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Anniversary Party Ideas

Tuesday, March 1st, 2022

couple celebrating 55th annivesary with balloons

While we often think of an anniversary as being between members of a married couple, there are other important anniversaries in our lives. For example, best friends can celebrate the day they met or friend groups could celebrate the way they came together. People also celebrate sobriety birthdays or 100-day celebrations as well.

No matter what type of anniversary you’re celebrating this year or how many years you and your loved ones have been together, there are a wide variety of celebrations to choose from. An anniversary party can be any size…often the success of the event really just boils down to capturing the spirit of the milestone. Read on for our anniversary party ideas!

Happy Anniversary Balloons

Getting balloons for your anniversary is one of the quickest, easiest ways to spruce up a space. You can get them numbered to match the day you’re celebrating. Most people who are celebrating anything other than a wedding anniversary stick with silver for a 25th year anniversary party or gold for a 50th anniversary party.

You can make up your own though: number balloons come in all colors, and you don’t have to make them say “anniversary.” Or, if you want the word “anniversary” you can spell it out with letter balloons.

Don’t forget balloon decorations can create some pretty cool effects as well. For example, if you’re having a big party you can make an arch with the numbers in the middle. You’d then adorn them with spirals on the side. Or go for several balloon bouquets.

30th anniversary party spelled in balloons

Other Anniversary Party Decorations

There are loads of other ideas for anniversary party decorations you can come up with.

For example, anniversaries are all about numbers, so try putting numbers on sticks. These can be waved, or be placed in a plant or vase to make a centerpiece. You can target the time of year as well: during the fall one of our customers put succulents in mini-pumpkins and then decorated them with a wreath, which we thought was very creative.

You can also use glitter, glue, and stencils to decorate just about anything.

Themed Favors for Anniversary Parties

If you’re doing a wedding anniversary then every anniversary has a theme, such as “paper,” or “wood.” You’re not bound to those if you’re doing a friendaversary, but you can still use them for inspiration.

If you do, you can then create favors based around those themes. You don’t have to be literal about it: if it’s a sapphire anniversary then you can just offer sapphire blue favors; you don’t have to literally shower people with jewels.

A Nice Meal

What would an anniversary celebration be without a wonderful meal? You can go small or elaborate depending on who you’re throwing your anniversary party for. If you’re having a backyard anniversary party then there’s nothing wrong with a BBQ, but something more elegant is usually appropriate.

Friendaversaries can be a little bit more low-key. For those, you might consider tapas or other small plates just to keep things light and fun.

cake with candles numbered 50 for annivesary party

Anniversary Cupcakes or Cookies

What’s for dessert? You’ve got a lot of options, but we recommend cupcakes or cookies.

Cupcakes and cookies offer nice places to put celebratory numbers, either as candles or as decorative icing. They’re also nice single-serve treats that you can make or buy in dozens of different colors.

candles spelling happy on cupcakes for anniversary

Are You Planning Your Anniversary Party Ideas on a Budget?

Remember you don’t have to buy most of your anniversary party decorations! It’s perfectly okay to just make yours. Doing so can be a lot of fun and can make your celebration a lot more personal…and it can save you some money, too!

Need supplies for your anniversary celebration? Whether you’re making them yourself or want them ready-to-go, Paper Plus can help. Stop by to see what we have in stock!

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As We Head into 2022, Party Days Are Here Again

Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

paper party decorations

Everybody wanted to see the end of 2020. Some people even posted signs that said, “Happy New Year, Good Riddance, 2020.”

Maybe it’s 2021 they should have been looking to say goodbye to though because 2021 is where we turned the corner. We know, because we know what nobody bought in 2020, and we know what is starting to fly off the shelves today.

What’s made a comeback?

boy blowing out birthday candles Bulk plates, napkins, forks, spoons, table rolls, and cups tell us people are starting to launch big gatherings once more. People are also pulling out the stops on their parties a lot more than they used to. We’re seeing lots of requests for all theme decorations. This year is the perfect year to finally run that Luau party, that Pride party, or that Mardi Gras party you’ve been putting off.

One big return to normalcy is kids are having birthday parties again, but they’re simpler. Whereas we used to see big, expensive parties, now we’re watching parents take off with craft items in big quantities, such as beads that will let the whole group make jewelry together. This is a nice trend, one that perhaps signals an emphasis on spending face-to-face time together, talking with friends.

We also see a more whimsical spirit, because people are buying wearables: buttons, sashes, hats, tiaras.

People are starting to relax a little because bubbles are blowing off the shelves. Prior to that nobody wanted to see anyone blow germs around. Candles are back for birthday cakes…another sign that people are a little less afraid.

girl blowing bubbles Kids aren’t the only ones partying. Plastic champagne and wine glasses are flying off the shelves, too! People are also buying platters for big dinner parties.

We can also tell that organizations are starting to run events once more. We’re seeing things like raffle tickets sell, which is a sure sign of groups that are running little backyard fairs and other, similar fun events.

