Eeeeek! It's almost time for my daughter's 14th Birthday! Of course that means down -to-the-wire shopping for party decor, food, etc. Sadly, as she's gotten older, theme parties have become less common. One theme that hasn't gotten old though, is a night of pampering with her girlfriends. There's lots of cute themes you can add in with pampering from tea party, spa party, a French/Paris themed party, a Runway/Hollywood theme, to Mermaids and Unicorns (which I'm getting to work on one with a good friend who wanted to incorporate Perfectly Posh products).
This year my daughter has a thing for llamas, pineapples, and cacti/succulents (which may have rubbed off of me LOL). We usually do a sleepover, have a bar-b-que, or order up pizzas, but she mentioned she wanted a taco bar this time after attending a beautiful wedding last year that had one. So I got to thinking about it, and it sounded like the perfect mix for a fiesta!! SO, we're going to do just that I am totally using this inspiration, made by Tan to plan the decor and theme!
The only difference this year is the venue. We usually just do one at the house, but this year I WANT easy as possible. So, we're booking a hotel room...2 to be exact. They're adjoined, and one has a full kitchenette; Perfect for the taco bar. It also has an indoor pool and offers free breakfast meaning I won't have to miticuously clean my whole house; I can prep, make, and store all the food there if I needed to;I can buy all paper, tin, and plastic, and dispose of it after; I have a place to store everything like the ice cream and drinks, so no need for a cooler or ice; I don't have to wash and make up the beds after everyone; and best of all, I don't have to make breakfast. All the amenities are provided. (Now hoping all goes as planned, LOL.)
Anyways, onto decorations! First thing I do is scour my plastic bin full of party supplies. There are all sorts of themes (space, sharks, Star Wars, etc--lots of boy themes as the boys are still young). I have given away or resold a lot of it over the years as the kids have gotten older and have outgrown certain themes--most if not all--I bought on clearance at Target, cool finds at Dollar Tree, or a thrift store inexpensively at one time or another. For her fiesta though, I want to keep it simple. Then again, I also want guest to know it's a party without being to "kiddish." Foil colored plates are simple, right? ;P
For real though, here's my list:
At this point I'm thinking, "Do we really need to bring clothes in our luggage? Or can we get away with wearing out swim stuff and just pack night clothes, the food and supplies in them?" LOL. Seriously, the thought of bringing so much stuff sounds silly to me; but they actually do have party rooms, so it shouldn't be too out of place, right? That and my sister had my niece's 13th birthday party at the same place last year, but not quite as decorated, and she had pizza delivered. I'll just have to try and pack it all in my huge IKEA bags.
This year my daughter has a thing for llamas, pineapples, and cacti/succulents (which may have rubbed off of me LOL). We usually do a sleepover, have a bar-b-que, or order up pizzas, but she mentioned she wanted a taco bar this time after attending a beautiful wedding last year that had one. So I got to thinking about it, and it sounded like the perfect mix for a fiesta!! SO, we're going to do just that I am totally using this inspiration, made by Tan to plan the decor and theme!The only difference this year is the venue. We usually just do one at the house, but this year I WANT easy as possible. So, we're booking a hotel room...2 to be exact. They're adjoined, and one has a full kitchenette; Perfect for the taco bar. It also has an indoor pool and offers free breakfast meaning I won't have to miticuously clean my whole house; I can prep, make, and store all the food there if I needed to;I can buy all paper, tin, and plastic, and dispose of it after; I have a place to store everything like the ice cream and drinks, so no need for a cooler or ice; I don't have to wash and make up the beds after everyone; and best of all, I don't have to make breakfast. All the amenities are provided. (Now hoping all goes as planned, LOL.)
Anyways, onto decorations! First thing I do is scour my plastic bin full of party supplies. There are all sorts of themes (space, sharks, Star Wars, etc--lots of boy themes as the boys are still young). I have given away or resold a lot of it over the years as the kids have gotten older and have outgrown certain themes--most if not all--I bought on clearance at Target, cool finds at Dollar Tree, or a thrift store inexpensively at one time or another. For her fiesta though, I want to keep it simple. Then again, I also want guest to know it's a party without being to "kiddish." Foil colored plates are simple, right? ;P
For real though, here's my list:
- plates (Check out these cute pineapple plates I found at Dollar Tree for $1, the exact same ones I found at Crate & Barrel for $6.50 for a set of 8!)
- napkins,
- (free) cups I got from H-E-B for buying paper plates (and because I'm going to be cheap and use up all the 2 L sodas that came free with those meal deals from H-E-B! hahaha),
- wine for me (maybe I'll share with the adults who are more than likely just my Mom and sisters)
- plastic silverware for cake and ice cream,
- cake- (It's a taco!)
- plastic knife to cut--(would cupcakes be an easier, cleaner option so I don't have to cut?)
- ice cream (FREE--I'm going to use up my Schwan's Rewards and $5 off coupon)
- ice cream scoop (or maybe I should bring individual cups so no one has to scoop out? LOL)
- a banner or two (maybe use that one from her 8th birthday with her picture on it to be funny?)
- $1 pack of balloons for my little niece and nephews who will be stopping by
- handmade cactus table and counter decor (using old cardboard, paint, and tissue paper)
- tin pans (2 large, 3 small)
- 90% or more ground hamburger meat ( I always checkout the fresh ground for markdowns priced at 25% off at H-E-B)
- H-E-B Chicken Fajita (look for those $1.29/lb deals)-needs to be cooked, precook at home?
- pan to cook said meat and spoon because want to serve hot, or could keep warm in oven?
- sour cream
- salsa
- Beans (have Mom make? bring crock pot?)
- Tortilla Chips (lots--I'm sure they'll want to snack later)
- Flour Tortillas
- need to precut and package in tins at home:
- lettuce (hopefully not on recall by then)
- tomatoes
- pre-shredded cheese...or block cheese if cheaper, and have kids shred
- Extra trash bags
At this point I'm thinking, "Do we really need to bring clothes in our luggage? Or can we get away with wearing out swim stuff and just pack night clothes, the food and supplies in them?" LOL. Seriously, the thought of bringing so much stuff sounds silly to me; but they actually do have party rooms, so it shouldn't be too out of place, right? That and my sister had my niece's 13th birthday party at the same place last year, but not quite as decorated, and she had pizza delivered. I'll just have to try and pack it all in my huge IKEA bags.
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