Get a Free Halloween Party Planning Guide

Easy Halloween Party Planning Ideas...you won't have any nightmares trying to plan your Halloween party when you read our Halloween party planning guide. It will be sweet dreams all the way.

It can get rather hectic when you are planning a party, but we have some great party tips and ideas for you, so don't worry. Everything is going to work out just fine. You will learn the steps of party planning and you will find lists of the party supplies you will need with a time table to tell you when you should do them. Our guide will keep you organized and that's half the battle.

Pick your party theme, pick the time and date of your event and finally choose a location to have your party. You will find no nonsense party food ideas and some easy recipes to help you prepare the meals. You can also find tips on food menu planning to make your party food choices easy.

Party decorating? Not a problem when you have a party supply list right in front of you. Check off what you have, and you can still see the party decorating items you still need.

Party activities...what's a party without anything fun to do? Get some good craft project ideas, find some fun party games to keep your little guest busy and entertained the whole party through. There are even ideas on how to let the kids make their own party favors.

Halloween Party Planning Guide

Find a guide just for help planning Halloween parties. Whether it's a movie party or a costume party, you will find all the planning help you need to have a fun, successful party. Find scary recipes, fun Halloween party supplies and lots of fun game suggestions. Everything you need to plan your party including a time frame, a shopping list and decorating ideas.

Other Party Guides

There are several party guides for you to choose from so whether you are celebrating a birthday. a princess, a Handy Manny party or a holiday, like Halloween or Christmas, you will find the right party guide for you. Everyone is going to think you are a professional party planner when you start coming up with tips and ideas for everyone!

Learn some party planning secrets too. Find out how some people always have a great party, while others have boring parties time after time. The secret is in the planning...knowing how to organize, knowing what supplies to get, what food to serve and what games to play. Get yours today!

Princess Party Supplies From Princess Party Ideas

Get the Princess party ideas you need to throw a fabulous royal ball for your little girl are here. No matter what your birthday party budget, you can find fun ideas for your daughter's princess birthday celebration.

The royal ball theme is not new, but that doesn't mean you can not have some unique party ideas for your little girls' birthday party. Girls party ideas are easy to find when you know where to look...and Princess Party are so popular with girls. We will show you how to find the regal princess party food ideas, fun kids craft projects, party games...everything you will need to celebrate this regal event.

Princess Party Planning

Set your party budget and get your guest list together. Plan on one guest for each year of age. If your little girl is five...plan on five guests. If your little girl is turning 7 plan on inviting 7 party guests. Keep it small, keep it simple, and it will be a fun and successful party.

Pick out your party theme. There are several princess party themes you can choose from. One of the most popular is the Disney Princesses. As a group or on their own, these popular princess party themes are always a fun choice. The Disney Princesses include Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel the Little Mermaid, and some people think Tinkerbell should be in this group as well. Other ideas include Pink princess, pretty princess and the first birthday princess accessories.

Party Supplies Fit For A Princess

Princess party supplies and decorations are fun. Fun to shop for, fun to pick out and fun to set out on the day of your party. You can find tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, balloons, wall decals and lots of other supply ideas. Look on line where you can get party packs. Boxes packed with enough party supplies for up to 8 princesses. These boxes include the party invitations you need to send out to your guest list. You can also find balloons and streamers...these are big party decorating accessories. Balloons and streamers give you big party decorating help for just a few dollars. A Princess theme party is usually in the pastel color family. Pinks, white, lavender sometimes mixed in with gold and purple...very regal colors...perfect for your royal kids party.

Princess Party Decorations

Other decorating ideas you should know about are: using tulle or gossamer fabric to decorate the walls of your party room. Pick a chair to decorate as a throne. You can wrap tulle or fabric around a chair, let it drape to the floor at the back. Tie the fabric in place by tying a big bow. A simple decorating idea that brings a big effect. Your chair now looks like a throne fit for a princess. There is also a princess throne that you can buy.

Add some wall decals to really bring your princess party theme home. These decals are easy to apply and also easy to remove. When your party is over use them to decorate your daughter's bedroom. That makes this party decoration a bonus for your little girl.

Use a red carpet to lead your party guests into the throne room. How regal can you get? The red carpet is thrilling to walk. Make sure you take a picture of the girls while they are walking on it. Be sure to put a tiara on their heads before they start the red carpet walk.

Another fun princess party idea is to make a pumpkin carriage photo setup. You can make this out of a large piece of cardboard. Cut a face hole in the carriage and when your party guests stand behind it, they will look like they are sitting in a carriage on their way to the ball. Great for taking pictures to put in the thank you notes and a great party keepsake. You can also find these party photo props for sale...at a pretty cheap price, so make it or buy it, just be sure to check it out. It does add a lot of fun to your party theme.

Party Favors can work the rest of the magic at your Princess party. Get some unique ideas like Cinderella slipper sidewalk chalk or a glass slipper filled with candies, or that beautiful tiara every princess needs.

Princess Birthday Cake Ideas

An easy cake decorating idea for a princess party theme is getting a princess cake topper. You just put it right on top of your homemade cake. Looks great and you don't need any special cake decorating skills. There are also edible cake images you can buy. You just put them right on top of your frosted cake too. These toppers make cake decorating for a kids party easy as can be.

You can make a princess castle cake. Frost a rectangular or round cake, add some ice cream cones...covered with frosting, to make the turrets of the castle. Use graham crackers to make the castle doors and windows. You can cut fruit roll ups in triangular pieces attach them to tooth picks and you've made flags to fly from the castle towers. Trim with colored candies and your castle cake is complete.

These are just a few of the wonderful princess party ideas you can find online. Take what you need to make your little girl's birthday party the best princess celebration ever.

Purification of American Political Parties: How Compromise Became a Dirty Word

Under the banner of ideological purity, the Tea Party crusade has struck down potential compromise after potential compromise. With repeated success in Republican Party primaries, the Tea Party has cleansed the Republican Party of incumbents who held moderate political views and bi-partisan voting records. While the Tea Party has taken purification to new extremes, the process of purification has gone through seven phases beginning in the late 19th century against a backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction in the South.

High school civics textbooks define "Politics" as "the art of the possible." Historically, politicians got the best deal for their constituents (sometimes themselves) that they could get based on their seniority, personal charm, and street smarts. Making a political deal was always ideologically impure even when everyone involved was honest and the process was transparent. Parts of some ideological principles were always sacrificed in order to move the country toward a larger goal-sometimes simply to maintain a functional government, e.g. raise the debt ceiling, revive a struggling economy or avoid social chaos.