What’s new?

One big surprise is that certain things that people were handling via email or the internet are now being handled with physical, paper snail mail. That is, a lot of people are coming in both for real paper invitations and for thank you notes. It indicates a nice shift back to a highly personal touch.

Ready to get back in the game?

If you’ve been a little slow to jump back on the entertaining trend then now may be the time. Start planning for your New Year’s party now, or find something fun in January’s 119 other holidays to create a party around. National Hot Buttered Rum day on January 17th? National Popcorn Day on January 19th? National Cheese Lover’s Day on January 20th? You know you can do something cool with this!

If you do, your local party store is waiting to help. Talk to the employees: they’ll have ideas and suggestions that can make your party even better.

We’re doing everything we can to keep these hot items in stock! Stop on by and see us and we’ll help you make your next bash a real blow-out!

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How to Have the Best Glow-in-the-Dark Party this Halloween

Friday, October 1st, 2021

glowing halloween decorations

Glow-in-the-dark parties are a fun way to celebrate a super spooky Halloween. With the right supplies, you can transform your home, garage, or backyard into a spooky monster revelry zone that your guests will absolutely love.

In fact, these parties are perfect for kids and adults alike.

Here are a few glow-in-the-dark party ideas to get you started.

Glow-in-the-Dark Decorations

Let’s start with the decorations. You can start with glow-in-the-dark balloons (these would make a great balloon costume, too!). You don’t have to stop there, though. Glow in the dark paint can help you transform your jack-o-lanterns into spooky sentinels. Add a few glow sticks to jars wrapped with a little masking tape, add some googly eyes, and you’ve got little mummies to turn into centerpieces.

Grab black plastic tablecloths and splatter them with glow paint, then add them to all of your tables.

To get the best results you’re going to want to block out all the light, so cover all your windows in black builders plastic. You can splatter those with glow paint, too! You’re also going to want to add LED black lights to ensure all your glowy items look their best.

glow in the dark bottles halloween You can find pre-made glow-in-the-dark decorations too. There are glowy party letters, glowy balloons, and other fluorescent and neon party supplies that can help you make your space look amazing. Use your imagination!

Glow-in-the-Dark Party Favors

You can create glow-in-the-dark confetti and place it into jars to create some awesome party favors that people love at just about any age. The same paint could be used to glow up small bags that can hold just about anything, from candy to tiny bottles of alcohol.

Glow Party Food

glow in the dark ghosts halloween You’d be amazed how many party foods you can make glow. Certain ingredients do it naturally, including tonic water, cooking oil, eggs, honey, olive oil, ketchup, pineapples, and milk.

Some foods also reflect black light, like marshmallows, white bread, pasta, rice, and chips.

Create food that incorporates any of these glow-up ingredients or use some of the ideas below.

Here are a few ideas:

Here’s one last trick: you can add liquid vitamin B2 to foods to add some additional glow!

Glow-in-the-Dark Party Ideas for Adults

You’ve already seen how just about any adult party cocktail can be given a glow-up.

glow in the dark facepaint halloween

Pump up the jams, make sure there’s plenty of space on the dance floor, and add some tiny liquor bottles to your glow-in-the-dark piñata, put plenty of food out and you should have the party atmosphere good to go.

Glow-in-the-Dark Face Paint

What would Halloween be without face paint? Get a black light makeup kit and get creative. Go spooky with ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, or skeleton features.

We’ve got all your glow-in-the-dark party supplies right here!

Here at Paper Plus, we keep all sorts of glow-in-the-dark party supplies in stock. Stop by and we’ll help you stock up for your Halloween party!

Tags: halloween, party decorations
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How to Celebrate Your Birthday While Social Distancing

Thursday, May 7th, 2020

two handfuls rainbow sprinkles

Though the Berkeley area is gradually reopening, social distancing as much as possible will remain a smart idea until a COVID-19 vaccine is found and is widely available. This can be a bummer for those who have to stay at home on their birthday. It can be especially rough on kids in quarantine.

COVID-19 is forcing all of us to get creative. Fortunately, creativity is the key to launching an amazing socially distanced birthday party! Here are six ideas to get you started.

1. Launch a Socially-Distanced Birthday Parade

You’ll need to recruit family, friends, and neighbors to support your loved one on their birthday. Have them decorate their cars with streamers, happy birthday posters, and whatever else their creativity can come up with.

Then ask them to drive by the house. Have each person bring one balloon, and you’ll have one big birthday bunch at the end.

This idea is especially great because it gets to the heart of what a birthday celebration is all about: showing someone that they’re loved! It doesn’t take a huge party to accomplish that, and the effort it takes to organize and turn out for a parade does such a great job of communicating the sentiment while making the recipient feel special.

2. Go Big on Yard Decorations

backyard birthday celebration chocolate cake If you’ve got a yard then put it to use! Go big with large-letter signs, posters, a balloon bouquet, and more.

