“Elbows Off The Table!”–It’s A Piece of Cake Teaches Etiquette to Youngsters!

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

 
       
    Greetings, and welcome to our Fall-Winter Issue! For this issue, we feature our upcoming educational workshops. As always, we welcome your feedback and questions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A lively and informative program on “Etiquette”
for children ages 5 to 12. A great way to prepare your kids for the holidays and all those close encounters at the dinner table.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Dates:

Thursday, November 10, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Location: The Commonwealth Club of California
595 Market Street, 2nd Floor
                                           San Francisco, CA 94105

Fee: $45 per child
Fee includes:
• One hour Introduction Class
•
 
 
 
 
 

Take-home handouts to reinforce lessons learned
 
To enroll in the class, please call: 
It’s A Piece of Cake @ (415) 987-1946 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Space is limited. Pre-registration required by
November 1, 2011
Please note: The fee is required to be paid in advance and is non-refundable unless the class is cancelled.
 
Menu of Topics 
• Introducing yourself and others 
• Importance of first impressions
• Significance of body language
• Basic table manners
• How to handle difficult situations at the table and with friends 
• Embarrassing accidents, what to do and more…

Fun Activities:  
• Acting and role-playing 
 
Teaching Method: Simla Akyol interacts with the children to help them use their power of reasoning, as this is the best possible teaching tool to boost confidence. They will have a truly charming and memorable occasion while learning important social skills.

“ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE” is an activity-filled program that produces a significant long-term benefit to motivate children to interact with others positively and handle everyday situations in a caring and courteous manner.
 
 
 
 
 

 
Interested in booking this program for your group?
Interested in a different date and location? We’d be happy to customize a program for you. Please contact us: 
(415) 987-1946
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fall-Winter2012Simla Akyol is the founder of It’s a Piece of Cake, Children’s Events and Entertainment service in San Francisco. It’s a Piece of Cake specializes in custom-designed children’s parties and hosts educational workshops for kids and parents.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Simla Akyol and It’s a Piece of Cake has been featured in numerous periodicals such as Real Simple magazine, Child magazine, Marin At Home, Noe Valley Voice, Oakland Tribune,  and  recipient of the Bay Area Parents’ Magazine’s “BEST OF THE BEST” award for 2005 and 2006.
Contact Simla via e-mail at simla@itsapieceofcake.net
or phone (415) 987-1946.
 
 


 

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Virtual Place Settings
Our simple interactive game is a great teaching tool for kids to set the table properly.

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      Be sure to visit our website at www.itsapieceofcake.netSend your questions and creative party ideas to


Spring Celebrations

© 2005-2011 It’s a Piece of Cake. All rights reserved.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

    
 
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Party Fiesta Honors October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

The famous pink ribbon represents a runner in motion...done to perfection by Party Fiesta Balloon Decor!

No cause is ever a lost cause if you have a strong support group and a strong group to support you, such as the fine folks of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization! The NBCAM has been the backbone of breast cancer awareness since its foundation in 1985 by AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures drugs to fight cancer, who felt the need to organize after the first-ever Race For The Cure was held in 1983.

Eight hundred people took part in that premiere event, which was held in Dallas, Texas. Today, well over a whopping one million people give their heart and soul to the Race every year!

The Race has become the face of the breast-cancer awareness efforts ever since its inception by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which was established by Nancy Goodman Brinker in 1982 to honor her sister, Susan, who died from breast cancer at only age 33. The Komen organization’s trademarked logo of the pink ribbon, resembles a runner in motion-a perfect complement to the Race. 

While one of the major goals of the NBCAM is to focus the spotlight on women self-checking for early detection of breast cancer, the provide support all long the way. Throughout NBCAM’s history, the group’s Program Leaders have developed many creative ways to reach women, providing “BRIGHT IDEAS” to reach women in the clinic, at the workplace and in the community. Some of these ideas may work for you or inspire new thoughts. NBCAM’s educational campaign, “Pass the Word,” consists of communication initiatives to facilitate a woman’s decision to engage in early detection of breast cancer. Program leaders can help women and the community understand the importance of a triad of behaviors that includes mammography screening, clinical breast exams performed by health care providers and breast self-examination.

Party Fiesta supports many worthwhile causes and also created the famous red ribbon for Aidswalk!

Party Fiesta Balloon Decor is proud to assist this worthwhile cause by providing outstanding balloon decor to many of the Race for the Cure events and other breast-cancer awareness support events. “We believe strongly in this cause,” states Tony Sellars, co-owner and founder of Party Fiesta Balloon Decor, “and are always proud when we are able to offer something special to the events with our balloons.”

For more information about this imporatnt cause, please check out the following links:

http://www.nbcam.org/index.cfm

http://www.cancer.org/index

http://www.y-me.org/programs/index.php

http://www.cancercare.org/diagnosis/breast_cancer?diagnosis=breast

American Cancer Society , ,

Incredibly-Icky Edible Eyeballs…and lots more Awesome Autumn Party Ideas!

