Ideas, decorations, food and games to make your street party a success

With events planned across the country to celebrate all things British this summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to organise a street party. Whether you are spending the day with your family, gathering a handful of family and friends or inviting the whole street, here are some tips to make your outdoor celebrations a success – come rain or shine!

British Street Party decorations

Use the Union Jack colours and decorate your house in red, white and blue. Helium balloons and paper chains will help create a festive look and can be used both in and out doors. Union Jack bunting can be bought cheaply and hung between windows and lamp-posts and it will instantly create a cheerful atmosphere.

Bunting is reusable and can be hung everywhere. You could even make your own bunting with left over fabrics or get the kids to personalise their bunting with drawings and printed photos.

Food and drinks

The easiest way to feed guests for a street party is to prepare a buffet.You can make lots of the dishes the day before to save you time on the day itself or ask guests to each bring something.

Sandwiches are easy to make in large quantities.  A jacket potato bar, with classic British fillings such as baked beans and Cheddar will be popular too. Scotch eggs, sausage rolls and mini sausages can be bought ready to eat and you could make a large salad too.

For dessert, strawberries, ice-cream and jelly will lend a summery feel to your celebrations. You could also involve the kids and bake and decorate fairy cakes. Check out our Chocolate Buns Recipe, Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe or Marbled Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe.

In summer, jugs of Pimm’s will be popular with adults while you can create kid’s cocktails by mixing fruit juices with lemonade or sparking water. For something warm, remember the nation’s favourite drink, tea!

Party games and activities

A few games and activities that everyone can have a go at (inside or out, depending on the weather) are a must. Outside, skittles, hopscotch and skipping are great fun. You could also organise three-legged and sack races for all ages.

Pass the parcel, musical chairs and other traditional party games can be played indoors too, while a treasure hunt could be organised either inside or outside.

Remember to give out small prizes to the winners.

Have some face paints at the ready to paint flag motifs on children’s faces.

For quieter activities, set up a table where the kids can decorate their own paper hats, with glitter glue, stickers and coloured paper.

Party treats

Have a little treat for each child at the end of the party, such as bubbles, stickers, gold chocolate coins, a colouring book or a balloon.

Celebrate Britain this Summer

Celebrate with our quintessentially British balloons and gifts – treat someone to a Paddington Bear, Peter Rabbit or Wallace and Gromit cuddly toy.

If you’re planning a British street party, remember our party balloons and helium canisters will help create a festive atmosphere.

This delicious marbled chocolate cupcakes recipe makes 12 to 15 large cupcakes and produces impressive results! The cakes will make a great centre piece for a party tea and be a popular bake for fund-raising events too.

For more great cupcake baking ideas why not try our Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe? If you want to bake with small children, our simple Chocolate Buns Recipe might be ideal.

Ingredients:

For the marble effect sponge:

• 80g (3oz) of butter, softened
• 280g (10oz) of caster sugar
• 240g (8½oz) of plain flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 20g (¾oz) of cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
•  240ml (8½fl oz) of whole milk
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence

For the two types of icing:

• 200g (7oz) of icing sugar
• 50g (1¾oz) of cocoa powder
• 80g (3oz) of butter, softened
• 25ml (1fl oz) of whole milk
• 250g (9oz) of icing sugar
• 80g (3oz) of butter, softened
• 25ml (1fl oz) of whole milk
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla essence

Marbled cupcakes preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 190 C (375 F), Gas mark 5, and line a muffin tin with paper cases
2. First make the sponge mixture, starting with the chocolate one. Beat together half each of the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt, along with the all the cocoa powder, using either a wooden spoon or an electric mixer
3. Whisk the eggs with the milk in a jug, then pour half of the mixture into another jug and set aside for the vanilla sponge
4. Take the first jug of egg mixture, and add bit by bit to the dry ingredients mixing until the batter is smooth, use a low speed setting if you are using an electric mixer
5. For the vanilla sponge, mix the remaining half of the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt (no cocoa powder this time). Take the second jug of egg mixture, whisk in the vanilla essence, and pour it into the dry vanilla sponge ingredients a little at the time, stirring well until the batter is smooth.
6. Divide the chocolate batter between the muffin cases, filling each by about a third. Top with the same quantity of vanilla batter and use a spoon handle to gently swirl the two mixtures together to create the marble effect.
7. Place in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until well risen and springy to touch. After cooling the cupcakes in the tin for a few minutes, transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely before you ice them

