Make Your Stadium More Fan-Friendly – Ideas from top General Managers

Back in 2001, a marketing agent created loads of hype for the Baltimore Ravens when they faced off against the New York Giants during the Super Bowl in Tampa. The hype was created by placing tons of Ravens advertising support all along the route from the airport to the stadium, to the effect that then-president of the Ravens David Modell said that “it really made the players feel like they were at home, that this was a home game.” While this was the Raven’s first time at the Super Bowl, they certainly didn’t act like it, destroying the Giants in the process.

How to Use Gossamer for Prom Decorating

Picture a drab, grey conference hall transformed into a star-light, mid-summer night’s dream prom. Beautiful, white, Doric columns alongside a crumbling flagstone wall mark the path into a softly sparkling twilight hall. It is easy to build anticipation for the glamor of your prom with fairy lights peeking through underneath a gorgeous patterned floor runner. This transformation can be achieved with any number of creative applications of gossamer, complimented with spectacular LED light ropes and curtains.

To achieve a unique “under the stars” look, create a tent ceiling with gossamer strung from a metal hanger, with fabric flowing out to all sides.  Employ rolls of cloud fabric sweeping across the ceiling, adding layers of color for added depth and enhanced wow-factor. Loop more star gossamer across the clouds to mimic the appearance of stars shining through on a summer evening, or just crisscross with star streamers. Make the look really pop with some backlighting from colored lights, or hang beautifully lit bulbs below.

Recreate the fabulous Palazzo Hotel and Casino waterfall with different shades of water gossamer fabric, given motion thanks to strings of lights or a unique light curtain, bringing an ephemeral ambiance to the watery appearance.  Use LED cube lights at the base of the waterfall to recreate water splashing with gossamer swag draped across and among them.

Cover up ugly, plain chairs with gossamer swag in a beautiful metallic shade. Use streamers as table runners and use complementary streamers to tie lovely iridescent ribbons around the backs of the swag-bedecked chairs.  Gossamer is a beautiful semi-sheer fabric product, and no matter what look you hope you achieve with your prom this year, the many shades and options available with a variety of gossamer is guaranteed to make your prom a night to remember.

10 Uses for Candy Jars at Your Next Event

Imagine your guests entering your home, being greeted by an adorable cupcake wheel decorated with tiny candy jars, filled with colors of candy matching colored streamers on the wall. Candy jars are a cute product that you can use to add some flair to any party, while tying together a theme in an inexpensive and personal fashion.  Here are ten different ways to use candy jars at your next gathering:

Candy Jars for Children’s Parties

1. Have a cupcake themed party, turning little candy jars into quick and creative cupcakes, using a little bit of caulk to imitate the look of frosting on the lid. Add some beads or glitter for sprinkles, then tie a ribbon or tag around the base of the lid.  Fill these unique cupcake candy jars with different types of candy  to match the color theme of your party.
2. Do you have a little ballerina in the house who is celebrating a birthday? Turn a personalized candy jar into a ballerina candy jar into a mini ballerina decoration using some pink tulle and ribbon around the lid. For an added touch, tie a ballerina necklace around the outside or hide it inside the jar amid tissue paper or candies for a bonus surprise!

Candy Jar Luminaries and Decorations

3. Do you have something a little more formal and whimsical in mind? Set the mood by putting floating candles into little candy jars or small mason jars.  You could even complement your color scheme by adding food coloring to the water to create a dynamic and subtle colored atmosphere.4. For something a little safer around children, try LED submersible candles for practical and dynamic table decorations.

5. Consider adding a sparkling decal to candy jar candles to bring together a twinkling theme while providing useful favors guests can take home to forever commemorate the occasion.

6. You could also fill candy jars with beautiful baubles, such as different colors of beads , ornaments, or confetti, and even anchor a balloon into the center, for a clever and tasteful way to decorate from floor to ceiling.

7. Create the look of glittering snow around these luminaries, either on tables, a pathway, or use any of these suggestions to frame a photo station with a patterned paper backdrop to further commemorate a wonderful evening.

8. You can also use custom, personalized candy jars to create beautiful and unique candles to decorate with or give as favors.

Candy jars as spa favors

9. Invite your guests over for a spa party! Have your guests create custom bath salts using personalized candy jar favors filled with inexpensive Epsom salts. Create an ingredient bar using matching decorative candy jars filled with bath salts (or coarsely ground sea salt), baking soda, an optional botanical additive (such as chamomile buds) and some droppers filled with essential oils. Litter the table with soothing rose petals to complete the spa look, and then let your guests create their own bath salts to relax with after the party.

10. Make your own bath salts and put them in candy jars with personalized labels and instructions to use as favors to give to your guests already made.

There are so many different fun and creative ways to use candy jars as favors or decorations for your next event. Use some of these ideas, mix and match, and create your own unique event—your guests won’t forget it!

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Turn Your After Prom into a Zombie Theme

The night was surely filled with romance. Prom guests put on their formal dresses and tuxedos and danced the night away to their favorite love songs. There was probably handholding and maybe even a kiss here and there. The romance was surely impossible to ignore!