You don’t have to be the sole source of these decorations. Ask friends and loved ones to stop by and add giant cards to the mix. Your birthday person can read the cards when it’s time to return the yard to normal.

Going big can be hilarious and can make your loved one feel extra special.

And how about a night of backyard camping?

3. Get a Cameo

Does your loved one have a favorite celebrity? If so, they might be on Cameo.com, especially right now. This site accommodates everyone from Instagram influencers to Clark Gregg, who plays Agent Phil Coulson in ABC’s “Agents of SHIELD.”

You’ll find celebrity chefs, reality show stars, rock stars, and baby animals all waiting to make a video, especially for your loved one.

Each star sets their own cost. When the video is done you get a link, which means you can send it to them by email, text, or via your favorite messenger program. For the true fan being personally recognized for a short video can be an absolutely thrilling experience, and may entirely make up for being stuck at home.

4. Party By Mail

birthday cards This is an especially effective celebration for family and friend groups who are scattered across the country, especially if video chats aren’t an option. Pick out one thing your loved one really enjoys: bears, frogs, teacups, unicorns, whatever.

Then, use social media or email to recruit as many people as possible into sending pictures, cards, and small tokens on this theme. These don’t have to be expensive! A teddy bear picture or construction-paper cut out can be just as meaningful as an actual teddy bear.

Try to arrange this all about a month before the birthday so the mail will all come in at once.

This is especially lovely for younger children, who are often absolutely enamored with the idea of receiving any kind of mail.

5. Participate in a Global Scavenger Hunt

small white dog outside with birthday hat If you haven’t heard of GISH yet, now might be a great time to check it out. GISH stands for the “Greatest International Global Scavenger Hunt.” Usually, GISH takes place for one week every year and inspires people to do things like create giant replicas of board games or to do silly things in costume out in public, all while earning money for the charity Random Acts, which has gone on to do a huge amount of good all over the world.

Right now GISH is hosting 24-hour quarantine “hunts” at home, and each scavenger hunt item is designed to be do-able at home. Some involve Zoom chats, others involve making art, and still, others involve making funny videos. At the moment, all funds are going to keeping kids fed during the COVID-19 crisis.

If your birthday person’s special day happens to fall on or near the next hunt, you could form a team of family or friends and spend the day competing to finish as many items as possible. It’s a great way to bring everybody together while making a difference…and yes, younger kids can participate too!

6. Host a Virtual Party

virtual birthday via zoom showing two dogs on zoom Video chats have become the coronavirus go-to for social interactions of every kind. How can you turn it into a party?

One way is to get everyone to dress up. Have a princess party, space party, or zombie party by having everyone dress up. Host some good video-chat party games like charades or Pictionary. Or just get together, have some good food, and chat.

If you need a little more structure you might try a karaoke party. If you have Discord or another streaming platform you can share party games like the ones put out by Jackbox Games.

The Netflix Party app is another awesome option, allowing your family and friends to watch a movie together while commenting in a shared chat.

Plan, Get Supplies, Go Nuts

child celebrating quarantine birthday with cake The specifics of what you do don’t really matter. What matters is showing your love for each other on your birthday, spending time together, and having some fun. Think outside the box, gather some art or party supplies, and try not to let your disappointment over not having “normal” birthday activities bring down the mood.

Still, don’t forget to order some ice cream and cake via delivery. We don’t want to throw all the traditions out the window just because this virus might be around for a while, and cake is sacrosanct.

Come on by!

Starting May 9th, 2020, Paper Plus is offering all your party supplies, as well as some essential items, in a properly socially-distanced environment. Grab your mask and visit our store to stock up on all your birthday needs. We are located at 1629 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley, CA. Question? Give us a call at 510-525-1799.

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The Best Earth Day Activities for Kids and Adults

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020

earth day letters around earth

Earth Day is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to do your part as a steward of the planet. If you have kids, this is a wonderful opportunity to empower them with the tools and knowledge to create less waste, more plants, and a cleaner future. Here are five Earth Day activities for a fun, informative, and helpful celebration that takes into account our current social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19.

Plant a Vegetable Garden

Nothing tastes better than vegetables, herbs, and fruits that you planted yourself. Not only is gardening meditative, but it’s also fun for kids. Children love getting dirty and then watching their hard work grow to fruition. Having a garden helps reduce your carbon footprint while creating an aesthetically pleasing landscape. Include your community by sharing the

children planting garden earth day

bounty at harvest (be sure to socially distance while sharing). It’s also a great way to teach kids that our food doesn’t just come from the grocery store.

If you live in an area or home that isn’t conducive to having a garden, or you just don’t have time, purchase your produce from local farmers. Find the schedule for your local farmers’ market or sign up for a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, and get fresh, local, and seasonal produce every week.