Icing the buns:

1. To make the chocolate frosting, whisk the icing sugar with the cocoa powder and butter by hand or using an electric mixer, until the mixture is of sandy consistency. Pour in the milk, still mixing and whisk the frosting until soft and fluffy
2. Repeat the same step for the vanilla frosting, but leave out the cocoa powder and mix the vanilla essence with the milk before adding it to the icing
3. Spread about one tablespoon of each frosting on to each cake using a knife, then swirl the two for a marble effect

Love chocolate?

Why not check out our Easy Chocolate Brownies Recipe, or our Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies Recipe? You can also visit our online shop to check out our range of chocolates!

Few can resist the forlorn look of the Me to You teddy bears and 2012 brings us a new collection of charming Tatty Teddy bears.

The bears feature an assortment of pretty printed flowery fabrics in pastel tones of blue, pink, red, green and white. The larger bears hold stuffed hearts or flowers made with a patchwork of fabrics, while smaller bears hold decorated wooden plaques.

The iconic Union Flag pattern is present in many pieces, as the Me to You bear gets ready to celebrate the Golden Jubilee and the Olympics!

The perfect bears to tell loved ones how much you care

A small gift or a teddy bear sent with your personal message can be an effective way to show loved ones how much you care. During a survey of 3,000 people Me to You discovered that Britons find it hard to express their feelings.

Caroline Weaver from Me to You, said: ”People often find it hard to express how they are feeling, and sometimes find it easier to write down their message – whether it is showing support, love, thanks or any other emotion.”

Their research also showed that couples find it difficult to say ‘I love you’ – 14 per cent of people in a relationship admit they don’t even say it once a day and 49 per cent think they should say the words more often.

One in five people admitted they only tell someone they miss them once a year. While almost half of respondents finds it hard to say how they feel, and struggle even with simple with expressions such as ‘Sorry for your loss’ and ‘Get well soon’.

According to the survey, 59 per cent of people believe sending a gift or card to say thank you works better than words – because it means you have taken the time and effort to choose something nice.

So why not show a loved one how special they are to you? With a wide range of Me to You Tatty Teddy bears to choose from you’re sure to find one to suit most recipients and occasions.

More about Tatty Teddy

Follow the link to find out more about the Me to You Tatty Teddy bear and the story behind the brand.

A first birthday is an important milestone that needs celebrating. Yet it can be hard to find time to organise a first birthday party when you’re still ruled by feeding, changing and afternoon naps, and not getting enough sleep yourself! Also, this is the time that many new mums return to work and find themselves incredibly busy.

From sending out the invitations to decorating the venue with party balloons, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to throw a great first birthday party you’ll never forget, although we can’t guarantee that your 1-year old will remember everything!

First birthday party invitations

Send out invitations at least three weeks in advance to give people plenty of time to book it in their diary and get back to you.

If you have the time, patience and skill you can make your own invites and include a picture of your baby, which can be a lovely keepsake for family members and allow older siblings to get involved too. Alternatively, there are lots of delightful, ready-made first birthday party invitations to buy.

Party venues

Decide on where you want the party to take place. This usually depends on how many people you’re inviting. If you’re thinking of hosting the birthday party at home however, be warned – it’s often true that the smaller the child the bigger the mess!

If your baby was born in the summer then an outdoor party could be an option if you have a garden. It might be wise to put up a gazebo to keep the little ones out of the sun or rain!

For larger parties you might consider hiring a venue. Local church or village halls and community centres often have rooms to hire at reasonable rates and have kitchens attached so you can do your own catering.

First birthday party decorations

Wherever you decide to hold your party, no doubt you’ll want to create a festive atmosphere and birthday balloons are a must!