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

Fall means so much more than just kids going back to school, leaves departing trees and a crisp chill in the air. Fall means the start of the holiday party season, and the decorating experts at Party Fiesta Balloon Decor are here to kick your fall party planning into high gear with 10 Terrifyingly-Terrific Autumn Party Tips!

* 1) Throw a Fall Craft Party! With the wonderful world of nature literally at your fingertips, just go outside and find everything you’ll need, thanks to Mother Earth! Fill glass jars with small pine cones, acorns and autumn nuts that serve double-duty as elegant centerpieces! Pick glorious-colored fall leaves in different shapes and sizes and preserve them by pressing them!

A stunning balloon cluster of grapes adds a touch of class to any autumn party!

* 2) Make Your Kitchen Autumn-Baking Central! Hold an intimate party around the oven, as you and your guests create everything from caramel apples to apple cider to pumpkin bread to gingerbread houses (with fun candy decorations!) to the perennial holiday favorite, chocolate chip cookies!

* 3) Pumpkin-Carving Paradise! Have on hand several small-to-medium pumpkins and then let your guests’ imaginations run wild! (Little ones will, of course, require adult supervision.) Award prizes for the funniest, the scariest and the most bizarre jack-o-lantern creations! (Be sure to save the seeds to roast and enjoy later! Great how-to from Simply Recipes:  http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/toasted_pumpkin_seeds/

* 4) Spookiest-Ever Super-Snacks Party! Anybody can stick a frilly toothpick inside a Swedish meatball, but for party treats they’ll never forget, think outside the trick-or-treat box! Turn an ordinary pastry into a dynamic spider cupcake (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/spider-cupcakes/detail.aspx), a boring popsicle into a sweet S’mores Popsicle (http://www.yumsugar.com/Simple-Smore-Popsicle-recipe-roasted-marshmallow-ice-cream-4637562), a regular Hostess snack into an imaginative monster Twinkie (http://www.womansday.com/Recipes/The-Monster-Bride.html and http://www.womansday.com/Recipes/Mummy-Cakes.html and a plain-Jane cake into a haunted haven: http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Food-Recipes/Holiday-Recipes/Graveyard-Cake-Decorations.html. And what party would be complete without awesome edible eyeballs?! You’ve gotta check out these creepy peepers!  http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/edible-eyeball-treats-685115/.

 

An adorable gingerbread boy crafted out of balloons makes for holiday fun!

* 5) Design Your Own Handmade Fall Party Favors!

Everything from folksy corn-husk dolls to candy containers to whatever your heart desires, anything homemade adds that special “I care about you” touch to any party! http://fun.familyeducation.com/halloween/crafts/47516.html.

* 6) Let The Games Begin–the fabulous fall games, that is! If you’re a skilled artist (or lucky enough to know one!), paint a super-goofy jack-o-lantern face on a large sheet of white butcher paper, attach to plywood and cut out areas for the eyes, nose and mouth. Fill hand-sewn bean bags with either beans or corn kernels, and you’ve got yourself a hard-to-resist skills game! The adults will just seem like kids if you test their skills with two maddeningly-fun games: “The Ghostly Cotton Ball Game.” Blindfold each contestant one at a time. Spread a table with “ghostly” cotton balls and see how many they can scoop into a bowl with a large spoon in 30 seconds! It’s not as easy as it may sound! “The Spooky Safety Pin Game.” Fill a plastic container (like a medium-deep Tupperware bowl) with two cups of uncooked rice, throw in 30 small golden safety pins and, one at a time, give each blindfolded contestant 30 seconds to pick out as many pins from the rice as they can! It is much harder than it sounds, because the rice feels just like the safety pins, and it will drive your guests crazy–in the “funnest” kind of way, of course! 

Party Fiesta's fantasy spider arch might just be scary...if he weren't so cute!

* 7) Give Nature a Helping Hand! Make one of your very special party craft activities this clever bird feeder crafted from a natural pine cone! The little ones can do it, too, and the birds will love you for it! http://www.enviro-explorers.com/pinecone_web_page/pineconefeederindex.html.

* 8) Have a Free Nature eBook Party! Download free nature books (and every category, as well!) at Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/) and celebrate autumn’s natural beauty with friends and family at a book-reading gathering!

* 9) Toss a Scarecrow-Building Party! The lowly scarecrow actually has a long and proud heritage that is largely unknown to most people outside of the farming industry! He (and sometimes she!) has been a fixture in the fields of farmers dating back over 3,000 years to the Greek and Egyptian cultures! Though the scarecrow’s intended use is, after all, to frighten away predatory birds from eating crops, somehow his popularity has grown into the symbol of autumn he is today! In the southern Appalachians, the farmers didn’t even bother with a scarecrow to send the crows scattering; they went straight for the jugular–hanging a dead crow upside from a pole! Yikes! Did those Appalachian farmers mean business, or what?! Worldwide, he is known by different names: bootzamon, Jack-of-straw, tattie bogle, Tao-Tao, Mawkin, Moggy, Kakashi, Bijuka and more. The Japanese say of their scarecrows that “they cannot walk or talk but know everything of the world.” Very zen. But it was probably the birth of L. Frank Baum’s kind-hearted but brainless scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” that launched our lasting love affair with all things scarecrow!

