Fun in the sun

Summer offers a great opportunity to keep it simple for children's parties here's a few easy ideas ...

A picnic in the park or at home in the backyard

• Entertainment/games: grab the cricket set, volley ball set and a soccer ball to take to the park and the kids will be easily entertained. You could also take some little bottles of bubbles as kids love blowing, chasing and popping bubbles. And if you're having the party at home a treasure hunt in the garden would be lots of fun.
• Food: if you're heading out to the park avoid taking food that is likely to melt. Either pack a big picnic hamper / chilly bin or you could prepare individual boxes and just hand them out to each child.
• Decorations: hang paper lanterns in the trees and if you're at home you could also string bunting along the fence. 
• Ideas for themes: teddy bears picnic (ask each child to bring a teddy), flower fairies, butterflies, ladybugs, animals, sport.
• Don't forget: the picnic blankets and sunscreen.

I love the Dollyrockets food boxes as they are a great size and you can also fit a carton of drink in each 

A party at the beach

My daughter has just been invited to a beach party which I'm sure will be lots of fun! 

• Entertainment/games: Again you can take all the sports equipment along but how about taking the water pistols too. Another great idea would be a sand castle building competition, take along some buckets & spades or put a reminder on the invites for the guests to bring one along - you could have a few prizes - biggest castle, best decorated castle etc. It would also be nice to take along some little windmills or flags to decorate the sand castles.
• Food: again a big picnic or individual boxes are good for the beach. Avoid taking food that is likely to melt and I would take small items that can be eaten in a few bites so sand is less likely to get all over it.
• Don't forget: the sunscreen, some blankets to sit on, beach umbrellas and some extra towels. 
• Ideas for themes: Little Mermaid, Under the Sea, Turtles, Nemo, pirates.

You could use cupcake flags to decorate your sand castles. 

Would also be good for the jelly boats (see below).

Pool party

• Entertainment/games: if you're gone to the local swimming pool the kids will no doubt entertain themselves! If you're setting up the pool at home why not bring out the water pistols and some water bomb balloons too. And of course don't forget to turn the sprinkler on the lawn.
• Food: include some jelly boats!
• Don't forget: some extra towels and the sunscreen (if you're outdoors).
• Ideas for themes: Little Mermaid, Under the Sea, Turtles, Nemo, pirates.

Thanks to Nicky H for sharing this photo of some very colourful jelly boats she made

And check out this fab swimming pool cake from Mmm Cupcakes

I hope you found some ideas there that you can use at your next summer party and I will share some more ideas for party food & drinks for these themes on the next update so if anyone has any recipes, ideas or pics they would like to share please email me info@pixiepartysupplies.co.nz

Welcome to Pixie Party Picks!

I thought I would start off my very first blog entry by telling you a little about me. I'm Jenny, the Head Pixie at Pixie Party Supplies in Auckland, New Zealand.

I love parties, in fact one of my earliest memories is of my first birthday party - I remember being confused as to why my Nanna & Grandad D were at Nanna & Grandad S's house as they didn't live there!

I have fond memories of Mum making my birthday cakes, having fun party food and playing pass the parcel at my parties. I am now following these traditions for my little girl, although being a bit of a perfectionist and not a confident baker the cakes are proving a bit of a challenge but seeing the joy they bring makes it all worthwhile!

Here's the Kiwi cake I made for my daughters 2nd birthday

I am now lucky to be able to help others create amazing parties as my fulltime job. In July 2012 I decided that corporate life was no longer for me and instead to put my entrepreneurial skills to the test and focus on Pixie Party Supplies. I had started at business at the end of the previous year and it was quickly becoming my passion. I am pleased to say has gone from strength to strength. I love spending time sourcing fun new products and I feel like a kid at Christmas when a box of new goodies arrives. We stock a wide range of tableware and decorations in lots of different themes, both licensed and non-licensed. We also have lots of plans to expand our product ranges in 2013. Another focus for 2013 is promoting Pixie Party Supplies and hopefully meeting lots of our customers at several Expos. If you would like to find out where we are heading feel free to check out the About Us page on the website for details.

Just a few of my favourite products from our wide range

In my search for new products and inspiration I find heaps of great party tips, decorating ideas, fun party food and more so I have set up the blog to share my finds with you all. I will try and share a new theme each month and find lots of fun ideas. 

Our next blog post will be all about Summer parties so if you have any tips, ideas, food, drinks, cakes you would like to share please email me info@pixiepartysupplies.co.nz and I will choose some to feature on the next post.