As well as adding colour to the party, they will provide entertainment for the party guests and their siblings. You can inflate your balloons with air using a balloon pump and scatter them on the floor around the room and hang them on the walls with ribbons.

Small disposable helium canisters will enable you to create your own fully floating balloon decorations. For ideas that will help you create your own impressive balloon decorations read our Must-Have Balloon Accessories post.

If you only want a few foil balloons to decorate the party table, you might want to consider ordering a 1st birthday balloon gift that’s delivered already filled with helium.

Whichever balloons you choose, it’s always a good idea to tie balloons to your gatepost or outside the venue where you’re holding the party so that guests will know exactly where to go.

Add to your balloon decorations by hanging ‘Happy 1^st birthday’ banners in strategic positions – such as the entrance hallway and near the dinner table.

Party food

Keep things simple and fun for the young ones. Sandwiches, sliced bananas, raisins and cheese curls served on paper plates can be picked up and eaten by little hands. It’s also wise to have some buns and sweet treats for older siblings. You could even bake your own if you’re feeling creative – check out our recipes section for ideas.

First birthday parties are often attended by lots of adults. So you might want to think about serving drinks and more substantial party food for older guests, but this depends on the time of day and how long your guests are likely to be staying.

First birthday cake

Whether you bake your own or buy one, every first birthday party must have a cake.  We all know that naked flames and babies don’t go well together, so just take care with the candle!

Party games

Keeping little ones amused – especially with all the excitement of a birthday party – can be hard work and it’s always wise to have a few party games up your sleeve.

Pass the parcel can work as long as it doesn’t go on too long and there’s a consolation prize for everyone. Also, try to factor in some quiet time, where the children sit with their parents or an older sibling and sing along to a children’s CD. Songs with actions are a great way to keep babies amused and entertained.

Party bag gift ideas

While older children enjoy discovering a range of toys and sweets in their party bags, with very young children and babies it’s better – and safer – to keep things simple.

Age appropriate board books, small rattles or bath toys are great party bag gifts.  Alternatively, helium balloons can keep them amused after the party is over. Simply add a slice of cake wrapped in a napkin to the party bag and you’re set to go.

The important thing to remember when throwing a first birthday party is to have fun! It’s an important milestone and one for you to enjoy! My advice is to accept any help that’s offered and embrace any shortcuts that mean you can spend more time with your baby on this important day.

PS: Remember to take some pictures too so you have something to look back at. Our How to Take Good Photos at your Kid’s Birthday Party post will give you plenty of tips to capture this special occasion in the best possible way!

More birthday party ideas

If you’re hosting a home party for older children you might find our Stay at Home Kid’s Birthday Party Ideas post useful.

Have fun!

A healthier alternative

Made with wholemeal flour and mashed sweet potatoes this delicious chocolate brownies recipe is packed with nutritious ingredients and added fibre. Yet the brownies retain the dense, moist, sticky texture characteristic of traditional recipes.

The mashed sweet potatoes keeps the brownies moist and helps bind the ingredients together while allowing to reduce the amount of fat and sugar you might find in other chocolate brownies recipes.

To make 12 sweet potato brownies you will need the following ingredients:

• 12oz/ 340g of sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4oz/100g of butter, plus extra for greasing
• 60g/2oz of cocoa powder
• 2tsps of vanilla extract
• 2 Eggs
• 6oz / 175g of soft brown sugar
• 5oz / 145g of wholemeal Flour
• 1 ½ tablespoons of baking powder
•  A of pinch of salt

Preparation:

• Preheat the oven at 350 F/180 C and grease an 8×8-inch baking tin with butter
• Steam the sweet potatoes for 8 to 10 minutes until completely soft. Transfer to a large bowl and mash thoroughly until smooth
• Heat the butter in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until melted. Remove from the heat, add the cocoa powder and vanilla extract and stir until well combined
• In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs together with a whisk
• Add the eggs, cocoa mixture and cane sugar to the sweet potatoes and mix well
• In another bowl mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Then add to the sweet potato mixture and fold until well mixed – take care not to over mix though
• Spoon the mixture into the baking tin and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the surface is cracked and a skewer comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 5 minutes
• Cut into 12 squares and transfer to a cooling rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature

Love chocolate?