 

Party Fiesta Balloon Decor's sensational scarecrow wishes you a fabulous fall!

*10) It’s Just Not a Party Without Balloons!

Just ask Party Fiesta Balloon Decor! Holiday-balloon decor is one of their specialities, and they are constantly innovating the art of balloon decorating! Scarecrows, pumpkins, candy corn, fall wreaths, Halloween critters (spiders, ghosts) and so much more all come to life, thanks to the creative touch of Party Fiesta’s Certified Balloon Artists! Find out what kind of balloon magic they can create for you this holidaya season!

PARTY FIESTA BALLOON DECOR * (408) 292-6000 * 999 Lincoln Avenue * San Jose, California 95126 * email: tony@partyfiestadecor.com * www.partyfiestadecor.com

Balloon Sculptures, Cakes & Cupcakes, Candy, Event Planning, Holidays, party balloons , , , ,

Party Fiesta Balloon Decor Really Loves Guardian Adult Day Health Care Center!

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

Everybody has their own particular favorite organization they feel is worthy of their support, and Party Fiesta Balloon Decor is no different! Party Fiesta has a very special place in their heart for the very special participants at Guardian Adult Day Health Care Center in El Sobrante, California!

Party Fiesta created sweet Valentine's Day centerpieces, and Guardian's participants decorated them with heart stickers!

But what exactly is adult day health care? ADHC, as it is known commonly, refers to programs in which adults with special needs participate in many services provided to them at an adult day health care center, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, social services, nursing services, exercise, games, sports, arts & crafts, meal services, transportation and even bingo! Make that especially bingo! 

Unfortunately, these important centers are in danger of closure due to California’s extreme budget cuts, leaving tens of thousands of at-risk disabled and senior ADHC participants across The Golden State to face an uncertain future. Guardian, which was founded and is operated by Peter and Marie Behr, has been serving West Contra Costa County (not far from famous Berkeley, California) since 1994, providing a safe-haven for many of the area’s most frail seniors (with diagnoses of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes, blindness and other illnesses) and many younger adults with mental-health issues.

Mardi Gras magic--that's all you can say about Party Fiesta's centerpieces for Guardian!

Tony Sellars, co-owner of Party Fiesta, often provides balloons to similar ADHC facilities in their service area of Santa Clara County. But because Tony grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area’s East Bay, he has a deep fondness for the communities that were his old “stompin’ grounds” as a youngster, including El Sobrante, and thinks the work done by Guardian Adult Day Health Care is a very noble endeavor.

Tony and Party Fiesta have created and donated amazing balloon centerpieces to Guardian on special occasions and holidays, and Tony has even brought his talents to the center so he could personally teach many of the interested participants how to make awesome designs out of balloons–no easy feat! But Guardian’s participants are inspired to give it their best, because every activity that stimulates the brain and keeps the body active offers tremendous therapeutic value to Guardian’s psychiatric clients, who struggle to stay focused and functioning, and frail seniors, who struggle with memory impairment due to the ravages of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Tony is very proud to assist, in any small way, such a worthwhile cause. There is no pursuit more worthwhile than protecting the rights of the disabled and of our senior population–they have earned a better life!

The only thing that sparkles more than Party Fiesta's Mardi Gras table centerpieces is the smile on Guardian's very own special participant, Deloris J.!

While the fight to save the adult day health care program in California rages on, Party Fiesta continues to support Guardian for the heartwarming, wonderful work they do on behalf of at-risk adults and seniors!

Please don’t hesitate to contact Party Fiesta Balloon Decor at: 999 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 and (408) 292-6000 for the very best balloons at the very best prices!

If you’d like to know more about Guardian Adult Day Health Care Center, please visit their website: http://www.guardianadhc.org/

Seniors , , ,

Books Make The Very Best Balloons! (and vice-versa!) Read On…!

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

Party Fiesta really brings "Alice" and her unusual friends to life!

What in the world does that mean?! Well, haven’t you ever read a really great book and wished they would make a movie adaptation of it? (Generally, Hollywood does that a lot!). Well, it’s the same in the balloon world! Sometimes there’s an awesome book that decorators simply can’t resist turning into–not a movie–but an amazing balloon structure! How about a trio of classics, for starters?!

         “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”

* One of the most popular children’s books of all time is “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” written by the English author Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson–known more commonly by his pen name, Lewis Carroll! When first published in 1865, there were only 2,000 copies printed. Though the book was reviewed unfavorably by critics of the day, the public scooped up every book they could find, and the first run of 2,000 sold out instantly! In fact, the magical tales of “Alice” have never been out of print!