Earth Day Crafts and Activities for Kids

child finished artwork for earth day activity Gather your kids and recycled and reusable materials to create fun, practical, and decorative crafts. Look for items around the house that you aren’t using anymore and find creative ways to upcycle them.

One easy and useful craft is creating masks out of old shirts and shoelaces. Or gather old sweaters and make fingerless gloves to keep your hands warm in cooler seasons. Create a recycled wind chime with old mason jar screw tops, hardware, and anything else you might otherwise throw away.

Commit to Using Less Plastic

Virtually rally your neighbors, family members, and friends and ask them to commit to using less plastic. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store, keeping a stash in your trunk or by your door so you never forget them. Purchase reusable sandwich and snack bags from eco-friendly stores and discontinue your use of zipper storage bags.

Take things a step further and seek bath and body goods that are not packaged in plastic. Every tiny step counts. The trick is to not get overwhelmed; rid yourself of one type of plastic and when that becomes a new habit, move to another.

Celebrate With Compostable Earth Day Party Supplies

corn cup with stars When you have wrapped up your Earth Day activities, consider hosting a shelter-in-place Earth Day party, with healthy food and supplies you might have around the house.

Not sure if balloons are suitable for an Earth Day celebration? Latex balloons are compostable and have the biodegradability of a maple leaf. We busted the myth about balloons being harmful to the environment here. So, go ahead and celebrate Earth day with balloons!

Your party won’t be complete without compostable Earth Day products if you have them on hand. These products have come a long way and you can now find compostable napkins, plates, cups, and utensils that are both stylish and Earth-friendly. So you can celebrate knowing that your Earth Day party won’t be bad for the environment.

While we’re all staying in for Earth Day 2020, for your next Earth Day celebration, call us at (510) 525-1799 or drop in at 1629 San Pablo Ave. in Berkley to browse our wide selection of stylish Earth-friendly decorations, utensils, and more.

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Throw the Perfect Birthday Party with These Unicorn Party Supplies

Sunday, March 1st, 2020

unicorn cake with horn white pink

Unicorns are gaining popularity in the tiny worlds of little munchkins. While unicorns have been associated with fairy tales in the past, they are currently holding their own in the minds of imaginative children. Take a look around the next time you are out and about and it’ll be hard not to notice a sparkly and colorful unicorn adorning children’s t-shirts, hats, and even shoes. They’re so popular now, that unicorn birthday parties have become a favorite for little ones.

Looking for unicorn party ideas? We’ve put together this list of unicorn party favors, activities, decorations, and unicorn party supplies so that you can host a unicorn themed party like a pro.

Unicorn Party Activities

Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Nope! Pin the Horn on the Unicorn!!

Remember the old Pin the Tail on the Donkey that we used to play as kids? Well, donkey has spruced himself up a bit! Pin the Horn on the Unicorn is fun, popular, and guaranteed to create giggles and laughter. This is a favorite unicorn party supply you don’t want to leave out!

Make Your Own Unicorn Horn

When it’s time to settle the kids a bit, take out the craft supplies and lead the party goers in a unicorn-themed activity where they get to create their own unicorn headband, complete with a horn! Cotton candy cones are the perfect shape for DIY unicorn horns. Grab some paper for strips that the kids can wrap around their heads. Lay out some craft unicorn party supplies, like unicorn stickers, paint supplies, markers, glitter, and glue, and let the children get creative. There are all types of unicorn stickers and supplies that kids will love placing on their own, personal unicorn headband.

Play Unicorn Dress Up

After the kids have made their unicorn-horn headbands, offer up a box of sparkly dress-up items like tutus, unicorn t-shirts, and fun silk scarves. Don’t forget a wand to make the magic complete! A rainbow wand will make the kiddos feel like they are playing in a true unicorn haven.

Make Your Own Unicorn Backdrop

Make your venue look like a fairy tale with a unicorn backdrop. A day or two before the party, you and your kids can work together using glitter, paint, markers, and stickers to color in grassy hills, pink clouds, and colorful rainbows. Hang the unicorn backdrop on the wall for pictures and let the kids’ imaginations run wild. For even more unicorn fun, give the kids glitter or rainbow markers, and have them sign the backdrop with birthday wishes!

Unicorn Party Favors

Create a unicorn goody-bag for the children to take home with unicorn party favors. In addition to a variety of unicorn stickers, unicorn tattoos will complete any good bag! Kids love wearing fake unicorn tattoos to school and to the playground to show their friends.

Want to go big? Other animals rock the unicorn horn too! Add a stuffed rabbit or llama for the most talked-about goody bag of the year! Pick up unicorn sunglasses and candles, and your party favor bag is complete.

Unicorn Party Decorations

Give your child the best unicorn party ever with the perfect unicorn decorations. Hang up a unicorn happy birthday banner along with multiple unicorn balloons. Or a balloon bouquet! Kids love balloons that are in the shape of unicorn heads. Think of getting balloons in super bright colors like pink, purple, yellow, green, blue, orange, and rainbow.