For over a century from the Civil War and Reconstruction to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, both Parties had members with diverse, often opposing, political ideologies. The diversity in both the Democratic and Republican Parties required accommodation and compromise for either Party to govern. The majority party could not depend on all its members voting the "party line." Moderates of both Parties had political power because they were willing to cross the aisle. Their swing votes strongly influenced legislation in Washington and in state capitols.

Intra-party ideological diversity was fostered by a three-way split in the electorate between Republicans, Democrats and Independents. While it has varied year by year, since the Great Depression about a third of voting age Americans identify themselves as Democrats--slightly more than Republicans. The Republican Party has generally drawn its support from rural, suburban, upper middle class families and WASPS (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants). Demographically, Democrats have tended to be urban, working class or poorer and included most minorities, Catholics, Jews and recent immigrants. Until 1980, southerners had been Democrats because the Republic Party was the party of Abraham Lincoln who had freed the slaves. For the same reasons Blacks usually voted Democratic-if they voted at all. (Before the Voting Rights Act of 1964, Negroes in the South faced substantial barriers to voting.) In recent years the largest group of American voters (~40%) identify themselves as Independents. Republicans have won their share of elections by getting better voter turnout of their supporters and sometimes attracting more than half of the Independents.

In Congress, Democratic Party leaders had to get moderate northern Republicans or accommodate conservative southern Democrats (Dixiecrats) or both to pass legislation. Even when they held the majority, Republican Party leaders had to woo the Dixiecrats to break a filibuster by northern Democrats.

Passive Republic Presidents and the excesses of the wealthy elite in the 1920s, lead to the Great Depression and a strong leftward shift to the liberal policies of Franklin Roosevelt. Government involvement in American society increased dramatically as Roosevelt fought the Great Depression and World War II.

In a brilliant political move after the War, the minority Republican Party nominated the military hero of World War II and a political moderate. General Eisenhower was President for eight, mostly quiet and prosperous, years.

Eight years later in 1960, the Democrats nominated a charismatic young Catholic with an exciting military record and new ideas for the nation. With Lyndon Johnson, a southern conservative Vice Presidential candidate, who had initiated the popular Interstate Highway system, on the ticket, Kennedy held southern Democrats and got just enough votes from Independents to squeak into the White House. He moderated Roosevelt's promise that government would help those in need. Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country!"

After Kennedy's assassination, a traumatized country united behind Lyndon Johnson. As a southern conservative Johnson galvanized all Democrat legislators and as a familiar former Senate Majority Leader, Johnson attracted moderate northern Republican legislators, primarily from urban states. He passed landmark social legislation on civil rights and Medicare. In 1964, the Republican Party nominated Senator Barry Goldwater, an arch conservative. Johnson trounced him.

Johnson's popularity declined as the war of choice he championed in Vietnam, became generally unpopular. Rather than be embarrassed by the revolt in his own party, Johnson decided not to run for re-election. His Vice President Hubert Humphrey was nominated but could not overcome the stigma of his early support for his President's war. Richard Nixon, Eisenhower's Vice President, who had lost to Kennedy eight years earlier, beat Humphrey by attracting independent voters. Another moderate Republican moved back into the White House.

With a Congressional coalition of majority Democrats and northern moderate Republicans, Republican Nixon passed landmark environmental legislation (National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act), created the Environmental protection Agency, and, in the biggest diplomatic maneuver of my lifetime, initiated a new relationship with China. Republicans couldn't criticize a President from their own Party and most Democrats thought it was a good idea. A Democratic President would not have dared to get cozy with a Communist country.

After Nixon was impeached for covering up criminal activity by his re-election campaign, Vice-President Gerald Ford became President. The moderate Republican Congressman from Michigan gently guided the country beyond the tragedies of Vietnam and impeachment.

In 1976, the Democrats held enough of the South by nominating Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter to win the Presidency back. His moderate ideology might have led to important domestic policies but the Arab Oil Embargo and Iran hostage crisis drained his political capital and destroyed his chances of re-election.

In 1980, Republicans ran the conservative and charismatic governor of California against a weak President Carter. Reagan won by pulling two blocks of voters out of the Democratic coalition. He attracted enough union members unhappy with Carter's economic policies, high gas prices and humiliation in Iran. He pulled enough conservative southern Democrats who no longer felt allegiance to a former Georgia governor.

Reagan's appeal in the South energized the Republican Party in those states and eventually the remaining Dixiecrats were defeated by Republican candidates for Senate, Congress, Governor, and on down. The movement of conservative southern Democratic voters to the Republican Party was PHASE ONE of the purification of the parties.

After two decades of dramatic domestic debates (civil rights, Medicare, environmental protection, women's rights, impeachment) and failed military adventures (Vietnam, Iran hostages), the country welcomed the elderly man with a contagious smile. Reagan's "new day in America" was getting the government out of the face of American businesses and into the face of foreign adversaries, especially the Soviet Union. He renewed the arms race with the Soviet Union. He threatened to build a "star wars" missile defense system. The Soviets might have decided that once the "star wars" defense was built, the U.S. would launch a nuclear first strike. That possibility might have motivated them to take their chances with a first strike of their own. Reagan took a big and dangerous gamble. The Soviets had a special paranoia, based on more than 20 million fatalities defending Russia from Hitler in WWII (U.S. casualties were under 1 million) and the earlier carnage of Russia by Napoleon in the 19th century. Reagan gambled that they would not launch their own first strike. Instead, they increased their deterrence capability with more nuclear warheads and upgrade their Warsaw Pact conventional forces poised against NATO forces in central Europe. Eventually the Soviets devoted 25% of the GNP of their inferior Communist economic system to national defense. Focusing so much of their energy and budget on defense bankrupted the country and caused the Soviet Union to disintegrate. The Berlin Wall went down and relations between the U.S. and USSR warmed. The threat of nuclear annihilation, that had been a very real backdrop to life for a generation, diminished dramatically. After high disapproval ratings half-way through his first term, Reagan became a hero for both his domestic economic policies and his successful facedown of the Soviets. Re-election was a cake walk

George H. Bush, Reagan's successor in 1988, continued most of Reagan's policies but did not expand them. As a northern moderate, he said he wanted "a kinder, gentler nation." He re-authorized the Clean Air Act, further developed the Chinese connection, and put together a solid international military coalition to push Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait in the first Gulf War.

Because of a recession and a Third Party candidate, Bush #1 was defeated by another southern Governor. Bill Clinton described himself as a "New Democrat." He presented a moderate image of a pro-business (i.e. reduce regulations) Democrat who still cared about the little guy. He had been a little guy in a poor family in a poor town in Arkansas. Bush #1 came from a wealthy East Coast establishment family. With a "jobs" campaign, Clinton won back many of the Reagan Democrats--working class union members. However, Republicans considered him an illegitimate president because most of the votes cast for Perot, the third party candidate, would probably have gone to Bush. Besides, they felt the Presidency belonged to them: the Democrats had held the House since the big war; the Senate changed hands occasionally; and the Presidency belonged to the Republican Party.