“Alice” wasn’t just a literary hit with parents and children; two of her biggest fans at the time of publication were a very young Oscar Wilde and a not-so-very-young Queen Victoria! Nothing like getting Her Majesty’s royal stamp of approval on a book to make it a worldwide sensation, which it remains today–even having the distinction of being translated into over 125 languages!

Welcome to Wonderland, thanks to Party Fiesta's creative party decorations!

And, of course, Hollywood came knocking, and, in 1951, the Walt Disney Studios gave the world one of the most endearing and enduring animated adaptations–the classic “Alice in Wonderland,” full of engaging tunes, vivid animation and the mysterious characters who populate Wonderland: the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and so many other kooky critters!

Most recently, director Tim Burton and actor extraordinaire Johnny Depp put their own delightfully-twisted twist on the “Alice” legend, adding a layer of demented dimension to the already-logically-illogical tale! Visually sumptuous, the Burton-Depp spin on “Alice” elevated the young lady who falls into a topsy-turvy world via a rabbit hole to an amazing new height, breathing exciting new life into the book coveted by generations of children all around the globe!

                                             “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”

Party Fiesta's "Hungry Caterpillar" looks so real, he could take a bite out of you!

A new instant children’s literary classic was born in 1969, thanks to the creative genious of Eric Carle! A true triple threat, Carle designed, wrote and illustrated the modern-day masterpiece children everywhere know and love as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”!

Though the book was supposed to start life as “A Week With Willi Worm” (yes, that was the original title!), Carle’s publisher suggested gently that a bookworm might not be such a lovable protagonist for a kiddie book, and Carle agreed. Worm? No. Butterfly? Yes! Decidedly yes! And the adorable–but hungry!–caterpillar was born!

A beautiful butterfly is just what that cute caterpillar becomes!

The baby caterpillar begins his journey as he spends his first week of life eating his way through every food imaginable. On Monday through Friday, he consumes one red apple, two green pears, three purple plums, four red strawberries and five juicy oranges.

On Saturday, our furry little hero feasts upon chocolate cake, ice cream, a pickle, Swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, cherry pie, sausages, cupcakes and watermelon. But, by Sunday, all he has is a terrible tummy ache! So he eats a single green leaf, and he feels so much better, as it should be. Suddenly, he knows it’s time to crawl into his cocoon, from which he emerges a brilliant, beautiful butterfly, as it should be!

Translated into 50 languages, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” has sold over 30 million copies worldwide–the equivalent of selling one book per minute since its original publication!

                                   “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?”

Prior to his success with “Caterpillar,” Eric Carle worked his illustrating magic for author Bill Martin, Jr.’s kiddie classic, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” in 1967. Carle’s website notes that in this charming tale, “appealing animals in bold colors are seen and named in a rhyming question-and-response text. It delights as it invites young readers to participate actively.” And, after all, isn’t that what any great children’s book should do?!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, which balloon company do you love best? Party Fiesta Balloon Decor, of course! You make a very cute table centerpiece, Brown Bear!

“We receive requests constantly to design balloon bouquets and structures for kids’ birthday parties based upon popular children’s books,” informs Tony Sellars, co-owner and founder of Party Fiesta Balloon Decor, an innovative leader in the balloon-decorating industry, based in San Jose, California. “We stay on top of what’s new and hot in popular culture the same way parents do,” Tony smiles, “because many of our customers are interested in having a new theme for their child’s party that hasn’t been done a million times before. Designing balloons that are inspired by hit television shows, cartoons, animated films and definitely children’s books is a specialty at Party Fiesta.”

Books really do make the best balloons…and vice-versa! Check in with balloon-decorating pros Tony and Rolando to see what kind of balloon magic they can create for your next party or event!

PARTY FIESTA BALLOON DECOR

(408) 292-6000     999 Lincoln Avenue  San Jose, CA 95126

Balloon Sculptures, Birthdays, Butterflies, Disney, balloon twisting, party balloons , , , , , ,

September is International Balloon Month…and it couldn’t happen to a nicer month!

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

September may be the ninth month of the year, but it steps out of the shadow of January through August and takes first place–takes center stage!–as International Balloon Month! How cool is that?!

The balloon business continues to "blossom," just like these fabulous flowers from Party Fiesta Balloon Decor!

Those thirty glorious days known as September bring us a variety of the most amazing days to celebrate: everything from the ridiculous (National TV Dinner Day–9/10; Talk Like a Pirate Day–9/19) to the sublime (Labor Day; the 9/11 remembrance day known as Patriot Day).

Party Fiesta Balloon Decor pulls out all of the patriotic stops with this red, white & blue 9-foot floating column!

