's. Train lollipops and railroad gum adorned the table. When entertaining in a client's home, I try to use their service pieces when it's appropriate. It seems fitting, but in this case the client's beautiful crystal vases would have been a classic contradiction to this casual kid's birthday party. Instead I found Pellegrino bottles in their recycling. The colors coordinated perfectly!


These are Brigadeiros, traditional Brazilian candies. The young guest of honor is half Brazilian so in honoring his culture these were served with dessert. Made with sweetened condensed milk, they are beyond delicious!

The activities were a train pinata, Put the Conductor in the Train Game and swimming.

Good luck planning your next birthday party!


************************************************************************

Thanks to Andrew and his family for allowing me to help them celebrate this special day. Thank you to fabulous Michigan photographer, Jen Kroll for capturing the details of this birthday party.


What are the fondest birthday memories from your childhood?

Planning a Birthday Party

While I have great clients, I am guilty of playing favorites! Luckily my three year old godson in Michigan is one of them. Planning his birthday this year was so much fun. The morning of his party was like Christmas morning. He took my hand and guided me through each room in the house that had fun things for his birthday. Everything he showed me was followed by a: "for my birthday!"

Jen Kroll, the extraordinary wedding photographer came by early to capture the details of the day, before heading out-of-town to shoot a wedding. I am so grateful to her. I look forward to unveiling her photos soon.

Planning a Birthday Party:

-Start thinking and planning early.
-Consider your child's interests. Find inspiration in their playroom, on their bookshelf or from their imagination. Take a common idea and find a way to personalize it.
-Do less well vs. more sloppy. It's okay to aim for the sky with your intentions, but if everything does not get done, don't panic. You have not published the menu or the itinerary and no one will be the wiser if you eliminate a game or forgo the potato salad.
-Delegate and enlist help when necessary. Even if the help is from a local bakery, it's okay!
-Childrens' parties are an excellent opportunity to explore and experiment with DIY projects, especially when it comes to invitations, goody bags and decorations. (If the results are unsuccessful, you don't have to use them or you can tell guests your child helped you.) No one will criticize a parent for trying, on the contrary.
- Keep it simple, the first few years are for you and they won't remember the details, but be bold and have fun with bright colors, balloons and silly things that aren't always appropriate for other events.
-Remember this is a celebration and it should be fun, schedule time to relax and enjoy yourself.