Party Planning

Andrew Cahill asked:


I’ll tell you why. Its because everybody needs a chance to unwind at the end of a demanding year, a chance to get ridiculously tippled without needing a decent excuse, a chance to try it on with someone you have lusted over since you started working there, a chance to mingle with the big boys (and girls) whom throughout the year have remained out of reach, a chance to make a complete fool out of oneself without feeling out of place, and not forgetting that chance to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ…of course!

As long as we all need this chance, then Christmas parties will remain a lucrative and important business to both the corporate and private industries. Organising a party can be a very demanding and stressful task especially for upwards of 100 people! Do they want the “Roasted chicken breast with an apricot and almond stuffing” or the “Rack of lamb on pommes dauphinoise served with strips of roasted parsnips”? What entertainment do they want? Where do they want it to be held? Do they want alcohol included in the price?

All these questions and many more need to be answered in order to fulfill such specific and individual requirements that we as a society now demand. So now we are seeing many new and established event planning companies entering into this market with one aim in mind, to reap the rewards. The Google search engine is returning 24,500,000 results for entering the term “Christmas Parties”, which shows how popular the online marketplace is for Christmas parties.

The holiday operator Club 18-30s, who took package holidays to the next level for young people, enjoyed several years of unrivalled success in their niche until their reputation was destroyed by bad media. This was once the most popular seasonal industry to be involved in, but since this bad press, Christmas party planning has now taken the title.

Additionally, its not specifically event planners that are getting in on the act, venue finders such as www.venuereservations.co.uk/christmas-events, whom offer a variety of Christmas parties, have taken advantage of the situation by offering a venue finding service strictly for Christmas parties, through their partner website www.christmasparties.co.uk.

This industry is running itself, with the big players and their reputations generating profits for smaller organizations whom are affiliates through the Christmas parties they offer. It has created a big window for affiliate marketing with Google’s pay per click (PPC) program “Adsense” leading the way. It also creates a huge supply of events, which an individual may find difficult to choose from, it does, nonetheless, provide opportunities for businesses like www.christmasparties.co.uk to help with this problem.

But perhaps the greatest positive to come from this, is that you can have parties in some of London’s top landmarks, such as Tower Bridge, which in turn has rekindled our society’s romance with the architectural beauty of London.

So just remember to take that chance, the chance you deserve, experience the festivities of a Christmas party, it is your right.



Cameron

Gianni Truvianni asked:


I as an American living in Warsaw, Poland am often asked “Why a turkey?”. This question when put to the average American would be answered in the form that it was what was eaten by the pilgrims during the first thanksgiving which became a tradition afterward and this a nice story. The idea of continuing a tradition started by those whose suffering in the new world gave way to them being thankful for their first good harvest which they celebrated with a huge turkey meal is sentimental but is it true? Did the pilgrims really eat turkey during the first thanksgiving meal? This is a question that many historians have come to ask if the pilgrims in fact ate the bird we today know and refer to as a turkey because the pilgrims called every form of wild fowl a turkey even those that were not what we today call a turkey.

It is strange for many and perhaps unacceptable that the pilgrims might not have eaten turkey as it has become such a symbol of this holiday but there is a possibility they might not have. Lobster, deer which perhaps nobody would ever associate with Thanksgiving were surely eaten but there is one thing that we can almost eliminate from what could have been on the menu and that is pumpkin pie as the pilgrims more then likely had run out of flour by then.

Of course it is not really a matter of tremendous significance if the pilgrims who are very often referred to as our forefathers ate what today is known and accepted as turkey but what is some might say is the fact that they were giving thanks to God for the blessings they had received during the year. This again based on what we know today can also be disputed, not that there ever was a feast but that its intension was to show gratitude toward God. Yes, it is true the pilgrims were deeply religious in a way that did not allow them to wear any colors apart from black also holding believes that dancing, drinking and music were irreligious but this reason is precisely why some argue that theirs was not really a feast of thanks. The logic for this disbelieve that questions lies in the fact that these were deeply religious people not despite it. In those days thanking God was done in a completely different manner then it is today as giving thanks to God in those days specially by deeply religious people was done in the form of praying and fasting and not in the form of huge feasts. In the opinion of several historians the feast of the pilgrims was in fact a harvest celebration which was a very common thing at the time and not a day for giving thanks to anybody contrary to the story most Americans are told in school. One reason I can see for this change in the story is perhaps the United States government felt that a day of thanks would be more eagerly celebrated then a “harvest day” especially by those whose livelihood was not dependent on agriculture.