And then comes After Prom, and everything changes. Let’s face it, the teens who attend After Prom are there for a good time. The lovey-dovey stuff from the dance is over, and prom goers are ready to get comfortable and let loose. One sure-fire way to get them to show up is to pick a popular theme, and nothing is more popular right now than zombies. Turn your After Prom into a zombie theme, and you’ll have a packed house!

A Spooky Scene
The decorations for your zombie After Prom should be creepy, eerie, spooky, however you want to describe it, it should send chills down your spine.

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The

Glow at Your Next Pep Rally

Glow at Your Next Pep Rally

Don’t just deck yourself out in your school colors, literally GLOW! Take your next pep rally to a higher level by lighting up the entire place with school spirit!

Glow Jewelry

Decorate for a Fabulous Red Carpet Opener

Imagine the headlines, “Seniors Go Public on Red Carpet,” “Juniors Outshine Seniors on Red Carpet,” or “Divas: 2013 Who Wore it Best” after the paparazzi get word that your high school is hosting a fabulous Red Carpet Prom this year…. Well, maybe the local papers won’t cover your event, but your school’s journalism department will find countless headlines and endless material for their 2012-2013 yearbook.

A Dream Come True

If only for one night, your school’s prom attendees will feel the overwhelming elation of a celebrity lifestyle. Walking the red carpet is one of the most prominent events in a celebrity’s life marking their distinguished honor and celebrating their accomplishments. And just as significant as it is for a celebrity to walk the red carpet, it is just as notable to recognize all of the hard work and accomplishments high school students have come to experience throughout their educational career. So, why not host a Fabulous Red Carpet Opener?

Give Them Something to Grabble Over

School Spirit Activities for Final Exam Week

I think we can all relate to the dampering spirits students feel as the stress and pressure of finishing up homework assignments, cramming last minute knowledge into an already overly, overwhelmed head of intellectual confusion, and hopefully awaiting last minute grades with fingers crossed and whispered prayers of linger across the hallways of schools and universities everywhere. We’ve either been there and done that, or are unexcitedly doing that now… but either way, we know and remember the feeling. That daunting ball of stomach worms that sits in the pit of your stomach never really gets forgotten. But we can help lighten the spirits for those on-edge students to help make those late nights of study a little less miserable.

Pajama Day

Find Jungle Love at Your African Safari Sweetheart Dance

Amidst the jungle air, the palm trees and the wild animals, even the coldest heart can find jungle love at an African Safari Sweetheart Dance. Create the perfect atmosphere for a dance that attendees will remember for years to come.

Bring on the Trees, Please!

The key to any successful African Safari Sweetheart Dance is the trees. They do, after all, make up the most important part of the jungle backdrop. Make sure your venue is decked out with palm trees of all shapes and sizes.  If the room is tall enough, consider some Tropical Palms that tower six to nine feet into the air. While three-dimensional trees are best, if the budget is super tight, paint palm trees on murals using banner paint.

Party Animals Galore

A jungle safari isn’t complete without animals. Venture deep into the jungle with photo image cutouts of a lion, a tiger and a gorilla. But don’t stop there, every jungle needs some monkeys. A Monkey Arch and Tree is a good fit for the entrance to your event. For fun at every table, consider putting children’s toys like stuffed animals as centerpieces or in chairs.

Light up the Night

If jungle love is what you truly desire at your African Safari Sweetheart Dance, the lighting is very important. What could be more romantic than a sparkling waterfall? Stunning blue water gossamer and twinkle lights are draped down from more than nine feet in the air to make this jungle waterfall, which also works well as a photo backdrop. Since the atmosphere is romantic and lighting will be low, use tube lights to light the walkways from the entrance to the tables, and from the tables to the dance floor. They also work great around three-dimensional palm trees.

Music Makes the Memories

There’s no shortage of songs about the jungle or Africa. Some of our favorites are Steve Miller Band’s “Jungle Love” and Toto’s “Africa.” Play some of Kool and the Gang’s “Jungle Boogie” for a fun tune that will get everyone on the dance floor. Music is key to making any dance a success, and having a handful of songs to go with the dance theme help make it that much more memorable.

Go All Out with a Jungle Kit

The name speaks for itself: the Jungle Allure Kit. There’s no easier way to prepare for an evening of romance in the jungle. Animal standees, grass, palm trees, and more create this must-have set for the dance sponsor who wants to go all out.

An African Safari Sweetheart Dance is a fun and romantic way to set the scene for an unforgettable night. With the right decorations and music, it can be the most popular dance of the year. What will you do to make sure your attendees find jungle love at the dance?

Wake Up Young Fans with Santa’s Three Holiday Cheers

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Deck the halls with

Ring in the New Year at Your Company’s Monopoly Party

Go ahead – pass go and collect two hundred dollars – with play money, of course. And let your employees do it, too. You’ll give your employees a reason to show off their richer side with this year’s Monopoly Themed Party.