And now, thanks to the efforts of the International Balloon Association, September is memorable for yet another extra-special reason! The IBA is a well-respected non-profit trade association for distributors and manufacturers of balloons, balloon accessories and other support products used in the balloon industry, as well as an army of talented balloon decorators, retailers and entertainers–such as Party Fiesta Balloon Decor, San Jose, California’s premier balloon designers! The IBA has lobbied faithfully to see to it that September is recognized as International Balloon Month, and the balloon industry’s shining stars–not to mention balloon lovers everywhere!–couldn’t be more thrilled!

While some might ask, “Why celebrate the small and meek balloon?”, others in the know will say, “Balloons kick butt, that’s why!” After all, the latex balloon, for example, has a long and venerable history, dating back to 1824! The first-ever rubber balloon was invented by Professor Michael Faraday for use in his experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institution in London. He cut two round sheets of rubber, laid them together and pressed the edges closed, with the tacky rubber welding together automatically. The inside of the balloon, in its first incarnation, was rubbed with flour to prevent the opposing surfaces from joining together. Sounds pretty ingenious! And voila! The great-great-grandfather of today’s modern-day fabulous balloons was born!

Majestic mylars fly high and proud!

The amazingly-versatile foil balloons (also known as “mylars”) came along a lot more recently but are every bit as vital to the balloon industry as their kissin’ cousin, the latex balloon! The first silver metallic balloon was developed originally in the late 1970s for use by the famed New York City Ballet! “There’s literally a foil balloon for almost every imaginable occasion or event,” smiles Tony Sellars, co-owner and founder of Party Fiesta Balloon Decor. “They come in virtually every shape, size and color–even a  pretty-in-pink pirate skull-and-crossbones mylar!” Tony laughs. And Tony should know: Party Fiesta Balloon Decor–located at 999 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, CA–displays wall-to-wall foil balloons, from apes to zebras and everything in-between!

So, now we know that September is International Balloon Month and that latex balloons date back a whopping 187 years and that foil balloons were born at the ballet, but here are a few fun facts about balloons you might NOT know!

Party Fiesta makes balloon magic--and jungle fun!--with their marvelous monkey bouquet!

* Did you know that if you release a well-tied latex balloon outside, it can rise to an altitude of a wild five miles high?! That’s about as far as it’ll go, though, because at that elevation, the poor little balloon will freeze in the super-cold atmosphere and burst ultimately into a shattering  shower of spaghetti-like pieces–what the scientific experts call a “brittle fracture”! And the “pop” from a burst latex balloon literally causes a true sonic boom!

* Did you know that a 100-foot-diameter latex balloon can lift up to 33,000 pounds?!

* Did you know that very early latex balloons were made out of pig bladders?! Yikes! Can you imagine telling little Jimmy that Mommy’s going to get him a big bouquet of pig bladders for his birthday party?! Thank goodness today’s latex balloons are truly good, clean fun!

* Did you know that the plant at Pioneer Balloon Company–the makers of the ultra-quality Qualatex balloons–has the capacity to manufacture an astounding four million latex balloons every day?! That’s a mind-blowing one billion balloons every year! The balloon business, itself–manufacturing, marketing and, as Party Fiesta Balloon Decor does, making magic with balloons–is a monumental multi-billion-dollar a-year industry! And if that’s not a good-enough reason to have a special month dedicated all to itself, to celebrate itself, then what is?!

Party Fiesta's realistic palm trees add a tropical touch to any event!

For more balloon fun, check out this link to balloon pro Graham Rouse’s blog!  http://miwbblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/balloon-month-and-balloon-arts-movement.html

For all of your balloon and party needs, call or visit the experts at Party Fiesta Balloon Decor! (408) 292-6000/999 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126. They’ll make magic with balloons for you!

Balloon Sculptures, Birthdays, First Birthday Balloon Decorations, balloon twisting, party balloons , , , ,

What a Bunch of Characters! (Licensed Balloon Characters, That Is!)

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

"Pooh" is a perennial kids' favorite, especially when Party Fiesta glorifies him in balloons!

Nothing speaks to a child in quite the way their favorite animated characters do! The super powers of these superstar licensed characters cannot be understated, underrated or underestimated. Make no mistake about it: These colorful and cutesy characters are your child’s best friends, and, at such a tender age, that’s saying a lot!

 But what exactly is a licensed character? You recognize them by sight; you know them by their first names: Mickey, Minnie, Elmo, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, just to name a few. They are the elite of the animated world, and they belong to such mega-conglomerates as Disney, Warner Bros., Marvel Comics, Children’s Television Workshop and many more. These incredibly-ingenious companies sell—or “license”—the use of their copyrighted characters to other companies who promote their own products on the backs of these cartoon kings and queens.

                 T-Shirts and snacks and undies…oh, my! 

Your child’s beloved buddies are used to sell everything from snacks to lunch boxes to T-shirts to undies and everything else imaginable. You don’t need us to tell you that: One trip to the grocery store or to Toys R Us makes you an expert on how products are marketed to your children…and how your children respond to the very sight of their favorite character on a cereal box or a backpack or any number of “Mommy-buy-me-that”/must-have/can’t-say-no products!