Get into the magic by making a colorful unicorn balloon arch. It’s the perfect addition to a unicorn party where kids can take pictures or walk through as they pretend it’s a magical portal to a unicorn fairyland. Make sure and grab streamers in multiple colors to give your venue that unicorn sparkle. And don’t forget the unicorn cake, glitter cupcakes, and rainbow ice cream as a special cherry on top for the perfect unicorn party.

We carry everything you need to create magic at your next unicorn birthday party. Come on by Paper Plus at 1629 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley, or give us a call at 510-525-1799.

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How to Create Incredible Kwanzaa Decorations

Sunday, December 1st, 2019

kwanzaa-candles-and-table-decorations

Kwanzaa decorations aren’t easy to find. Despite the fact that it’s been celebrated since 1966, few companies make or sell them. Those that do have been selling the same patterns for over 25 years.

In fact, many people only know the holiday in passing.

What is Kwanzaa?

The name comes from a Swahili phrase: “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.”

Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday. Though it’s celebrated from December 26 to January 1st, it is a harvest festival. It is not a replacement for Christmas.

Some people assume the holiday draws from many different religious traditions, but this isn’t quite the case. The holiday is cultural, not religious. Much of this confusion arises from the presence of the Kwanzaa candelabra known as the kinura in the traditional celebration. The kinura resembles a menorah, but they are not the same.

Kwanzaa is meant to be available and accessible to black people of any religious faith. It is a celebration of the rich history and culture found in so many forms throughout black societies around the world.

Who Celebrates Kwanzaa?

18 million people of African descent celebrate Kwanzaa worldwide. But people of all racial backgrounds are often welcomed to the celebration.

Those who do not share any recent African heritage (all human life made its first appearance in Africa) should approach any celebrations with respect, just as a Christian might when invited to attend a Hanukkah celebration.

In America, only about 35% of the black population currently celebrates the holiday. Many of our readers will celebrate the holiday for the first time this year!

How to Decorate for Kwanzaa

Every good celebration starts with great decorations.

The Seven Days of Kwanzaa

Each day of Kwanzaa has its own symbolic meaning.

● December 26th – Umoja – Unity
● December 27th – Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
● December 28th – Ujima – Collective Work & Responsibility
● December 29th – Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
● December 30th – Nia – Purpose
● December 31st – Kuumba – Creativity
● December 1st – Imani – Faith

The meanings of these 7 Kwanzaa principles each weave in and out of traditional decorations.

Kwanzaa Decorations

Mekeka

First, you need mekeka. These are woven placemats symbolizing the family. These are typically green, red, yellow, and black. Though they would traditionally be woven out of straw, creating them out of construction paper is among the popular Kwanzaa activities for kids.

Kinura

kwanzaa-candles Next, you’ll need the kinura, which is the candle holder itself. This represents the parents. If you’re handy you can find nearly everything you need to make your own down at the hardware store.

Candles

The Kwanzaa candles are the next traditional decoration. You’ll need three red ones to signify struggle, three green ones to signify the future, and one black one to signify the African people.

Unity Cup

The “unity cup” is next. These can be made of wood, but you can also make yours with a colorful plastic party glass wound round with festive beads, affixed to the goblet with hot glue. You’re not bound by the three traditional Kwanzaa colors here: the cup is used to pour libations in memory of deceased loved ones or ancestors. Thus, you could use any colors that remind you of these individuals. The glass itself should be in one of the three traditional colors if it is not made out of wood.

Vibunzi

Next up is the vibunzi. This is an ear of corn meant to signify each child. Using colorful decorative corn is one option. Another is to make festive corn husk vases for each child. Use hot glue to affix a corn husk to a short glass, a little wood stain to give the husks a nice color, and colorful braided yarn to add visual interest. You can wrap strands of yarn at the top and bottom, or around the middle. Affix the yarn with your glue gun, then add festive flowers.

Mazao

The mazao is next: a bowl of your freshest fruits and vegetables to symbolize the harvest.

Zawadi

Finally, the zawadi: gifts for each child. This is another Kwanzaa tradition which causes some people a lot of confusion, as it might look a lot like a Christmas or Hanukkah tradition. But Kwanzaa gifts aren’t meant to be games or toys. They usually consist of a book and a symbol of cultural heritage.

“Choose the Best and Most Beautiful”

The Official Kwanzaa Website offers guidance on how to celebrate Kwanzaa. One of the principles is that celebrants should not mix the symbols or decorations with those that come from any other culture. They may draw from other religions, but should be African in execution.

The other is that celebrants should choose the best and most beautiful decorations they can find or create.

Other Ideas for Your Kwanzaa Celebration

Many celebrants choose to give each other Kwanzaa cards. As with the decorations, there are very few pre-printed or pre-made options.

Thus, it’s a great time of year to get creative! You can create your own cards. Use heavy card stock, markers, or other creative touches to send well wishes that are entirely your own.