Why not check out our Easy Chocolate Brownies Recipe, or our Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe? You can also visit our online shop to check out our range of chocolates – including Belgian chocolates and Guylian Seashells Chocolates.

Key balloon accessories that will make your life easier

Do you want to create your own impressive balloon decorations for a birthday, wedding or other event? Or you want to hand out balloons as take home party gifts or promotional give away? Check out our list of essential balloon accessories.They will make your life easier, save time and help you ensure your balloons look their best on the day!

For helium filled balloons

Weights

Weights are used to hold helium filled balloons in place or prevent them from flying away. A range of weights are available from 8g (to hold down a single helium balloon) to larger, heavier weights that will hold large bunches of balloons.

Valves

Self sealing balloon valves with ribbons are very easy to use and will enable you to quickly and efficiently inflate latex balloons with helium.

All you need to do is fit the valve before inflation and then inflate as normal. The valves are self sealing, so you don’t need to tie knots. They also allow balloons to be topped up with helium time and time again, helping your display to look fresh for longer.

Each valve comes with a pre-coiled 4 foot white ribbon. The valves are ideal to use when handing out balloons at shows or events as they will save your fingers and time.

You might also want to read our Balloon Valves – Why Use Them and Fitting Instructions post.

Helium

Helium gas is essential if you want your balloons to float. Helium cylinders are safe and easy to use and you can buy them through us for delivery all over the UK. We also offer a range of small disposable helium cylinders for small quantities of balloons. Read our How to Use Small Helium Cylinders post to see just how easy to use they are.

Hi-Float

Hi-Float is an easy to use treatment that allows helium filled latex balloons to float up to 25 times longer. Un-treated latex balloons filled with helium usually float for 8 to 12 hours – with Hi-Float, they will last for over a week.

Curling ribbons

Our 5mm curling ribbons are available in large 500m spools and in a variety of colours to match or contrast with your balloons.

If you are using valves, remember that they come with about 1m of pre-coiled pearl white ribbon.

For air filled balloons

Cups and sticks

Cups and sticks are perfect for promotional hand outs or take home gifts for children’s parties. They are less expensive than valves and the balloons are air filled so you will save on helium costs too. You can also prepare everything in advance as air-filled balloons stay inflated for days.

Pumps and inflators

We recommend you use balloon pumps to inflate balloons with air. You can choose a hand pump or an electric inflator to inflate a very large quantity of balloons quickly.

Keeping the kids amused over the Easter holidays isn’t always easy, yet holidays are a great time to enjoy a spot of baking with your children.  Even very young children can help you make this simple Mini Egg cookies recipe so no-one will feel left out.

For more tasty seasonal recipes, you could also try our delicious Easter cupcakes recipe or Simnel cake recipe.

You’ll also find more inspiration to keep everyone entertained in our Easter Ideas and Gifts to Entertain All the Family post. Our Alternative Easter Gifts article will give you plenty of gift ideas to make Easter fun while keeping the chocolate down to manageable quantities!

To make 15 to 20 Mini egg cookies, you will need the following ingredients:

• 120g of mini sugar coated chocolate eggs – we used Cadbury’s
• 225g of butter
• 180g of golden caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 225g of plain flour

Preparation:

1. Heat the oven to 180C / gas mark 6.Put the mini eggs in a sealed sandwich bag and crush them by hitting them with a rolling pin
2. In a bowl cream together the butter and sugar until well blended, then add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix well
3. Stir in the flour and baking powder with a large metal spoon. Then stir in ¾ of the mini eggs pieces, saving some larger pieces for decoration
4. Blob desert spoons of the mixture, evenly spaced, onto lined baking trays. Then press some of the left over Mini Eggs pieces into the top of each biscuit. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden but still soft in the middle. Cool on a wire rack

Enjoy!