The Republicans were sure they could beat Billy Boy the second time around if they made sure he didn't accomplish anything in his first term. Clinton's agenda on health care and other issues went nowhere in Congress.

In the mid-term elections of 1994, Newt Gingrich, an obscure Congressman from Georgia, organized campaigns in House seats held by Democrats that he thought were could be taken away. Gingrich's efforts were aided by the Moral Majority, a fundamentalist Christian movement with a conservative social agenda (anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, pro-school prayer). In a stunning reversal, Republicans won enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives. The first order of business for the new GOP majority was to elect Newt Gingrich, the architect of the "Contract with America" campaign, Speaker of the House.

Speaker Gingrich instituted a policy of no compromise with the minority Democrats. Bills would be hammered out in the Republican caucus. Once a majority of House Republicans agreed upon a draft of the bill, all Republican Representatives were expected to vote for it. There would be no amendments offered by Republicans and no consideration of amendments offered by Democrats. Gingrich's "majority of the majority" rule was PHASE TWO of purification of the parties. If you were a Republican, whether you liked a bill or not; you always voted with the Speaker on the floor. In Gingrich's "majority of the majority" system, moderates had no power. Previously, their votes were often pivotal. "Compromise" was put in hospice and all compromisers could do was mourn.

Gingrich and his "boys" overplayed their hand when they threatened to shut down Washington if they did not get their way.. The economy improved. Clinton was easily re-elected without the help of a third party candidate..

Then Clinton handled the Republicans a huge gift. He didn't control his testosterone and had oral sex with a White House intern. Ken Starr was appointed "Special Prosecutor" with unprecedented inquisition powers to investigate any part of the President's private or public behavior--before and during his Presidency. Although no connection was ever found between his "sinful" private behavior and his public decision-making, the conservative House of Representatives voted Articles of Impeachment. Senators of both parties were appalled--the Senate still contained northern moderate Republicans. The media had a feeding frenzy. The whole world was watching the U.S. House of Representatives humiliating their President-and leader of the Free World. As expected, the Senate refused to consider the Articles of Impeachment. The whole thing had been a spectacle designed to embarrass the President. (In subsequent years, several of the lead Congressional prosecutors, including Gingrich himself, were exposed to having had extramarital sexual affairs.)

In the early stages of the Ken Starr's inquisition, many Democrats distanced themselves from "Bill" and condemned his personal behavior. While they might have argued that his personal life was not an appropriate subject of discussion, they were embarrassed by it. However, the viciousness of the impeachment attacks and the unwillingness of House Republicans to compromise by censuring the President instead of impeaching him, ultimately united the Democratic Party. House Democrats voting for Republican bills became rare. On its way to the grave "compromise" became a dirty word on the Democratic side of the aisle as well as on Gingrich's side. Purification had entered PHASE THREE.

Republican George W. Bush's election itself caused PHASE FOUR of the purification of parties. The result of the 2000 election teethered on the counting of machine-damaged votes (chads) in Florida. The days of recounting and refusals to recount dragged from days into weeks without a clear winner. Partisan accusations flew and emotions flared. Because Democrat Al Gore failed to win his home state of Tennessee, the whole election came down to Florida. As in 1992, a third party candidate, this time Ralph Nader with the leftist Green Party, had siphoned enough votes from Gore to make the outcome uncertain. Eventually the Republican Florida Secretary of State and the U.S. Supreme Court with a majority of Justices appointed by Republican presidents, made the decision in favor of Bush. Democrats were united as victims of a stolen election. "Missing chad" votes were disproportionate thrown out in urban areas where Democrats typically got more votes..

Despite claims of collusion between George W. Bush and the manufacturer of the voting machines, the Florida election miscarriage was probably not Bush II's fault. However, Bush was responsible for picking Dick Cheney for Vice President-a uniquely contemptuous and contemptible power behind the throne. Bush II was also responsible for his swagger-a swagger that seemed more appropriate for a cowboy at a rodeo than a President dealing with domestic and international leaders--who would like to think that their ideas would be taken seriously. Few Democrats had that feeling during the Bush II Presidency. The policies, and especially the personalities of Bush II and Cheney further purified the Parties-PHASE V. Bush campaigned as "a compassionate conservative" but didn't act that way; Cheney governed as a vindictive autocrat. Democrats were united in opposition and disgust. The midterm elections of 2006 humbled an arrogant President and a trigger happy Secretary of Defense--Donald Rumsfeld. The election was a referendum on their signature policy, the "war of choice" in Iraq.

The House of Representatives returned to Democratic control. Nancy Pelosi from California was elected Speaker. While not a strict adherent to the Gingrich Rule of legislating with "a majority of the majority," Pelosi was overtly partisan and proud to be a generations-deep liberal. A strong national health care system was on top of her agenda. Discrediting, stopping and eventually dethroning Pelosi became a rallying cry for Republicans.

Meanwhile, the new President was naive; he believed he could bring bi-partisanship and civility back to Washington on the strength of his example and demeanor. Instead of coming into office in January of 2009 with a full draft of a health care policy and asking the Democratic majorities in Congressional Committees for speedy consideration, Obama asked them to work with their Republican colleagues to develop the legislation. By the time the committees got their act together (a generous characterization since bipartisan never developed), Republicans had regrouped from a broad scale 2008 defeat and a new political force, the Tea Party, had organized to the right of the Republican Party.

With the help of radio talk shows and the internet, ObamaCare became a symbol of how much harm could be done to American capitalism by left-wing ideologues. In just one year, after the 2008 defeat, conservatives were re-energized. Focused in opposition to "socialized medicine," Republicans had a strategy to take the House in 2010 (thereby getting rid of the first female Speaker); repeal ObamaCare in 2011, repeal Obama in 2012." Poor Presidential leadership, a divisive issue, and a Speaker who presented a big target, galvanized the conservatives in the Republican while further marginalizing Republican moderates-purification of the political parties PHASE SIX.

The final and probably the most important development in purification of the Parties has been the spontaneous and widespread development of the Tea Party. Their commitment is undeniable. Their rights are guaranteed. Their truths are self-verified.

They want to "Take America Back." Do they mean that they are the rightful owners of America? Has someone stolen it from them and they plan to get it back? To the overwhelming White and chronologically mature members of the Tea Party, the prospect of losing majority status is deeply disturbing. Thus, securing the borders and enforcing immigration laws are Tea Party hot-button issues. Certainly, immigration, legal and otherwise, has caused changes in U.S. demographics. The other cause of changing racial ratios is the decision of young White couples not to have many or any babies. However, it is not as easy to blame one's own children as it is to blame Spanish speaking illegal immigrants.