"Elmo" and "Big Bird" rule "Sesame Street"--and Party Fiesta loves 'em, too!

But should you say “no”? Under certain circumstances, perhaps… In an article dated June 21, 2010 and printed online by the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, it was determined through research that branding food packages with famous licensed characters substantially influenced young children’s eating preferences, with the vast majority of children in the test group reaching for the character-branded foods, rather than the generics.

Happy child = happy parent!                 

Hardly-surprising results, and it requires no giant leap of faith to say the same influences apply easily to other consumer goods and services. Children are inordinately drawn to character toys, character clothing, character TV shows and movies, and the list is nearly endless.

"Cinderella" is every little girl's best friend, especially when created out of balloons!

Parents—quite naturally—wishing to make their kids happy, tend to make purchases based on the same marketing influences that ensnare their children. This is not to say this practice is necessarily bad. Of course, it is bad if licensed characters are used by manufacturers with impunity to unduly and purposely sway kids in the direction of, for example, junk food. But marketing images of the hottest characters on products that provide some beneficial qualities (how about those cute potty-training diaper-pants?) can be a parent’s salvation! 

         Party Fiesta Balloon Décor’s superstar super-characters!                  

These same preferences definitely apply even to the world of balloons, as Party Fiesta Balloon Décor of San Jose, California has learned over the years. Even though no child of any age can resist a brilliant bouquet of brightly-colored latex balloons, they will squeal with added delight at the sight of their cherished characters on shiny foil mylar balloons, some that stand as tall as three feet!

“Licensed-character balloons are a huge part of our business,” states Tony Sellars, co-owner of Party Fiesta Balloon Décor, who also designs the company’s balloon decorations with his business partner, Rolando Ibarra. “Mickey and Minnie Mouse, especially, are up to their ears in balloon glory!” Tony laughs about two of his best-selling characters. “Even after eight decades, Mickey and Minnie are by far our most popular and most-requested party characters, followed very closely by Elmo and other ‘Sesame Street’ characters, Disney’s Princesses, Winnie the Pooh and Batman. We’ve got ‘em all!”                          

                          Visit Party Fiesta Balloon Décor!

One visit to their website (www.partyfiestadecor.com) or their family-friendly storefront (located at 999 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126) proves that Tony and Rolando really know their balloon stuff! Wall-to-wall cartoon characters and awe-inspiring balloon structures tell the tale! At Party Fiesta Balloon Décor, licensed characters have a license to rule!

Party Fiesta Balloon Decor brings that adorable duo, "Mickey" and "Minnie", magically to life!

Balloon Sculptures, Birthdays, Children's TV, Disney, Muppets, Sesame Street, party balloons , , , , , , ,

Shhh…! Party Fiesta Balloon Decor’s Secrets of a Fabulous 1st Birthday Party!

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

A 1st-birthday balloon fantasy, as only Party Fiesta Balloon Decor can dream up! Too cute!

Birthday parties have never been hotter than they are right now, especially Baby’s first birthday party, which is all the rage nowadays! Mom and Dad might not be able to splurge on every birthday party, but, come on—the first? That’s a big deal! A very big deal! And parents—who are veterans of other people’s first-birthday bashes for their babies–are pulling out all of the stops in search of ways to make their little one’s “Big 1” the coolest and most memorable social event! That’s where Party Fiesta Balloon Décor, San Jose, California’s premier balloon-decorating company, helps Moms and Dads save the day!

Rainbow-bright balloon bouquets make 1st birthdays "pop"!

And why not, after all? You did it! You survived the toughest 12 months any parent faces…and lived to tell the tale! It’s time to celebrate the joy of what you have accomplished and share with those closest to you the love you all feel for Baby!  

There’s no magic spell that can create a perfect party for your baby’s first birthday, but there is a magic formula for parents to follow (passed secretly from parent to parent!) when faced with the daunting task of pulling off Baby’s 1st birthday party. It’s The Four “S”s: Short, Sweet, Small and Simple!

 “S” #1: Keep It SHORT! Nothing has the taint of “This was a bad idea!” as much as tossing a party of truly epic proportions for a baby who will have no recollection of the event whatsoever—good, bad or indifferent! While our attention spans are something to marvel at, Baby’s is not. When it comes to that all-important first birthday party, keep in mind that you are tempting fate if you plan for anything longer than 60 to 90 minutes, from “Hello” to “Goodbye”.

Who's Number One?! Your baby, of course! Every little girl will love turning one with THIS Party Fiesta design!

It’s not just your own baby’s partying endurance you need to take into consideration when planning the big day. If you are inviting other babies, keep this image in mind: Once one baby starts wailing, it will, inevitably, trigger a chain reaction—guaranteed or double your money back! So, plan for a brief but well-paced party…one that is scheduled for after Baby has been fed and after Baby has napped! Hopefully all of the other little guests will be on that same eat/sleep track!