More festive ideas

If you’re looking for more seasonal gift ideas that are sure to stand out, why not browse our range of Easter Gifts, including balloons, chocolates and Easter soft toys?

Coming to terms with divorce

It appears that divorce party balloons and some comforting chocolates or  token teddy bears aren’t enough for some people. If you read the gossip mags you could be forgiven for thinking that no celebrity marriage is complete without a celebrity divorce party! Apparently Katie Price had one, so did Heather Mills and you can even set up Divorce Gift Lists at certain major department stores.

It’s a trend that started in America, and I have to confess, when I first heard about divorce parties I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April Fool’s day.  I mean, who would want to celebrate a failed marriage?

But then I read more about the subject and, leaving the celebrities aside, realised that divorce parties really can help some people move on from a traumatic time in their lives.

Celebrate your future

Of course there are people who use divorce parties to vilify their ex-husband/wife (delete as appropriate) and there is now a growing market for divorce cakes, often depicting one half of the ex-couple bringing about the demise of the other (knives, red icing and toppling cake tiers appear to feature prominently). Yet, for many, divorce parties are less about regretting a failed past and more about celebrating a new start and the future.

Having no doubt been devastated by the break-up (no matter who initiated it) and experienced months or even years of turmoil as you grind your way through the necessary legal process, some people are ready for the emotional release that a divorce party can bring.  It almost acts as a rite of passage out of the dark days of divorce and into the lighter times ahead.

Throwing a divorce party – ideas, decorations and gifts

The venue

The first decision is where to throw your divorce party. Just like stag and hen parties, divorce parties are going continental with some travel companies offering divorce party packages abroad.

But for many, a relatively quiet gathering with family and friends at home or at a local pub or restaurant is enough. How you decorate the venue is up to you and depends on how lively or low-key you want the event to be. Yet, in our opinion, for any divorce party there are three absolute essentials:

• Colourful divorce balloons or glow in the dark illoom balloons to liven up the atmosphere – they can be filled with air or helium, using disposable helium canisters
• Your favourite tipple (alcoholic or not – the choice is yours)
• And a big box of tissues!

Who do you invite?

We’d suggest inviting friends and family that have been there to support you throughout the ordeal. It’s a way to thank them for being there for you when you needed them most. It’s also wise to invite people who make you feel good about yourself.

Some couples who’ve enjoyed an amicable split arrange to throw a joint divorce party, which may come as a surprise to many. Although they’ve realised they’re not made for each other, a joint divorce party can be used as an opportunity to celebrate the love and life they once shared. While this may be suitable for only a fraction of divorced couples, it’s also a great way to show publicly that there’s no animosity or need for family and friends to take sides.

Gifts or no gifts

This has to be a personal choice, and bear in mind how your friends might feel about being presented with a divorce gift list.  But on the other hand, if you suddenly find yourself in a new home with only half the household goods you had before, divorce gifts could come in very useful!

If one of your friends has just divorced you might want to mark the occasion with a small gift to show your support. A teddy bear to keep them company or some chocolates sent directly to their home or work will be ideal to show your support. Willow Tree figures, that convey a message of love and hope and speak in quiet ways to heal, comfort, protect and inspire are also popular.

Throwing a divorce party for a friend

Throwing a divorce party for a friend who has been shattered by his or her experience needs to be handled very sensitively. It’s wise not to invite every available man/woman in your address book – a divorce party should be about celebrating a turning point in life, not a hunt for the next relationship.

Whatever you do, don’t forget the three essentials we mentioned earlier – party balloons to brighten up the occasion, the divorcee’s favourite tipple and a big box of tissues!

This tasty Easter cupcakes recipe uses dried fruit and marzipan to put a twist on the traditional Simnel cake recipe. These cupcakes are easy to make and perfect to get the kids involved in the festivities, as even very small children can help.

