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.

The Ultimate Guide on How to Achieve Great Success With Kids Party Food for Your Kids Theme Party

I think one of the most daunting things for parents when it comes to planning and organising their kids theme party, is the party food.

Firstly, the most important thing to remember when planning and organising your kids party food, is to not stress out as you need not be an amazing cook. You will find on the party day that food is not the focus, because kids are much more interested in just having fun and playing the party games and activities.

However, to make your kids party food a huge success, there are a few things to consider.

1) Deciding the Kids Party Menu

The time of day your kids party is being held and your party guests, can help determine the type and quantity of kids party food you serve. Lunch and dinner parties will require more substantial food menus, but snacks will be fine if the party is at other times of the day. If guests' parents are invited to stay at the party, it's a good idea to have some suitable food for the adult guests as well as some extra food stored away just in case.

Do not forget to check with parents whether any of your little guests have food allergies, that way you can cater your child's party accordingly and avoid anything bad happening on the party day.

Remember to also ask your child what food and drinks he/she would like served at the party, as it makes your child feel very special that they are actually helping you plan their party.

To make life easier for you, plan a simple kids party menu that your party guests will still be able to enjoy. Try to have a variety of savoury food and sweet treats, and include in your menu familiar party favourites that are child friendly, quick and easy to prepare.

Some examples of popular kids party food include chicken nuggets, fish fingers, hot dogs, mini hamburgers, pizzas, wraps, sandwiches, fairy bread, chicken wings, pigs in a blanket, lasagna, spaghetti Bolognese, mini pies and sausage rolls, nachos, French fries, potato wedges, popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, jelly etc.

Children also enjoy other healthy food such as strips of carrot, cucumber and celery, cherry tomatoes, cocktail franks, cheese cubes, crackers and creamy cheese dips, as well as fresh fruits. Many kids are fussy eaters so they'll probably like these more than any gourmet food that you may have to slave for hours in the kitchen to make.

All kids love sweet treats but try not to overdo it otherwise you will have some very hyperactive children running around at your kids theme party! Favourites such as cupcakes, cake-pops, biscuits, lollipops, chocolates and lollies are highly sought after by kids, but something that both adults and children really look forward to at a party is the cake. You can either bake or buy your kids party cake. Whichever options you choose try to match the cake to your kids party theme. Go online to find some inspirational ideas for cake decorations.

If you plan to bake the cake or make your own cupcakes, cake-pops, biscuits etc., make them a day or two before the party so that you have plenty of time to bake and decorate to your heart's content, creating a masterpiece for your child's party! Get your child to help out for added fun and it's fantastic to have a few friends or family members over to help as well. Remember to store them properly though so that they will remain fresh for the party day.

When ordering a cake from a bakery, most places usually like at least 2 weeks notice. Lately though quite a few popular specialist cake places actually request a few months notice, hence make an early booking so as to not miss out. Also, order the cake to be picked up the day before the party so that you have one less thing to do on the party day. When you pick the cake up, ask the bakery for proper storage instructions, again so that it will remain fresh for the day of the party.

For kids party drinks you can serve juices, cordial, soft drinks, water, milkshakes, fruit smoothies etc. You can even make fruit punch a few days in advance and freeze them as ice-cubes. Then on the party day all you need to do is add some fresh fruits to the gradually melting ice-cubes of punch in a punch bowl.

2) Keep the Kids Party Food and Its Presentation Related to Your Kids Party Theme

When planning the kids party menu try to incorporate the party theme you have chosen, so that everything fits in perfectly with the theme. Decorate cupcakes, cake-pops and biscuits according to the theme. Use cookie cutters to cut sandwiches, fairy bread, pizza etc. into fun shapes that match the theme eg. Dinosaur shapes for a Dinosaur Theme Party, Tiaras for a Princess Theme Party etc.

Also, set out the kids party food on serving ware that matches the party theme and put a theme twist to the food name when labelling each of your dishes eg. place chicken nuggets in a treasure chest and call them "Golden Nuggets" for a Pirate Theme Party, use toothpicks (remember to break off the sharp ends to make them more blunt) to pin four round slices of either carrot or cucumber to the sides of hotdogs to turn them into "Hot Rods" for a Cars Theme Party etc.

In addition, set up a cake and present table with your kids party theme in mind, and this will be the focal point of your child's party. Balloons, tablecloths, pom poms, lanterns etc. are fantastic when it comes to helping you set the theme.

3) How to Save Money and/or Time With Your Kids Party Food

Think about what kids party food you can make from scratch quickly and easily yourself. This is because anything that can be home made, will save you a lot of money.

If you decide to make all or most of the party food yourself, what ever you are able to prepare prior to the day of the party, do so. Freeze, refrigerate or store appropriately whatever you've prepared in advance, so that on the party day all you need to do is quickly cook, re-heat or simply just serve. The less you have to do on the party day, means less stress and more time for you to relax, enjoy and have fun with your child and guests.

However, if you are short of time, you can also purchase ready made and/or frozen party food from the supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants etc. that you can quickly whip up or just serve on the day of the party. Place your orders at bakeries and restaurants in advance so that you can either organise pick up or home delivery for the party day (ask a friend or family member to help you with the pick ups).

If you have no time whatsoever, you can even get the whole party catered and even have waiters and waitresses serve the food and drinks for you. I was so surprised when I found out how really affordable this option is. Just go online and search your local area for caterers and wait staff, and get a few quotes. You will probably be as surprised as I was. This option definitely takes all the hassles and stress out of the food aspect of your kids theme party. You can also ask them the cost of clearing up during and after the party. You will then have lots of time to relax and enjoy before, during and after the party, as there won't be much cleaning up leftover for you to do.

In conclusion, if you decide on the kids party menu early, work out a shopping list, get all that you need and prepare as much as you can in advance, then planning and organising the kids party food for your kids theme party will be a total breeze and a lot of fun too.