“S” #2: Keep It SWEET! Although the first birthday party is more for the parents and family than for Baby, try to keep in mind that it is Baby’s special day and surround him or her with many of the things that are most familiar: a beloved toy or a favorite blankie—just to remind your little one that even in the midst of all of this excitement, he or she is still where he feels most comfortable! Most folks do tend to party at home, but if you are holding your bash at a restaurant or a hall, bringing along those little touches of “home” will mean so much to the birthday child (and probably will go a long way toward heading off any potential tantrum on the horizon!).

 “S” #3: Keep It SMALL! Like many adults, Baby can be overwhelmed easily by loud crowds of strangers. So, if you’re willing to do a little crowd control, plan for a very intimate affair. Some people feel the number of other baby guests should be equal to the age of the birthday child (Baby turning one? Only one other baby should be invited). Still others feel that may be too rigid a rule-of-thumb. If you just can’t bear to leave people out, try to limit the guest list to only your closest friends and family members. If you have any expectations of assistance from any other adults in attendance, be sure to ask in advance if they are willing to pitch in, if necessary. Everyone likes to feel needed, especially if they feel they are to play a special role in the day’s festivities!

Party Fiesta's marvelous "Minnie Mouse" life-size balloon structure is a 1st-birthday favorite!

 “S” #4: Keep It SIMPLE! The image you want to remember of your baby on First Birthday Party Day is one of happiness and delight—not of that dazed/confused/deer-in-the-headlights/fear-is-turning-into-sheer-terror look that sometimes precedes Baby’s meltdown when he or she becomes emotionally/physically overwhelmed by the whirl and swirl of activity around him or her.

Keep the mania to a minimum, meaning just one or two quick games (think: short attention spans! Even if there are older kids in attendance, you really can have too much of a good thing!). Possibly offer just one larger gift as a party favor, rather than goody bags full of lots of little items that could pose a choking hazard for the younger tots).  Stick to just a few small finger foods to make the party less of a clean-up hassle (maybe even a party platter ordered from a local grocery store for complete convenience?) and consider individual cupcakes, rather than a huge, elaborate cake. Don’t worry—you and your camera will still be able to catch that hilarious “Baby gets the frosting all over his or her face” cake-smashing moment!

Party Fiesta's inventive and creative flower arch makes a statement at every birthday party!

Some parents stress out about what the “theme” of Baby’s first-birthday party should be in the first place. Sure, you can plan as elaborately as you wish, but there’s something to be said for simplicity. A memorable first-birthday party can be as easy as based on a favorite color, a favorite shape (polka dots?) or a favorite character from a TV series or beloved storybook! Many parents opt for a time-capsule theme, where they and the guests tuck away pertinent items that will have meaning to Baby a few years down the road, when the Time Capsule is produced on another important birthday, and everyone can share in the memories!

Balloons, of course, are a first-birthday party “must”! Some parents like to have special columns or arches designed or even have a huge number “1” created out of balloons! Still others want every table dressed up with a fancy balloon centerpiece. And still others love to fill the ceiling with a ton of loose balloons so they can get a kick out of watching Baby gaze up at the brightly-colored balloon ceiling and shimmering curly ribbons cascading downward!  That’s when it’s Party Fiesta Balloon Décor to the rescue! Their expert team of Certified Balloon Artists knows every secret to making your child’s first birthday party (and every party after that!) a smashing success!

Party Fiesta Balloon Decor, dinosaurs and first-birthday parties go together like cake and ice cream!

Party Fiesta Balloon Décor is located at 999 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126. Call (408) 292-6000 for more information or visit their website:  www.partyfiestadecor.com!

Balloon Sculptures, Birthdays, Cakes & Cupcakes, Children's TV, First Birthday Balloon Decorations, Flowers, Rainbows, party balloons , , , ,

June 30th is “Superman”‘s Birthday–Could The “Man of Steel” Really Be 73 Years Old?!

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

Party Fiesta captures the essence of the world's most beloved superhero in all of his balloony glory!

A superhero’s work is never done: criminals to catch, alter-egos to disguise, planets to save, you name it… “Superman,” this strange visitor from another planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, has been leaping tall buildings in a single bound, changing the course of mighty rivers, bending steel with his bare hands and fighting a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way ever since his first appearance as the superhero we all know and love in the now-famous Action Comics #1, published in June of 1938!

Here's where it all began for our superhero, "Superman"--the premiere issue of Action Comics--#1/June 1938--considered the most valuable comic book in the world!

Though there seems to be some speculation about “Superman”‘s actual birthdate, the fabulous folks at DC Comics (and they oughta know!) celebrates The Man of Steel’s official birthday on June 30th, and, when he was introduced in 1938, a superhero who (among many other things) was faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive was just what a downtrodden America needed!