No one wants to be called a racist and few people think of themselves as racist. However, racism has been a defining issue in America for several hundred years. The election of a Black man did not erase racism. To some Tea Party members, having the country in the hands of a Black man means the U.S. has been taken away and needs to be returned to its rightful owners. Obama's Arabic middle name (Hussien) sealed the case according to the talk show zealots. According to Tea Party rhetoric, Barrack Hussien Obama plans to deliver Americ to Islam.

Some Tea Party members want to "take America back" to some set of conditions that existed in the past: perhaps a time of fewer regulations on businesses, perhaps less availability of abortion and family planning services in general; perhaps more regulations on sinful behavior, perhaps Christian symbols in public places, perhaps prayers in school, perhaps traditional definitions of marriage, perhaps no teaching of evolution or climate change in public schools, perhaps more prosecution of illegal aliens. Perhaps more aggressive exercise of military power, perhaps tougher trade policies. Surely less government, smaller deficits and lower national debt. Surely no expiration of Bush II's wartime tax cuts. Absolutely no other new taxes.

Of course, every Tea Party member assigns different weight to these issues. Clearly, not all Tea Party members would favor all of the above public policies and want America to be taken back to all of them. There does seem to be one characteristic common to all Tea Party members. They believe that "compromise" is a dirty word-that compromise has gotten America into this mess. They believe that principles, not compromise, is the solution.

If compromise is a dirty word, then politicians who compromise are dirty. Since compromise is a moderate's political stock in trade, a moderate politician is dirty. In some ways an "unprincipled moderate" is more disgusting than a consistent leftist. In this framework, a Tea Party member might have more respect for an outspoken liberal Senator like Ted Kennedy than for any of the dwindling moderate Republican Senators. Those moderate Senators have dwindled as Tea Party candidates have outright beat them in Republican primaries or as the Tea Party has motivated them to retire by threatening to defeat them in such primaries.

The Tea Party has also run primary candidates against incumbent Republican Representatives and Republican Governors who they considered to be too moderate-too willing to compromise. Targeted incumbents have frequently been beaten in the Republican primary or decided not run for re-election. The success of Tea Party candidates in the general election has been mixed, which doesn't seem to bother them. Purity is more important than winning-a novel concept in politics which had previously been defined as "the art of the possible."

Having seen the power of the Tea Party in Republican Party primaries, few Republican office holders want to be stigmatized as a "compromiser." Most have signed the "No New Taxes Pledge" initiated by a single man, Grover Norquist, to limit the scope of government. His assertion, that a signer has violated the pledge, would be the kiss of death for many Republican incumbents.

In the few short years of PHASE SEVEN since 2009, the Tea Party, with the help from Norquist's "No New Taxes Pledge," has dramatically purified the Parties.

And it is not over. Purity is an ascending staircase to absurdity-and hopefully obscurity.

As a farmer, Lowell Klessig has been activate in local government and local civic organizations. He served 19 years on the Town of New Hope Planning Commission and currently serves on the Portage County Board of Adjustment. He organized the Town of New Hope Family Forest Alliance and served as its president for 10 years.

At the state level, he helped write the Wisconsin Lake Management Law, served as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Rural Leadership program, was active in numerous environmental groups and was involved in numerous political campaigns. He continues to served on the Scenic Wisconsin Board of Directors.

At the federal level, he was active in the Civil Rights Movement, the Environmental Movement, and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement. He worked in Senator Eugene McCarthy's 1968 successful campaign to convince Lyndon Johnson not to seek a second term as President. He ran for a Rep. Morris Udall delegate seat to the 1976 Democratic National Convention. He was active in Senator Kerry 2004 Presidential campaign and wrote editorials for Senator Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign.

American Politics And The Second Coming Of The Tea Party: Part 2 Of A 2 Part Series

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself." - Alexander Hamilton

This piece, part two of a two-part series, will pick up where part one left off, at the demise of the Federalist Party and the emergence of the Democratic-Republican Party. It will then explore the remaining history of American political parties up to this day.

The party system in the United States was born as the Federalists, in favor of central government and industry, and the Anti-Federalists, in favor of states rights and farming, struggled for power. As part of the deal that ended with the ratification of the Constitution, the two parties agreed that a body elect would choose the President and the Vice President, not the people themselves. This was the method of choosing the President until 1824, when the system we have now was put into place. George Washington was unanimously elected by electoral vote as the first President and John Adams was his Vice-President.

The Federalists' demise began in 1790. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson took opposing sides on the formation of a central bank and the beginning of a national debt. Jefferson became head of what would become the Democratic-Republican Party, denouncing the Federalists as no better than the king himself. Washington and Adams were voted in again, and The Federalists hung onto power. Nonetheless, the makings of the first real American Heavyweight bout were underway. In the champion's corner, was John Adams for President representing the Federalists. In the challenger's corner, were Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party. Washington decided to retire as his Administration was harshly criticized over policy. In the ensuing election, Adams received 71 electoral votes to Jefferson's 68. So much for unanimous elections and harmonious political existence! The result was that Adams became President and Jefferson became Vice-President.

Into the 1800's, the Republican and Democratic parties remained aligned with the Republican party growing in strength. As a result, the federal government grew and strengthened, as well. The government was growing in scope of power too. The "Sedition Law," which punished "any false, scandalous, or malicious writing against the government of the United States, or either House of Congress, or the President," was considered a despotic act. Jefferson and the Republicans won in 1800 and Aaron Burr, the Democratic Party leader, became Vice-President. The Federalist Party was no more. The Democratic - Republican Party for the time being would reign supremely. The effort to strengthen the central government excessively at the expense of the power of the states had come to naught, and the Federalists, as a well-defined party, gradually vanished from existence.

With the Democratic-Republican Party firmly in power, many unpopular laws were repealed, and the federal government went back about its business. Over the next 30 years, the Democratic-Republican Party slowly became two more distinct parties.

In 1834, as the National Republican Party faded into the background, the Whig Party was born with leaders like Daniel Webster, who favored Congressional power over Presidential power. The Whigs wanted to expand the national government (and the country itself) westward. In 1840, the first Whig president, William Henry Harrison, was elected. The last Whig president, Zachary Taylor, was elected in 1848. The Whigs were not around for very long. Mediocre sitcoms on television have lasted longer than the Whigs. In 1854, the Republican Party reformed, bolstered by support from the tattered Whigs and the independent Free Soldiers.