Contrary to what some may think the Thanksgiving feast was not repeated by the pilgrims the following year as the harvest was not as abundant and it was not before two years passed after the first feast that it was repeated. Strangely enough many historians have cause to believe that this second feast was in fact the first real “Thanksgiving Day Dinner” fore it was then that the pilgrims had a day to give thanks for the rain that brought to end the long draught which they felt their prayers to God have been responsible for.

Another Thanksgiving day fact that took me by surprise when I first heard it was that the pilgrims only held this feast twice which goes in stark contrast to what I had believed that this celebration was repeated by them year after year. The reality was that not till much later during the Lincoln administration did “Thanksgiving” became recognized as an official holiday as it was Lincoln who took time out from the “Civil War” to make it such. To many however at the time in congress the sufferance of a what in fact could be called a handful of Pilgrims as they only numbered 100 (not all members of the “Separatist Church of England” and most of whom died less then 5 years after reaching the new world) did not substantiate having a national holiday. As for me, I can see where there was certain logic in this however when saying this I do not wish it understood that I am against this holiday as I celebrate it every year despite not having been in the States in over 13 years.

There is another factor which I also find odd in the telling of the history surrounding Thanksgiving or at least in the way it is told in American schools and that being that it is never mentioned that the Pilgrims left England but originally it was not to go to the new world but to the Netherlands. Holland where they stayed for many a year but eventually left finding the Dutch way of life to be “ungodly” as well as the fact that some of their children were speaking Dutch instead of English as unbearable. I find it funny on a lighter side of this that the clothes we associate with the pilgrims meaning the long black hats the men wore which in my opinion resemble a witch’s hat were really Dutch as was the rest of their garments and this perhaps is the reason that men in this attire can be found on boxes of “Dutch Masters Cigars”.

The question of why the turkey is however not the only one I hear in Poland year after year from those whom I mention Thanksgiving to as very often I am asked to share my knowledge on why it is held on the 4th Thursday of November as opposed to having a fixed date like Christmas? This question I can not answer with certainty but I will try to use my imagination as to what might have lead the United States government to set the day as such.

In the first place they chose a Thursday meaning that they more then like always wanted it to be on a weekday unlike Christmas which some years can fall on a Sunday. But some insist why the 4 Thursday of November not another day for instance the 3 Wednesday of October?

This again with reason as an ally I can retort that those who chose this day were probably looking for a day that would help mark the begging of the Christmas shopping season but not one that would be so close to it that it would be competing with it. This 4th Thursday if one thinks about it is ideal as it can fall anywhere between the 28th of November at the latest or the 22nd at the earliest.

Another reason I can speculate why Thursday was chosen as opposed to shall we say Friday or Wednesday, is that Thanksgiving being on Thursday makes it possible for stores to close on Thursday for Thanksgiving and then use the following Friday to get themselves ready for what would be the first Saturday of the holiday shopping season. The reason this happens is that the day after Thanksgiving though not an official bank Holiday is taken as such at least as far as schools and department stores are concerned. This in my opinion being a good technique to follow given that Saturday is the most popular shopping day and these stores want to take advantage of it and be ready for the first Saturday of the Christmas shopping season.

Despite these discrepancies in the tale which to my personal way of seeing things are interesting but do not change nor diminish what Thanksgiving has become, which is an American holiday which can be celebrated by anybody regardless of nationality or religion. The reason I can even say any religion is because this day or what this day has been transformed in to is a day on which we Americans give thanks for what we have but strangely enough it is no longer connected with giving thanks to anybody in particular or even God.

Another factor connected with Thanksgiving that makes it a great secular holiday for anybody is the fact that it is not really connected to patriotism as it does not celebrate the wining of a battle or the gaining of independence. This leaving it open to be celebrated by anybody regardless of nationality who would like to eat a turkey and give thanks for he or she has that he or she considers worth being thankful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!



Kiara

Starlight asked:


I’m planning on throwing a little Halloween party for my 2 year old and his playgroup friends and didn’t want to do it the weekend before Halloween b/c of all the fun events going on and my best friend and her kids can’t make it the 20th of October (I really want her there) so that leaves the 13th. But, is it odd to throw a Halloween party that early? I’m just planning on having the kids wear costumes, play a few games (whatever 2 year olds can do), have lunch and pass out treats. Thanks for any responses.