Set the Date

So, your company wants to host a unique holiday party – that’s great! Holiday parties are a great way to share in some casual commodore with your co-workers and regain your moral boosting spirits for the upcoming year. Give your co-workers a little evening of fun and laughter, pick a date for this year’s festivities, and ring in the New Year with a Monopoly Party. But, since people are typically busy with all of their family get-togethers, it might be best to schedule it a few weeks before or after the holidays.

Send Out Invitations

If you have a larger company, e-mail invitations might work well to inform all of your anticipated guests. For smaller companies, hand-delivered invitations might work just as well. Be sure to include the date of your event, the venue (and directions), the time, contact and RSVP information. Knowing how many people to tentatively expect will help through your planning process. (And, for a little added fun, tell your guests to dress the part of their favorite monopoly character – it will be fun to see what kind of costumes they can come up with!)

Time to Get Rich

If your business doesn’t have the space to accommodate a party, you might want to consider renting a party hall and turn the fun, family size board game into a giant walk of real-life real estate luxury. Set up long, rectangle tables around the perimeter of the room. Cover them with a colorful plastic tablecloth. Along the top of the table, lay out the board to mimic the original. The four sides of the room will correspond with the actual board game. Decorate different corners of your room with large, life-size stand-ins of the actual board pieces – like, a Pass Go and Collect $200 sign, a Free Parking sign, and a Go To Jail sign. Don’t forget your “just visiting” stand in. Your employees will get a kick out of having their picture taken in the jail cell. Scatter a few houses around, and you’ll be ready to party!

As your guests enter into the life-size game (under the archway of riches) a member of your holiday party committee will provide each life-size player with their start up money. Let each real-life player represent themselves in the game and have fun! You can tailor the game rules to fit your party’s needs also.

Ride the Railway to the Buffet

Since the game of Monopoly can be a lengthy game, have a selection of food and drinks available for your party-goers. You can go as simple to extravagant as your budget will allow. You can offer a simple appetizer buffet to a full meal buffet – but either way, your guests will appreciate it. Have your company’s party planners look into places that cater meals to take the extra work off of them. Often times, places will stick around to restock items and take away or add items as they empty. It might be worth the few extra dollars it will cost. It will allow your company’s party planners to enjoy the party without having to tend to the food line all evening.

Now go out and have fun planning! Your guests will have a blast enjoying a friendly competition of entrepreneurial greed.

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Host a Holiday Spirit Parade at Your School

The holidays are right around the corner and you know what that means, it’s time to celebrate! And instead of spending the last couple of days before the holiday break in a homework slump, host a Holiday Spirit Parade at your school and you can have a little fun while adding to the learning environment, too.
Everyone knows that Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but beyond the turkey and stuffing, presents and carolers, they may not be able to tell you what the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays signify. To help your students relate to the true meaning of the holidays, you can add a little educational fun to your classroom by hosting a holiday spirit parade.

Bringing the Holidays to the Classroom

Teachers would agree that students enjoy learning when they are interested in and actively engaged in the classroom concept. To start, have a list of people or themes surrounding the events. For Thanksgiving, some concepts may include: pilgrims, food, clothes, history, the land, religion, fasting, and the celebration. For Christmas, some concepts may include: St. Nicholas, heritage, the third century, religion, poverty and hunger, Santa Claus, how the giving of gifts came about. You can adjust the themes and concepts according to their age/grade to meet their educational needs. For younger students, keep it simple and for older students, attempt to divulge higher order thinking. Divide the children according to their chosen interests. Group activities are often the key to students having fun while learning. Let the kids research and explore their given topics. Once they’ve researched their concepts, let them put it all together.

Putting it All Together

Have students come to the parade dressed accordingly to the holiday they’re studying. Make or pass out recipes of meals that would coordinate with the events. (For Elementary students, try having your classroom invite another classroom over for a Thanksgiving meal. But, don’t forget your place settings). Decorate the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, etc. with the appropriate look to recreate the original Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities. Hang a Thanksgiving banner or Christmas banner at the entrance of your classroom to welcome your holiday tourists or carry it at the front of the parade to welcome your parade onlookers. Place cornstalks around the classroom, hallway, or school to show recognition to the first Harvest or a nativity set to honor Christmas. Talk to your band or choir teachers, see if they can teach their students a Thanksgiving or Christmas related song and have them follow along with your class as you parade around the school sharing the knowledge and good news of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Learning in Motion

You can make your parade as big or small of an event as you and your school are able to accommodate but the key is turning a hands on activity into a fun and educational event all at the same time. Children will enjoy learning the true meaning of the spirit all while having a jolly good time.

Make Your Symphony’s After Event a Music Party to Remember

A successful post-symphony music party embraces certain essential elements.Add your creativity to these elements to mix up an after event to remember.

Spirit Ideas for Your Rugby Team

Are you in a bit of a scrum over how best to support your rugby team or club?Here are a few spirit ideas for encouraging players to try, try again!

Who Done It? Start Planning Your Clue, Murder Mystery Prom

With a Clue or other murder mystery event there’s no subtraction, only addition as you bring extra anticipation and entertainment into a spectacular prom setting.

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