You can also make some of your zawadi. For example, the cultural heritage symbol could be a handmade string of colorful beads, or a small African drum.

Here at Paper Plus, we do have plenty of materials that can help you make all the decorations, cards, and gifts mentioned in this article. Stop by at 1629 San Pablo in Berkeley, CA and ask what we’ve got in stock right now!

We can help you make your Kwanzaa celebration truly special this year.

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How to DIY Your Elopement Party

Friday, November 1st, 2019

bride-and-groom-elopement-cupcakes

Once upon a time, couples who wanted to elope would skip town, the elopement party, and just head to a courthouse, sometimes across state lines. Elopement usually happened when the families disapproved.

But today it means something else entirely. “Elopement” has come to describe small, cozy weddings with a handful of cherished guests, either close to home or destination. These weddings and elopement parties can often be thrown for a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding with hundreds of guests. They’re also a relatively low-stress, low-key option.

Elopement allows you to create an intimate, meaningful wedding. And when you DIY as much of it as possible, you don’t just save money. You put your heart and soul into creating something that’s truly unique. Here’s everything you need to become your own elopement planner.

Elopement Ceremony and Elopement Party Checklist

Here are all the things you’ll have to think about when planning your elopement.

Elopement Venues

couple-eloping-ring-ceremony. Choosing a venue is about more than finding a pretty location and booking it. It requires a lot of advance planning, as well as an awareness of the local laws governing marriages.

You’re likely actually going to choose two venues here. Many couples will still choose a courthouse to get married in, before moving everyone to a gorgeous location for the reception. If that’s what you’re doing, we’ve got you covered!

When choosing your venue, consider:

● Whether you’ll need a separate appointment for your marriage license.
● Whether the courthouse requires you to book ahead or allows walk-ins. Booking may be better, as you don’t want to get your guests to the courthouse only to force them to wait on someone else’s wedding!
● Whether the courthouse allows you to book.
● Whether the courthouse allows you to offer your own vows.
● Triple check the laws if you’re eloping in another country.

Do some calling around. For the most part, you’re going to want to book early. Choose your top reception locations, and then call courthouses near those venues. Call each reception location to make sure it’s available too. If you find matching times for the reception and courthouse, you’ve won!

If you absolutely can’t book both locations for the same day, and are adamant about having your wedding in a specific spot, then give the reception area preference. Some couples don’t invite anyone but witnesses to the courthouse and instead invite everyone to the reception.

couple-eloping-holding-hands. If that’s you, then you can get legally married a week or two before the reception. Your announcements and invites would then say that you got married, where, and when, with a warm invitation to attend the upcoming elopement party.

Some people choose to hold the reception closer to home, opting to get married in a city by themselves with no guests, enjoy their honeymoon, and then come home for the elopement party. This could save many of your guests a fortune in travel costs.

Elopement Attire

You’ll want to talk to your partner about how you’re going to dress for the ceremony, and for the reception. You don’t have to go crazy with color coordination, but you’ll want to match your level of formality.

For example, many eloping brides prefer white dresses with simple, clean lines, formal enough for work or any party but available at any department store. This prevents you from having to purchase or rent an elaborate wedding dress. If you take that route, then the groom might want to wear a simple suit instead of a tux. Slacks, a vest, and a crisp shirt are a good choice too. These items play well at the reception, too.

You might both want to at least visit a local tailor to make sure the fit is spot-on. This is still your day!

Elopement Announcements and Invitations

This is one of the areas where you can get truly creative by making your own announcements and invitations. Here are some elopement announcement ideas.

For a Formal Elopement Party

Get heavy card stock and a calligraphy kit to write out each invitation or announcement by hand.

For a Less Formal Elopement Party

For weddings where you didn’t invite any guests at all, send a “Reception Only!” card. Write the words right at the top in big, bold letters, and then add the details in smaller ones. Gel pens on heavy card stock will produce outstanding results.

For a Backyard Elopement Party

Have a little fun with stencils to put on-theme decorations on your invitation. You don’t even have to use the word “reception.” You can call it an “I Do BBQ” or a “Happily Ever After Party.”

Don’t Forget

Announcing your elopement comes with its own etiquette. Those who will be attending you at the courthouse are your witnesses. Keep in mind your chosen city may require them! You should plan on having fewer than a dozen witnesses, even if you plan to invite a slightly larger group of people to your post-elopement party.

Announcements may be mailed to anyone who didn’t attend the elopement after you’re hitched.

Invitations, either to the elopement or the elopement party, can be mailed before.

It’s a good idea to send “save the date” cards to anyone you want on site, too.

Elopement Reception Planning

There are some truly unique elopement places out there. Some venues have begun specializing in this sort of wedding, and even have some of the best elopement packages you could possibly ask for. Choose the right venue, and details like flowers, food, music, and even a photographer can already be all lined up and done for you.

