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It's time to focus on you. Forget about work and all your ambitions – take a break and do something for yourself. Learn how to relax and enjoy the things you love, remember all the places you planned to travel to, and get tips on throwing a great party for very little money. You wouldn’t be here if you didn't need a break – go on, take a look! |
Making A Big Gesture? 5 Ideas for a Memorable Celebration
Do you have a big birthday or wedding anniversary coming up? Are you looking for a way to celebrate that feels unique and out of the ordinary? Check out these five ideas for spicing up your party!
Go Live!
Live music makes events special. Whether you hire a rock and roll band, a string quartet, or a country singer, your guests and your guest of honor will love the festive atmosphere that live music creates. Invest in an interlocking portable dance floor for your backyard and place the band where everyone can see them. When you want dancing to begin, grab a partner and get out there yourself to start the action. And don’t forget that live music means microphones, so you’ll have a built-in stage and mic for whatever speech you’d like make. Tip: Live music carries throughout the neighborhood, so be courteous and put an end time to the band’s set – and don’t forget to invite your neighbors!
Say Cheese
Hire a professional photographer and have a studio set up with props such as cowboy hats, wigs, glasses and scarves. The goofy atmosphere will loosen up your guests and let them wear different personalities. You’ll amuse your guests and get to know them better based on the props they choose. Your husband’s business partner is secretly a feather boa type? Your sister wants to be a cowboy? With wine flowing, you’re sure to get some memorable shots of all your favorite people!
Theme parties!
Whether it’s a Hawaiian luau or a 1970’s disco you’re recreating, themed parties can be a lot of fun. Try a casino night complete with a rented roulette wheel and poker tables, or a Hollywood bash where everyone dresses as their favorite movie star. As the host, you’ll be dressed to the nines no doubt, but don’t be a costume bully. If someone comes in street clothes, welcome them all the same, but once they have a drink in hand, you are entitled to give them a little push. Keep some extra costume bits and pieces for these would-be party poopers and dress them up as they get more comfortable. It makes for better photos!
Go Green
For your next birthday, tell your guests to show up in their sweats and go on a planting spree! There are community organizers all over the country that specialize in organizing tree-planting events, so do a search for your area and get them on the phone. They can hook you up with your local municipal services and help you decide which neighborhood you’d like to focus on. It feels so good to improve a city block or even a garden and make a difference! Afterward, pick a local pub or restaurant to pat yourselves on the back and celebrate some more.
Travel Party
A group trip is a wonderful, memorable way to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or any other life milestone you have in mind. For anniversaries, you can recreate your honeymoon – this time with a group of friends. Or you can pick a new destination that lends itself to small groups ready to celebrate! For example, Palm Springs, CA has a number of boutique hotels where you can rent out the entire hotel and have a private pool party for the whole weekend. Or on the other end of the weather spectrum, rent a cozy cabin in the woods with several bedrooms and have fun cross-country skiing and drinking warm brandy while you play charades at night. Don’t forget to ask if the cabin has a fireplace!
Some events are worth making a big effort. If you have a milestone coming up, consider one of these ideas to make it something special. Final tip: consider putting a countdown clock on your Facebook page to generate excitement for your event among your friends.