By 1860, the issue of slavery and state rights dominated the political landscape. The country was divided North and South. The Democratic Party literally split in two, just like the nation would a year later. The Southern Democrats were in favor of the federal protection of slavery in the western territories, the Northern Democrats were not. They wanted the Supreme Court to handle the issue. This led to the election of a Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, who firmly believed that the Union would be held together by the federal government at all costs. His policies and the divided nation's conflicting views led to the bloody, divisive, four-year long Civil War that lasted from 1861 until 1865. The Reconstruction Years that followed saw the South lose most of its political sway for the next few decades.

By the 1890's, the Democratic and Republican parties, mostly as we know them today, were firmly entrenched as the two major political parties that controlled United States Politics. Republicans became known as the conservative or right-wing party, and Democrats became known as the liberal or left-wing party. The parties themselves became entrenched in their positions, growing further and further apart in their philosophies, getting more and more concerned with Republican or Democratic values and less concerned with the values of the American citizens they governed. The divide between party values and American values varied so widely that Teddy Roosevelt broke his own party apart during the election of 1912.

Teddy Roosevelt was a very American major disruptive factor in the 1912 presidential election, 4 years after he declined to run for President for a 3rd term. He found the policies of his own party's President, William Howard Taft, to be far too conservative for his liking. After a rift at the Republican Convention, Teddy formed the Bull Moose Party and took enough Republican votes from Taft to allow Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson to win the Presidency.

Little in the two political party system has changed in the past 100 years since the election of 1912, with the exception of an occasional Independent like Ross Perot who popped up in the 1980's, and 1990's to make some noise, until very recently. CNBC financial analyst Rick Santelli hit on a nerve on a broadcast after the financial crisis of 2008 erupted. Upset with more bailouts of people who bought houses they could not afford and people who financed those houses, Santelli said: "We're thinking of having a Chicago Tea Party in July! All you capitalists that want to show up at Lake Michigan I'm organizing a party!"

The Tea Party movement was born. Though Santelli is not affiliated with the Tea Party directly, he said some things that many Americans felt at the time. Many like Santelli were vocally tired of big government and special interest politicians taking tax money and throwing it at every problem in the hopes of fixing it. Santelli and the traders on the floor on that show expressed; that they were tired of a government that is self-perpetuating for government's sake instead of for its people's sake. The Founding Fathers were right, the danger of any political system, even a well-intentioned one, is that it will grow to a point where its only concern is maintaining political power at any cost.

The Obama Administration came in preaching change, and they are not the problem. Even if, they truly believed they could enforce change when they took office, the two-party systems don't allow it. Policy change would allow a shift in the balance of power. That hasn't occurred in this country since the Whigs threw a curve ball to the power grid of this country's political framework back in the 1840's. However, the fact is, change can be a good thing. The Founding Fathers demanded change. A new voice or view-point could help the country get a new perspective. It is obvious the Tea Party has managed to get a lot of people involved in politics who were never involved before. Besides even more people getting involved with different views and different voices would be better. That is what a democracy is about. Self governance that is equally participated in and therefore, equally represented.

The Tea Party has swelled in its ranks since members started forming protests a few weeks after the Santelli rant. Since then, the fledgling movement has grown rapidly in America, sponsoring hundreds of protests, boasting millions of members, and affecting the 2010 elections that swayed the balance of power once again from one party, the Democratic Party, to two parties. The Tea Party, however, is not yet an official, political party in America. The line between self governance and being ruled over is a fine line, that's what makes the project the Founding Fathers did with the Constitution so miraculous. However even they knew that it would require effort, perseverance, vigilance and participation to make a true Democratic Republic work.

As Benjamin Franklin famously said just after the Constitution was ratified, "Well, Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy? A republic, if you can keep it." With more participation from the American people and more effort from those being governed, America will stand as a republic for many years to come, but it's not politics or political parties that make America strong, it's the people who make up the nation, who believe in freedom and who fight for what is just. Sometimes it just takes a new voice to remind every one of that fact.

As for what Ben Franklin might think of the Republic today and whether or not all Americans should be aware and involved in the politics of the nation to maintain it, I think Ben might have said: "Let's have a cup of tea and talk about it. With some good open honest discussion, always there's a consensus to be found that can satisfy us all!" On the other hand, then, he always was penny wise and pound smartly!