If the venue doesn’t offer an elopement package then you will want to make sure your DIY elopement reception has the following:

Someone to take pictures. It can be your uncle or your bestie if you don’t want to hire a photographer. Print photos and purchase a scrapbook or photo album so you always remember your special day!
A way to play music. An mp3 player and good Bluetooth speakers with a solid Google Play or Spotify playlist work just fine.
Food! You can’t neglect the food. Fortunately, catering for twenty people or less is a lot less expensive than catering for over 100. You might want to contact a few caterers in the local area and arrange a tasting if you can. If you’re having your party in your own back yard you can, of course, just make your own.
Don’t forget glasses, plates, and flatware. Use tasteful disposables for a minimum of fuss.
Wedding cake is totally optional, but most couples want one. Elopement cakes are usually single tiered cakes with some tasteful but beautiful low-key decoration. If you want something a little less formal and a little more fun, you could also have the bride and groom’s cupcakes arranged in tiers and towers.
Flowers are also optional, but if you want a bouquet to throw you’ll need to think about this. Many online flower shops deliver wedding bouquets right to your doorstep and don’t require a lot of notice.
Balloons! Balloons make even the most casual event special.
You might want to consider other supplies like chairs and tables.

Here at Paper Plus at 1629 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley, we offer all the supplies you’ll need, including chair rentals, card stock for invitations, and more. Stop by and ask how we can help you make your elopement a memorable and beautiful event.

After you’ve acquired or scheduled everything you’re going to need, take a breath and relax!

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These 4th of July Party Ideas Will Help You Throw the Best Bash Ever

Saturday, June 1st, 2019

Tired of throwing ho-hum 4th of July backyard barbecues? You know: the ones where your family members sort of lamely wave sparklers around after you eat a few hamburgers?

Time to step up your game. With a few 4th of July party decorating ideas and a little extra planning, you can create a memorable holiday your family and friends are sure to remember.

And like some of the best things in life (like fries, or milkshakes) your options even come in small, medium, and large.

Small 4th of July Party: The Family Picnic

4th of july party cupcakes First thing’s first. Ditch the backyard. Go for a change of scenery at your local park. The shift in locale alone can make the day feel special.

Next, grab some patriotic plates, napkins, and a tablecloth. Decorations make a difference! These don’t cost much, and they help you make the experience special. You’re not just eating some food at the park here, you’re making memories.

If you want to barbecue look for a park with pits. But sometimes bringing finger foods and cold foods is just as fun, and is a lot less work. That part’s up to you.

Don’t forget to bring some entertainment. Red, white, and blue water balloons can give you what you need to start a rollicking romp after lunch is done. You’ll all be dripping wet when it’s done, but you’ll have a ton of fun.

After you’ve changed into dry clothes, grab a few tiny flags and fun wearables like themed headbands and pinwheels, and head down to see your nearest fireworks show. Don’t forget to bring folding chairs for your comfort, and get there early to get a good spot.

And if you still want to wave some sparklers around, this time it’s bound to be way more exciting for everyone.

Medium: 4th of July Barbeque Party Ideas

For this, you’ll need almost everything you needed for your picnic. You’ll also need additional 4th of July party supplies.

This time consider inviting extended family members and family friends. Rent a pavilion at the park and decorate every table.

At this point, you definitely need a barbeque pit on-site. You’ll need plenty of drinks. Don’t forget plastic cups and sharpies so nobody mixes up cups.

And because it’s all about the food at this level, be sure to pick up some disposable warming trays. Baked beans are great when they’re hot. They’re not so great when they’ve cooled.

With a crowd this size you might want to skip the water balloons. Instead, turn up the tunes and hand punch balloons out to the kids. And to get everyone playing together, add a patriotic piñata, which you can make yourself by checking out our How to Make a Piñata blog post.

Don’t forget to add a few piñata essentials, like a bat to hit it with, or sacks with pretty decorative ties so kids can pick up the candy and bring it home.

Want to rock until the sun goes down? Scored a BBQ spot you can see fireworks from? Grab some light-up necklaces and earrings so everyone can see each other in the dark, and keep the excitement rolling while you finish out your awesome day.

Large 4th of July Party: The Block Party

big 4th of july party with lots of people at picnic table Ready to prove your chops as a party-planning ninja? Consider a block party. You can either move this one back to your home, or you can rent a larger outdoor venue.

If you have a pool you definitely should bring the party back home, because a 4th of July pool party will be an instant hit. If you don’t have one, you might see if there’s a venue with a pool available. Just leave yourself plenty of time: you’ll have a hard time scoring a location like that if you wait too long.

At this point, go nuts with the invitations, and use notecards to send them. Invite your co-workers. Invite your neighbors. Invite the friends you usually only see once a year. This may be the perfect opportunity to spend time with people you don’t know you’ll love yet.

You can use everything you’d use for a picnic or BBQ here, but you’ll need to step up your game. You need way more 4th of July party decorations to get everyone into the spirit. To control access, you need a dedicated entry point, but one that can serve as a decoration too. It’s time to bust out the balloon arch!

