Summer Parties!

The days of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello frolicking on the beach may be long gone, but that doesn't mean that the days of Beach Blanket Luaus should be! So go ahead, make a splash! With some imagination and creativity - And beach sand! You can create a beach party that will have your guests getting into the swim of things!

Now for Some sun and fun! Check out these surefire tips and tricks to turn your backyard into a warm, sunny beach, luau - and turn your guests into certified beach bums!

*Let your guests play in the sand! Fill several kiddie pools with beach sand (or sandbox sand that can be found at your local discount department store or home improvement store) and divide guests up into teams - one team per sandbox - and have a Sandcastle Contest! Provide pails, shovels, and of course, the glue that holds it all together - WATER! Give teams a half hour to build the best and biggest castle (or sculpture) they can! Award fun prizes for Silliest Sand Sculpture, Craziest Castle and even Best Effort!

*Get your guests decked out with colorful leis, grass skirts, coconut and seashell bra tops, and beaded chains with tiki shot glasses.

*Hire an instructor and offer hula lessons! Get luau-ers movin' and groovin' to the soothing sounds of traditional Hawaiian music as they show off their fancy foot - and hip work! Grass skirts required for ALL students!

* How low can your guests go!?! Find out with a broomstick and wrap it in leis to decorate it!

*Set up a Tiki Bar filled with yummy luau libations (Mai Tais, Daquiris, and Pina Coladas) for your guests and let them hula on over! Stock the bar with parasol straws, tiki stir stix, and parasol picks filled with pineapple chunks and maraschino cherries! Offer non-alcoholic options, too, like fruit smoothies and virgin cocktails!

*If the beach is too far away and there's no pool in sight, don't let that dampen the day! A Giant Sprinkler ball is all you need to soak up some fun! Load up on silly squirt guns and Water balls and get wet 'n' wild!

*Ah, the sounds of the beach. No, not the ocean - we mean the real sounds of summer! Provide plenty of "beach music" to keep the luau a' rockin'! Have lots of Jimmy Buffet, Beach Boys, and Kenny Chesney to get your Beach luau in full swing.

*Set the scene with a fun photo op for your guests! Spread out some beach sand, a beach towel, some beach toys - and even a surfboard if you've got it - and snap a photo of each guest just lei-in' around!

Surf and Turf! No need for an elaborate pig roast to give you that Beach luau feeling - whip up some hamburgers and hot dogs - and lots of cool summer salads, like potato, macaroni, and pasta make great foods.

Summer send off! Let your fellow "bums" know that you hope they'll be back to the beach with Picture Perfect thank yous! Find inexpensive acrylic frames that you can decorate with paint pens and beach themed stickers. Slide guests' Beach Scene photos inside with your thanks for making the day even brighter!

Halloween Party Playlist!

My favorite holiday is coming about and I know last year my sister threw a party together and I was in charge of music. I had the hardest time finding Halloween themed music. I listed some great Halloween songs that you can include on your Halloween playlist! If you want to listen to the songs they will pop up into a new browser with the songs! I hope you enjoy!

Thriller - Michael Jackson
Listen to Thriller

Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt Keeper
Listen to Monster Mash

The Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band
Listen to The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Witchy Woman - the Eagles
Listen to Witchy Woman

Witch Doctor - David Seville
Listen to Witch Doctor

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
Listen to Ghostbusters

Pet Semetary - Ramones
Listen to Pet Semetary

Purple People Eater - Sheb Wolley
Listen to Purple People Eater

Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Listen to Bad Moon Rising

Sweet Dreams - Marilyn Manson
Listen to Sweet Dreams

Black Magic Woman - Santana
Listen to Black Magic Woman

The Addams Family - Vic Mizzy
Listen to the Addams Family

Scooby Doo Theme
Listen to Scooby Doo Theme

This is Halloween - Danny Elfman
Listen to This is Halloween

Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell featuring Michael Jackson
Listen to Somebody's Watching Me

Welcome to My Nightmare - Alice Cooper
Listen to Welcome to My Nightmare

All the Zombies - Hooters
Listen to All the Zombies

Hell - Squirrel Nut Zippers
Listen to Hell

Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon
Listen to Werewolves of London

Kristen
Visit us at Special Touch Holidays for your personalized invitations and personalized letters from Santa Claus.
Remember: Deadline for personalized letters from Santa is Sunday, December 16th for Christmas 2007