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself." - Alexander Hamilton
This piece, part two of a two-part series, will pick up where part one left off, at the demise of the Federalist Party and the emergence of the Democratic-Republican Party. It will then explore the remaining history of American political parties up to this day.
The party system in the United States was born as the Federalists, in favor of central government and industry, and the Anti-Federalists, in favor of states rights and farming, struggled for power. As part of the deal that ended with the ratification of the Constitution, the two parties agreed that a body elect would choose the President and the Vice President, not the people themselves. This was the method of choosing the President until 1824, when the system we have now was put into place. George Washington was unanimously elected by electoral vote as the first President and John Adams was his Vice-President.
The Federalists' demise began in 1790. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson took opposing sides on the formation of a central bank and the beginning of a national debt. Jefferson became head of what would become the Democratic-Republican Party, denouncing the Federalists as no better than the king himself. Washington and Adams were voted in again, and The Federalists hung onto power. Nonetheless, the makings of the first real American Heavyweight bout were underway. In the champion's corner, was John Adams for President representing the Federalists. In the challenger's corner, were Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party. Washington decided to retire as his Administration was harshly criticized over policy. In the ensuing election, Adams received 71 electoral votes to Jefferson's 68. So much for unanimous elections and harmonious political existence! The result was that Adams became President and Jefferson became Vice-President.
Into the 1800's, the Republican and Democratic parties remained aligned with the Republican party growing in strength. As a result, the federal government grew and strengthened, as well. The government was growing in scope of power too. The "Sedition Law," which punished "any false, scandalous, or malicious writing against the government of the United States, or either House of Congress, or the President," was considered a despotic act. Jefferson and the Republicans won in 1800 and Aaron Burr, the Democratic Party leader, became Vice-President. The Federalist Party was no more. The Democratic - Republican Party for the time being would reign supremely. The effort to strengthen the central government excessively at the expense of the power of the states had come to naught, and the Federalists, as a well-defined party, gradually vanished from existence.
With the Democratic-Republican Party firmly in power, many unpopular laws were repealed, and the federal government went back about its business. Over the next 30 years, the Democratic-Republican Party slowly became two more distinct parties.
In 1834, as the National Republican Party faded into the background, the Whig Party was born with leaders like Daniel Webster, who favored Congressional power over Presidential power. The Whigs wanted to expand the national government (and the country itself) westward. In 1840, the first Whig president, William Henry Harrison, was elected. The last Whig president, Zachary Taylor, was elected in 1848. The Whigs were not around for very long. Mediocre sitcoms on television have lasted longer than the Whigs. In 1854, the Republican Party reformed, bolstered by support from the tattered Whigs and the independent Free Soldiers.
By 1860, the issue of slavery and state rights dominated the political landscape. The country was divided North and South. The Democratic Party literally split in two, just like the nation would a year later. The Southern Democrats were in favor of the federal protection of slavery in the western territories, the Northern Democrats were not. They wanted the Supreme Court to handle the issue. This led to the election of a Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, who firmly believed that the Union would be held together by the federal government at all costs. His policies and the divided nation's conflicting views led to the bloody, divisive, four-year long Civil War that lasted from 1861 until 1865. The Reconstruction Years that followed saw the South lose most of its political sway for the next few decades.
By the 1890's, the Democratic and Republican parties, mostly as we know them today, were firmly entrenched as the two major political parties that controlled United States Politics. Republicans became known as the conservative or right-wing party, and Democrats became known as the liberal or left-wing party. The parties themselves became entrenched in their positions, growing further and further apart in their philosophies, getting more and more concerned with Republican or Democratic values and less concerned with the values of the American citizens they governed. The divide between party values and American values varied so widely that Teddy Roosevelt broke his own party apart during the election of 1912.
Teddy Roosevelt was a very American major disruptive factor in the 1912 presidential election, 4 years after he declined to run for President for a 3rd term. He found the policies of his own party's President, William Howard Taft, to be far too conservative for his liking. After a rift at the Republican Convention, Teddy formed the Bull Moose Party and took enough Republican votes from Taft to allow Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson to win the Presidency.
Little in the two political party system has changed in the past 100 years since the election of 1912, with the exception of an occasional Independent like Ross Perot who popped up in the 1980's, and 1990's to make some noise, until very recently. CNBC financial analyst Rick Santelli hit on a nerve on a broadcast after the financial crisis of 2008 erupted. Upset with more bailouts of people who bought houses they could not afford and people who financed those houses, Santelli said: "We're thinking of having a Chicago Tea Party in July! All you capitalists that want to show up at Lake Michigan I'm organizing a party!"
The Tea Party movement was born. Though Santelli is not affiliated with the Tea Party directly, he said some things that many Americans felt at the time. Many like Santelli were vocally tired of big government and special interest politicians taking tax money and throwing it at every problem in the hopes of fixing it. Santelli and the traders on the floor on that show expressed; that they were tired of a government that is self-perpetuating for government's sake instead of for its people's sake. The Founding Fathers were right, the danger of any political system, even a well-intentioned one, is that it will grow to a point where its only concern is maintaining political power at any cost.
The Obama Administration came in preaching change, and they are not the problem. Even if, they truly believed they could enforce change when they took office, the two-party systems don't allow it. Policy change would allow a shift in the balance of power. That hasn't occurred in this country since the Whigs threw a curve ball to the power grid of this country's political framework back in the 1840's. However, the fact is, change can be a good thing. The Founding Fathers demanded change. A new voice or view-point could help the country get a new perspective. It is obvious the Tea Party has managed to get a lot of people involved in politics who were never involved before. Besides even more people getting involved with different views and different voices would be better. That is what a democracy is about. Self governance that is equally participated in and therefore, equally represented.
The Tea Party has swelled in its ranks since members started forming protests a few weeks after the Santelli rant. Since then, the fledgling movement has grown rapidly in America, sponsoring hundreds of protests, boasting millions of members, and affecting the 2010 elections that swayed the balance of power once again from one party, the Democratic Party, to two parties. The Tea Party, however, is not yet an official, political party in America. The line between self governance and being ruled over is a fine line, that's what makes the project the Founding Fathers did with the Constitution so miraculous. However even they knew that it would require effort, perseverance, vigilance and participation to make a true Democratic Republic work.
As Benjamin Franklin famously said just after the Constitution was ratified, "Well, Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy? A republic, if you can keep it." With more participation from the American people and more effort from those being governed, America will stand as a republic for many years to come, but it's not politics or political parties that make America strong, it's the people who make up the nation, who believe in freedom and who fight for what is just. Sometimes it just takes a new voice to remind every one of that fact.
As for what Ben Franklin might think of the Republic today and whether or not all Americans should be aware and involved in the politics of the nation to maintain it, I think Ben might have said: "Let's have a cup of tea and talk about it. With some good open honest discussion, always there's a consensus to be found that can satisfy us all!" On the other hand, then, he always was penny wise and pound smartly!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6192306

Unique and Budget Friendly Princess Party Favors

Looking for unique but affordable princess party favors for your regal gathering? There are so many alternatives to consider that the possibilities seem endless. In this article, we will discuss princess birthday party favor ideas from the simple and inexpensive to those that are more elaborate. We always consider the busy moms in our selections of course.

When thinking of royalty frequently the crown jewels come to mind. Why not try your own version of the crown jewels party favor? This party favor can take on a few different styles. First, select your treasure chest, which can be either heavy duty wooden treasure chests that each guest can paint and decorate with stickers, stick on jewels, and glitter glue. Or opt for a more simplified version. You can purchase inexpensive small cardboard pink treasure chests made especially for holding party gifts. Make sure to fill your treasure chests with big jeweled rings, brightly colored necklaces and candy rings.

No princess party is complete without tiaras and magical wands. If all of your party guests are arriving in full prince or princess dress up, then complete their ensemble with a crown or tiara and wand. These items can be purchased inexpensively at most discount stores as well as online party supply stores. No need for them to all match, you can select a variety of colors and styles to fit the variety of guests that will be attending the party. Make sure to buy a few extra in case one of the guests accidentally steps on one or breaks one during the party. Since no jesters will be attending your party to cheer up your guests, so stashing away an extra tiara or wand if a problem occurs is the best way to stop those tears from flowing. Depending on how much money you want to spend, you could also add matching feather boas to the mix which are tons of fun and make for great pictures.

If you want other options that combine party crafts and princess birthday party favors, you can always purchase a DYO tiara or DYO wand kit which are prepackaged with all the necessary accessories for decorating. Or head to your local craft store and select the do it yourself decorating trinkets such as sequins, glitter glue, foam letter stickers and stick on jewels. Most craft stores also carry foam tiaras and princess cone hats in a variety of colors that are also tons of fun for princess party decorating projects.