To make 12 to 14 large cupcakes you will need the following ingredients:

For the cakes

• 250g of mixed dried fruits
• Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
• 175g of butter softened
• 175g of golden caster sugar
• 3 eggs – beaten
• 300g of self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon of mixed spice
• 5 tablespoons of milk
• 175g of marzipan

For the icing and decoration

• 200g of icing sugar
• 2 table spoons of orange juice for mixing
• Mini sugar coated chocolate eggs

Easter cupcakes preparation

1. Line a twelve holes muffin tin with paper cases and preheat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4/ n oven 160C.
2. Put the dried fruit into a bowl, add the orange zest and juice and put in the microwave on medium for 2 minutes – or leave to soak for 1 hour. Mix the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, spices and milk together for a few minutes until light and fluffy. Add the the dried fruit an stir well.
3. Cut the marzipan into 12 equal pieces, roll it into balls and flatten them with to make a small disk. Fill the paper cases a little less than half way and put one piece of marzipan in each. Spoon the remaining mixture on top. Bake the cupcakes for 25-30 minutes, until risen, golden and firm to touch.

Icing and decoration

1. When the cupcakes are cool – beat together the icing sugar and orange juice until the icing has the right consistency. Spread the icing on the cupcakes and top each one with 3 mini eggs.

More festive ideas

Not sure what to do? Check out out Easter ideas and gifts post or alternative Easter gifts article. You can also browse our range of Easter Gifts, including balloons, chocolates and Easter soft toys.

With Easter approaching fast, I thought a post on Guylian chocolates – our most popular chocolate brand – would be topical. Read on to discover the story behind this much loved brand.

A Belgian chocolaterie with worldwide appeal

Guylian is based in Sint-Niklaas in Belgium and was founded in1960 by husband and wife team Guy and Liliane Foubert who dreamed up the company name by combining their first names.

Originally a small home-based business, it has now grown into an international corporation. Guylian’s chocolates are now sold in more than 100 countries and can be found in shops all over the world, ranging from local supermarket to major department stores and independent retailers.

A story of romance and chocolate

Guy Foubert drew on his childhood interest in sea life to develop his unique Belgian chocolate seashells. While he developed the recipe for the unique praline filling; Lilliane added the artistic touch and designed the shining marbled look and the sculpted shapes.

Today the company also uses a seahorse as its icon. The shape of their chocolate seahorse is unique as it has its tail curling the other way around than seahorses in nature. They use it to help promote their involvement with a charity called Project Seahorse, that campaign for the preservation of the marine environment.

In addition to the popular chocolate seashell, Guylian has since launched La Trufflina truffles and a range of pralines known as Opus, based on opera titles and all having a link to the opera that they are named after.

Chocolate world record

In March 2005, Guylian established a Guinness World Record by building the world’s largest chocolate Easter egg in their home town. 26 Guylian master chocolatiers worked continuously for eight days to create this giant chocolate egg. The sculpture measured 8.32 meters high and 6.39 meters wide and was constructed using 1,950 kilos of chocolate or about 50,000 chocolate Sea Shell Bars.

What makes Guylian chocolates special?

• Guylian are one of the few chocolate manufacturers that still make their own praline (the paste of crushed hazelnuts/almonds, caramelised sugar and chocolate that fills the seashells). They still use Guy Foubert’s original recipe
• All the chocolates are in boxes sealed against the air in order to keep the chocolate ultra fresh
• They are all made the Belgian way with 100% pure cocoa butter
• There are eleven different seashell shapes in the range and only the Guylian range have a little ‘G’ stamped on each one – the sign of a genuine Guylian chocolate
• They combine artisanal craftsmanship and traditional Belgian chocolate-making techniques with high tech production techniques

Dietary information

Guylian chocolates:

• Contain nuts or traces from nuts
• May contain traces of gluten
• Do not contain alcohol
• Most varieties are Kosher, status Dairy
• All ingredients are non-GMO
• Are suitable for vegetarians
• Do not contain any pork or pork-related ingredients.
• Are NOT suitable for vegans.

Find out more…

To find out more about Guylian, visit their web site.

If you feel hungry after reading this post, why not check out our range of Belgian chocolates and Guylian seashells? They are all available to buy online. You could also try your hand at making your own chocolate with our Tasty Chocolate Truffles Recipe!