You also probably don’t want to invite every random person in town who decides they want some free food. Having a stamp pad lets you mark who belongs and who doesn’t. Have guests turn in their invite in exchange for a stamp.

Plan on serving booze? You definitely don’t want to hand a beer to a minor by mistake. Card your guests and issue wristbands to those who are old enough to hit the beer cooler.

Want to really impress your guests? Think about passing out fun 4th of July party favors. You don’t have to go crazy here: flags, pinwheels, and glowing wearables are perfect.

Don’t Get Cverwhelmed!

Sometimes it just takes a few simple touches to make your 4th of July party a success. The real trick is getting people together, talking and laughing, while taking steps that make them sit up and think: hey, this day is special.

Get everyone in one place and in the right mood, and your celebration should be a rip-roaring success at any size.

And here at Paper Plus, we can make it easy. Stop by our store at 1629 San Pablo Ave in Berkeley to get everything you need to make your 4th of July party both memorable and fun.

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Quick Tips For Creating Amazing Casino Theme Party Decorations

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019

poker chips and ace playing cards for casino theme

Feeling lucky? Host a casino theme party! Take your guests back to the glamorous casino era, when everyone got gussied up to test their luck on the casino floor. A casino night theme party is the perfect way to celebrate a milestone birthday, a retirement, graduation, or even an anniversary. Whatever you’re planning to celebrate, host an unforgettable casino theme party with these decoration tips.

The Casino Theme at a Glance

ace playing card peeking out The colors for a classic casino theme party include black, red, white, silver and gold. Glean your inspiration from decks of cards, dice, and the glamour of the casinos as they’re depicted in James Bond films. If you’re looking to go with more of a Las Vegas-style casino theme, then you will have many other colors to choose from, including neon colors!

The fun of a casino party starts with the glamour of the games, winning, and having plenty of money to blow. Provide your guests with stacks of fake currency when they arrive so they get in the high rolling mood. Provide plenty of champagne, martinis and decadent hors-d’oeuvres to fuel the fun.

Creating casino theme decorations can be somewhat time-consuming, as the cards, dice and other mascots of the theme require a steady hand and a good eye for detail to recreate. If time is tight, head to Paper Plus to get ready-made casino theme party decorations. If you’re crafty, we have a wonderful selection so that you can create beautiful casino theme party decorations yourself.

Casino Theme Party Invitations

The excitement starts with the invitation. Depending on which style of casino theme party decorations you’re going for, the invitation could look like a large playing card, a crisp black Casino Royale-style invitation with basic information, or a glittering invitation inspired by the jackpot.

Casino Theme Decorations

When it comes to casino theme decorations, bigger really is better. You want your guests to be immersed in the casino experience as soon as they walk in, so don’t be shy with the decorations!

Paint half a dozen boxes to look like dice and stack them in corners throughout the venue.
Order a balloon arch with black, red, white, and silver balloons for the entryway. We carry latex balloons with casino theme prints that accent the balloon arch nicely. You can also purchase up to 32-inch Mylar balloons shaped like spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds.
Cut up some poster board to create jumbo playing cards, and display winning hands across the venue.
If you have a large venue, create direction signs so guests can easily locate the games they want to play.
Cover your tables with casino theme tablecloths. We have tablecloths with playing cards, dollar signs or table games printed on them.
Don’t forget about the walls! Hang casino-themed banners, backdrops, and cutouts near the appetizers and around the doorways. We carry jumbo playing cards, dollar signs, dice and poker chip cutouts as well as banners that imitate casino signs.

Casino Theme Costumes

It’s possible some guests will arrive without costumes, so you’ll want to be prepared. Give out green visors so guests can pretend to be dealers. Provide fake clip-on ties, fedoras, and boas for your costume-less gambling guests so they can play the part. These are items we regularly stock!

Casino Theme Centerpieces

Suits of playing cards in golden glitter

Make your guests feel like high rollers when they take a seat. Hire a cocktail waitress to take their orders.

Fill martini glasses with beads, dice, poker chips and even red and black feathers.
Scatter some poker-inspired confetti around the centerpieces.
Take advantage of clear glass containers, as they make a great foundation for displaying all the flashy chips, beads and ribbons.
You can’t go wrong with classic red roses, either. A few dozen bouquets woven into the centerpieces elevates the decorations without going overboard.

If you’re crafty, you can also manipulate playing cards with scissors and folding techniques to create playing card roses.

When it comes to creating the perfect casino theme party, there are so many possibilities.

Use your imagination and your knowledge of the guest of honor to create a truly personal party they will never forget.

If you’re looking for ready-made casino theme decorations, head down to Paper Plus at 1629 San Pablo in Berkeley and check out our wide array of party props, wearables, and decorations.

We also have a huge selection of craft materials so you can make your own decorations.

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