Another unique way to combine party fun with party favors is to make princess themed treats while at the party that the guests bring home to enjoy later. Wilton has a wonderful new aluminum baking pan that makes it a snap to bake edible star wands using either a cake mix, cookie dough, brownie mix or cereal treats and lollipop sticks. If you can't find the pan in a store or online, or if you want to make them the old fashion way, just use a star cookie cutter to cut out the brownies, cookies or cereal treats in the shape of stars and insert a lollipop stick into the bottom. The fun part comes in decorating the wands. Have the party guests use edible markers, edible glitter, sprinkles or M&Ms to decorate the treats, or you can decorate them in advance and just give them as gifts to the royal party goers. Just place the decorated edible wands into a clear plastic bag, wrap the stick with a twist tie and you've transformed this tasty treat into an edible princess party favor. You could even wrap the sticks in colorful ribbon and display them at the party by sticking the lollipop sticks into a Styrofoam block. The positive side to this party gift is that it is also fun for the girls to decorate while at the party, so you've accomplished two tasks in one. Problem? - could be a big mess to clean up!

If you're hosting a princess birthday party, and you don't want to spend all kinds of time and money coming up with the best princess party favors, then at the very least upgrade the basic party bag to a princess themed party bag. You can purchase cellophane party bags in sets of 12 with crowns and the word "princess" printed on the outside, or upgrade to a reusable bag made from felt or cotton that is decorated with marabou, embroidery, and jewels. Another great option for a princess party bag is to turn a small (but fancy) dress up purse into a party bag and place all kinds things little girls love inside of it. Little girls love their stuff, and having an extra fancy bag to put it all in is sure to be a big hit.

Sure to fit into most party bags as well as most budgets is a small booklet of princess tattoos. You could also apply these tattoos to the children during the party making for a great party project -- both boys and girls alike all love their temporary tattoos. Typically you can find these for under $2 for a book of 6 tattoos and under $1 for individual tattoos.

All little girls love to color, so you can't go wrong by adding a princess coloring book to the party favor bag. You can find stained glass coloring books and mini coloring books all with princess themes which are great (and unique) party favor gifts.

Princess themed hair clips (such as those shaped like crowns) and fancy hair bows are fun for all girls to play with, even if they have short hair. Hair accessories make great gift toppers too! Just place a cute princess ring or crown bracelet in a pastel cardboard jewelry box, tie with a pretty ribbon and top with a cute crown hair clip. Two gifts in one! Princess jewelry for little girls can come in a variety of price points and quality levels. Crown necklaces, bracelets and rings or even a happily ever after princess charm bracelet. Big on impact but small on cost.

What would be better than a wand that doubles as a pen? Or a big pink, puffy marabou tiara pen? Fun and funky princess themed pens are perfect for writing in journals or just doodling around. Pair up a princess pen with a little crown note pad or penny purse for a cute and unique party favor duo.

Princess photo frame and party picture - This one might take a little more effort on your end, but could result in a great, memorable party favor. Purchase princess photo frames in advance for each party goer and while at the party, take a picture of each girl in attendance. You can spice it up by adding a carriage photo prop or a picture with the "queen for a day." Purchase some photo paper and print the photos while the party is still raging. This is definitely not a party favor that will end up in the trash.

Children's Party Checklist - 7 Tips For Arranging The Perfect Party

Planning parties for children is all about having fun. As an adult we can become too preoccupied with being sensible, but children's parties are where we can really let loose. A successful children's party is one where the little ones fall asleep in a heap at the end of the day, and you are right there next to them! Planning the party can however seem overwhelming, but by following a simple party checklist, those feelings can be substituted with the joy and excitement that the party has to offer.

These seven steps will leave you feeling in control and ready to start the planning process.

Theme Party Ideas:

As with any party that you plan, it is a good idea to have a theme, and children's theme parties are incredibly easy. Your child may have a favourite licensed character or hobby that they would like to incorporate. If they are old enough, just ask them what their preference is and they will give you lots of ideas. You could end up with a Dora the Explorer, Bob the Builder, Fairy or Pirate party. The options are endless, but once chosen it will set the entire scene for the party and make all the preparations easy from this point forward.

Places to Throw a Party:

The easiest solution for the party venue is to hold it at your home, but if the thoughts of having a lot of children running around your home or garden is incredibly unappealing, you may wish to think of alternatives.

Depending on the weather you could look at going to a local park, or maybe hire a hall. If hiring somewhere, you would need to check on the cost and whether food is provided in the cost or as an extra.

Party Decorations:

Party decorations are easy to do once you have chosen your theme. You may have decided upon a colour or a character, so build all your decorations around that idea. There are many party stores that have a huge range of themed decorations, so take a look and see what will suit your party.

If you are a little bit crafty, you may like to make your own decorations. Home made decorations are a great idea for keeping down the party budget, and can be made to look just as you want them. If you decide to do this, make sure you have it planned out in advance so you are not stressing in the last few days before the party.

The decorations are incredibly exciting, so why not involve your child in picking them out or even helping to make them. It will help their excitement with the lead up to the party and also keep them entertained as they are helping to arrange them on the day.

Party Invitations:

Choose a suitable date and time for the party that is not going to clash with any school camps, or important sporting events. Set the scene of the party with choosing an invitation that meets the theme chosen. As soon as the children receive the invite you want them to be excited to attend, so spend some time getting this right. For children under the age of eight, a two-hour party is generally long enough, so decide on whether a morning or afternoon party is more suitable depending on the events described above.

Birthday Party Food:

Try not to get too serious about the food, and remember that it is a party for children. They don't need things to be fancy and cost a lot, so relax and have some fun with it. There are plenty of easy party food recipes that are quick and easy to make and friendly on the party budget.

As tempting as it may be to make lots of sweet treats that look gorgeous, try not to overload the children on sugar. Include some healthy snacks and with some creative layouts these will also look appealing to the children. Try to include a range of foods to give the children a good balance.

For the drinks, try not to go overboard with the fizzy drinks as these are full of sugar. Offer some choices of juice and always have lots of water ready. A way to get the water looking attractive is to have a small bottle for each child and personalise it with a water bottle printable. You can bet they will drink their water if it looks like the theme of the party!

If you find the thoughts of catering for the party completely overwhelming, there is the option of hiring a catering company, but again this will depend on the party budget that you have set yourself.

Party Games for Kids:

It is a great idea to have a plan of action when it comes to the party activities. Whilst at first it may seem easy enough to go with the flow, once all your child's friends arrive and are running about, you will soon wish that you had a schedule of activities. Organised games will ensure that you remain in control and stay as calm as possible for the duration of the party.

There are so many games that you can choose from ranging from pin the tail on the donkey to pass the parcel. All you need to do is Google children's party games and you will find a huge selection to choose from suitable to the age of your child.

If you feel that arranging party games is not something you are comfortable with, you may decide it is easier to hire some entertainment. This may be in the form of a bouncy castle, face painter or clown. These do ultimately come at a price, so it will depend on your party budget as to whether this is a feasible option for you.