In that brief period of time after the Depression but before the United States entered World War II, two young men–Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel–created a larger-than-life character who would bring new hope to a weary world!

As everyone knows, “Superman” didn’t start off as “Superman.” As the infant “Kal-El” (which means “star child”), his parents–Lara and Jor-El–jettisoned him off their dying planet, Krypton, in a last-ditch desperate attempt to save their only child! He eventually found his way to Earth, where the Kents discovered and raised baby “Clark Joseph Kent,” who grew up to become a reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper–the Daily Planet–in Metropolis!

This awesome image of "Superman" graced the cover of the "Superman No. 14" comic book, published in January/February 1942!

With his dashing 225-pound 6’4″ frame (some list his height as 6’3″), jet-black hair and penetrating blue eyes (literally, since he possesses X-ray vision!), “Clark”/”Superman” more than fills the bill as the king of the superheroes!

He has friends in high places, too: Daily Planet chief “Perry White,” co-reporters ”Jimmy Olsen” and “Lois Lane” (who eventually landed her man in holy matrimony!), the members of the “Justice League” and even fellow superhero “Batman”! 

The “S” symbol on “Superman”‘s chest doesn’t actually stand for “Superman,” as many think. It’s the Kryptonian symbol meaning “hope,” and that’s just what the world has because of “Superman”–hope!

This world-renowned symbol means The Man of Steel is here to save the day!

So, join Party Fiesta Balloon Decor–as well as the whole world–in wishing “Superman” a happy 73rd birthday and hoping that he’ll always be with us to save the day!

Balloon Sculptures, Birthdays, Children's TV, Superheroes, Superman, party balloons , ,

Happy 118th Birthday to the “Happy Birthday To You” Song on June 27th!!

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Dee Leave a comment

Party Fiesta really knows how to say "Happy Birthday" with their awesome singing-balloon bouquet!

You gather with friends and family, all huddled over the birthday cake as if it’s the last morsel of food on earth, and the only things on your mind are conjuring up a wish, blowing out the candles (however many there are of them!) and trying not to turn bright red as the crowd sings to you in one loud voice! One of the most enduring little ditties ever composed, “Happy Birthday To You” is among the world’s most famous songs, and we celebrate its humble beginnings every June 27th!

And to think a pair of sisters from Kentucky kicked the whole thing off back in 1893!  Mildred J. Hill was a teacher in Louisville who was also an expert on what was then known as the “Negro spiritual,” and her sister, Dr. Patty Smith Hill, a professor emeritus of education at Columbia University, teamed up to create a little tune of humble origins but with very long-lasting effects!

Musical notes never looked or "sounded" better than when created out of balloons by Party Fiesta!

The Hill sisters originally wrote the simplistic four-line tune (Mildred supplied the melody; Patty, the lyrics) as a little classroom ditty to welcome the children on each new day, which they titled “Good Morning To All.” (Try not to test out the song with those lyrics–you’ll never get it out of your head!)

The destined-for-history song, consisting of a mere 16 words, was first published in 1893, but it was not copyrighted until 1935. To honor the humble musical offerings of the Hill sisters, a special day is set aside each year–June 27 (the birthday of composer Mildred, who was born in 1859)–to commemorate the sweet little song that is such an integral aspect of birthdays celebrated everywhere!

Music makes every birthday better, as do birthday balloons by Party Fiesta!

The sisters never could have guessed, 118 years ago, that their modest little tune would now earn an estimated $2 million-plus every year in royalties! “Happy Birthday To You” is ranked as one of the three most popular songs in the English language, with the rousing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and the sentimental New Year’s refrain “Auld Lang Syne” keeping the birthday ditty very good company, indeed!

But “Happy Birthday” isn’t just the domain of the English language! Far from it! The next time you find yourself facing yet another candle on that birthday cake, try saying “Happy Birthday” in any of the following languages:

* Chinese (Cantonese): “Sun Yat Fai Lok”

* Farsi: “Tavalodet Mobarak”

Party Fiesta's creative birthday palm-tree arch is a hit at any party!

* French: “Joyeux Anniversaire”

* German: “Alles Gute Zum Geburtstag”

* Greek: “Chronia Pola”

* Hindi: “Janam Din Ki Badhai”

* Italian: “Buon Compleanno”

* Portuguese: “Feliz Aniversario”

* Spanish: “Feliz Cumpleanos”

However you say it, and however you celebrate, birthdays are here to stay, and so is the classic musical wish, “Happy Birthday To You”! Birthdays are a specialty of Party Fiesta Balloon Decor, whose designs make every birthday all the happier! From table centerpieces to bouquets to columns to arches to whatever your heart desires, let Party Fiesta make birthday-balloon magic for you!

"Happy Birthday To You"...and Party Fiesta really means it with their stunning birthday arch!

Balloon Sculptures, Birthdays, Holidays, Joy, Music, party balloons , ,