What is a theme party and what is just a party?

I know this sounds horrible, but there is a big difference. There is a party with cake, streamers, invitations and favors and then there is a theme party which can be anything from:

• Pirate hats



• Pirate favor bags/treasure chests (doubloons, eye patches, pirate bandannas, pirate stickers)



• Pirate decorations (pirate balloons, colored balloons)



• Custom pirate invitations



• Pirate crafts (building a pirate treasure box or pirate ship)



• Plates/flatware in the same colors



• and more in the theme.

Then you can go even further and make all the activities about pirates, have a story about pirates, have a pirate ship built and a true pirate show up to your house to tell stories and entertain the children. Your cake could be Blackbeard's Blackberry Cake and have a theme like Pirate Bryan's Raiding Ship.

This may sound like overkill to an adult, but children won't forget it and other parents will wonder how you found the time. I used to do all of this for families so that they didn't have to worry about it, but now I found another source for comprehensive party planning and they ship it all to you. They even give you recipes, a whole day's activities, etc. Who is it? It's A Party...LETS WEAR HATS!!! at http://www.itsapartyletswearhats.com/ .

I found other party suppliers but not true comprehensive planners and events that include everything and that is why they started their company.

What is an Organic Craft vs. a Camp Craft vs. a Craft?

Well, I know it sounds like hype. Aren't they all the same thing but one is wrapped in leaves and another in leather. Actually no, there really is a difference. What is it?

• An Organic Craft is typically one that is collected from nature, teaches about nature directly, or one that reflects nature. At It's a Party...LETS WEAR HATS!!! at www.ItsAPartyLetsWearHats.com they actually use environmental educational books and find crafts from nature. Yes, they find acorns, leaves, sand etc that are all reclaimed from the earth and put them together so you can do acorn people, leaf rubbings, learning how to plant trees, caring for bugs, etc. None of these crafts will be purchased or manufactured. You will however be able to do them over and over again because you should be able to find the same items in nature. They provide samples and excellent directions, so they are easy to follow also. There is a whole environmental party with recycled goods, games, etc to enjoy there as well!!



• A Camp Craft is one that you might remember from summer camp, boy/girl scouts or indian cubs. These include items like lanyard keychains, tooling/stamping leather to make belts and purses, mosaic molds, headdresses, woodwork, and big beading necklaces. These are the type of items that are usually bought commercially and have an old-time remaniscence. It's A Party...LETS WEAR HATS!!! at www.itsapartyletswearhats.com actually has a whole party around this theme. They include camp hats, camp t-shirts, camp dining trays, activities, songs, and menus for this theme. Think about it!!



• A Craft is a general term for any other types of crafts. At It's a Party...LETS WEAR HATS!!! at www.ItsAPartyLetsWearHats.com these can range from a kit for 6 children where you are exploring something scientifically, making perfume, painting your own tea set and building boats to delicate beading for necklaces/bracelets, sand art, wood work, and painting or decorating items. You can choose these items as part of any party package, or buy them al a carte. It is up to you!

Does anyone actually rent children's costumes?

What ever happened to rental for children's costumes? I went to the local costume rental for a large Victorian Tea Party we were asked to throw and found they rented only adult costumes. The only children's dress-up items were for purchase and were really unsatisfactory. They were poorly constructed, easily torn, inexpensive materials, and often had cut hems rather than sewn. I tried to find gorgeous hats and all I found were paper or inexpensive hats - I wanted Kentucky Derby type hats for little girls and their moms. I quickly found that I would not locate them unless they were made for me.

Maybe I am too picky, but I want a dress that is hemmed and not surged. Something that won't tear if my daughter runs into a table. Wouldn't it be nice if it would last for several dress-up times?

I finally found a great resource...It's a Party...LET'S WEAR HATS at http://www.itsapartyletswearhats.com/. They have the most beautiful boutique quality costumes I have seen. I have even contacted them to have custom made costumes for various parties and have never been dissatisfied. For my Victorian Tea Party I had them made some amazing bonnets for 35 children and their mothers - they even matched.

I believe that they work with professional designers, or maybe they are professional designers, but everything I have purchased through them has been amazing!

Let me know if there are other rental sites for children's costumes...I would love to know them.

How to Pick a Children's Event or Party Planner or Company for Supplies & Costumes

I know this sounds like it would be simple, but it's not. Are you tired of shopping around town and finding things that everyone else has, or items that will break. How about running out of ideas. We've all been there.

So, you want a new idea, truly quality items that are unique...you search the web and still can't find it. You might want to visit and try It's a Party...LET'S WEAR HATS!!! (http://www.itsapartyletswearhats.com/). They actually customize items and parties for you. It is like hiring a party planner but they ship everything to you. Every child receives a gorgeous decorative box. You will also receive activities, customized recipes (they will walk you through if you have questions), really unique crafts, boutique quality dress-up items (purchase or rental), hats, unique favor bags, and more.

So, what have I found are keys to purchasing or selecting a company?

1. Someone with a contact phone number not just an email address. If you need something you want to talk to someone not wait for an email back.


2. Someone with a return policy. If you are unhappy, they should still do everything they can to help you out.


3. Flexibility for the party you want. If they have all cookie-cutter parties how can you account for a joint boy/girl party? What if your child wants an event that is for Pigs Flying? If they can't customize it for you - then what will you do?


4. Good reputation. How will you find this? The best is to ask others. Often you won't find too much feedback online (just because there are a lot of posts about a company doesn't mean they are good). However, if they offer PayPal or credit card payment you will be in better shape. They might even provide testimonials.


5. Comprehensive service. Do they provide menus, activities, ideas, planning guides, costumes?


6. Variations on paying. Do they accept PayPal? That will cover both you and the company but it also means that they have gone through a check on banking.


7. Someone with experience. How do you find this out? Well, if they are comprehensive, have unique ideas, and flexibility and you can talk to them on the phone - you can find out if you are talking to a teenager with a job or a professional planner.

The big thing for you is...do you want a comprehensive plan for a party or do you want some good items and you pull them together yourself? It's a Party...LET'S WEAR HATS!!! at http://www.itsapartyletswearhats.com/ provides the choices for complete party prepared for you, a customized personal shopping event planner, and al a carte purchases. You can't lose.