Kevin

Noel Jameson asked:


Thanksgiving is right around the corner, are you ready? Let’s talk turkey, stuffing and, of course, a few great quotes. For all those who want to celebrate all there is to be thankful for, these 12 Thanksgiving quotes are sent out to you…

1. “Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.” ~ E.P. Powell

2. “Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.” ~ Edward Sandford Martin

3. “How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren to learn thanksgiving at an early age. Thanksgiving opens the doors. It changes a child’s personality. A child is resentful, negative, or thankful. Thankful children want to give, they radiate happiness, they draw people.” ~ Sir John Templeton

4. “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.” ~ H.U. Westermayer

5. “There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.” ~ O. Henry

6. “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.” ~ Meister Eckhart

7. “Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.” ~ Erma Bombeck

8. “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” ~ WT Purkiser

9. “Stand up, on this Thanksgiving Day, stand upon your feet. Believe in man. Soberly and with clear eyes, believe in your own time and place. There is not, and there never has been a better time, or a better place to live in.” ~ Phillips Brooks

10. “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie

11. An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day. ~Irv Kupcinet

12. On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence. ~William Jennings Bryan

So while it’s true that Thanksgiving only comes but once a year, we should actually celebrate thanks each and every day. It’s just a matter of learning to live with a spirit of gratitude. Let us be thankful for these 12 Thanksgiving quotes.



Tucker

rose_blooming_in_the_snow asked:


I want information on the Malaysian mangrove crab known as the Halloween or Blue Moon Crab. I DO NOT want to know about hermit crabs. I seem to be having a lot of difficulty finding any information on the care of crabs other than hermit or red claw crabs online. So, does anybody know how to care for a halloween crab during the molting process? Are there any signs of life I should be looking for? It hasn’t really moved in a few days.

Kaitlyn

courtneyiscute23 asked:


I work at a family friendly restaurant as a waitress. Tomorrow we can dress up in a Halloween costume on the conditions that it is family friendly/not slutty. All I have is a French maid costume which won’t work obviously. What should I wear? And most importantly what kind of shoes am I going to wear? Usually I wear slip resistant shoes to work because if you don’t you fall on your ass. What shoes am I going to wear and what kind of costume will be family friendly? Please help!

Xavier

nick_shann asked:


I just found out that a little girl had a party and did not invite my child. We had had this same little girl to every birthday party my child had for the last four years, shouldn’t it be reciprocal?
I always have my child invite the kids who invited her. Am I wrong?
Oh these are third graders
I should add I am pretty good friends with the mom and the child is one of my childs bests friends. My child is deeply hurt. At my childs birthday we even invited her little sister. And my daughters friend has come to our house for numerous playdates and only been asked once over to their house. If this was a child who my child was not that close to I would not have a problem, but it is one of her closest friends.

Jordyn

Lillian Wills asked:


Every year, just as Halloween passes, and the reality of the impending Christmas shopping season takes residence, the question arises of when is Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving holiday has been celebrated in the United States since 1789, when President George Washington proclaimed that the annual date for Thanksgiving was to be on the last Thursday of November. As the unofficial kickoff of the Christmas holiday season for retailers traditionally begins the day after Thanksgiving, the designation of Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday, rather than the last, provides for a longer holiday shopping season.

The question of when is Thanksgiving has not always had a consistent answer. In 1676, 55 years after the Pilgrims’ first feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, had issued the first annual United States Thanksgiving Proclamation. On this date, the council declared that June 29, 1676 was to be a day of Thanksgiving to God for the good fortune they had secured in their new land. While Thanksgiving is traditionally depicted as the feast commemorating the bonds of friendship forged between the English settlers in Massachusetts and the Native Americans celebrated by a three day harvest celebration in 1621. Oddly enough, the language of the original proclamation of 1676 declares a day for praise to God for his blessings and protection against “the Heathen Natives of this land”.

On October 3, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln stated that the last Thursday of November “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”. After Lincoln, the following presidents continued to issue a proclamation on an annual basis, declaring when is Thanksgiving, although it always continued to be celebrated and enjoyed on the very last Thursday in the month of November all the way until 1939.