Party Favours:

Party favours are something that we don't always think of at adults parties, but are common place at children's parties. These could include anything you want and don't have to be extravagant. They could include some lollies, bubbles, balloons, and a small toy. You may even wish to include a piece of birthday cake. It is a token gift and something to make the children feel special. There is no need to go overboard and spend a fortune as the children will be just as happy receiving a bag of small cheap items as they would at receiving an expensive toy. Simplicity is the key here! One thing to remember is to make enough for each of the children in attendance, but also have some spares for unexpected guests.

As the party day approaches it is very easy to worry about whether you have planned the day to be special enough and whether you have put in enough effort. Try not to worry, because children enjoy the most simple of things and they don't need to be showered with gifts and extravagance. If you have ever sat back and watched a child play with a balloon you will know what I mean here. You have created a special children's party and one that they are going to remember, so don't beat yourself up about all the things you could or should have done, and enjoy the things that you have done. You have followed the party checklist and you can be confident that everything has been covered. If you enjoy the day, then so will your child!

Planning A Surprise Party - 12 Hot Tips For Smooth Sailing Party Preparation

Have you ever planned a surprise party for someone and it has ended in disaster? Or perhaps you would like to hold a surprise party but have no idea how to go about it? If this sounds familiar then you have come to the right place. With some guidance anyone can plan a surprise party that will be the talk of the town, and both you and the surprisee will be guaranteed to have a truly memorable experience.

Planning a surprise party is not for the faint hearted. It takes a lot of planning, organisation and know how. It is definitely not one of those parties that you throw together at the last minute and it WILL require your care and attention right up until the very last minute.

For some people, planning a surprise party is an incredibly fun affair, but for other's it is their worst nightmare come true. The aim is for everyone to experience the fun and by following these 12 simple steps, it will be just that.

Don't say a word!

For people that are good at keeping secrets, this part won't be too difficult, but for those that find secrets hard to keep, this will be slightly challenging. At the end of the day, a surprise party is a surprise because it has been kept a secret... so a secret it MUST be!

The party details must not under any circumstances be mentioned to the surprisee. For this reason it is imperative that the party is not spoken about when the surprisee is anywhere near the vicinity of the conversation. This means that guests also have to keep quiet when the surprisee is around!! Make sure you explain this to your guests, because quite often people need to be told the obvious!

Choose the guests carefully:

Remember that this is a party for the surprisee and not for you. So think about who you are going to invite. Don't invite just everyone that the surprisee knows; but instead invite those that you think the surprisee would want at their party if they were to organise it themselves. For instance, they may not want work colleagues present unless they are particularly close to them.

RSVP's must be kept secret:

When setting up your RSVP, make sure that this is not to a joint phone or email account and make sure all RSVP's are kept private rather than public in places like Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Make sure you stipulate on the invite that it is a surprise party and it should be kept that way.

Make sure the suprisee has the day free and doesn't organise their own plans:

It would be pretty devastating if you had organised a surprise party and the surprisee went off and organised their own event for the day. You don't want the suprisee heading off to another party or going to work, so be sure that the day and time you have chosen will be convenient before you arrange it! When you are planning a surprise party it does need to be a surprise, but it does also need to occur!

Decide a party theme:

Choose a theme that will be appropriate for the surprisee. This maybe their favourite colour or centered around their hobby or interests. This party is for them and not you, so make it as exciting as possible for the surprisee rather than a theme that you would like to plan.

You want the party to be memorable to both guests and the surprisee, so make the party stand out and be original.

Find a suitable location for the surprise party:

The location can often be the trickiest detail to organise when planning a surprise party. If the surprisee lives with you, it can be difficult to hide decorations, invitations and especially the food. If this is going to place too much stress on you, consider holding the party at another venue, maybe a friend or family members home. If again this is not possible, the other option would be to hire a venue.

Organise a Chaperone:

Someone needs to be in charge of staying with the surprisee whilst all the party is being set up. You want to have someone close to the surprisee and it needs to be a natural occasion. For example if the chaperone asked the surprisee to the pub for a few hours (which is completely out of character) then the surprisee might start to suspect something is going on.

The chaperone needs to take the surprisee on a fun outing and most importantly keep them away from the party location for the entire time required. This may take some thinking on the chaperone's feet if the surprisee wants to go home early! Likewise if the party is being held at a different location, the chaperone will need to think of a good story to get the surprisee to the specified location.

Another important point to note here is that the chaperone needs to take notice of time. It is their job to ensure that the surprisee arrives at the party ON TIME!

Undertake party decorations:

Consider the party theme you have chosen when organising your decorations. You want the decorations to be visible only on the inside of the venue because you don't want the surprisee to rock up and find balloons tied to the letter box. Don't give it away after all your hard work!

Ask some friends to come and help you out and have a plan of action before you get started. You will have a limited time frame, from the time of the surprisee leaving to returning, so you will need to act FAST. Having some extra pair of hands will make this job a whole lot easier. Only however have friends present that you know are willing to help you. If you have to twist their arm to be there, the chances are they do not really want to help out. With the limited amount of time you have, you don't want people present that don't really want to help!

Think about where people will park:

Another common mistake that people make when planning a surprise party is that the party is given away at the last minute. It would look a little bit suss if the surprisee returned home to find their street covered in cars... especially cars that they recognize!

Ask your guests to be considerate when the park and park away from the home. If the cars are out of sight, then there will be no reason for the surprisee to suspect anything out of the ordinary.

Fake a party:

It may be that your surprisee really wants to hold a party and the thoughts of letting the occasion go by without any acknowledgment may be quite upsetting for them. If this is the case, you may need to organise a 'fake party'.

For a fake party, you would need to organise a date and let the surprisee know what is happening. If they are a 'hands off' type of person, this would work well because you can plan party details for the real party and essentially forget about the fake party! If however you have a 'hands on' type of surprisee who likes to get involved with the party planning, this will be a bit more tricky. If this is the case you may need to have their input into decorations and food, but try to keep this as minimal as possible, as you still want added surprises on the day of the party... not just a change of date!

Capture the surprise:

Make sure that either yourself or a designated other has a camera at the ready to capture the moment of the "surprise". After all the hard work, you definitely want to make sure that this moment has been captured and it would be wonderful for the surprisee to also see the look on their face when they walk into the party.

Tips for the day of the surprise party:

If there are events that are always held by routine on the day of the party, make sure that these still occur so not to arouse any suspicion. This may be a child's sports event or a weekly catch up with friends. Everything needs to remain as normal as possible!

Make sure you have a plan of action for the day so you are not running around stressed once the surprisee has gone off with the chaperone. If you have a running sheet of what you need to do, this will make your life a whole lot easier and you will have an enjoyable surprise party!

So there you have it. We have discussed 12 party checklist tips for planning a surprise party, that when put into action will ensure you have an enjoyable party planning experience.