In 1939, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in an attempt to increase merchant spending during the Christmas holiday season, declared Thanksgiving to be on the 4th Thursday of November, as the month of November has 5 Thursdays that year, thereby extending the holiday shopping season. At that time in history, which was also during The Great Depression, it was considered inappropriate to advertise goods as Christmas gifts before Thanksgiving. The following year, 1940, November had 4 Thursdays, and Roosevelt proclaimed that Thanksgiving would fall on the third Thursday of November. At this time, the annual presidential declaration of the Thanksgiving Day holiday was not legally binding so it was up to the individual states to decide when is Thanksgiving, which of course was considered a government holiday.



Skyler

Michelle B asked:


Okay, i am 14 and trying to do facepainting for kids parties with a friend, i am good at it, so if i am doing a party of 10 kids full facepainting into a tiger or whatever, how much should i charge for a partie of 10, 15, 20 kids? And also i might be facepainting kids at my dads work xmas partie, wich is mostley for the kids, bout 100 lil kids who painted faces how much should i charge??

Josue

Jaime L. Smith asked:


When you think of Thanksgiving, you think of mouth-watering turkeys, family togetherness, and the Thanksgiving dinner coma. But Thanksgiving is much more than that: it’s a time to show gratitude, count your blessings, and show appreciation for (or to) those in your life who make every day better. It’s the perfect time to take a few minutes and thank special people for all they do.

Since most of us have Thanksgiving dinner with the family and/or close friends, why not send a Thanksgiving e-card or printable Thanksgiving greeting card to the acquaintances and other people in your daily life? E-greetings are a simple way to say Happy Turkey Day during this festive time of year.

This holiday season, reach out to these folks who may touch your life on a random basis:

1. Teachers. Everyday, our educators work hard to bring out the potential in our young people. Who better to receive a card to say thanks? Include a message addressing all the extra hours, limitless patience, and tireless efforts that bring out the best in your kids.

2. Day Care Providers & Babysitters. What can you say about a great babysitter but how grateful you are for them? Dropping them off and leaving with a peaceful mind is more valuable than any amount of money. Show your appreciation with a Thanksgiving e-card or print out a card and have the kids color it for an extra-special touch.

3. Hairdressers. Making you look good is what they do best. Say thanks or wish a happy day to the one who knows your whole life story, your pet’s favorite treats, and your kids’ latest milestones. An e-card is perfect for the person who knows everything about you; now let them know how grateful you are.

4. Distant Relatives. Families are spread far and wide these days, but sharing holiday spirit is easy with a Thanksgiving e-card. If your grandparents don’t have an email address, grab a free printable version that is ready to send with a personalized message.

5. Coffee Baristas. Waking up is rough, but your coffee barista is ready everyday with your “usual” steaming cup and a bright smile. What better way to start your day? Wish them a happy kickoff to the holiday season with a printed Thanksgiving card with their next tip tucked inside.

6. Neighbor. They get your mail when you’re out of town, lend you sugar when you run out, and watch your kids in a pinch. Say thank you or Happy Turkey Day with an adorable Thanksgiving e-card in their email inbox.

7. Doctors & Veterinarians. Keeping families and pets healthy is their passion, and their patience and knowledge is unsurpassable. At your next appointment, hand off a Thanksgiving card with a coloring sheet from your kids or email them an e-card to their business email address.

8. Mailman. Rain or shine, your mail is in your mailbox thanks to the dedication of the United States Postal Carriers who brave all sorts of weather so you can get the mail you rely on everyday. Give them a piece of mail that they don’t have to deliver and offer up a big thank you with a printable Thanksgiving card.

9. Troops Overseas. Holidays are a time for family and to remember those who, unfortunately, can’t be with the ones they love. Send a Thanksgiving e-card to a service member in your family, circle of friends, or that you know through an acquaintance. The holidays can be hard for our brave men and women so show your support to them by letting them you’re thinking of them.

10. Your son/daughter-in-law’s parents. Holiday traditions vary from family to family, but showing love and appreciation is universal. Let your son or daughter-in-law’s parents know that they are on your mind and that you are happy your families have been united.

There are countless others who would appreciate a Thanksgiving e-card or a printed Thanksgiving greeting card. Start off someone’s holiday season by giving them a smile and a sense of appreciation. Mark your calendar, choose the perfect e-card, and send the ones you love a “Thanks for All You Do!”



Travis